Cueva de los Guácharos Natural National Park (14435)
Colombia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guácharos
Central coordinates: Latitude: 1.6023, Longitude: -76.1355
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 1750 to 3200
Area of KBA (km2): 71.32583
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Park is located in the southeastern part of the Huila department, on the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. It is a zone of Andean forest named after a set of caves that serve as a refuge for a large number of oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis). It is situated in the upper part of the Sauza River, which is the main axis of the extensive network of streams and creeks that are part of the Park and flow into the upper Magdalena River. The site is entirely covered by Andean forest, and four habitat types are identified: humid cloud sub-Andean forest, mixed sub-Andean forest, Andean forest, and subparamo (Castaño-Uribe and Cano 1998). Throughout the entire altitudinal gradient, it is easy to observe species of fauna and flora characteristic of these Andean biomes. The primary land use is for the conservation and research of nature. UAESPNN is responsible for the administration and management of the site. Additionally, entities such as the Alexander von Humboldt Institute and the ProAves Foundation, among others, have conducted expeditions to the site to study the biodiversity found there.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This area it's important for the conservation of one plant species that triggered A1a criterion that was Magnolia henaoi, considered as an Endangered by IUCN.
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for having one of the largest populations of oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis) in the world, as well as 267 species of permanent birds in the area (P. Salaman and A. M. Umaña, in litt.). In the Park there are known to be a number of species of birds of different species.
In the Park, one of the three known populations of the Black Oak (Colombobalanus excelsa) is found. This species, along with the oak Quercus humboldtii, makes up extensive humid cloud sub-Andean forests that reach up to 30 m in height, hosting a wide variety of fauna and flora species.
Manageability of the site: This KBA is a Protected Area managed by the National Natural Parks of Colombia
Delineation rationale: The limits of this KBA follow the limits of the PA that enclosure the Cueva de los Guacharos Natural National Park
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical moist | |
| Forest | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are the reduction in land management, and the intensification and expansion of agriculture.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Alexander von Humboldt Institute