Key Biodiversity Areas

Isla Puná (100353)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Isla Puná
Central coordinates: Latitude: -2.8368, Longitude: -80.1011
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 190
Area of KBA (km2): 599.41435
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No

Site details


Site description: This island is a good and characteristic site where mangroves and humid coastal areas meets the tumbesian dry endemic region. Deciduous and semi-deciduous forests of the pacific lowlands and mangroves. Located in front of Guayaquil city and limiting with the delta and estuaries of Guayas river. The altitude goes from the sea level to 190 m. On this island communal settlements of fishermen lives and use the resources from the mangroves and the marine areas that surround it.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Species considered endemic of the tumbesian region like: Spinus siemiradzkii and Synallaxis stictothorax meet the threshold of B2 criteria for range restricted species.
Manageability of the site: The national secretariat of planning of Ecuador (SENPLANDES) assigned to this island the category of reserve since 2009. But is not in the National Protected Areas catalog. However, is administrated by the municipality of Guayaquil.
Supersedes another site: Manglares del golfo de Guayaquil (14609).
Delineation rationale: This KBA covers the entire Puná Island that was left out by the environmental authority when creating protected areas in the surrounding areas.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest85Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureMarine & freshwater aquacultureIndustrial aquaculture
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesNamed speciesOngoing
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing

Additional information


Contributors: Juan Freile and Birders and ornithologist of Guayas Province. Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad