Puerto Rico & La Polonia Natural Reserve (100257)
Colombia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Reserva Natural Puerto Rico & La Polonia
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.4410, Longitude: -70.8911
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 118 to 125
Area of KBA (km2): 26.25924
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The Puerto Rico & La Polonia NR is a private property located between the Guachiría River and the Caño El Bejuco, it has a large part of natural savannah. Puerto Rico & La Polonia NR is a place that represents the family tradition of protecting the ecosystems of the eastern plains of Colombia. It has flooded savannas, wetlands, streams and also has a part of the Guachiria River, gallery forests which maintain a high richness and diversity of species in the region. The area is mostly natural savannah, but during the rainy season the so called "bajos" and "esteros" fill with water and other places called "bancos medanosos" are dry. There is a gallery forest, a habitat that can be composed of various plant species and there is also a riparian forest that protects the Caño El Bejuco, called "mata de monte". In Puerto Rico & La Polonia NR there are two large wetlands and several estuaries or temporary wetlands, in addition to an extensive and preserved gallery forest that surrounds the Guachiríria River.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance for the Orinoco goose (Neochen jubata) and the Buff-breasted sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) during its non breeding season, triggering D1a criterion.
Additional biodiversity: Biodiversity evaluations have been carried out in Puerto Rico & La Polonia National Park, obtaining records of 203 species of birds, 10 species of mammals, four species of turtles, among others. Livestock management, the main economic activity, is traditional and consistent with the conservation of the savannah.
Manageability of the site: This KBA is managed by the owners of the private property.
Delineation rationale: This site follows the limits of the private property.
Habitats
Land use: In this KBA the main economic activity is traditional extensive livestock farming with practices friendly to soil and water conservation.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 60 | Savanna - Dry |
| Forest | 5 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 | Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha) |
| Grassland | 20 | Grassland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression |
Additional information
Contributors: Yanira Cifuentes-Sarmiento (IBA Colombia program coordinator) Asociación Calidris: ycifuentes@calidris.org.co