Cerro Pintado (Serranía de Perijá) (14424)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Cerro Pintado (Serranía de Perijá)

Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.4700, Longitude: -72.9400

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 1500 to 3200

Area of KBA (km²): 92.96638

Protected area coverage (%): 99.54

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Cerro Pintado (Serranía de Perijá) is located in the northeast of Colombia, on the western slope of the Perijá mountain range. Due to its proximity to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and being the transition zone between the Guajira peninsula and the eastern Andes, this area has unique characteristics that have allowed a vast diversification of the different groups of fauna and flora. The vast majority of the hill is covered by premontane and montane forests, which in the higher areas are replaced by páramos. At present, there are strong colonization pressures, mainly from the lower parts to the higher parts, through the expansion of agriculture and livestock. Due to its geographical layout, this KBA is subject to different currents that, when converging in the area, cause particular eco and microclimatic variations. Depending on the altitude, there are warm, temperate, cold and paramo climates. The area's precipitation is bimodal, with periods of maximum rainfall between April–May and September–November, interspersed with two dry seasons between January–March and June–August; Annual precipitation is estimated between 1,200 and 2,000 mm. The average annual temperature varies from 28.5 °C in the lowest parts, to 17 °C in places that reach 2,000 meters above sea level; In the highest areas and paramunas, where humidity increases due to the fog phenomenon, temperatures are lower.

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. KBA were identified by Asociación Calidris and Instituto Humboldt and a group of experts for re-assessment and nomination of this areas in Colombia. Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2023 IUCN Red List. Four birds species triggered the KBA criteria. Ara militaris triggered the A1b and A1d criterion. The remaining three species Coeligena consita (Perija starfrontlet), Arremon perijanus (Perija Brush-finch) and Metallura iracunda (Perija Metaltail) triggered the B2 criteria.

Additional biodiversity: In this KBA more than 280 species of birds have been reported. Sixteen species of mammals, including the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Northern Tiger Cat (Leopardus tigrinus-VU), Brown Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus-CR). And two species of plants of interest for conservation Wax palm (Ceroxylon ceriferum-EN) and the Perijá frailejón (Espeletia perijaensis-EN).

Manageability of the site: The Cerro Pintado (Serranía de Perijá) is managed by the Corporación Autónoma Regional de La Guajira - CORPOGUAJIRA and Corporación Autónoma Regional del Cesar - CORPOCESAR.

Delineation rationale: It follows the limits of Cerro Pintao - Serrania del Perija Natural Regional Park

Habitats

Land use: Land use is currently distributed as follows: Forest in 41-50% (Montane broadleaf evergreen forest | Second-growth or disturbed forest), Shrubland and Grassland in 41-50%

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	87.8	Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry
Grassland	47.8
Shrubland	21.7
Artificial - Aquatic	11.1	Plantations

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are the intensification and expansion of agriculture, selective logging, and the spread of illicit crops.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Geological events	Avalanches/landslides		Unknown
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing

Additional information