Sierra Norte (10011)
Mexico, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Sierra Norte
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.3333, Longitude: -96.1833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 3700
Area of KBA (km2): 15429.63246
Protected area coverage (%): 5.05
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: It is located in the state of Oaxaca, with an area of 1,423,670 ha. It is a high, steep mountain system, dissected by deep canyons such as those of the Cajonos, Soyolapan and Santo Domingo rivers. Its altitude varies from 50 meters above sea level south of the Tuxtepec district to 3,700 meters above sea level in Cerro de Cempoaltepetl, in the Mixe area. Most of the slopes exceed 45 degrees, including canyon slopes such as those of the Cajonos and Sto rivers. Sunday. Towards the limits of the Gulf coastal plain there are hills with gentle slopes at less than 50 meters above sea level. It limits to the north-northeast with the plains of the Gulf coastal plain, to the south with the Central Valleys, to the east with the Sierra Mixe and to the west with the Intermontane Valleys of the Cañada region. The average annual temperature varies from 26°C between 50 and 150 meters above sea level in the Gulf coastal plain to 9°C at 3,150 meters above sea level, being lower in higher parts. The area has both tropical and cloud-forest habitats.
Se localiza en el estado de Oaxaca, con una superficie de 1,423,670 ha. Es un sistema montañoso alto, escarpado, disectado por cañones profundos como los de los ríos Cajonos, Soyolapan y Santo Domingo. Su altitud varía de 50 msnm al sur del distrito de Tuxtepec hasta 3,700 msnm en el Cerro de Cempoaltepetl, en la zona Mixe. La mayoría de las pendientes superan los 45 grados, inclusive forman laderas de cañones como las de los ríos Cajonos y Sto. Domingo. Hacia los límites de la planicie costera del Golfo existen lomeríos con pendientes suaves a menos de 50 msnm. Limita al norte-noreste con las llanuras de la planicie costera del Golfo, al sur con los Valles Centrales, al este con la Sierra Mixe y al oeste con los Valles Intermontanos de la región de la cañada. La temperatura media anual varía de 26°C entre los 50 y 150 msnm en la planicie costera del Golfo hasta 9°C a 3,150 msnm, siendo menores en partes más altas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area as it meets the thresholds for the A1e (Alliance for Zero Extinction/ AZE) criterion for the tree species Magnolia yajlachhi. The site also meets the criteria for 15 amphibian, 5 mammals and 3 plant species. There are an additional 21 bird species which have legacy assessments.
Manageability of the site: This site and manageability was delineated as part of a previous project.
Delineation rationale: 2008: the relatively small 2000 Important Bird Area (IBA) Unión Zapoteco-Chinanteca (UZACHI) has been merged into the (much larger) surrounding IBA of Sierra Norte (SitRecID 10011).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 9 | |
| Forest | 84 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats: Livestock, agriculture, exploitation of resources such as trafficking and poaching, introduction of exotic species, deforestation due to timber extraction, urban development due to relocation due to dam construction, industrial development, and agroforestry.
Amenazas: Ganadería, agricultura, explotación inadecuada de recursos como tráfico y cacería furtiva, introducción de especies exóticas, deforestación por extracción de madera, desarrollo urbano por reubicación por construcción de presas, desarrollo industrial, y agroforestería.
Additional information
Contributors: Marie-Stéphanie Samain, Fabian Aldaba, Esteban Martínez Salas, INECOL.