Alluriquín-Otonga-Santo Domingo (100331)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, B1, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Alluriquín-Otonga-Santo Domingo

Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.3885, Longitude: -79.0760

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 300 to 2450

Area of KBA (km²): 733.19506

Protected area coverage (%): 0.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: This KBA comprises montane Choco-Andean landscapes (foothills and upper montane) of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas province between 300 and 2450 m. Triggered as KBA by restricted and endemic species of the Chocó region. Protected forest are part of the KBA, like Río Lelia and Toachi-Pilatón. The agricultural lands in the KBA present the opportunity of connectivity and hopefully the ecological functionality of the site. Moreover, 60% of this KBA present three types of ecosystems, as follows: Montane, lower montane and foothill evergreen forests of the western slope of the Andes.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least three criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs, mainly threatened of extinction and range restricted species, as follows two bird species, Odontophorus melanonotus and Semnornis ramphastinus. Moreover, the critically endangered amphibian, Bolitoglossa chica and the globally endangered rain-frogs, Pristimantis eugeniae and Pristimantis ornatissimus; plus the globally vulnerable Pristimantis actites, Pristimantis nyctophylax and Pristimantis parvillus. In regards of reptiles, two globally endangered: Lepidoblepharis conolepis and Stenocercus varius plus six globally vulnerable reptiles.

Additional biodiversity: Two endangered rodents might be present in this KBA: Anotomys leander and Mindomys hammondi. Plus, the ecuadorian endemic and endangered Capuchin Monkey (Cebus aequatorialis). Records of Tremarctos ornatus including other restricted chocoan avifauna that does not trigger the KBA, but have been recorded, like Boissonneaua jardini, Chlorospingus semifuscus, or Bangsia edwardsi.

Manageability of the site: Fundación Otonga administrates and lead research and conservation activities. The prefecture of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas province and the National Institute of Biodiversity implemented a provincial survey and research of the biodiversity, it included the KBA region with the aim to create protected areas.

Supersedes another site: No superseded sites. But, this KBA takes a portion that was included in the KBA Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas y alrededores (14580), it means the surrounding areas of the KBA 14580 that are not included in the official layer of national protected areas were added to this new KBA. Moreover, a fragment that overlapped with Río Toachi-Chiriboga (14548) was fixed to present adequate limits between these two KBAs.

Delineation rationale: Delimited based on species records and suggestions during KBA workshops aiming to included habitat and natural or adequate limits to ensure the functionality of the species that trigger the KBA. Practically surrounded by the historical deforestation caused by agriculture, meat and dairy industry including cattle pasture lands in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas province. However, on west the limits with Santo Domingo city and small villages and towns. On southeast, the limits with Illinizas Ecological Reserve on its southern section. On east the montane and subtropical forest remnants of Pichincha province.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	60	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Other options	Other threat		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Agro-industry farming	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Dams (size unknown)	Ongoing

Additional information