Zumbagua-Pilaló-Tingo-Guangaje (100390)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Zumbagua-Pilaló-Tingo-Guangaje
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.9453, Longitude: -78.8827
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 780 to 4440
Area of KBA (km2): 636.08133
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This KBA is located on the upper central Andes of Ecuador in Cotopaxi province. From the 400 to 4400m. The main ecosystems are the upper grasslands and evergreen subnivean and no subnivean shrublands from the paramos. Upper montane, montane and lower-montane plus foothills evergreen forests of the western Andes including the famous central andean lake, Quilotoa. The altitude and the influence of the Andean mountains nearby keeps low temperatures mainly during night (below 0Cº).
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: Pristimantis phoxocephalus (A1a, A1e, B2); Pristimantis totoroi (A1a, B2) and Hyloscirtus ptychodactylus (A1a, B2) plus two range restricted bird species: Muscisaxicola alpinus (B2) and Oreotrochilus chimborazo (B2)
Additional biodiversity: Vultur gryphus, Spizaetus isidori, Tremarctos ornatus.
Manageability of the site: This KBA is administrated by the environmental authority based on the importance of Quilotoa lake which is part of Illinizas National Park. And other protected forests, like Toachi-Pilatón that is administrated and managed for its waters that feed the hydroelectric of the same name. Thus, communities and local governments are in charge of this area.
Supersedes another site: Pilaló (26663); Oeste del Páramo de Apagua (29719).
Delineation rationale: This KBA is a modification of two previous KBAs. On the western side it connects the two portions of the Illinizas National Park also towards the north and northwest, it limits with the Illinizas National Park and certain towns: Malingua Pamba, Guangaje and Saquisilí. On the northern side, this KBA surrounds the Quilotoa Lake. On east, the towns of Chaupi and Pujilí plus several private haciendas. Finally, on south the Angamarca paramos.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 35 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Forest | 15 | Forest – Temperate |
| Shrubland | 8 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Geological events | Volcanoes | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: - QCAZ-Herpetofauna from Universidad Católica de Quito
- Curated open public data bases (eBird) by M. Sánchez.