Kinti Toisán Reserve: a new site for the conservation of the Black-breasted Puffleg and other bird diversity in the Chocó-Andes region
Our project focuses on generating knowledge to conserve and restore degraded habitat for one of Ecuador’s two known breeding areas for the Endangered Black-breasted Puffleg (BBP), also benefiting other bird species in the Chocó-Andes region.
Project funded by:
The Black-breasted Puffleg was listed as Critically Endangered. The presence of a stable population along the Intag-Toisán Mountain Range has brought the species down to Endangered.
However, the species remains rare and difficult to observe in the northwestern Pichincha subpopulation, and the Toisan subpopulation is not well known and threatened by logging, agriculture, and potential extractive projects.
By securing new land for protection, improving habitat management and restoration, and promoting scientific tourism as environmentallyfriendly income, Aves y Conservacion plans to protect the Puffleg´s population and reduce the threat of extinction.
¿What is the importance of the specie´s habitat?
To Save the Choco-Andes, the BirdLife Partnership is implementing a 10-year Conservation Investment Strategy (CIS) to benefit migratory and resident birds in the Ecuadorian Chocó rainforests and high-Andean forests.
This project will contribute to four of the nine strategic priorities of the CIS:
- Encourage conservation and sustainable land use on private properties.
- Educational communication for generating positive attitudes toward biodiversity
- Ecological restoration for improving landscape connectivity
- Support the creation and management of sub-national and private protected areas.
Overall Project Goal
Our objective is to protect and preserve the Black-breasted Puffleg population by establishing the Kinti Toisán Reserve as a hub for scientific research, environmental education, and ecotourism. Through this initiative, we will enhance local capabilities and promote effective management and restoration of key bird habitats by utilizing native plant species throughout the region.
Activities
- Organize two field biology courses (ornithology, botany, herpetology, nature photography and camera traps) aimed at biology students, local bird guides.
- Develop propagation protocols for at least ten different native tree species.
- Develop community workshops on the production of native trees actively involving women.
- Carry out planting campaigns to enrich 40 hectares of degraded cattle pasture and create gardens for hummingbirds with a focus on BBP.
- Secure an additional 90 hectares to increase BBP habitat and connectivity.
Expected results
- Two biology/ecology theses with Ecuadorian/ foreign universities initiate in the first year to increase biotic information about the region’s biodiversity.
- 30 community leaders and local conservationists strengthened their capacities to support research and conservation processes across Intag.
- Increased knowledge on the presence of BBP and other endemic and threatened bird species of interest for the conservation and promotion of birdwatching in the Intag Valley.
- Two collaboration agreements signed with universities to implement projects, field visits, or courses.
- Raise awareness, increase visitation, strengthen partnerships, and secure the financial sustainability of the Kinti Toisan Reserve to support the ongoing conservation efforts and promote the reserve as a model for sustainable ecotourism and environmental education.10,000 native trees produced including plants for Black-breasted Puffleg.
Activities
- Carry out planting campaigns to enrich degraded habitats with native species.
- Participatory diagnostic to determine restoration areas, reforestation schemes, conservation incentives, and interested landowners within the Intag Valley.
- Identification of key native plants and tree species for propagation to provide environmental, ecological, and birdwatching (attracting birds) positive impact.
- Implement a local nursery with plants experimental propagation and set up a conditioning area in Kinti Toisán reserve.
- Workshops to strengthen local nurseries and promote the propagation of native plants.
- Secure additional funding and identified potential areas to increase BBP habitat protection.
Expected results
- There is a baseline for managing new restoration projects, community development and incentives, and promoting new protected areas and connectivity corridors in the region.
- Propagation protocols are developed for at least 10 native plant species, and local stakeholders manage one local nursery.
- At least 10,000 seedlings are produced, including plants for Black-breasted Puffleg and other birds as frugivorous.
- 30 residents trained through assisted and natural forest regeneration workshops promoting woman’s participation.
- 40 hectares of degraded habitats start its restoration to increase forest connectivity through planting events with the La Loma community.
- Protection of the breeding habitat of the BBP is increased by at least 90 hectares.
Activities
- Prepare the management plan for Reserva Kinti Toisán.
- Maintenance to the access road to the Reserve (14 km).
- Equip two wooden cabins to facilitate their use by visitors and scientists.
- Construct two trails for research and wildlife observation in Kinti Toisan and Cotacachi Cayapas National Park.
- Construction of hides to facilitate the photography of birds in key places such as feeders and observation deck construction.
- Hire a reserve manager and reserve park ranger for administration and management plan implementation.
Expected results
- Kinti Toisan has a well-defined management plan to guide conservation efforts, actively engage stakeholders, promote sustainable resource management practices, and establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system.
- Improved access road to facilitate the Reserve management and visitation.
- Two cabins and one classroom equipped allow Kinti Toisan to serve as a scientific station, receive visitors and host educational events.
- 10 sites for bird monitoring are established in research trails and transects.
- An administrator and local park ranger hired to lead the management of Kinti Toisan.
