Ecuador

Ecuador

Part A: Ecuador’s Background Information: Location- (Northwest Part) South America. Surrounded by Columbia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean. Play host to Andes Mountains, as well as a coastal area by the Pacific Ocean. Also own the Galapagos Islands area. Government- Republic Government, Chief of State: Rafael Correa Delgado (Since Jan 15, 2007) No states or regions, just cities. Besides the Galapagos Islands, which are considered to be owned by Ecuador.  Population- 14,790,608 (Estimated July 2010) LDC or MDC? Ecuador is a less developed country, the fact that it has way more unpaved roads than paved roads. Part B: Ecuador’s Biodiversity: Climate- 2 Seasons- Wet and Dry. Central Valleys are Spring-like all year and remain around 66 degrees F. Hot and Humid Amazon Region depending on the altitude. Herbivores- Galapagos Sea Turtle, Marine Iguana, Blue Footed Booby Carnivores- Galapagos Penguin, Galapagos Hawk. Omnivores- Finch Decomposers- Mushrooms, Bacteria Scavengers- Vulture



The Galapagos Islands are considered a hotspot for bio diversity. Indicator- tree frog Keystone- Giant Anteater Nonnative-Tree Frog Native- Galapagos Tortoise Biomes- Marine, wetlands, and Mutualism- basiomycetous fungi, fungus growing ants Commensalism- Freihofer and Niel Midge Catfish Parasite and Host- Blood parasites in nestling birlds Predator and Prey- Giant otter attacks catfish Inter specific Competition- competition between jaguars and pumas Endangered Species: Palo Santo Tree, and the Galapagos Penguin Extinct Species: Caribbean Monk Seal Part C: Human Population Rate of growth: 3.7% Doubling Time: 70/3.7= about 19 Years, The doubling time of Ecuador is shorter than the US. So it is growing faster than the US. Birth Rate: 19.96 births/ 1,000 population Death Rate: 5 deaths/ 1,000 population Net Migration Rate: -.52 migrants Population age structure: 0-14 Years: 30.1% 15-64 Years: 63.5% 65 Years and up: 6.4% Stage of Demographic Transition: Transitional Stage Family Planning: None, Parents are free to have as many children as they please. Part D: Biodiversity Biomes: Tropical Rainforest, Marine, Savannah Yes, Marine Water, Beaches Human Impacts: deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, oil production wastes, and desertification 5 Extinct, or Endangered Species: Galapagos Sea Lion, Volcan Alcedo Tortise, Marine Iguana, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Fur Seal Why: These species are mostly endangered because of destruction of habitat, and hunting of these rare species. Introduced/Alien Species- Feral Goats, Cats, and Cattle. Harmful to Ecuador because they reproduce quickly, have no natural predators, and cause destruction of habitat to many different native species of Ecuador. Ecuadorian Government declared that 97.5% of the Galapagos Islands to be within a national park and cannot be destructed or altered in any way, this includes the animals. Also the endangered species act protects many of the Ecuadorian Species.