El Guabo-Barrio Susuco (100349)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: El Guabo-Barrio Susuco
Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.2557, Longitude: -79.6873
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 840 to 2570
Area of KBA (km2): 364.22803
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This KBA covers tumbesian ecosystems from Loja province, like: Montane, foothill, lower montane semi-deciduous forest of the Catamayo-Alamor region which is a mixture of dry deciduous forests, shrubs and scrubs. Altitude: 850 - 2550 m
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least two criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction and tumbesian endemic bird species like: Thamnophilus zarumae (B2); Saltator nigriceps (B2); Ampelornis griseiceps (A1b, B2); Basileuterus trifasciatus (B2); Syndactyla ruficollis (A1b, B2) and Atlapetes seebohmi (B2).
Additional biodiversity: Pseudastur occidentalis.
Manageability of the site: Three local protected areas are in the KBA, as follows: Protection and Sustainable Development Area of Sozoranga Municipality, the Barrio Susuco and El Guabo Protected Forests. These three protected areas are scattered in the KBA covering approximately 19% of the KBA. The rest are remnant forests and vegetation (good quality) that interconnects these same protected areas. This KBA is a type of corridor or big area that embraces the small protected areas interconnecting them offering the opportunity of ecological functionality and the perspective of better management and monitoring by municipalities and local conservation initiatives.
Delineation rationale: Located on north of Sozoranga city/town and from west to north surrounded by deforested and agricultural areas of Hualo, Chinchanga, Bella Maria plus some forest and tumbesian shrubs/scrubs patches. The northern limit is the Catamayo river. On east the Cariamanga region. These KBA comprises protected areas and forest plus records of trigger species.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 70 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry |
| Shrubland | 10 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical dry |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | In the past but now suspended and likely to return |
Additional information
Contributors: Birders and Ornithologist that participate in the KBA's workshops (Birds).