Cordillera Escalera (100248)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Cordillera Escalera
Central coordinates: Latitude: -6.3030, Longitude: -76.3490
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 2100
Area of KBA (km2): 1942.92286
Protected area coverage (%): 77.15
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The KBA Cordillera Escalera covers an area of 1942.923 sq km and it's located in the department of San Martín, province of Lamas and province of San Martín; and in the department of Loreto, province of Alto Amazonas. The climate types in the region are: (1) temperate, rainy with abundant humidity all seasons; (2) warm, semi-dry with abundant humidity all seasons; (3) hot, rainy with abundant humidity all seasons; (4) temperate, very rainy with abundant humidity all seasons; (5) warm, very rainy with abundant humidity all seasons; and (6) hot, very rainy with abundant humidity all seasons. This KBA harbors the following ecosystems: "Bosque de colina alta", "Bosque basimontano de Yunga", "Bosque montano de Yunga", "Bosque de colina baja", "Bosque de terraza no inundable", secondary vegetation, agriculture lands, "Bosque aluvial inundable", "Grasslands", "Bosque estacionalmente seco oriental", and "Pantano de palmeras".
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The KBA Cordillera Escalera qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for A1, B1 and B2 criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. This KBA harbors the endemic moth Histioea peruana, two endemic odonates (Philogenia elisabeta and Philogenia nemesioi), three threatened and range restricted amphibians and three range restricted birds.
Additional biodiversity: Amphibians: Pristimantis citriogaster, Pristimantis bearsei; Reptiles: Hyloxalus azureiventris; Plants: Xanthosoma tarapotense, Xanthosoma mariae; Birds: Ara militaris, Picummnus steindachneri, Zimmerius cinereicapilla, Henicrorhina leucoptera, Phylloscartes gualaquizae, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus, Touit stictopterus, Touit stictopterus, Phaethornis koepckeae, Pyrrhura parvifrons, Zimmerius villarejoi, Nonnula brunnea, Ramphocelus melanogaster, Phlogophilus hemileucurus, Zimmerius viridiflavus, Tigrisoma lineatum, Mesembrinibis cayennensis, Contopus virens, Riparia riparia, Hirundo rustica, Catharus ustulatus, Piranga flava, Butorides striata, Campylopterus villaviscensio, Heliangelus regalis, Loddigesia mirabilis, Machaeropterus eckelberryi, Herpsilochmus parkeri
Manageability of the site: A considerable section of this KBA is part of the Cordillera Escalera regional conservation area. It is managed by the regional authorities (Regional Government of San Martin, https://www.gob.pe/regionsanmartin), local authorities and the mestizo and native population (Kichwa - Lamista and Shawi). The KBA contains the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservarion Area.
Source: Gobierno Regional San Martin. (2007). Plan Maestro del Área de Conservación Regional Cordillera Escalera 2007-2011. https://sis.sernanp.gob.pe/biblioteca/?publicacion=318
Supersedes another site: Tarapoto - 26761, Jesús del Monte -14752
Other site values: The mestizo and native population Kichwa - Lamista and Shawi. Native communities of Pongo del Huallaga, Nuevo Lamas, Rebalse Chazuta, Tununtunumba, Chipeza, Shilcayo and the Achinamiza population center.
Source: Gobierno Regional de San Martín. https://www.gob.pe/institucion/regionsanmartin/noticias/599723-goresam-socializa-plan-maestro-2022-2027-del-acr-cordillera-escalera; Source: Gobierno Regional San Martin. (2007). Plan Maestro del Área de Conservación Regional Cordillera Escalera 2007-2011. https://sis.sernanp.gob.pe/biblioteca/?publicacion=318
Delineation rationale: The Cordillera Escalera KBA follows the boundaries of the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area. To the north, it borders the Loreto department, to the east it extends along the Caynarache River and the 5N Route of the national road of Peru. To the west, it extends to the locality of Chirapa in the province of Lamas and a tributary of the Shanusi River. To the south, it reaches the Huallaga River.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Forest 90-100%
Wetland (inland) 1-10%
Other 1-10%
Land use: A regional conservation area protected by the Peruvian Government is located within the KBA.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 90.5 | |
| Other | 4.8 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 4.8 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This site is threatened by the effects of climate change, invasive species, urban development and agriculture.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Ongoing | ||
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: MINAM (2018) National Ecosystems Map of Peru. In SINIA (National Environmental Information System). https://sinia.minam.gob.pe/mapas/mapa-nacional-ecosistemas-peru.
Castro, A., Dávila, C., Laura, W., Cubas Saucedo, F., Ávalos, G., López, C., ... & Marín, D.(2021). Climate of Perú: National climate classification map. https://www.senamhi.gob.pe/?p=mapa-climatico-del-peru
Contributors: Max Hidalgo, Tim Faasen, Emmy Medina, Juan Grados, Arli Ayala, Grace Servat, Letty Salinas, Victor Sánchez, Laura Graham-Angeles and Camila Dávila.