Tapichalaca-Numbala (100384)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Tapichalaca-Numbala
Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.4516, Longitude: -79.1055
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1650 to 3350
Area of KBA (km2): 162.78943
Protected area coverage (%): 0.53
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This southern Amazonian KBA near the borders with Peru is the home of endemic and rare species of the cloud forest mountains of Ecuador like the Jocotoco Antpitta or the torrent frog, Hyloscirtus tapichalaca. Located in Zamora-Chinchipe province at an altitudinal range between 1650 - 3350m. In this landscape of mountain ridges covered with forests, the main ecosystems are: upper montane, lower montane evergreen forest of the southern slope of the Andes and on top the evergreen shrublands and paramo grasslands.
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:
Amphibians: Endangered: Nymphargus cariticommatus (A1a, B2); Hyloscirtus tapichalaca (A1a, B2); Gastrotheca turnerorum (A1a, B2). Vulnerable: Pristimantis atratus (A1b, B2). Recently described: Pristimantis numbala (B1, B2)
Plants: Endangered: Costus zamoranus (A1a). Vulnerable: Berberis lehmannii (A1b, B1).
Birds: Endangered Grallaria ridgelyi (A1a, B2). Near threatened Nephelomyias lintoni (B2).
Rodents: Chilomys neisi (B1).
Additional biodiversity: Tremarctos ornatus, Spizaetus isidori, Tapirus pinchaque, Leopardus tigrinus
Manageability of the site: This KBA is compromised by two private reserves, Tapichalaca managed by Jocotoco Foundation and Numbala managed by Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional plus well preserved neighbourhood forests.
Supersedes another site: Reserva Tapichalaca (14541)
Delineation rationale: On north and east, Podocarpus National Park. South, the deforested agricultural and cattle pasture region of Valladolid. West, Yacuri national park and the KBA, "North of Yacuri"
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 60 | 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 | Renewable energy | 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 | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja: Diego Armijos, Diana Székely, Paul Székely (amphibians)
Universidad Católica del Ecuador: Santiago Ron (amphibians)
Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad del Ecuador: Mario Yánez (amphibians), Jorge Brito (mammals)
Jocotoco Foundation
experts participating in the KBA workshops on birds, amphibians and non-flying micromammals.
Dr. N. Oleas (Berberis)