Lake Titicaca (Bolivian Sector) (14364)
Bolivia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Lago Titicaca (Sector Boliviano)
Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.0520, Longitude: -69.0222
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 380 to 3800
Area of KBA (km2): 3220.93557
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable body of water in the world, located at 3,810 m. It is located in the middle western end of the department of La Paz and is shared with the republic of Peru. This KBA is located within the Titicaca-Desaguadero basin. Lake Titicaca, due to its particular geographic, historical and mythological characteristics, is an exceptional environment that with its resources supports an important riparian population in Bolivia and Peru, in addition to being a habitat that hosts a variety of animal and plant species, some of which are exclusive to the region. Visitors to Lake Titicaca are captivated by its beautiful landscapes, where practically every place has unique mystical-religious connotations. The main activity in Lake Titicaca is intensive agriculture on the edge of the lake and fishing with nets, as well as the breeding of introduced fish (trout) in ponds installed in the lake itself. The most used and effective fishing methods are nets. Another activity practiced is tourism, the intensity of which has increased in recent years. Currently, A. Martínez, together with Asociación Armonía, is estimating the population size of Rollandia microptera, as well as habitat preference studies of this species. C. Quiroga and O. Rocha, as part of the Neotropical waterbird census program, have conducted several waterbird census in some areas of this wetland.
El lago Titicaca es el cuerpo de agua navegable más alto del mundo, situado a 3.810 m. Se encuentra en el extremo medio occidental del departamento de La Paz y es compartido con la república de Perú. Esta IBA se encuentra dentro de la cuenca Titicaca-Desaguadero. El lago Titicaca, por sus características particulares en lo geográfico, histórico y mitológico, constituye un medio excepcional que con sus recursos sustenta una importante población ribereña de Bolivia y Perú, además de constituirse en un hábitat que acoge una variedad de especies animales y vegetales, algunas exclusivas de la región. El visitante que llega al lago Titicaca queda cautivado por sus bellos paisajes, donde prácticamente cada lugar tiene connotaciones místico-religiosas singulares. La principal actividad en el lago Titicaca es la agricultura intensiva al borde del lago y la pesca con redes, así como la cría de peces introducidos (Trucha) en estanques instalados en el mismo lago. Los métodos de pesca más utilizados y efectivos son las redes. Otra actividad practicada es el turismo, cuya intensidad se ha incrementado en los últimos años. Actualmente, A. Martínez, junto a la Asociación Armonía, se encuentra estimando el tamaño poblacional de Rollandia microptera, así como estudios de preferencia de hábitat de esta especie. C. Quiroga y O. Rocha, dentro del programa del censo Neotropical de aves acuáticas, han realizado varios censos de aves acuáticas en algunas zonas de este humedal.
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. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Trigger species: Rollandia microptera meets A1a, A1c; Telmatobius culeus A1a, A1c, B1.
Additional biodiversity: The Telmatobius marmoratus frog, which is classified as Endangered EN, is known to be present in some of the streams that flow into the lake. En algunos arroyos que desembocan al lago se conoce la presencia de la rana Telmatobius marmoratus, que se encuentra clasificada como En Peligro EN.
Manageability of the site: Currently, through the Biodiversity Conservation System Project (TDPS), under the Binational Authority of Lake Titicaca, funded by UNDP, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity Conservation (PECB) has been developed as a basic tool for managing the biodiversity of Lake Titicaca and its surroundings. The indiscriminate use of cattails for cattle fodder may have another impact on waterfowl habitat, as they use them as nesting sites. For this reason, through the GEF project, a binational plan for the management of totora reeds was developed for Bolivia and Peru, with the aim of reducing the impacts on the reed ecosystem and ensuring the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, the binational plan is under review by the authorities.
The ALT's Biodiversity Project has been monitoring birds in Desaguadero Lake, with emphasis on R. microptera, under the direction of C. Quiroga.
