Dry Forests of the Chicamocha River Valley (14516)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Bosques Secos del Valle del Río Chicamocha

Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.4600, Longitude: -72.9000

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 500 to 3000

Area of KBA (km²): 3081.29693

Protected area coverage (%): 15.75

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Chicamocha Canyon is located in the Eastern Cordillera and corresponds to the middle valley of the Chicamocha River and parts of the valleys of its tributaries such as the Suarez River. It is a subxerophytic area that extends from the vicinity of Soata and Paz del Río (Boyacá) to part of the Sogamoso River, which is formed by the confluence of the Chicamocha and Suarez Rivers in the municipality of Zapatoca (Santander).. In the Chicamocha Canyon, the canopy is composed of low trees up to about 5 meters in height, with species such as Gallinero (Pithecellobium dulce), Cuji (Prosopis juliflora), Yabo (Cerdium praecox), Tamajaco (Bursera graveolens), among others. There are several columnar cacti known as "canelones" (Stenocereus sp., Armetocereus humilis, Monvillea smithiana, Pilosocereus aff. Browningia sp.) and other cacti such as tunas (Opuntia elatior, Opuntia dillenii, Opuntia aff. pittieri), guasábaras (Opuntia aff. tunicata), Melocactus spp., and Mammillaria colombiana (Hernández-Camacho and Sánchez 1992). Fourthly, the quersophytic pedobiome of the cold thermal floor, which is found at elevations between 1,900 and 2,300 meters approximately, on the periphery of the Chicamocha Canyon in the north of Boyacá, in a more or less extensive enclave (Hernández-Camacho and Sánchez 1992). The vegetation is essentially evergreen. The flora exhibits some notable endemisms, and probably, in its climatic condition, this vegetation was a relatively dense low forest that has been transformed into shrubs and short grasslands due to human intervention. In some areas, there is influence from nighttime mist, favoring the development of epiphytic bromeliads such as Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides and Tillandsia incarnata) (Hernández-Camacho and Sánchez 1992). There is currently no national or private reserve in the area that protects all associated species, both fauna and flora. Conservation efforts have been initiated by the Chicamocha Project (ProAves Foundation) since March 2004. The main objective of the project is to determine the status, distribution, and ecological requirements of two endemic and critically endangered bird species in the Chicamocha Canyon: Niceforo's Wren (Thryothorus nicefori) and Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris). Additionally, the project aims to promote conservation activities with the local community. The project team includes the participation of biologists and local community members. The conservation scholarship program supported the study "Reproductive Biology and Conservation of Zamia encephalartoides in the Chicamocha River Basin, Santander" (Gonzales 2001).

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This area it's important for the conservation of 12 species that triggered some KBA criteria. One actinopterygii, Creagrutus guanes triggered B1 criteria; two amphibians, Pristimantis bicolor and Niceforonia nana triggered B2 criteria; three birds species, Thryophilus nicefori triggered A1a, B1 and B2 criteria, Odontophorus strophium triggered A1b, B1 and B2 criteria and Synallaxis subpudica only triggered B2 criteria; three plants species as Melocactus schatzlii, which triggered A1b criteria, and Zamia encephalartoides and Puya exuta both triggered A1a and B1 criteria; finally, three reptilian species, Stenocercus santander, Ptychoglossus bicolor and Micrurus sangilensis triggered only B2 criteria.

Additional biodiversity: So far, the ProAves Foundation has recorded 168 bird species. The presence of two critically endangered species is noteworthy (Renjifo et al. 2002): Thryothorus nicefori and Amazilia castaneiventris. This area also exhibits endemism at the species and subspecies levels, including Ortalis colombiana, Myiarchus apicalis, Momotus momota olivaresii, Arremon schlegeli canidorsum, and Campylorhynchus griseus bicolor. Regarding non-bird biodiversity, the identified vertebrate species in the area include Procyon cancrivorus, Cerdocyon thous, Tamandua mexicana, Conepatus semistriatus, Alouatta seniculus, Leopardus tigrinus (NT), Agouti paca, Coendou prehensilis, Dasypus novemcinctus, and Pecari tajacu. Plant species in the area consist of Zamia encephalartoides (VU), Cavanillesia chicamochae, Opuntia tunicata, and Melocactus amoens.

Manageability of the site: Dry Forests of Chicamocha River Valley is managed by Autonomous Regional Coporation and local communities

Delineation rationale: This KBA is delimited according to the vegetation cover associated with the dry forest ecosystem and secondary xerophytic subanid shrublands, as key areas for trigger species.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)		Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls)
Artificial - Aquatic		Urban Areas
Shrubland		Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical dry
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Artificial - Aquatic		Plantations
Artificial - Aquatic		Water Storage Areas [over 8 ha]
Artificial - Aquatic		Rural Gardens
Shrubland		Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area is currently under significant anthropic pressure. The Chicamocha Project has identified the following threats in the area: the expansion of agricultural frontiers, mining practices, extensive grazing of goats, excessive hunting, urban expansion, logging, and wood extraction for commerce and domestic use, among others. These activities result in the loss of key (endemic) species, a reduction in the natural vegetation heterogeneity of the area, induced erosion, and the destruction of microhabitats.

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	Livestock farming & ranching	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing

Additional information