ABOUT THIS SITE

This website is for visitors to Vilcabamba who are curious about the valley’s natural environment. It offers selected information on some interesting and easy-to-observe natural features, processes and species. It is meant to be easy to understand even for those with no background in natural history. The more technical or detailed information is shown in separate text boxes.

The first section of the site gives a background on the physical environment. The second section is about human influences on the environment. The third section presents a framework for understanding the ecology of the valley, and uses this framework to introduce some interesting common plant species.

Geographically, the site focuses on the lower reaches of the valley – the valley floor and its surrounding hillsides. This is an area of about 15 sq. km (6 sq. miles). The site does not include information on the natural environment of the higher mountains, reaching up into Podocarpus National Park. (Other sources of information about the Park include excellent materials produced by Fundación Ecológica Arcoiris and Programa Podocarpus.)

The natural environment of the lower valley is clearly not the same as that which existed before humans arrived. There are no pristine ecosystems here. But the valley remains a place well worth exploring for its physical beauty and biological diversity. As awareness and options evolve, perhaps a good balance will be struck between human activities and the valley’s natural cycles and systems.

Most of the features and species in this site can be observed from many places in the valley. However, much of the groundwork for the site was done at the Rumi Wilco Natural Forest Reserve, and many of the photos come from there.