DONACIONES

 KINTI TOISÁN RESERVE

Kinti Toisán Reserve, located in the Toisán mountain range in the Cotacachi canton of Ecuador, comprises 104 hectares of high Andean forest. It was created in 2023 by Aves y Conservación to protect the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), an endemic and critically endangered hummingbird. This ecosystem not only shelters this emblematic species but also harbors unique biodiversity and stands as a stronghold for the conservation of the high Andean biome.

The establishment of the reserve has been possible thanks to the support of international partners including BirdLife International, Dansk Ornitologisk Forening (DOF), American Bird Conservancy, the Weeden Foundation, and the Marshall Reynolds Foundation. These collaborations have been essential in promoting sustainable conservation initiatives and habitat restoration.

The reserve is not only a refuge for endangered species but also promotes scientific research, training, and environmental awareness, becoming a model for conservation in the region.

Location

Kinti Toisán is located in the upper area of the Toisán mountain range, within the parish of Peñaherrera, Cotacachi canton, in the western sector of Imbabura province. It is part of the Intag–Toisán Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and lies approximately four hours from Quito. Its altitudinal range spans from 2,860 to 3,400 meters above sea level, placing it strategically among nearby conservation areas such as Pajas de Oro Protected Forest, La Loma Community Forest, and Cotacachi Cayapas National Park.

Additionally, Kinti Toisán is integrated into the Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area Intag–Toisán, consolidating its role as a key site for biodiversity protection, research, training, education, and sustainable development.

Biodiversity

The reserve is dominated by evergreen montane forest of the western Andes, characterized by a canopy between 20–25 meters high and a highly diverse and structurally complex ecosystem. The forests of Kinti Toisán, located between 2,900 and 3,400 meters above sea level in the Toisán range, resemble cloud forests with abundant mosses and epiphytic plants. The forest features short, thick-trunked trees and lower alpha diversity compared to lower elevations. These ecosystems are crucial for climate regulation and carbon capture, while providing essential environmental services such as water regulation, benefiting local communities.

FLORA
The reserve contains primary forest dominated by tall, long-lived trees with vascular epiphytes from families such as Araceae, Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Cyclanthaceae.
FLORA
Representative tree families include Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Clusiaceae, Primulaceae, Chloranthaceae, Myrtaceae, and Theaceae. Common genera include Clusia, Cedrela, Ocotea, Myrcianthes, Gordonia, Miconia, Saurauia, Weinmannia, Hieronyma, Geissanthus, and Palicourea.
FLORA
A baseline study from July 2023 recorded at least 200 plant species, including: 3 new orchid species of the genus Lepanthes, 2 new species of Glossoloma, 2 of Burneistera
FLORA
• And 1 new species of Gasteranthus, 1 new record for Ecuador: Pleurothallis magnifica, Endemic species such as Epidendrum mesogastropodium, Telipogon sarae (endangered), Pleurothallis galerita, and Centropogon aequatorialis (native).
FAUNA
In Kinti Toisán a total of 110 bird species have been recorded, including the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis). Other globally threatened species include: Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andígena laminirostris), Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori), Scaly-naped Amazon (Amazona mercenarius), Tawny-breasted Tinamou (Nothocercus Julius).
FAUNA
Mammals recorded include: Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis), Ecuadorian Shrew (Cryptotis equatoris), Pichincha Oldfield Mouse (Thomasomys vulcani), Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Andean Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus), Andean Paca (Cuniculus taczanowskii), Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), Little Red Brocket Deer (Mazama Rufina), and Puma (Puma concolor).
FAUNA
Amphibians: Four Pristimantis species recorded; three identified (P. leoni, P. grp. myersi, P. grp. devilley) and others still under analysis, possibly new to science.

The birds of Kinti Toisán

Species list on eBird
Bird guide
Identification sheets

CONSERVATION / RESEARCH

The reserve focuses on conserving the Black-breasted Puffleg and the region’s cloud forest biodiversity through habitat protection, ecological restoration using native trees and hummingbird-friendly flowers propagated from seeds, seedlings, and cuttings.

A key component is monitoring plant–hummingbird interactions to ensure resource availability. Mammal monitoring is also conducted as an indicator of ecosystem health.

These efforts are complemented by environmental education, community training, and participatory monitoring for long-term, integrated reserve management.

Discover the Reserve

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