The Rumiyaco micro-basin spans approximately 6,000 hectares. This watercourse—important, emblematic, and generous in its flow—runs through the Protective Forest Reserve of the Upper Mocoa River Basin, a biodiversity-rich area in the beautiful department of Putumayo.
The forests that bring life to these landscapes serve as strategic biological corridors, connecting part of the natural wealth found in the highlands of the Colombian Massif with that of the Amazonian lowlands.
In the upper section of the Forest Reserve that protects the Upper Mocoa River Basin are the so-called azonal páramos. They are given this name because they exist at an elevation above sea level that is not typical for these ecosystems. The one in this photo was found at around 2,700 meters.
Here, birdlife is abundant and highly diverse. In fact, our studies confirmed the presence of 145 bird species (118 genera – 41 families). This number includes the Golden-winged Manakin (Masius chrysopterus), whose diet consists of small fruits and some insects.
This is, without a doubt, a typical image of the Andean forests that make up the Protective Forest Reserve of the Upper Mocoa River Basin. Due to its characteristics and location, this area maintains high humidity levels that almost permanently feed the clouds and the resulting rainfall.
Early in the morning, from high above, one can begin the day by observing a glimpse of those mountains that define part of the lower Amazon foothills. In this case, the lands we see here span both Putumayo and Caquetá.
Traslated with AI support