Eastern Cordillera of Carchi-La Bonita (100343)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Cordillera oriental del Carchi-La Bonita

Central coordinates: Latitude: 0.5109, Longitude: -77.6957

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1700 to 4040

Area of KBA (km²): 733.46024

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: This northern Andean-Amazonian KBA is located on a region where the dramatic change of ecosystems and altitudinal ranges happens, it influence several aspects of endemism and range restriction species. Ecosystems and landscapes like the Upper montane, montane and lower montane evergreen forests of the northeastern slope of the Andes and the rare and localized Caulescent vegetation, evergreen shrublands and Espeletias from the upper Páramo Grasslands of far north Ecuador. The altitude: 1700 to 4040m. Moreover, this KBA comprises two protected areas by local governments and included in the catalog of national protected areas, The Ecologic Area of Municipal Conservation, La Bonita and the eastern slope of Carchi province.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least four criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Criteria A, threatened of extinction as follows: Critically Endangered, Hyloscirtus pantostictus (A1a, B2) and Pristimantis riveti (A1a, B2). Endangered: Puya longispina (A1a) Pristimantis huicundo (A1a, B2), Niceforonia brunnea (A1a, B2), Niceforonia peraccai (A1a, B2), Osornophryne angel (A1a) and Neomicroxus latebricola (A1a). Vulnerable: Pristimantis colonensis (A1b, B1, B2); Thomasomys ucucha (A1b); Pristimantis eriphus (A1b, B2) and Tephrophilus wetmorei (B2). Moreover, near threatened and range restricted species of flora and fauna, Pristimantis leoni (B2); Urothraupis stolzmanni (B2); Eriocnemis derbyi (B2); Eriocnemis mosquera (B2) and Grallaricula lineifrons (B2).

Additional biodiversity: Tapirus pinchaque, Vultur gryphus, Spizaetus isidori, Tremarctos ornatus.

Manageability of the site: Private reserves, municipal and provincial protected areas. Responsibility of local governments and the environmental national authority. Since the end of 2023, this KBA was added to the national system of protected areas which means that the national environmental authority (Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition) administrates this KBA.

Supersedes another site: Estación Biológica Guandera-Cerro Mongus (14520)

Other site values: NA

Delineation rationale: This KBA follows the official limits of two protected areas. On north the limits with Colombia near El Carmelo and the limits between Carchi and Sucumbios provinces (Quitasol and Santa Bárbara towns). On east and southeast, the Cofánes-Chingual KBA. On west and southwest, the agricultural areas and arid landscapes of San Gabriel, Cuesaca and Pimampito.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	80	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Wetlands(Inland)	5	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls)
Shrubland	5	Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Persecution/control	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Trend Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	War, civil unrest & military exercises		Unknown

Additional information