Cañar Mountains (100367)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, B1, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Montañas de Cañar

Central coordinates: Latitude: -2.6169, Longitude: -78.7444

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 2070 to 3700

Area of KBA (km²): 436.50209

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: This KBA protects the transition of upper montane forest of the southern Andes and the eastern slope of the Andes in the provinces of Azuay and Cañar. Located between 2100 and 3700m. The main ecosystems are: paramo grasslands and evergreen shrublands and the upper montane, montane evergreen forest of the southern slopeof the Andes; Montane evergreen forest of the South of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes; Evergreen shrubland and Páramo grassland

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least three criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Under A1 criteria, six amphibians globally threatened of extinction, Hyloxalus vertebralis (A1b, B2) which is critically endangered of extinction and the endangered rain-frogs, Pristimantis cryophilius (B2), Pristimantis bambu (A1a, B2), Pristimantis mazar (A1a, B2), Pristimantis gagliardoi (A1a, B2) and, Pristimantis pycnodermis (A1a, B2). Three vulnerable species of herpetofauna, two reptiles: Riama stigmatoral (A1b) and Stenocercus festae (A1b) plus the rain-frog, Pristimantis lutzae (A1b, B1, B2). Additionally, two recently described range restricted rain-frogs, Pristimantis quintanai (B1) and Pristimantis andinodiabolus (B1, B2) and, a range restricted parrot that is considered endangered of extinction, Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops (A1a) plus a range restricted Andean hummingbird, Eriocnemis luciani (B2). Finally, the elusive and uncommon vulnerable to the extinction mammal, Mazama rufina (A1d).

Additional biodiversity: Tremarctos ornatus. Vultur gryphus, Tapirus pinchaque

Manageability of the site: This is a site for conservation and monitoring based on its importance for a hydroelectric system on Paute river. It means that, this KBA is located in the zone of Paute's River Basin conservation and monitoring. Which is protected by the water fund consortium (public and private alliance) named FONAPA and local environmental education groups.

Supersedes another site: Bosque Protector Dudas-Mazar (14533).

Delineation rationale: On north, Sangay National Park. On east, the Sanhay-Podocarpus conservation corridor. On south, the agricultural lands of Paute, Biblián and Azogues cities. On west, the agricultural lands of Cañar city and nearest towns as El Tambo o Honorato Vasquez.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Grassland	25	Grassland – Temperate
Wetlands(Inland)	25	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls)
Forest	15	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
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Dams (size unknown)	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Marine & freshwater aquaculture	Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Persecution/control	Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing

Additional information