Chocó-Andes Network: A Ring of Defense for Protecting Biodiversity

28 Ago 2025
High in the misty slopes of Ecuador's Andean Chocó, a Spectacled Bear begins its search for food. In a healthy forest, the bear could roam more than 9 miles (15 km) in a single day, climbing ridges and crossing forests to find its favorite foods: ripe fruits and tender bromeliads. But here, the path is broken. The dense green gives way to towns, roads, and pastures. Each gap in the forest is another barrier, forcing the bear to risk crossing human territory or turn back. For species like the Spectacled Bear, the fragmentation of the Andean Chocó is not just a challenge; it is a threat to survival.  

Northwest Ecuador's Chocó region is part of one of the world's ten most important biodiversity hotspots. It serves as a vital refuge for emblematic species such as Jaguar, Great Curassow, Harpy Eagle, and Giant Anteater, as well as for the critically endangered Brown-headed Spider Monkey. Remarkably, this region also harbors 8% of all bird species on Earth. Beyond its extraordinary biodiversity, the Chocó plays a critical role in the fight against climate change by storing vast amounts of carbon, while also regulating water cycles and protecting the freshwater sources on which local communities and entire cities depend. Yet this natural wealth is under severe threat: deforestation is advancing rapidly, and today only 3% of the region's original forests remain.

In response, we propose the creation of the Ring of Defense. This initiative seeks to halt and reverse forest loss by expanding existing protected areas and connecting them together. The result will be a continuous conservation network covering more than 1.2 million acres (500,000 hectares), stretching from just 200 feet (50 m) above sea level to Andean peaks nearly 16,000 feet (4,900 m) high. In doing so, it will safeguard wildlife but also the ecosystem services that sustain human well-being.

To make this possible, in 2024 Jocotoco helped establish the Chocó-Andes Network, a coalition of 11 Ecuadorian community and conservation organizations. The network is supported by funding pledges from Rainforest Trust, the Bobolink Foundation, and The Liz Claiborne and the Art Ortenberg Foundation. To ensure progress, Jocotoco has also appointed a full-time coordinator dedicated to the program. The first implementation phase in early 2025 focused on generating rapid conservation results and building long-term capacity. The results of the first round of funding are impressive.