Morococha (100213)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Morococha
Central coordinates: Latitude: -11.6440, Longitude: -76.1330
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 4213 to 5026
Area of KBA (km2): 116.2946
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The KBA Morococha covers an area of 116.29 sq km and it's located in Perú, within the province Yauli in the department of Junín. The altitude range of the KBA Morococha is 4213 - 5026 masl. The average monthly temperature ranges from 4.0°C and 15°C; without a significant annual variation and with a average annual temperature of 5.0°C. The KBA Morococha presents the following ecosystems: ca. 2.4% of Bofedal, ca. 1.5% of Lago y laguna, ca. 58.5% of Pajonal de puna húmeda, ca. 36.7% of Periglaciar and ca. 0.9% of Zona Urbana.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The KBA Morococha qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for A1, B1 critreria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBA. The KBA Morococha harbors the endemic and range restricted fish (Orestias empyraeus) and the Critically Endangered bird Cinclodes palliatus.
Additional biodiversity: Austrocylindropuntia floccosa
Manageability of the site: The KBA Morococha can potentially be administered by the regional government of Junin (https://www.gob.pe/regionjunin) because it has the capacity to establish Regional Conservation Areas.
Delineation rationale: The delimitation of the KBA Morococha was carried out considering the limits of the river where the species is distributed. To the west it borders the Huarochiri province, to the south it borders the edge of the Pomacocha Lagoon and the Rumichaca tailings dam, to the east it excludes the Austria Duvaz Mining Company.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The KBA Morococha presents approximately 2.4% of Wetland Bofedal, 1.5% of Lake and Lagoon, 58.5% of Wet Puna Grassland, 36.7% of Periglacial, and 0.9% of Urban Area.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 75 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The KBA "Morococha" faces a significant threat related to energy production and mining, as well as the extraction of champa, and these threats are ongoing.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Max Hidalgo, Victor Sánchez and Camila Dávila.