Cotapata (100309)
Bolivia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1d, B1

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Cotapata

Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.2194, Longitude: -67.9337

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 997 to 5900

Area of KBA (km²): 679.57193

Protected area coverage (%): 90.20

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: The kba is located northwest of the department of La Paz, in the Nor Yungas and Murillo provinces. The municipalities involved are Coroico and La Paz. It includes part of the Cordillera Real, it is characterized by a rugged relief, deep canyons and plateaus in the high parts, in an altitudinal range of 1,000 to 5,900 meters above sea level. It presents deep valleys with steep slopes where natural landslides occur. Temperature and precipitation are influenced by altitude in relation to the mountain range. It is estimated that for every 100 m elevation difference the temperature changes approximately 0.6°C (Sevilla, 2003). Temperatures range between 7 and 28°C (Bach et al, 2003). During the rainy season, precipitation ranges from 1,000 mm in the highest parts to more than 3,000 mm in the Ceja Cloud Forest. Ribera, describes four regions of mountain climate and five ecological levels. According to lbisch et. al (2003), there are two ecoregions in the Protected Area: Yungas and Northern Puna, the first has several altitudinal levels, is very rich in flora species, a center of diversity and endemism of orchids (lbisch et. al., 2003) and The second covers the sub-ecoregion of Puna Húmeda and the high Andean vegetation of the Eastern Cordillera, with nival and sub-nival floors. El Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata, se encuentra ubicado al Noroeste del departamento de La Paz, en las provincias Nor Yungas y Murillo. Los municipios involucrados son Coroico y La Paz. Comprende parte de la Cordillera Real, se caracteriza por un relieve accidentado, profundos cañones y mesetas en las partes altas, en un rango altitudinal 1.000 a 5.900 msnm. Presenta valles profundos con laderas escarpadas donde se presentan derrumbes de tipo natural. La temperatura como la precipitación se ven influenciadas por la altitud en relación a la cordillera. Se calcula que por cada 100 m de diferencia de elevación la temperatura cambia aproximadamente 0,6°C (Sevilla, 2.003). Las temperaturas oscilan entre los 7 y 28°C (Bach et al, 2.003). En la época de lluvias la precipitación oscila entre los 1.000 mm en las partes más altas hasta más de 3.000 mm en el Bosque Nublado de Ceja. Ribera, describe cuatro regiones de clima de montaña y cinco pisos ecológicos. Según lbisch et. al (2.003), existen dos ecoregiones en el Área Protegida: Yungas y Puna Norteña, la primera presenta varios pisos altitudinales, es muy rica en especies de flora, centro de diversidad y endemismos de orquídeas (lbisch et. al., 2.003) y la segunda Abarca la sub ecoregión de Puna Húmeda y la vegetación altoandina de la Cordillera Oriental, con pisos nivales y sub- nivales.

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 (Birds: Cinclodes aricomae A1a; Mammals: Tremarctos ornatus A1d; Leopardus tigrinus A1b, A1d; Amphibians: Yunganastes bisignatus A1a, B1). Este sitio califica como un Área Clave para la Biodiversidad de importancia internacional que cumple con los umbrales de al menos un criterio descrito en el Estándar Global para la Identificación de KBAs (Aves: Cinclodes aricomae A1a; Mamiferos: Tremarctos ornatus A1d; Leopardus tigrinus A1b, A1d; Anfibios: Yunganastes bisignatus A1a, B1). .

Additional biodiversity: Mammals: Mazama chunyi (VU), Birds: Symbolanthus australis

Manageability of the site: It is administered by the National Service of Protected Areas (SERNAP) dependent on the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA). Es administrada por el Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP) dependiente del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua (MMAyA).

Supersedes another site: Sanja Pampa Polylepis Forest (ID 19062); Mina Elba Polylepis Forest (ID 19061)

Delineation rationale: The KBA was delimited based on the boundaries of Cotapata National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	10	Plantations
Wetlands(Inland)	5	Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks
Forest	80	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Savanna	20	Savanna - Moist

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing

Additional information