Guia de la flora. Bosque protector Aguarongo. 2019. illus. 238 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.- In Spanish.

Juan Loyola Illescas Ecuador is situated in the equatorial zone of the planet. Its territory is crossed by the Andes mountain range, and the Inter-Andean Corridor forms a geographical barrier dividing the east from the west. These particular geographical, topographical and climatic characteristics, along with variations in temperature, give rise to four geographical zones: the Coast, the Highlands, the Amazon and the Islands (Galápagos Archipelago), each with diverse ecosystems. Ecuador covers just 10% of the planet’s land area yet is home to 75% of the planet’s vertebrates, invertebrates, vascular plants and non-vascular plants; in other words, it is the country with the highest relative biodiversity on the planet. In the highlands region, cold, temperate and hot climates coexist due to its mountainous terrain with numerous slopes and valleys.

The flora that stands out in this region includes Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae, Araliaceae, Rosaceae, Bromeliaceae and Scrophulariaceae. The Aguarongo Protected Forest covers 1,758 hectares; it is situated in the inter-Andean corridor, with a temperate to cold climate, and is of vital importance as it supplies water to various communities in the cantons of Gualaceo, Sigsig and Cuenca. Its unique physical characteristics give rise to a high diversity of plant species, which are documented in this book.
The aim of the book is to raise awareness among visitors and the general public of the importance of caring for, protecting and restoring the ecosystem.