Mishahuanga (100247)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Mishahuanga
Central coordinates: Latitude: -6.3420, Longitude: -79.1450
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1600 to 3700
Area of KBA (km2): 702.63146
Protected area coverage (%): 2.96
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The Mishahuanga KBA is located in the district of Querocoto, in the department of Cajamarca, Perú. The area has a predominantly rainy, semi-cold and humid climate. The maximum temperatures range from 19.7 to 20.4°C and the minimum temperatures range from 12 to 12.9°C. The rainy season begins in October and ends in May. There is an outstanding relationship between this KBA and water because its forest acts as a flow regulator with high water yield, helping to control and maintain water flows during dry periods. This KBA is a representative sample of Low Tropical Montane Rainforest and Tropical Montane Rainforest.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The KBA Mishahuanga qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international importance that meets the thresholds of A1, B1 and B2 criteria outlined in the Global Standard for KBA Identification. The KBA Mishahuanga is home to two Polylepis species (Polylepis multijuga and Polylepis occidentalis), the endangered lizard Stenocercus arndti and three geographically restricted birds.
Additional biodiversity: Crotophaga sulcirostris, Colibri coruscans, Glaucidium peruanum, Furnarius leucopus, Tyrannus melancholicus, Pygochelidon cyanoleuca, Troglodytes aedon, Zonotrichia capensis, Leistes bellicosus, Dives warczewiczi , Heliangelus viola, Adelomyia melanogenys, Lesbia nuna, Scytalopus unicolor, Synallaxis azarae, Myiotheretes striaticollis, Myiarchus tuberculifer, Vireo leucophrys, Atlapetes latinuchus, Sporathraupis cyanocephala, Diglossa albilatera, Catamenia inornata, Sphenopsis piurae, Saltator nigriceps and Scytalopus affinis.
Manageability of the site: The Pagaibamba Protected Forest and its buffer zone are located within this KBA, so the state protected areas service could ensure manageability at this site.
Supersedes another site: 100067 - La Granja
Delineation rationale: To the west, the Mishahuanga KBA follows the border between Cajamarca and Lambayeque, following the base of Mishahuanga Hill to the town of Seccempampa, Cajamarca. To the east, it follows the town of El Cruce de Huambos, El Naranjo and the Paigabamba Protected Forest and its buffer zone. To the northeast, it follows the town of Querocotillo to Quebrada El Sauce. To the northwest, it follows the departamental limit of Lambayeque and Cajamarca. To the south bordering the Reque River tributary.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Forest 90-100%
Artificial-Terrestrial 1-10%
Shrubland 1-10%
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 98 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
Additional information
Contributors: César Aguilar, Letty Salinas, Victor Sánchez, Laura Graham-Angeles and Camila Dávila.