San Sebastián (14480)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: San Sebastián

Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.0356, Longitude: -75.5601

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 2000 to 3000

Area of KBA (km²): 99.63343

Protected area coverage (%): 99.99

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The KBA San Sebastián is located in the south of the department of Antioquia, on the eastern slope of the Central Cordillera. It is within the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Caldas and El Retiro. The area is composed of montane forest in different stages of succession. The altitude of the KBA has a minimum of 2450 and a maximum of 2850 meters above sea level, in the Low and High Montane Very Humid Forest life zones (bmh-MB, bmh-MA sensu Holdridge 1967). The average temperature is 18 °C.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This KBA is important for the conservation of the threatened and range-restricted amphibian species Rhinella ruizi and Hyloscirtus antioquia that triggered the B2 criteria.

Manageability of the site: This area is managed by different entities as CORNARE (CORPORACIÓN AUTÓNOMA REGIONAL DE LAS CUENCAS DE LOS RÍOS NEGRO Y NARE), CORANTIOQUIA and administrative direction of AMVA (Área metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá)

Delineation rationale: This area was delineated following the boundaries of the PAs: Alto de San Miguel Regional Protective Forest Reserve (WDPA ID: 555636182) and the San Miguel Integrated Management Regional District (WDPA ID: 555635995)

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Artificial - Aquatic		Rural Gardens

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Currently, logging and forest burning to intensify agriculture and livestock farming are activities that are beginning to gain strength in the area.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
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	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing

Additional information