Conector Sumaco (100340)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, A1d, B1, B2, B3a

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Conector Sumaco

Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.7394, Longitude: -77.5559

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 370 to 1800

Area of KBA (km²): 994.24155

Protected area coverage (%): 0.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: This KBA connects important and conserved extensions of evergreen lower montane, foothill forest of the northeastern slope of the Amazonian Andes and the foothill evergreen forest of the Galeras ridge of the Ecuadorian upper Amazon. The importance of this KBA is acting as a bridge of the two sections of Sumaco-Napo Galeras National Park. Located between the 370 - 1800 m.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least five criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. 24 species between threatened of extinction and range restricted meets the next KBA criteria: Ara militaris (A1d); Nymphargus siren (A1a, A1c, B2); Caecilia abitaguae (A1a, B2); Pristimantis cremnobates (A1a, B2) and Pristimantis rubicundus (A1a, B2). Several range restricted species (some threatened), like: (Anolis orcesi (B2); Laniisoma buckleyi (B2) Phylloscartes gualaquizae (B2); Amazops amazops (B1, B2); Selvasaura almendarizae (B1, B2); Heliodoxa gularis (B2); Touit stictopterus (B2) or Campylopterus villaviscensio (B2). Schiffornis aenea (B2); Urochroa leucura (B2); Synophis bogerti (B1); Anolis fitchi (B2; B3a); Myiopagis olallai (B2); Elaenia brachyptera (B2); Phylloscartes superciliaris (B2); Cypseloides lemosi (B2); Pipreola squamipectus (B2); Pristimantis altamnis (B2); Galbula pastazae (B2).

Additional biodiversity: Endangered species that doesn't meet the KBA criteria but are threatened of extinction: Panthera onca, Harpia harpyja.

Manageability of the site: This KBA presents some Protected Forests recognized by the government and private reserves that are administrated with some conservation projects. For example, Wild Sumaco Reserve that runs research projects and region of Ávila Viejo that counts with the support of Jocotoco Foundation for monitoring and biodiversity inventories.

Delineation rationale: On east the towns, roads and agricultural areas of Jondachi, Cotundo and Archidona. On northeast the Narupa reserve of Jocotoco and other conservation sites. The southeastern region limits with a portion of Sumaco-Napo Galeras national park. The upper northeast limits with the main road to Loreto-Coca and more agricultural areas.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	75	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming
Agriculture & aquaculture	Wood & pulp plantations	Small-holder plantations
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Marine & freshwater aquaculture	Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture	Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Persecution/control	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Ongoing
Geological events	Volcanoes		In the past but now suspended and likely to return
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing

Additional information