South of Yacuri National Park (100382)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Sur del Parque Nacional Yacuri
Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.8221, Longitude: -79.2775
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 1120 to 3430
Area of KBA (km2): 370.49262
Protected area coverage (%): 9.31
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This KBA aims to protect the well preserved forests and paramos attached to the southern limits of Yacuri national park. Located on the limits between Ecuador and Peru in Zamora-Chinchipe province on an altitudinal range between 1150 - 3400m. The main ecosystems are: evergreen shrublands and evergreen paramo grasslands; montane, lower montane and foothill evergreen forests of the southern slope of the Andes.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least two criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Range restricted species of birds that meet the threshold of B2 criteria: Penelope barbata, Scytalopus parkeri, Nephelomyias lintoni, Metallura odomae, Heliangelus micraster and Asthenes griseomurina. Moreover, a significative portion of distribution of an Andean lizard, Enyalioides anisolepis that meets the threshold of B1 criteria.
Additional biodiversity: Tremarctos ornatus. Tapirus pinchaque. Spizaetus isidori. Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops. Doliornis remseni.
Manageability of the site: This KBA is part of the conservation and sustainable use area of Zamora-Chinchipe province. In December 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition decided to expand the extent of the Yacuri National Park so that it now covers ~ 40% of this KBA.
Other site values: NA
Delineation rationale: On east and south east, the borders with Peru. On north, Yacuri National Park and secondary forests of Palanda. East, the agricultural fields of Palanda and Zumba.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 15 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
| Forest | 15 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland |
| Forest | 60 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Universidad Católica del Ecuador: Omar Torres (reptiles)
Participants in KBA workshop on birds.