Carrasco (100302)
Bolivia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Carrasco
Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.3190, Longitude: -64.9877
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 231 to 4684
Area of KBA (km2): 6817.48585
Protected area coverage (%): 99.95
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This site corresponds and overlaps with the National Protected Area "Parque Nacional Carrasco", in the central Bolivian Andes. It is located in the province Carrasco, eastern Cochabamba. This site limits to the east with the "Amboró National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area", together both parks constitute one of the main reserves in Bolivia, not only because their size and extent but because the variety of ecosystems they hold along their altitudinal range (230 to 4684 m.a.s.l.). The dominant ecosystem in Carrasco is the humid montane forest and foothills, although it has important extentions of high mountian Polylepis forests and grasslands as a transition to the dry andean ecosystems. Among the most iconic animal species in the park we found the andean bear, the mountian lion, the condor and the bolivian abrocoma rat. Agriculture is the main economic activity in the area is the cultivation of different products proposed for alternative development.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs (Amphibians: Microkayla adenopleura A1e; Rhinella justinianoi A1b, B1; Rhinella quechua A1b, B1; Nymphargus bejaranoi A1a, B1; Microkayla iatamasi. Plants: Polylepis pepei A1b, A1d; Tremarctos ornatus A1)
Additional biodiversity: The KBA has old records (1996) of Ara militaris, a VU species with a fragmented distribution, at a single locality near the border with Amboró National Park. Although it is suspected to be present in a larger area of montane rainforest.
Manageability of the site: The park is under the administration of the National Service of Protected Areas (SERNAP) dependent on the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA).
Supersedes another site: This site replaces the old KBAs: Upper Yungas of Carrasco (ID 14391), Lower Yungas of Carrasco (ID 14401)
Other site values: Yuracare indigenous people
Delineation rationale: The KBA follows the official limits of the Carrasco National Park.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 20 | Rural Gardens |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | Wetlands (inland) – Freshwater springs and oases |
| Forest | 60 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Teresa Camacho-Badani Museo de Historia Natural Alcide d'Orbigny (MAdO)
Oliver Quinteros Museo de Historia Natural Alcide d'Orbigny (MAdO)
Edgar Gareca Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Fabiola Baya Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Gabriela Huayta Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Jennifer Cahill Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Maggi Mercado Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Margoth Atahuachi Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Mauricio Caballero Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Miltón Fernandez Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Modesto Zarate Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Nataly Rivero Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Olga Ruiz B. Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Pablo Butron Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Saul Altamirano Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Susana Arrazola Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Diego Peñaranda Asociación Civil Armonía
Enrique Domic Red para la Conservación de Tortugas de Bolivia (RTB)
Oswaldo Maillard Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano (FCBC)
Viviana Albarracin Davalos Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Bolivia (MNHN)