Cajas-Mazán (14537)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Cajas-Mazán
Central coordinates: Latitude: -2.8487, Longitude: -79.2403
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 3050 to 4300
Area of KBA (km2): 314.7278
Protected area coverage (%): 99.79
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This KBA comprehend the Cajas National Park and the Autonomous Protected and Decentralized Area, Mazán at Azuay province. Both administrated by Empresa Pública Municipal de Telecomunicaciones, Agua Potable, Saneamiento y Gestión Ambiental del cantón Cuenca. Altitudinal range from 3050 t0 4500 m. This are comprehends an impressive wetland system of the upper highlands of southern Ecuador. A region endemism of upper andean herpetofauna and birds plus flora. The representative vegetation, ecosystem and landscape is the paramo grasslands, shrublands and scrublands from the high Andes. Plus patches of Polylepis trees of the evergreen upper montane forest of the western Andes.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least two criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction species, range restricted species and the ≥ 10% of the global distribution of certain species in the KBA, as follows: Stenocercus festae (A1b) and Pristimantis lutzae (A1b). Moreover, Atelopus nanay (A1a, B1); Metallura baroni (A1a, B1, B2); Puya compacta (A1a, B1); Atelopus exiguus (A1a). Finally, range restricted, but not threatened birds under B2 criterion, like: Oreotrochilus chimborazo; Phalcoboenus carunculatus; Asthenes griseomurina; Muscisaxicola alpinus; Cinclodes excelsior; Eriocnemis luciani and, Xenodacnis petersi.
Additional biodiversity: Tremarctos ornatus, Vultur gryphus, Polylepis reticulata, Mazama rufina, Chibchanomys orcesi.
Manageability of the site: Administrated by ETAPA (Empresa Pública Municipal de Telecomunicaciones, Agua Potable, Saneamiento y Gestión Ambiental del cantón Cuenca).
Supersedes another site: Laguna Toreadora ID 26662
Other site values: Private and public land. The citizens of Cuenca recognize this area as the main source of water and support the conservation and protection of this KBA.
Delineation rationale: We follow the original polygons of the national system of protected areas which is almost similar than the previous polygon from IBA/KBA. We just located it correctly in the map.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha) |
| Forest | 11 | Forest – Temperate |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 11 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Shrubland | 11 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Centro de Conservación de Anfibios Amaru. ETAPA (Empresa Pública Municipal de Telecomunicaciones, Agua Potable, Saneamiento y Gestión Ambiental del cantón Cuenca) y Juan Carlos Sánchez.