Efforts by the private sector are beginning to make a positive impact. Private reserves are emerging to develop the burgeoning ecotourism industry. Research into sustainable forestry is underway, and pharmaceutical companies are beginning to set aside reserves to protect plants and insects. Some forests that protect watersheds for water supplies and for small-scale hydroelectric projects preserve streamside corridors that may allow altitudinal migrants to move up and down slopes. In addition, efforts are being made to reverse the trend of reforesting denuded slopes with non-native species such as pines and Eucalyptus by planting native trees.
Most Andean birds avoid forests of non-native trees which are nothing more than biological deserts.
Some of the new reforestation efforts focus on restoring native shade trees to the sun coffee plantations that now blanket vast regions. A widespread re-conversion of sun to shade coffee plantations may be one of the forest birds' best bets for survival. Birds of the High Andes. Copenhagen and Apollo Press. Robbins, C., J. Fitzpatrick, and P. Hamel.