Nature Reserve & Biological Field Station
-Un poco del Chocó-

Location of Un poco del Chocó
Un poco del Chocó is situated in the province Pichincha, a few kilometers northeast of San Miguel de Los Bancos in Ayapi at the river Pachijal. However, Un poco del Chocó can only be reached via the small village Las Tolas (40 minutes by car). From there an 11 km unpaved road leads to Ayapi and the river Pachijal. The last part requires a 4WD, at least during the rainy season.

The Montane Rainforest of Un poco del Chocó
The Biological Station Un poco del Chocó owns a private study area. The 15 hectares of montane rainforest of the project are situated in the transition zone between the biodiversity-hotspots Chocó and Tropical Andes. The forest reaches from the river Pachijal, at an elevation of 950m, up to the road that leads to Las Tolas, at an elevation of 1200m. Along the roadside you will find flourishing secondary forest, which was a cattle field only 15 years ago. The house of Wilo and Nicole, the station’s house and the organic garden are built here. The other bigger part of the forest is disturbed primary forest. The majority of the bigger trees has been cut illegally.

Flora and Fauna
In between tree ferns, giant arum plants, palms, bromeliads, orchids and a variety of other typical montane rainforest vegetation live many animals. Besides being part of the Chocó-ecoregion the forest of Un poco del Chocó also belongs to the “Important Bird Area” of Mindo-Nanegalito. Merely around their house Nicole has already identified 194 bird species. For example, you can observe Chocó-Toucans, Chocó-Trogons, Andean-Cocks-Of-The-Rock, Torrent Ducks, lots of different hummingbird and tanager species (bird species list). If you’re lucky you’ll see White-fronted Capuchin-Monkeys or Western Agoutis and if not (?!), a tarantula or a fer-de-lance. At nighttime foraging armadillos, kinkajous, pacas and ocelots roam through the forest.

 Lodging
In summer 2010 the construction of the station’s house was completed. Now up to ten volunteers, students or visitors can be lodged here. On the upper floor there are the dormitories, one dorm room with bunk beds for four people and two rooms for two or three people. On the lower floor there is the kitchen and the dining room, as well as the small laboratory. Next to the station’s house there are two (hot water) showers and three outhouses. On the balconies, you can enjoy the view of the forest canopy.