Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve (10006)
Mexico, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Reserva de la Biósfera Sierra Gorda
Central coordinates: Latitude: 21.2775, Longitude: -99.4932
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 3685.95687
Protected area coverage (%): 98.54
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Sierra Gorda is part of the great mountain range of the Sierra Madre Oriental, bordering the Central Plateau to the west and the Neovolcanic axis to the south. It has an area of 387,067 ha, which represents 44.38% of the total area of the state of Querétaro. Climates vary from semi-warm sub-humid in the lower parts of the sierra (from 800 to 1,500 masl) to temperate sub-humid in parts greater than 2,000 masl. Rainfall ranges from 500mm to 1,500mm in the extreme northeast of the state. The Sierra Gorda river network belongs entirely to the Pánuco basin, with the Santa María and Moctezuma rivers standing out, connecting both with numerous tributaries in the area. Threats include deforestation, ranching, agriculture, inappropriate exploitation of resources, forest fires, tourism and urban development.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known populations of the plants Ceratozamia hildae and Mammillaria glochidiata and important populations of the threatened amphibian Chiropterotriton magnipes. Five bird species trigger legacy KBA critera and are in need of reassessment.
Manageability of the site: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2000 by BirdLife partners and confirmed as an AZE during the 2015-2018 AZE project. A manageability rationale is not available.
Delineation rationale: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2000 by BirdLife partners and confirmed as an AZE during the 2015-2018 AZE project. A delineation rationale is not available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 19 | |
| Forest | 64 |