Bajo Sinu (100260)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B1, D1a

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Bajo Sinú

Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.1828, Longitude: -75.8383

System: terrestrial, freshwater, marine

Elevation (m): 0 to 100

Area of KBA (km²): 434.79518

Protected area coverage (%): 35.87

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: The KBA is located in the floodplain savannahs of the Colombian Caribbean coast in the department of Córdoba. It is a complex of swamps and estuaries surrounded by grasslands with extensive livestock and patches of flooded forests associated with the Sinú River. The Sinú River is one of the most important rivers on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The climate of this site is characterized by rainfall between 1500 and 2000 mm3/year and an average temperature of 28 ºC. In the northern portion of this KBA are the best preserved mangroves in the Colombian Caribbean and one of the largest. In this sector there is a complex mosaic of habitats that include mangroves, swamps, marshes, channels, sandy marine and riparian beaches, grasslands, dry forest fragments and freshwater wetlands. In the rest of the KBA, the main habitats are wetlands, salt marshes, some patches of flooded forest with thorn understory (Pithecellobium lanceolatum), temporarily flooded areas with seasonal plant successions dominated by aquatic macrophytes in winter and fast-growing grasses in summer. There are also permanent bodies of water with large cays (Thalia angustifolia) that are used by waterfowl for nesting. There are large areas of improved grassland with small patches of palm trees and shrubs. The land is mainly used for extensive livestock farming and fishing. In addition, subsistence agriculture and wood extraction are practiced in forest areas. From 1997 to 2002, a sustainable wildlife collection project was developed in the Bañó Ciénaga.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international importance for several species: for the species Magdalena River Turtle (Podocnemis lewyanaa), the species has CR threat status, meeting the previously established criteria and thresholds described in the Global Standard for Identification from KBA (A1a, A1e and B1). For the Northern Screamer (Chauna chavaria), a Near Threatened species, and for the Agami Heron (Agami agami), a VU species whose only breeding colony in Colombia is in this KBA, it meets criterion D1a.

Additional biodiversity: Nearly 300 species of birds have been recorded in this KBA. The aquatic birdlife includes four threatened species in Colombia and one threatened on a global scale: Chauna chavaria (NT), Agamia agami (VU), Reddish Heron-Egretta rufescens (NT) and American Flamingo-Phoenicopterus ruber (LC): Ruiz-Guerra and Cifuentes -Sarmiento (2021). Regarding other elements of biodiversity, in the KBA there is a stable population of the Guiana Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis-NT). Neotropical Otter-Lontra longicaudis (NT), Colombian Night Monkey-Aotus lemurinus (VU), Dahl's Froghead Turtle -Phrynops dahli (CR) and Magdalena River Turtle -Podocnemis lewyana (CR) and fish such as: Prochilodus magdalenae, Brycon sinuensis, Sorubim cuspicaudus and Pimelodus blochii. In addition, individuals of two characteristic flora species are reported: Pithecellobium lanceolatum and Thalia angustifolia. Additionally, a program of management, reintroduction and installation of artificial nests of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus-VU) is carried out.

Manageability of the site: The management of this KBA is articulated between the communities and owners of the sites included in the Soil Conservation Districts, owners included in the Mangrove Integrated Management District of Cispatá Bay and the Surrounding Sector of the Estuarine Delta of the Sinú River and the authority environmental: Regional Autonomous Corporation of the Sinú and San Jorge Valleys (CVS).

Supersedes another site: -KBA (ID: 14419) Sinu River estuarine deltaic zone (Zona Deltaico-Estuarina del río Sinú) -KBA (ID: 14456) Swamp complex of the Sinu River western bank (Complejo cenagoso de la margen occidental del río Sinú)

Delineation rationale: This site was delimitated based on the locations where the species was observed in the low and medium basins of the Sinu River (department of Cordoba) and following the limits of small towns (veredas): Pueblo Chiquito, Guanabano, Castilleral and La Doctrina. Covering not only the main ecosystem of the species but also riverside areas.

Habitats

Land use: Local communities depend heavily (50% or more) on the resources they extract from the environment (fishing, timber, tourism, agriculture, livestock and aquaculture).

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Large dams	Ongoing

Additional information

References: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355234097_Are_Genomic_Updates_of_Well-Studied_Species_Worth_the_Investment_for_Conservation_A_Case_Study_of_the_Critically_Endangered_Magdalena_River_Turtle