Question 1

FLORA

Accepted Answer

The plant species at Siempre Verde are among the most diverse and rarest on the planet.
Specimens include orchids, bromeliads, and even a hemiparasite that grows underground and only emerges from its host when it blossoms. Because of the wonderful flora, many students leave Siempre Verde with a newfound interest in botany.
ORCHIDS AT SIEMPRE VERDE
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When you think of an orchid, you may think of a high school prom corsage, but others (like me) think smaller. Ecuador now has over 4,000 species of orchids, and the greatest diversity of orchids in the world occurs in the Andes. In July 2010, orchid researcher and long-time friend Lorena Endara visited Siempre Verde and went hunting for miniature orchids, her speciality. The last time I saw Lorena was in 2004 at the Los Cedros reserve, which is also in the Intag river valley. She is currently doing her graduate work on a specific group of diminutive orchids, so I knew that getting her to visit Siempre Verde would be a great opportunity to identify many of these tiny orchids found at the reserve. I really enjoyed getting a chance to find these little gems. Keep an eye out for an orchid guide for Siempre Verde, coming soon. I’ve identified and photographed over 75 species of orchids from the reserve so far, and I’m finding new ones each visit.
 
- Alex Reynolds, Director

Question 2

FAUNA

Accepted Answer

List of known mammals(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kNdEcxYasWPTAUc34AzgDBrIqeU6MY5RuvdI9P2YP4w/edit?usp=sharing)
List of known birds(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1butju4pHjJEZ6v6cso6uSNaA3sCP3JMb0IkesELSefo/edit?usp=sharing)
 
FROM BATS TO BEARS
 
Nathan Muchhala, a renowned bat researcher, visited Siempre Verde in November 2009. After a week of mistnetting bats, Muchhala and his team caught 48 individuals from nine species, one of which has yet to be identified. They also confirmed at least nine species of bat-pollinated flowers and took nectar and pollen samples for later analysis. Muchhala was searching for a specific bat species he identified for the first time ever in 2006. He didn’t find it on this trip, but found multiple flowers of a plant specifically pollinated by that species, so he is optimistic he will find it on his next visit. He wrote, saying “[Siempre Verde] turns out to be a bit of a paradise for nectar bats,” with a “remarkably high density of bat-pollinated flowers.” This is not surprising because bats make up a very important part of the pollination ecology of high elevation cloudforests. This type of research provides so much insight into an otherwise under-appreciated forest inhabitant.

The Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is South America’s only bear species and one of the most important conservation symbols in the Andes. This small bear (avg. 300-400 lbs.) is a shy tree dweller and mostly vegetarian. But it is now threatened with extinction largely because like us, it loves corn, which makes for unfriendly relationships with local farmers. Recently, we spotted two cubs in or near the reserve and found numerous signs of bears using the Arriba Trail. The Andean Bear Project operates out of the nearby town of Pucará and regularly tracks bears at Siempre Verde.

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