Sajama (14358)
Bolivia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, B1
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Sajama
Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.8935, Longitude: -68.6752
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 4000 to 6000
Area of KBA (km2): 947.37821
Protected area coverage (%): 99.96
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site corresponds to the Parque Nacional Sajama, which is the first protected area in Bolivia, created to protect the queñua (Polylepis spp.0) forests, the ecosystems of the semi-arid high Andean region, and species of wild flora and fauna. It is located in the municipality of Curahuara de Carangas, Sajama province in the northwest of the department of Oruro. The vegetation of the Area corresponds to the desert puna, known as Puna Sureña, which is characterized by being one of the most arid and desert areas of Bolivia. The representative vegetation is: Paja brava, thola, keñua, yareta and others among the 154 registered species. In fauna, 108 species were recorded, among which the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), quirquincho (Chaetophractus nationi), Andean cat or titi (Felis jacobita), puma (Puma concolor), suri (Pterocnemia pennata), giant soca (Fulica) stand out. Gigantea) and flamingos (Phoenicoparrus jamesi and P. andinus). Climate is dry and cold year round with occasional snowfall. The mountain Tata Sajama is one of the highest snow-capped peaks in Bolivia at 6,542 meters above sea level.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Trigger species: Phoenicoparrus andinus A1d; Diplostephium cinereum A1a; Nototriche sajamensis A1b, B1; Nototriche turritella A1b; Pycnophyllum spathulatum A1b, B1.
Additional biodiversity: In the site can also be found Polylepis tarapacana remnant forests, tolares Parastephia lucida, Parastephia lepidophila; Chersodoma jodopapa; Xenophyllum poposum (used for high altitude sickness and stomach ache); Xenoplyllum lycopodioides; Viola granulosa; Nototriche hillii. High altitude peatlands (bofedales) are also common in the area.
Species of fauna of conservation concern in the site are: Hippocamelus antisensis, Leopardus jacobita for which there are important records of presence.
Manageability of the site: The Parque Nacional Sajama (Sajama National Park) is under the management of the Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas de Bolivia “SERNAP”, therefore, the present KBA can also be managed as a unit.
Delineation rationale: Site delineation follows the exact boundaries of the Sajama National Park (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Bolivia).
Habitats
Land use: Local communities and indigenous people have small stocks of livestock
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Forest | 5 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha) |
| Shrubland | 10 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Alfredo Fuentes Claros Missouri Botanical Garden-Bolivia (MBG)
Stephan Beck Herbario Nacional, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés
Gabriela Aguirre Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
Giovana Gallardo Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
Juan Carlos Huaranca Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
Lilian Villalba Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
Sandra Rivero Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
Teodoro Camacho Asociación Civil Armonía
Victor Hugo García Asociación Civil Armonía
Enrique Domic Red para la Conservación de Tortugas de Bolivia (RTB)
Oswaldo Maillard Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano (FCBC)
Diego Peñaranda Asociación Civil Armonía