Llanganates National Park (14542)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Parque Nacional Llanganates

Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.1443, Longitude: -78.2367

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 750 to 4350

Area of KBA (km²): 2195.80476

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This KBA is a national park and is one of those famous for its mountains, landscapes where is easy to get lost and wander for the eternity, unexplored areas, biodiversity and myths like being the place where the Inca's treasure is hidden. Located in four provinces, two Andean: Tungurahua and Cotopaxi, and two Amazonian: Napo y Pastaza. The altitudinal range goes from 750 to 4350m. Several species trigger this KBA and surely there will be more to discover in a future. The main landscapes are those covering the mountains, like: Upper montane, montane, lower montane and foothill evergreen forests of the northern and northeastern slope Andes. On the upper region the evergreen shrublands and paramo grasslands and the locally infamous páramo flooded grasslands. Finally, over this highlands region several water bodies distributed randomly.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least five criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction and range restricted species like: Atelopus palmatus (A1a, A1c); Hyloscirtus psarolaimus (A1b, B1, B2); Oreotrochilus chimborazo (B2); Pristimantis eriphus (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis rubicundus (A1a, B2); Cinclodes excelsior (B2); Eriocnemis mosquera (B2); Nymphargus anomalus (A1a, B2); Pristimantis acerus (A1a, B2); Aotus lemurinus (A1d); Bolitoglossa palmata (B1, B2); Hyloscirtus staufferorum (A1a, B2); Niceforonia elassodiscus (B2); Osornophryne antisana (A1a, B2); Atlapetes leucopis (B2); Lipaugus fuscocinereus (B2); Phalcoboenus carunculatus (B2); Pristimantis ardyae (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis bellae (A1a, B2); Pristimantis resistencia (B1, B2); Pristimantis tamia (B1, B2); Pristimantis venegasi (B1, B2); Ceratostema nodosum (A1b, B1); Pristimantis anaiae (B1, B2); Tapirus pinchaque (A1a); Mazama rufina (A1b, A1d); Tremarctos ornatus (A1d); Osornophryne simpsoni (A1a, B2) and Caecilia abitaguae (A1a, B2).

Additional biodiversity: Vultur gryphus, Spizaetus isidori, Leopardus tigrinus, Puma concolor,

Manageability of the site: This is a national park administrated by the government of Ecuador via the environmental authority, Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition.

Other site values: NA

Delineation rationale: This KBA follows the official limit of Llanganates National Park. On north the paramos of central volcanoes KBA and Antisana National Park. On east, the forest of amazonian Kichwas and the KBA of Jatunyaku-Piatúa-Anzu rivers. South and southeast, Llanganates-Sangay Corridor. On west, agricultural fields, farms and and small towns and villages of Tungurahua province.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Shrubland	10	Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude
Wetlands(Inland)	30	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls)
Forest	45	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Wetlands(Inland)	5	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha)

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Ongoing

Additional information