Yotoco Forest Reserve (14487)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Reserva Forestal Yotoco

Central coordinates: Latitude: 3.8628, Longitude: -76.4226

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1200 to 1950

Area of KBA (km²): 12.26347

Protected area coverage (%): 94.58

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Yotoco Forest Reserve is located in the municipality of Yotoco, Valle del Cauca department. It covers an area of 559 hectares of forests situated between 1,200 and 1,950 meters above sea level, on the eastern slope of the Western Cordillera. This small and isolated patch of forest is one of the last remnants of humid subtropical forest in Valle del Cauca, with trees reaching over 50 meters in height. Much of the reserve's total area is well-preserved, although it is divided by a heavy-traffic road that connects Buga-Loboguerrero-Buenaventura. The reserve is one of the last reservoirs of biodiversity in the region and is home to a significant number of species, including the Colombian endemic species Penelope perspicax, which is endangered. The forest is surrounded by coffee plantations (mostly sun coffee) and pasturelands, making the site an "island of vegetation." There are numerous trails that start from the visitor center and cross the area from the edge of the forest and coffee plantations to the end of the reserve.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This KBA is important for the conservation of the threatened amphibian species Strabomantis ruizi that triggered the A1a criteria.

Additional biodiversity: It has the following fauna and flora: 243 species of vascular plants. 19 classes of ferns. 74 orchid species. 26 species of amphibians and reptiles. 41 mammal species. 155 bird species. 15 species of migratory birds.

Manageability of the site: Managed by Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede: Palmira inside the Yotoco Forest Reserve. The other portion of this protected area is managed by Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development)

Delineation rationale: This area was delineated following the boundaries of the protected area Quebrada Guadualito y El Negrito National Protective Forest Reserve (WDPA ID: 317066)

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	10	Urban Areas
Artificial - Aquatic	10	Rural Gardens
Forest	80	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing

Additional information