The name derives from the clouds which rise from the lower humid regions and seem to stick to those higher lying mountain forests.

Cloudforests are higher lying mountain rainforests with a thick and impenetrable vegetation.This is actually the forest which could be justly called a jungle. the word jungle comes from the Hindu meaning just that.

In Ecuador, they occur on both flanks of the Andes from 1000m to about 3000m. Plants change the higher you get because  of the drop in temperatures. Another distinct feature is the inclined and often steep terrain, where they have to grow on.

Guzmania bromeliads are one of many epiphytes found in those forests.

Many trees are laden with epiphytes or airplants like mosses, lichens, orchids or like in this pictures, several species of bromeliads, often covering entire branches.

As more light reaches to the forest floor, it is especially abundant in flowering plants like orchids, which reach the highest diversity there.

Water plays an important role in this ecosystem with many waterfalls and crystal clear rivers.

Heliconias or "False Banana" are abundant in the cloudforests.

Many butterflies play an important role as flower pollinators..

Huge leaves of the Araceae family are found throughout the region in the more open areas.

Palm trees like Tagua and tree ferns

Hummingbirds reach their highest diversity in the cloudforests. Woodstars

Cocjk of the Rock

Deforestation becomes a major problem in this ecosystem. Without the trees most flora and fauna disappears from the area.

Smaller towns and villages aslo take hold in the cloudforest region to support the growing human population.