Other site values: A small group maintains its culture today, the Uru Pukina, in addition to the Aymara representation (Surce: CEPAL, 2005). Un pequeño grupo mantiene su cultura en la actualidad, los Uru Pukina, ademas de la representación aymara (Fuente: CEPAL, 2005)
Delineation rationale: Site delineation first considered the trigger species’ occurrence records provided by experts and collaborating institutions. Experts then discussed the species occupation according to those records in the site, their altitudinal ranges and the extent of the species’ main habitats/ecosystems, to define the final boundaries of the site.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Freshwater permanent Lake 100%
Land use: According to the 2009 World Bank report, the land uses of Lake Titicaca are based on agriculture (work with Aynocas and crop rotation, including oca, barley, potatoes, beans and, to a lesser extent, quinoa, fodder, legumes and vegetables), livestock (raising cattle, camelids and sheep, and to a lesser extent pigs, goats, horses and poultry, Seoane et al. 2007) and forestry production (intensive use of shrub vegetation to produce firewood for bakeries and domestic use). Seoane et al., 2007) and forestry production (intensive use of shrub vegetation for the production of firewood for bakeries and domestic use. Use of tolares, queñoales, colli thickets and kiswara thickets), while the use of its waters is for fishing (rainbow trout, Karachi and Ispi (VU), Mauri and Boga) aquaculture, irrigation (Prointec, 2003) and recreational activities, on the other hand there are mining industries, which threaten the sector and tourism activity that strengthens it. Según el informe elaborado por el Banco Mundial, 2009 confirman que los usos de suelo del lago Titicaca se basan en agricultura (trabajo con Aynocas y rotación de cultivos, entre los principales oca, cebada, papas, haba y en menor proporción , quinua, forraje, legumbres y hortalizas), ganadería (crianza de ganado bovino, camélido y ovino, y en menor proporción porcino, caprino, equino y aves de corral, Seoane et al., 2007) y producción forestal (intensivo uso de la vegetación arbustiva para la producción de leña destinada a las panaderías y el uso doméstico. Uso de tolares, los queñoales, los matorrales de colli y los matorrales de kiswara) , mientras el uso de sus aguas está destinada a la pesca (La trucha arcoíris, Karachi y el Ispi (VU), Mauri y el Boga) acuicultura, riego (Prointec, 2003) y actividades recreativas, por otro lado se tienen las industrias mineras, que amenazan al sector y la actividad turística que la fortalece.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 63 | |
| Grassland | 6 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 31 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Overfishing of native fish (Orestias spp.), due to the lack of regulation of the use of gill nets, constitutes a threat to Rollandia microptera, which is generally trapped in them. On the other hand, the introduction of exotic species such as trout and silversides has caused serious imbalances in the ecosystem in general, making them potential predators of native species and food competitors for certain aquatic birds. Asociación Armonía is developing a project to measure the impact of the use of gillnets on Rollandia microptera populations, and to find ways to mitigate this problem. Another factor that is negatively affecting biodiversity, both terrestrial and aquatic, is domestic water pollution, mainly in the cities of Puno, Desaguadero and Copacabana. In general, the species that are currently experiencing the greatest pressures and levels of threat to their populations from extractive uses for various purposes are the lake's native fish, such as karachis and ispis. There are indications of a growing reduction in the populations of the Giant Frog (Telmatobius culeus), used in various areas for gastronomic, medicinal or ornamental purposes.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Teodoro Camacho Asociación Civil Armonía
Victor Hugo García Consultant - Asociación Civil Armonía
Dirk Derek Independent; Consultant Asociación Civil Armonía
Jennifer Cahill Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (CBG)
Oswaldo Maillard Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano (FCBC)
Enrique Domic Red para la Conservación de Tortugas de Bolivia (RTB)
Adriana Ávila Consultant - Asociación Civil Armonía
Diego Peñaranda Asociación Civil Armonía
Ari Martinez Bird Conservation International