Quimsacocha-Yanuncay-Zhucay (100376)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

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

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Quimsacocha-Yanuncay-Zhucay

Central coordinates: Latitude: -3.0318, Longitude: -79.2942

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 1400 to 4080

Area of KBA (km²): 1069.35949

Protected area coverage (%): 3.01

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: This KBA is an emblematic example of how rich the southern Andean paramos of Ecuador can be in terms of biodiversity. From endemic frogs to restricted birds of the Andes. This KBA full of clean water is also threatened by gold mining. Located in Azuay province on altitudinal range of 1400 to 4080m, the characteristic landscapes are: paramo grasslands; evergreen upper montane, and montane forests of the western slope of the Andes. The flooded paramo grasslands and the evergreen shrublands of the southern Andes. Including, the rare subnival evergreen paramo grasslands and paramo shrublands. Finally, a system of randomly distributed lakes configure this incredible landscape.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least four criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction species like: Gastrotheca litonedis (A1a, B2); Hyloxalus vertebralis (A1b); Atelopus exiguus (A1a, B2); Pristimantis cryophilius (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis lutzae (B2); Andinosaura kiziriani (A1a, B2); Stenocercus festae (A1b, B2); Sigmodon inopinatus (A1b); Tremarctos ornatus (A1d); Baccharis hieronymi (A1b); Metallura baroni (A1b, B1, B2); Incaspis amaru (B1, B2); Phalcoboenus carunculatus (B2); Asthenes griseomurina (B2); Cinclodes excelsior (B2); Oreotrochilus chimborazo (B2) and Xenodacnis petersi (B2).

Additional biodiversity: Vultur gryphus.

Manageability of the site: This KBA comprises several protected forests and a recreational area (Quimsacocha) which is part of the national system of protected areas. Around 60% of the KBA is protected and administrated by local governments and local actors plus the national environmental authority.

Supersedes another site: Yanuncay-Yanasacha (14603); Bosque y Vegetación Protector El Chorro (100045).

Delineation rationale: On north, the southern limits of Cajas National Park. On northwest and west the deforested, mining and agricultural areas of the foothills of Azuay province. On south, similar deforested and agricultural landscapes of small towns like San Fernando or Girón. On east, the agricultural fields of southwest Cuenca city.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	8	Rural Gardens
Forest	30	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Wetlands(Inland)	60	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls)

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Marine & freshwater aquaculture	Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture	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	Recreational activities		Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use)	Ongoing
Pollution	Industrial & military effluents	Seepage from mining	Only in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Pollution	Garbage & solid waste		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Marine & freshwater aquaculture	Scale Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Trend Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Pollution	Industrial & military effluents	Type Unknown/Unrecorded	Unknown

Additional information