Toche River Basin (14493)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Cuenca del río Toche

Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.5610, Longitude: -75.4368

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 1500 to 3500

Area of KBA (km²): 207.66032

Protected area coverage (%): 1.22

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Toche River Basin comprises an area of 261 km2, ranging from 1,900 to 3,500 meters above sea level, located on the southern flank of the Nevados del Tolima-Ruiz massif, in the municipalities of Cajamarca and Ibagué, in the Tolima department. The Toche River originates in the paramo of the Quindío volcano within Los Nevados National Natural Park, at an elevation of over 4,000 meters, and flows southward to form a stream towards the town of Toche, continuing on to the town of Cajamarca. The Toche area also includes the San Juan stream and the Tochecito River, south of the town of Tapias. The basin is surrounded to the east by the city of Ibagué and to the west by the Quindío department. The area includes fragments of montane rainforest, agricultural sectors, and pastures. Between 1,900 and 3,200 meters, about 15% of the original vegetation still persists, distributed in scattered patches of mature secondary forest, mostly along watercourses, surrounded by pasturelands, where the presence of the Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense) is common. Above 3,200 meters, some ancient forests predominate and are replaced by dwarf forests from 3,400 to 3,650 meters. Below 2,200 meters and near the town of Toche, only small forests exist, as the land has been intensely cultivated with potatoes, beans, and grass for livestock (López-Lanus et al. 2000). Over the last 15 years, organizations such as the Herencia Verde Foundation and ProAves Foundation have conducted ornithological research efforts that complemented the information about the avifauna and threats in the area (López-Lanús et al. 2000).

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The species that triggers A1b criteria was Grallaria milleri (Brown-banded Antpitta), a threatened and range-restricted bird species.

Manageability of the site: Managed by local communities and Autonomous Regional Corporation from Tolima CORTOLIMA

Delineation rationale: Boundaries were established following the Toche River Basin following up to the north, bordering Los Nevados Natural National Park

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic		Rural Gardens
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland
Artificial - Aquatic		Urban Areas
Artificial - Aquatic		Plantations

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problem facing the region is the extensive deforestation of native forests. Over the last 50 years, it has been concentrated between 1,900-3,200 meters and still persists due to the increasing expansion of agriculture, firewood collection, and selective logging and burning during the dry season.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing

Additional information