AVIFAUNA IN THEBOLIVAR RUTA DEL HIELERO, CHIMBORAZO FAUNA PRODUCTION RESERVE, ECUADOR.

Abstract

The study examines the diversity of birds in the Ruta del Hielero of Bolivar, Ecuador, evaluating the abundance, diversity and conservation status of birds in this little-studied region. Using the strip transect method, 5 transects were drawn where 279 sightings of 32 species belonging to 6 orders were recorded, Apodiformes representing the highest number of families, Trochilidae showing the highest number of species. All species are native, and a representative species of the site is Oreotrochilus chimborazo because of its abundance. All inventoried individuals are listed as Least Concern (LC), according to the IUCN Red List, and are under regulation in Appendix II of CITES, it was also determined that the route exhibits medium levels of diversity in most of the areas studied, according to the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, revealing a significant richness in the area studied. The results highlight the importance of conserving this unique ecosystem and suggest that the information collected may be crucial for future conservation and sustainable development strategies in the region.