The
lower
region
extends
from
the
flanks
of
the
Andes
towards
the
coastal
plains,
housing
torrential
rivers,
which
calm
to
give
way
to
jungle
terrain.
The
upper
region
extends
towards
the
peaks
of
the
Andes
,
covering
Toison’s
secondary
mountain
range,
where
several
mining
companies
have
taken
an
interest
in
the
valuable
minerals
found
in
the
area.
The
Reserve’s
location
among
the
western
peaks
of
the
backbone
of
the
Andes
,
where
the
bio-geographic
region
of
Choco
is
situated
–
considered
as
the
most
humid
on
the
planet
–
along
with
the
altitude
range,
which
it
embraces,
are
the
principle
reasons
for
the
existence
of
such
biodiversity
in
this
region.
The
Cotacachi-Cayapas
Reserve
is
an
Ecuadorian
protected
area
accommodating
the
largest
number
of
life
zones
of
all
the
country’s
reserves
or
national
parks.
Furthermore,
it’s
known
that
20
per
cent
of
the
country’s
total
number
of
endemic
plant
species
belongs
to
the
western
regions.
Despite
the
fact
that
it
hasn’t
yet
been
thoroughly
researched,
it
is
generally
agreed
that
this
region
accommodates
one
of
the
richest
ecosystems
on
the
planet.
Last
Updated
17th
July
2006
