Neblina-Intag (100371)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Neblina-Intag

Central coordinates: Latitude: 0.3310, Longitude: -78.4661

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1260 to 3800

Area of KBA (km²): 199.72826

Protected area coverage (%): 8.96

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: This KBA comprises Choco-Andean forests and vegetation of Imbabura province including upper paramos. Three national protected areas can be found here (Neblina Norte, Sur and Neblina Piedra). In this KBA, endangered and endemic species mainly of rain-frogs thrives and survives. Located between 1260 to 3800m. The main landscapes and ecosystems are: upper montane, montane, lower montane evergreen forest of the western slope of the Andes. The páramo grasslands and evergreen shrublands of the Cotacachi volcano western slope.

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. Threatened of extinction species like the globally endangered, Neomicroxus latebricola (A1a), Pristimantis pteridophilus (A1a, B2) and Pristimantis pyrrhomerus (A1a, B2). Moreover, globally vulnerable species, like: Sphyrospermum sodiroi (A1b, B2) and Macleania ericae (A1b, B2); Pristimantis hectus (A1b, B2); Pristimantis vertebralis (A1b, B2); Pristimantis actites (A1b, B2) and Pristimantis laticlavius (A1b, B2). Finally, range restricted birds, Heliangelus strophianus (B2); Scytalopus vicinior (B2); Urosticte benjamini (B2); Andigena laminirostris (B2) and Dendropsophus carnifex (B2).

Additional biodiversity: Birds: Spizaetus isidori, Vultur gryphus. Mammals: Tremarctos ornatus, Leopardus tigrinus, Puma concolor. Amphibians: Atelopus longirostris

Manageability of the site: Administrated by the local conservationists and sustainable activities advocates plus the national protected Areas Neblina Sur and Neblina Piedra administrated by the environmental authority, Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE).

Supersedes another site: Intag-Toisán (14566).

Other site values: NA

Delineation rationale: On south, this KBA limits with Maquipucuna and Guayllabamba river forests and the agricultural areas of Selva Alegre region. On west, towards northwest the agricultural fields of Apuela and Plaza Gutierrez. On north, a very similar landscape of agricultural fields. On east, the upper region of Cotacachi national park. These agricultural landscapes are the limits of the KBA. Delineation was made following records of trigger species, mainly. Some agricultural areas in the KBA still functional to connectivity and part of species territories.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	2	Rural Gardens
Forest	50	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Forest	30	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Residential & commercial development	Tourism & recreation areas		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Wood & pulp plantations	Small-holder plantations	Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Pollution	Domestic & urban waste water	Sewage	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
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Nomadic grazing	Ongoing

Additional information