Mashpi-Pachijal (100365)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, B2, B3a
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Mashpi-Pachijal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 0.1158, Longitude: -78.8353
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 510 to 2320
Area of KBA (km2): 317.44702
Protected area coverage (%): 4.66
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This KBA covers the best extensions of Chocó-Andean habitat on northwest Ecuador. The cloud-forest mountains of the evergreen, montane, foothill and lowlands forests from the western andean cordillera. Several endangered and choco-endemic birds and other taxanomic groups. The latitudinal range goes from 600 t0 1700m. Located in the metropolitan area of the capital of Ecuador, Quito. It as 317.65 Km2. The best remnants of northwest Chocó-Andean ecosystems can be found here. Culturally, the archeological remnants of the past inhabitants (Tulipe) can be found here. Several cloudforest ecosystems survives in a mosaic with agricultural areas, parishes and human settlements. Also, the mountains of this KBA feed with clean water several regions of the metropolitan district.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least six criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. 26 species between threatened of extinction, with important portion of distribution and range restricted, like: Pseudocolaptes johnsoni (B2); Echinosaura keyi (A1b, B3a); Bothrops osbornei (A1b, B2); Bangsia flavovirens (A1b); Pristimantis ornatissimus (A1a, B2); Chlorophonia flavirostris (B2); Dipsas elegans (A1b, B2, B3a); Pristimantis muricatus (A1b, B2); Cichlopsis chubbi (B2); Micrastur plumbeus (A1d); Penelope ortoni (A1c); Neomorphus radiolosus (A1a); Odontophorus melanonotus (B2); Pipreola jucunda (B2); Pristimantis eremitus (A1b, B2); Pyrrhura pacifica (B2); Anolis aequatorialis (B2, B3a); Dendropsophus carnifex (B2); Glaucidium nubicola (A1b, A1d); Geotrygon purpurata (A1a); Sphenopsis ochracea (B2); Heliodoxa imperatrix (B2); Hyalinobatrachium mashpi (B1, B2); Hyloscirtus mashpi (A1a, B2); Pristimantis crenunguis (A1a, B2), Grallaria gigantea (A1b, B2) and Pristimantis eugeniae (A1a, B2).
Additional biodiversity: Tremarctos ornatus, Bassaricyon neblina, Cebus aequatorialis, several endemic plants (E.g., orchids).
Legacy species (birds):
Chlorochrysa phoenicotis; Diglossa indigotica; Myrmeciza berlepschi; Aglaiocercus coelestis; Crypturellus berlepschi; Boissonneaua jardini; Leptotila pallida; Margarornis stellatus; Semnornis ramphastinus; Margarornis stellatus; Tangara rufigula; Ramphastos brevis; Piculus litae; Habia stolzmanni; Tangara johannae; Phaethornis yaruqui; Chlorospingus semifuscus; Grallaria alleni; Rhynchocyclus pacificus; Chrysothlypis salmoni; Vireo masteri; Patagioenas goodsoni; Anisognathus notabilis; Chlorospingus flavovirens; Urosticte benjamini; Cyclarhis nigrirostris; Pyrilia pulchra; Amazilia rosenbergi; Andigena laminirostris; Entomodestes coracinus; Machaeropterus deliciosus; Saltator atripennis; Pionus chalcopterus; Myrmeciza nigricauda; Coeligena wilsoni; Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi; Capito squamatus; Carpodectes hopkei; Scytalopus vicinior; Cephalopterus penduliger; Trogon comptus; Bangsia edwardsi.
Manageability of the site: Several private lands that are administrated adequately and working in a network of conservation. A percentage are private reserves are into the national system of protected areas (E.g., Bellavista and Mashpi-Tayra). Also, protected forest, like: Mashpi and Tulipe-Pachijal.
Supersedes another site: Mashpi-Pachijal (31588)
Other site values: NA
Delineation rationale: This KBA covers the extensions of Chocoan forests predominantly from the Pachijal river basin and records of trigger species. On east the towns of Pacto and Gualea and other small human settlements plus agricultural areas. On west and south follows the Pachijal river.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 55 | 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 |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Run-off | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | In the past but now suspended and likely to return | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: QCAZ - Herpetological collection of Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad (INABIO) and San Francisco University (USFQ). And experts of the region (independent birders and ornithologists) during KBA workshops.