Ecuador, a country with unparalleled natural wealth, harbors some of the most varied and preserved ecosystems on the planet. This diversity is splendidly manifested in its national parks, which are essential not only for the protection of unique species in the world but also as tourist attractions offering memorable experiences to all their visitors.
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History of National Parks in Ecuador
The National System of Protected Areas of Ecuador (SNAP) encompasses over 26 million hectares, representing 19.42% of the country’s territory, according to 2022 figures. This extensive coverage reflects the rich biodiversity that characterizes Ecuador, situated in a privileged zone of the planet.
The main objective of SNAP is to preserve biological diversity and ensure the functioning of ecosystems. To achieve this, the system is structured into subsystems that include state, decentralized autonomous, community, and private areas.
All these efforts are aimed at protecting, managing, and sustainably using biodiversity, also promoting the connection between different ecosystems, whether terrestrial, insular, or marine, always respecting the rights of nature. The administration of SNAP is the responsibility of the State, which also provides the necessary funds for its maintenance and promotes the active participation of indigenous communities in its management.
By 2023, SNAP comprises 76 protected areas throughout the country, including the list of national parks in Ecuador, reserves, and wildlife refuges, each with its own conservation category. The Galapagos Marine Reserve stands out as the largest, covering approximately 14 million hectares, followed by the Brotherhood Marine Reserve and Yasuni National Park. Sangay National Park is notable for having the greatest diversity of ecosystems, followed by Podocarpus National Park and the Cajas National Park, which is one of the most visited.
The distribution of protected areas by natural regions shows that 99.8% of the Insular region, 7.95% of the Coast, 9.51% of the Sierra, and 27.8% of the Amazon are protected. The largest extension of protected areas is found in the marine zone, followed by the Amazon, the Galapagos, the Sierra, and finally the Coast.
As of 2023, 20.60% of Ecuador’s territory, including both land areas and the Galapagos, is protected, along with 19.15% of marine areas. Biodiversity conservation in the country is based on the 1998 Constitution of Ecuador and reaffirmed in the 2008 Constitution, establishing SNAP as an essential strategy for environmental protection covering Ecuador’s four geographical regions.
Establishment and Historical Conservation
The history of environmental conservation in Ecuador began in 1934 with the implementation of the first laws to protect the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands and its endemic species. This initial effort expanded in 1959 with the creation of Galapagos National Park, followed by the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve in 1966 and the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve in 1968. It wasn’t until 1976 that an institutional approach to conservation was formalized, marking a shift from a commercial perspective to biodiversity protection. This shift was solidified with the Forestry and Conservation of Natural Areas and Wildlife Law of 1981, which is still in force.
In 1989, a second strategy was promoted to integrate the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) into territorial planning and encourage community participation in protected area management. Following these strategies, the Ecuadorian Institute of Forestry and Natural Areas and Wildlife (INEFAN) was created in 1991, linked to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. Later on, the Environmental Advisory Commission formulated policies that led to the creation of the Ministry of the Environment in 1996, solidifying the government’s role in environmental conservation.
The 1998 constitution played a crucial role in institutionalizing SNAP, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and ecological conservation. The 2008 Constitution reaffirmed these principles, defining SNAP as a system composed of state, decentralized autonomous, community, and private subsystems, with the State as the main regulator and promoter of conservation.
List of National Parks in Ecuador
General Characteristics of National Parks
Ecuador’s national parks encompass a wide range of ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforests to the Andean páramos and oceanic islands. This diversity provides a home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic. Additionally, the parks also possess sites of cultural and archaeological significance, testament to the ancient civilizations that once inhabited these lands.
Total Surface Area of Protected Areas
| Region | Insular | Coast | Sierra | Amazonia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of protected areas | 99.8% | 7.95% | 9.51% | 27.8% |
Classification of the National System of Protected Areas in Ecuador and Management Categories
National Parks
These are extensive natural areas, whether terrestrial or marine, with over 10,000 hectares. They are in natural or slightly altered conditions and have little human presence. They may include sites of historical and cultural importance and are characterized by their diversity of species and genetic resources. These parks are essential for research, environmental monitoring, ecotourism, and conservation.
Biological Reserves
They constitute natural areas that protect intact or highly conserved ecosystems or microecosystems, representing a high diversity of species. Their main focus is the conservation of ecosystems and species, with research as a priority activity and very restricted use of natural resources.
Ecological Reserves
These are areas of national or regional importance that include one or more ecosystems with minimal human intervention. Their objective is to conserve genetic diversity, scenic beauty, and regulate the environment for research and environmental education. They allow for recreation and ecotourism activities compatible with their objectives.
Geobotanical Reserves
Areas designated to conserve wild flora and outstanding geological resources, promoting the conservation of diverse ecosystems and landscapes. They encourage the recovery of altered areas and offer opportunities for tourism and cultural education.
Wildlife and Flora Production Reserve
Designated zones for the protection and management of wild species with economic value or for the subsistence of native communities. They promote research and sustainable development of wildlife for activities such as sport hunting, also allowing access to visitors under specific regulations.
Wildlife Refuge
These are smaller areas, terrestrial or marine, that protect ecosystems or habitats important for the conservation of significant species. They seek to ensure the survival of species at risk and allow for their long-term conservation.
Marine Reserve
Encompasses marine areas within a set boundary, including the water column, seabed, and subsoil, where human activity, such as fishing, is strictly regulated to meet conservation objectives.
National Recreation Area
These areas offer natural landscapes of scenic, educational, tourist, and recreational value. They support tourist activities and contribute to local development based on nature tourism.
Each category has a specific purpose, from the strict conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems to the promotion of environmental education, sustainable tourism, and scientific research.
Size of Protected Areas in National Parks in Ecuador
Below are the Ecuadorian national parks ordered from largest to smallest by protected area:
| Name | Year | Province | Area (ha) | Official Modification Record (Date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yasuní National Park | 1979 | Orellana, Pastaza | 1,029,566.32 | Official Registry No. 408 of 02/04/1990 Official Registry No. 937 of 05/18/1992 |
| Galapagos National Park | 1959 | Galapagos, Marine Area | 789,088.151 | |
| Cayambe-Coca National Park | 1970 | Imbabura, Pichincha, Sucumbíos, Napo | 408,284.5 | Official Registry No. 69 of 11/20/1979 Official Registry No. 283 of 09/21/2010 |
| Sangay National Park | 1975 | Azuay, Cañar, Chimborazo, Morona Santiago, Tungurahua | 486,612.53 | Official Registry No. 69 of 11/20/1979 Official Registry No. 939 of 05/20/1992 Official Registry No. 330 of 05/07/2004 |
| Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park | 1968 | Esmeraldas, Imbabura | 260,961.46 | Official Registry No. 69 of 11/20/1979; Official Registry No. 711 of 11/25; Ministerial Agreement No. 072 of August 2017 |
| Llanganates National Park | 1996 | Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Pastaza, Napo | 219,918.58 | Unchanged |
| Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park | 1994 | Napo, Orellana, Sucumbíos | 206,161.74 | Unchanged |
| Cajas National Park | 1977 | Azuay | 29,389.37 | Official Registry No. 69 of 11/20/1979 Official Registry No. 02 of 01/17/2003 |
| Cotopaxi National Park | 1975 | Cotopaxi, Napo, Pichincha | 32,271.71 | Official Registry No. 69 of 11/20/1979 Official Registry No. 10 of 08/23/1996 |
| Río Negro-Sopladora National Park | 2018 | Azuay, Morona Santiago | 30,616.27 | Unchanged |
| Machalilla National Park | 1979 | Manabí, Santa Elena, Islands | 40,816.40 | Official Registry No. 472 of 06/29/1994 |
| Yacurí National Park | 2010 | Loja, Zamora Chinchipe | 42,888.34 | Unchanged |
| Podocarpus National Park | 1983 | Zamora Chinchipe, Loja | 138,492.58 | Unchanged |
| Antisana National Park | 1993 | Napo, Pichincha | 120,581.27 | Ministerial Agreement No. 20 of 07/20/2021 |
See also
- Ambiente Gob Ecuador (Spanish).
- SINAP (Spanish).
- Ramsar
- Unesco (Spanish).