Pacoche

Pacoche Wildlife Refuge protects a remnant patch of coastal dry tropical forest and humid forest on the Manabí Province coast of western Ecuador, approximately 12 kilometers south of Manta, Ecuador's major fishing port. The refuge covers approximately 30,000 hectares of forested hills along the coast, protecting one of the last significant stands of coastal forest in this heavily deforested region of Ecuador. Pacoche is recognized as a critical refuge for the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), which has been extirpated from most of the surrounding coastal Ecuador landscape, and the refuge maintains an important and accessible population. The area was established to protect this highly threatened coastal forest ecosystem in a region where habitat loss has been among the most severe in Ecuador.

Pacoche Wildlife Refuge is most celebrated for its population of mantled howler monkeys, which represent one of the most accessible wild primate viewing opportunities on Ecuador's coast. These large, sonorous monkeys can often be seen and heard in the canopy near the refuge entrance and along trails. White-headed capuchin monkeys also inhabit the reserve. Brocket deer, coatis, and various small mammals inhabit the forest. The avifauna includes the Ecuadorian ground dove, Pacific royal flycatcher, and numerous species of Ecuador's distinctive Tumbesian endemic bird zone, which encompasses the dry forests of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru—one of South America's top priority areas for bird conservation. The olive-backed quail-dove, scarlet-backed woodpecker, and various tanager species are among the birds present. Sea turtles nest on beaches adjacent to the refuge, and the adjacent Pacific coast supports marine wildlife.

The refuge protects a mosaic of dry tropical forest, semi-deciduous forest, and humid forest types, reflecting the strong influence of the cold Humboldt Current on the coastal climate. The dry forest is dominated by balsa, ceibo (Ceiba trichristandra), and other drought-deciduous trees that shed their leaves during the dry season, revealing spectacular flowering displays in some species. The semi-deciduous and humid forest sectors in ravines and on north-facing slopes support a denser, taller canopy with strangler figs, lianas, and greater epiphyte cover. The Tumbesian dry forests of coastal Ecuador and Peru are recognized as one of the world's most threatened tropical forest types, with less than 5% of the original extent remaining intact. The reserve thus protects an extraordinary and rare example of a globally threatened ecosystem type. Coastal vegetation including algarrobo (Prosopis) and endemic cacti characterize the most arid zones.

The hills of the Pacoche refuge are part of the Chongón-Colonche mountain range, a low coastal range of hills running along the Manabí and Guayas coast. The geology consists of sedimentary and volcanic marine rocks from the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods, formed when this area was beneath the Pacific Ocean. Uplift associated with Andean tectonics has raised these marine sediments above sea level, creating the present-day coastal hills. The terrain is characterized by steep, dissected hillsides and narrow valleys carved by seasonal streams. Soils are generally thin and prone to erosion on steep slopes, making intact forest cover essential for maintaining slope stability. The coastal cliff environments, where the hills meet the Pacific, expose ancient marine sedimentary strata. The offshore waters around Manta are influenced by the Humboldt Current and the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which periodically bring warm water with dramatic ecological consequences.

Pacoche experiences a coastal tropical climate strongly modulated by the cold Humboldt Current, which keeps coastal temperatures lower and precipitation more seasonal than Ecuador's Amazonian lowlands. There is a pronounced dry season from June to November when cold upwelling offshore suppresses rainfall and maintains dry, foggy conditions, and a wet season from December to May when the warmer Panama Current pushes north and brings heavy rainfall. Annual precipitation averages approximately 600–1,000 millimeters, concentrated in the wet months. Temperatures are mild year-round, averaging 22–26°C, tempered by sea breezes. The foggy garúa season in the dry months creates a distinctive humid microclimate in the hills that supports vegetation in the absence of rain, and the fog drip from forest canopy can be an important water source. El Niño events bring dramatically elevated rainfall and can cause flooding and landslides.

The coastal forests of Manabí have been inhabited since pre-Columbian times by peoples including the Manteña civilization, which flourished from approximately 800 to 1500 CE and was known for its seafaring, trade networks, and distinctive ceramic art. The Manteña established settlements along the coast and used the forest resources for timber, food, and medicinal plants. Spanish conquest of the coast occurred in the sixteenth century, and the colonial period brought cattle ranching, timber extraction, and agricultural conversion to the coastal lowlands. The twentieth century saw rapid population growth and agricultural expansion in Manabí, with the coastal forests cleared extensively for crops, cattle pasture, and settlements. By the time the refuge was established, the forests of the Chongón-Colonche hills represented one of the last refugia for coastal forest species in the region.

Pacoche Wildlife Refuge was established under Ecuador's protected areas system to protect a critical remnant of coastal Tumbesian forest and its associated wildlife, particularly the howler monkey population that had become regionally isolated. The designation followed advocacy by conservation organizations and recognition of the global significance of the Tumbesian dry forest as an endemic bird area and biodiversity hotspot. The Ministerio del Ambiente manages the refuge with a community focus, engaging local communities as partners in conservation and ecotourism. Since establishment, the refuge has developed a modest but growing ecotourism program focused on wildlife observation, particularly the accessible howler monkey groups. Conservation efforts have focused on preventing encroachment and illegal hunting, improving connectivity with other forest fragments, and conducting biological research to better understand the refuge's biodiversity.

The primary attraction is watching and listening to the mantled howler monkeys, which are reliably found along the main trail system and are habituated enough to allow close viewing. The howlers' distinctive roaring calls can be heard across considerable distances in the early morning and evening. Birdwatching along the refuge trails is excellent for Tumbesian endemic species, and the combination of forest types creates good birding diversity. Guided night walks can reveal nocturnal species including owls, small mammals, and insects. The scenery of coastal hills covered in forest with Pacific Ocean views from ridges adds an attractive backdrop to wildlife activities. The proximity to Manta makes the refuge easily accessible for day visits combined with coastal city sightseeing. Community guides provide informative naturalist tours.

The refuge is located approximately 12 kilometers south of Manta along the coast road, accessible by private vehicle or taxi in approximately 20–30 minutes. CONAF and the Ministerio del Ambiente maintain a ranger station and basic visitor facilities at the main entrance. Community-based guides are available for hire and are recommended to maximize wildlife sightings and understand the ecosystem. Manta provides a full range of accommodation, dining, and transport options and is served by an international airport. The Ruta del Spondylus coastal highway passes near the refuge, making it accessible to visitors travelling between Manta and other coastal Ecuador destinations. Visits are possible year-round, with the wet season (December–May) offering the lushest vegetation and the dry season providing clearer skies and more comfortable temperatures.

Pacoche faces significant threats from encroachment, illegal land clearance for agriculture and shrimp ponds, hunting, and the isolation of its forest patch in a heavily deforested landscape. The loss of forest connectivity means that the wildlife populations within the refuge, including the howler monkeys, are genetically and demographically isolated from other populations, increasing their long-term vulnerability. Reforestation and corridor creation to link Pacoche with other coastal forest remnants is a conservation priority. Community engagement programs aim to provide local residents with economic incentives—primarily through ecotourism—that make intact forest more valuable than cleared land. The Tumbesian dry forest ecosystem is recognized internationally as one of the world's most threatened tropical forest types, and Pacoche receives some support from international conservation funding directed at this globally significant biome.