Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Host David Yetman travels to the agrarian community of Loma Alta, Ecuador. This city lives in symbiosis with a cloud forest nature preserve situated in the mountains above the city. Before the area was protected, local residents exploited and decimated the forest with little regard for its ecosystem. Though logging was once the cornerstone of the Loma Alta community, the current inhabitants now realize the importance of the fog forest to their livelihood. Fog is captured in the lush vegetation and drips to the ground, eventually flowing down to water the crops of Loma Alta. This episode also features a visit to a “hummingbird oasis” where researchers observe the varied species the forest has to offer.
From Season 17 of The Desert Speaks, originally aired in 2008.
FOR MORE DESERT SPEAKS, visit playpbs.azpm.org/show/the-desert-speaks
Host David Yetman travels to the agrarian community of Loma Alta, Ecuador. This city lives in symbiosis with a cloud forest nature preserve situated in the mountains above the city. Before the area was protected, local residents exploited and decimated the forest with little regard for its ecosystem. Though logging was once the cornerstone of the Loma Alta community, the current inhabitants now realize the importance of the fog forest to their livelihood. Fog is captured in the lush vegetation and drips to the ground, eventually flowing down to water the crops of Loma Alta. This episode also features a visit to a “hummingbird oasis” where researchers observe the varied species the forest has to offer.
From Season 17 of The Desert Speaks, originally aired in 2008.
FOR MORE DESERT SPEAKS, visit playpbs.azpm.org/show/the-desert-speaks
