Corredor de Conchucos (100173)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Corredor de Conchucos
Central coordinates: Latitude: -9.3438, Longitude: -77.1749
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 2450 to 3900
Area of KBA (km2): 1212.77355
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The Corredor de Conchucos KBA covers an area of 1212.77 sq km; and it's located in provinces of Yungay, Asunción, Huari and Carlos Fermín Fitzcarrald in the department of Áncash. The Corredor de Conchucos KBA includes the Puchka river middle and upper basins, and the Colca river tributary of Pucka river. The elevation of the Corredor de Conchucos KBA ranges from 2450 to 3900 masl. This KBA includes three climate types: 1) Rainy with abundant humidity all seasons of the year, Temperate; 2) Rainy with dry autumn and winter, Temperate, and 3) Semidry with abundant humidity all seasons of the year, Temperate. In this KBA, the temperature ranges from 3°C to 29 °C, while the annual precipitation varies between 700-3000 mm. The Corredor de Conchucos KBA encompasses plant covers type classified as Scrub, and Coastal and andean agriculture.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The KBA Corredor de Conchucos qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets the B1 and B2 criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBA. The KBA Corredor de Conchucos harbors the geographically restricted plants Weberbauerocereus albus and Matucana paucicostata, and the range restricted birds: Microspingus alticola, Atlapetes rufigenis and Incaspiza laeta.
Additional biodiversity: Corryocactus apiciflorus, Matucana paucicostata, Microspingus alticola, Taphrolesbia griseiventris, Atlapetes rufigenis, Xenodacnis petersi, Scytalopus affinis, Incaspiza laeta, Anairetes alpinus, Anairetes nigrocristatus, Incaspiza personata, Geocerthia serrana, Leptasthenura pileata, Cranioleuca baroni, Polioptila maior, Asthenes humilis, Grallaria andicolus, Polyonymus caroli
Manageability of the site: The KBA Corredor de Conchucos could be managed by the SERNANP, since it is included in the area of the Huascarán Biosphere Reserve (https://www.gob.pe/institucion/sernanp/informes-publicaciones/3112782-reserva-de-biosfera-huascaran).
Other site values: Comunidad Campesina Castillo, Comunidad Campesina Quecas
Delineation rationale: The boundaries of the Corredor de Conchucos KBA were delineated through a consultation workshop with local experts. To the north, it follows the banks of the Yurma River and the Potaca Creek. To the east, it follows the district boundaries of San Luis and Cajay in the province of Huari until the south, where it borders the Caracho Creek, excluding the locality of Ponto in the Masin district. To the west, it follows the boundaries of the Buffer Zone of the Huascarán National Park.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 25 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Shrubland | 50 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
| Artificial - Aquatic | Urban Areas |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This site is threatened by land use change for mining and small-scale agriculture.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: MINAM, https://geoservidor.minam.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MAPA_COBERTURA_VEGETAL.pdf
SENAMHI, https://www.senamhi.gob.pe/?p=mapa-climatico-del-peru
Contributors: Susy Castillo, Mónica Arakaki , Soledad Rivera, Victor Sanchez, Laura Graham-Angeles and Camila Dávila.