1. El Oriente Lisa Chase Adventure Ecuador See The Beautyof the Equitorial latitudes

2. Amazon Basin (2%) and Eastern Andean Foothills Just under 1/2 the total surface area Under 5% of population El Oriente

3. Latitude - straddles equator –Not seasonal –Relatively consistent temperatures averages 25  C or 77  F year round –ITCZ Regular rain Topography –Orographic rain from Trade Winds on the Eastern Slope of the Andes Equatorial Low Pressure in Action Climate

4. Incredibly diverse vegetation Tropical broadleaf forest Thousands of species of plants –Trees –Lianas –Epiphytes Tropical rainforest “La Selva” Unique and Rich Biodiversity 20% mainland plants are endemic

5. An underprotected and underappreciated resource Trees > 30 m Medicinal plants Our favorite foods

6. Breathtaking biodiversity Half of Ecuador’s mammals live in El Oriente Nearly half the world’s bird species can be found in Ecuador

7. Biodiversity “ hot spot”!!!

8. Promote Ecotourism Kayak Ecuador!

9. Be prepared for… Rain! Pack raingear, fast-drying clothes and extra socks Illnesses carried by mosquitoes -bring insect repellent Intense insolation -Bring sun protection Waterborne illnesses -Don’t drink untreated water

10. Visit Ecuador! Range of biomes from Tropical Rainforest of the Amazon Basin to the Highlands of the Andes Various landscapes Volcanoes, waterfalls, islands Incredible Biodiversity 3 biodiversity “hot spots” in Ecuador