Biodiversity in the Tagua palm forests of Ecuador

Biodiversity associated with the Tagua palm, Phytelephas aequatorialis, is largely unknown. This palm is a key species in the natural tropical forests of the Ecuadorian Andes, and has economic and social interests through the harvesting and trade of fruits by small farming communities. Deforestation and climate change threaten the sustainability of the socio-ecological system around this palm. There is therefore an urgent need to inventory the biodiversity that depends on it to adapt conservation efforts. less ↑