| El Cajas National Park | |
|---|---|
 A lagoon in Cajas National Park | |
  Location in Ecuador | |
| Location | Ecuador Azuay Province |
| Nearest city | Cuenca |
| Coordinates | 02°50′46″S79°13′13″W / 2.84611°S 79.22028°W /-2.84611; -79.22028 |
| Area | 285.4 km2 (110.2 sq mi) |
| Established | November 5, 1996 (Resolution N° 057) |
| Official name | Parque Nacional Cajas |
| Designated | 14 August 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1203[1] |
El Cajas National Park orCajas National Park (Spanish:Parque Nacional El Cajas) is a national park in the highlands ofEcuador. It is located about 30 km west fromCuenca, the capital of the province ofAzuay. The area of 285.44 km2 (28,544 ha) between 3100m and 4450m above sea level is characterized bypáramo vegetation on a jagged landscape of hills and valleys. It was declared aNational Park on November 5, 1996 by resolution N° 057.
The name "Cajas" is derived from theQuichua word "cassa" meaning "gateway to the snowy mountains".[2] or "caxa" (Quichua:cold).[3] It has also been linked to the Spanish word "cajas" (boxes).[3]
The highest point is the 4,450 m high Cerro Arquitectos (Architects Hill), and the elevation of roads reaches higher than 4,310 meters (13,550 feet). About 270lakes andlagoons are present in thepáramo of Cajas. Luspa is the largest of these lake and extends over 78 hectares with a maximum depth of 68 m at a perimeter of 5,161 m. Like the other lakes it is of glacial origin, andglaciation shaped the landscape of Cajas leaving U-shaped valleys and ravines. Cajas provides about 60% of thedrinking water for the Cuenca area. Two of the four rivers of Cuenca originate from Cajas, theTomebamba andYanuncay rivers which eventually drain into theAmazon River. ThePaute river also links to the Amazon. As the park straddles the continental divide, its western drainage, theBalao andCañar link to the Pacific ocean. The modern road crosses thecontinental divide at the pass "Tres Cruces" (4,255 m). This section is the most western part of the continental divide of South America.[2]
The climate shows an average temperature of 13.2 °C and an average annual precipitation of 1,072 mm. Clouds typically drift up from the Pacific coast and from the Paute river basin (near Cuenca) and bring humidity.
Humidity and high altitude with low atmospheric pressure create an ecosystem that accumulates organic material in the soil that is able to retain water. The high grassland ecosystem (páramo) contains plants suitably adapted to it, 19 of themendemic to Cajas. The dominant plant is straw grass (Calamagrostis intermedia).
Above 3,300 meters the "queñua" or "paper tree" (Polylepis) forest is found. It is in forests such as these that a second protected population of the rareFuchsia campii, in the familyOnagraceae, is predicted to live, as it has also been found in another nearby national park of similar ecological characteristics.[4]
In the lower parts of the park, thecloud forest and perennial high mountain forest are present, primarily in theravines near the brooks and rivers.
The Cajas National Park is home to a large variety of animals, some of which areendemic or highlyendangered. Among the most prominent are theSouth American condor, of which only 80 remain throughout all Ecuador; thecuriquinga, a large black and whiteraptor, and the largesthummingbird of the world, the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas), which lives only onagave flowers[citation needed]. The violet-throated metaltail (Metalura gorjivioleta) is endemic to Cajas and surrounding valleys.[5] Theavifauna consists of 157 bird species, makingbirdwatching an alluring activity for visitors.
Overall, forty-four mammalian species have been identified in the park. Species include types ofopossums,cats, andbats. Also there arepumas,coatis,weasels,skunks,foxes,porcupines,pacas,shrews,rabbits and otherrodents.Endemic are the Cajas water mouse (Chibchanomys orcesi) that belongs to the groupIchthyomyini and Tate's shrew opossum (Caenolestes tatei).[2]
At least seventeen species ofamphibians live around thelagoons of Cajas. This includes those of the generaAtelopus,Telmatobius,Gastrotheca,Eleutherodactylus, andColostethus. The high variety of amphibians suggests the presence of a diversity ofinsects, as they are a chief amphibian food source. Many of these endemic frog species are critically endangered due to the spread of the parasitic fungusBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (BD); IncludingAtelopus nanay,Atelopus balios, andAtelopus bomolochos.[6]
The area shows evidence of human activities already from theCañari period. This includes three interregional roads connecting Guapondelig (laterTomebamba, today Cuenca) with the lowlands includingParedones, a control point for the trade between the highlands and the coastal areas. After theIncan invasion Inca roads were constructed, incorporating preexisting roads. Twenty-eight archeological sites have been identified in the park and its vicinity that indicate inhabitation during the pre-Incan and Incan periods.[2] During the Colonial time the vicinity of the area was used for livestock. With the creation of the park the area has become popular for hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, and birdwatching. Control points are located at the road entries to the park. The park has a refuge hut and can be reached from Cuenca and Guayaquil. A road fromChaucha toSan Joaquin touches on the southern border of the park providing access.
Cajas is listed as aRamsar Wetland of International Importance. It is also categorized as anImportant Bird Area. Currently it is a candidate forWorld Natural Heritage Site byUNESCO.[2]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
| National Parks | |
|---|---|
| Biological Reserves | |
| Ecological Reserves | |
| Geobotanical Reserves | |
| Wildlife Reserves | |
| Wildlife Refuges | |
| National Recreational Parks | |
| Binational Parks | |
| Marine Reserves | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
