These ranges create a rain shadow, which makes the Cauca Valley drier than the surrounding forests.

Most of these forests have been cleared for agriculture over the years making it one of the most critically endangered ecoregions in Colombia.

Laguna de Sonso Nature Reserve has a small area of protected forest.

The natural vegetation has been almost completely displaced by human activities, chiefly agriculture.

Three endemic or near-endemic birds found in the ecoregion are the white-chested swift (Cypseloides lemosi), grayish piculet (Picumnus granadensis), apical flycatcher (Myiarchus apicalis).