Tacacoma-Quiabaya and Sorata Valley (14392)
Bolivia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B1

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Tacacoma-Quiabaya y Valle de Sorata

Central coordinates: Latitude: -15.6470, Longitude: -68.6018

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1100 to 3500

Area of KBA (km²): 503.99361

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The KBA is located in the Larecaja and Camacho Provinces of the Department of La Paz, Bolivia. Due to the wide altitudinal range from 1500 m to 4900 m altitude, there are several types of vegetation formations: High Andean grasslands of the humid Puna, between 3900 - 4100 m above sea level, dominated by the genera Festuca, Deyeuxia, Azorella and Jarava, among others; High Andean and pluvial altimontane shrublands of the Yungas, between 2900-3700 m altitude, with Festuca dolichophylla, Deyeuxia spp, Baccharis pentlandii, B. latifolia, Berberis rariflora, B. weddellii, Lepechinia graveolens, Clinopodium bolivianum, Senna aymara, among others; the inter-Andean xeric montane forest and shrubland of the Yungas, between 2100 - 3200 m altitude, is dominated by Kageneckia lanceolata, Tara spinosa, Vachellia macracantha, Tecoma spp., Schinus spp., among others. La KBA se encuentra en las Provincias Larecaja y Camacho del Departamento de La Paz, Bolivia. Por el amplio rango altitudinal de 1500 m a 4900 m de altitud presenta varios tipos de formaciones vegetales: Pajonales altoandinos de la Puna húmeda, entre 3900 - 4100 m.s.n.m., dominados por los géneros Festuca, Deyeuxia, Azorella y Jarava, entre otros; Pajonal arbustivo altoandino y altimontano pluviestacional de Yungas, entre 2900-3700 m de altitud, está presente Festuca dolichophylla, Deyeuxia spp., Baccharis pentlandii, B. latifolia, Berberis rariflora, B. weddellii, Lepechinia graveolens, Clinopodium bolivianum, Senna aymara, entre otros; Bosque y arbustal montano xérico interandino de Yungas, entre 2100 - 3200 m de altitud, está dominado por Kageneckia lanceolata, Tara spinosa, Vachellia macracantha, Tecoma spp., Schinus spp., entre otros.

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 (Asthenes berlepschi B1)

Additional biodiversity: In the KBA area there are several species typical of the Sorata valley, there are at least 13 species that have been named under the specific name "soratensis". There are also species in the Endangered (EN) category, such as Solanum achacachense, Centropogon gloriosus, Gynoxis neovelutina; species in the Vulnerable (VU) category are Coursetia brachyrachis, Werneria staticifolia. There are also other species with lower threat categories and other endemic species: Wissadula andina, Puya ctenorhyncha, Siphocampylus vatkeanus, Puya herzogii, Solanum circaeifolium, Cleistocactus viridiflorus, Parodia columnaris, Echinopsis bridgesii, Cleistocactus buchtienii, Echinopsis calorubra and Rebutia mentosa. The aforementioned species could be qualifiers to strengthen the existence of KBA, however there are not enough current records to submit them for analysis in the criteria for KBA. En el área KBA se encuentran presentes varias especies propias del valle de Sorata, hay al menos 13 especies que han sido nombradas bajo el nombre específico "soratensis". También se registran especies en categoría de amenaza En Peligro (EN) como ser Solanum achacachense, Centropogon gloriosus, Gynoxis neovelutina; las especies en categoría Vulnerable (VU) son Coursetia brachyrachis, Werneria staticifolia. También se encuentran otras especies con categorías de amenaza inferior y otras endémicas: Wissadula andina, Puya ctenorhyncha, Siphocampylus vatkeanus, Puya herzogii, Solanum circaeifolium, Cleistocactus viridiflorus, Parodia columnaris, Echinopsis bridgesii, Cleistocactus buchtienii, Echinopsis calorubra y Rebutia mentosa. Las especies anteriormente mencionadas podrían ser calificadoras para fortalecer la existencia de la KBA, sin embargo no existen suficientes registros actuales para someterlos a análisis en los criterios para las KBA.

Manageability of the site: There are no management or conservation activities in the area; however, there is a high level of tourist activity due to the presence of the Illampu snow-capped mountain and the San Pedro Grotto. These activities could be promoted under a landscape conservation approach, and the conservation of water sources should also be an important issue to ensure the conservation of the KBA. El área no presenta actividades de manejo y conservación, sin embargo la zona presenta alta actividad turística debido a la presencia del nevado Illampu y la Gruta de San Pedro. Estas actividades pueden ser promocionadas bajo un enfoque de conservación del paisaje, también el tema de conservación de fuentes de agua debería ser un tema importante para asegurar la conservación de la KBA.

Other site values: Aymara and mestizo population. Población Aymara y mestiza.

Delineation rationale: Site delineation first considered the Asthenes berlepschi occurrence records provided by experts and collaborating institutions. Experts then discussed the specie occupation according to those records in the site, their altitudinal ranges and the extent of the specie’ main habitats/ecosystems, to define the final boundaries of the site.

Habitats

Land use: There is extensive agricultural land use for crops and small-scale livestock (cattle and sheep); there are also eucalyptus forests for commercial use. Vegetables, legumes, potatoes, barley, and papaliza are grown in the highlands. In the valleys, corn, beans, peas, and vegetables are grown. In the subtropical lowlands, custard apples, bananas, oranges and tangerines are grown. Mining is also an important industry. Existe un amplio uso de la tierra con fines agrícolas para cultivos, ganadería en pequeña escala (vacunos y ovinos), también hay presencia de bosques de eucalipto para uso comercial. En la parte alta se cultivan hortalizas, legumbres, papa, cebada y papaliza. En los valles se producen maíz, haba, arveja y hortalizas. En la parte baja subtropical, chirimoyas, plátano, naranja y mandarina. La minería también es un rubro importante.

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	5	Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha)
Forest	10	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Forest	10	Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry
Wetlands(Inland)	40	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls)
Wetlands(Inland)	5	Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Temperature extremes	Ongoing

Additional information