Ciénaga Grande, Isla de Salamanca and Sabana Grande RAMSAR Biosphere Reserve (14460)
Colombia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Reserva de Biosfera RAMSAR Ciénaga Grande, Isla de Salamanca y Sabana Grande
Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.8400, Longitude: -74.5500
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 1 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 2500.89704
Protected area coverage (%): 33.77
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The RAMSAR Biosphere Reserve Cienaga Grande, Salamanca Island and Sabana Grande is ubicated within the great complex of wetlands on the Caribbean coast, between the city of Cartagena and Barranquilla, is the Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca, an area of pipes and swamps that are the habitat of innumerable species of fauna, as well as an important source of resources. for groups of fishermen living on the banks of the pipes and the area of influence of the protected area. Its name of Vía Parque is due to the fact that the trunk avenue of the Caribbean passes through the western side of the Reserve, one of the most important communication highways between the region and the country. Salamanca is an aggregate of islands: the eastern portion of the Cuatro Bocas swamp to the east, interposed between the Grande de Santa Marta swamp and the Caribbean Sea, constitutes a barrier formed by deposition of sand, shells and marine remains. Walking along suitable paths among the mangroves, you will visit some sites very close to the administrative center of the Park. By boat you can visit some swamps such as Atascosa, Poza Verde, El Tomo, Cuatro Bocas and Los Manatíes; pipes such as Clarín, El Torno, Los Almendros and Clarín Viejo; and the Cangarú and Onaca beaches. The area is located in the department of Magdalena, in the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Pivijay and Remolino, at the southern end of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, whose extension is 23,000 ha. The Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta Flora and Fauna Sanctuary originated as a coastal bay modified by the gradual formation of a bar, or marine arrow that facilitated human settlements, generating an abundant variety of fishing resources. On the banks of the Ciénaga Grande are the towns of Tasajeras, Palmira, Isla Rosario, Puebloviejo and the lakeside towns of Nueva Venecia, Buenavista and Trojas de Cataca. The latter constitute a singular testimony of conditioning to the environment. The entire sanctuary is formed by the progressive accumulation of sediments from the Magdalena River. Its maximum height above sea level does not exceed 10 m. The climate is hot and dry, the average temperature is 29º C.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This area it's important for the conservation of the Endangered bird species Chrysuronia lilliae (Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird) triggered the A1a and B1 criteria for this KBA. Also, Ortalis garrula, Forpus spengeli and Molothrus armenti triggered the B2 criterion.
Manageability of the site: The RAMSAR Biosphere Reserve Cienaga Grande, Salamanca Island and Sabana Grande is managed by the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Magdalena - CORPAMAG and Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico - CRA.
Delineation rationale: Only new biodiversity was added to this KBA, so there was no change to its original boundaries. It follows the boundaries of the Ciénaga Grande, Isla de Salamanca and Sabana Grande RAMSAR biosphere reserve IBA.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | Marine Neritic – Subtidal sandy | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | Coastal Caves/Karsts | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | Plantations | |
| Forest | Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry | |
| Forest | Forest – Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation above high tide level |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The activities related to aquaculture, deforestation, and unsustainable exploitation of resources are the threats present in the area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Alexander von Humboldt Institute