Bajo Napo (14547)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, A1d, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Bajo Napo
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.6077, Longitude: -75.8809
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 200 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 3244.98217
Protected area coverage (%): 89.65
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This KBA is located between 200 to 300m and comprises the northern ecuadorian amazon landscapes and ecosystems that follows the Napo river and covers the forests of the southern limits of Cuyabeno protected area and the southern limits of Yasuni National park. The main ecosystems are two types of evergreen amazonian forests. The terra firme evergreen forests of the Aguarico-Putumayo and Caquetá rivers region and, flooded forests and palms plains of the alluvial amazonian region.
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 like the endangered Inia geoffrensis and the vulnerable to the extinction, Cebuella pygmaea. Moreover, this KBA contains nearly the 40% of the distribution of the range restricted and endemic of the upper amazon, Thamnophilus praecox.
Additional biodiversity: Several restricted and endangered species have been recorded here: Harpia harpyja, Pantera onca, Pteronura brasiliensis, Trichechus inunguis and micro-mammals with data deficiency, like: Echimys saturnus, Marmosa rubra and Necromys punctulatus.
Manageability of the site: Preserved, managed and defended by amazonian ancestral nations plus the control of the environmental authority on the buffer areas of national parks on the limits. Several ecotourism activities also generates a control and manageability of the KBA.
Other site values: These are territories of the Kichwa people of the Napo river northern and southern banks from Orellana and Sucumbíos provinces.
Delineation rationale: The limits of KBA named Bajo Napo (14547) were adjusted. Current limits are on north, the southern limits of Cuyabeno faunistic production reserve. On west, the deforested areas and plantations (oil palm) near Limoncocha. On south, Yasuní National Park and, on east the border with Peru.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 20 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland |
| Forest | 80 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical swamp |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Stella de la Torre from Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Aves y Conservación (Tatiana Santander and Juan Freile). Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad. Experts that participate in the KBA workshops on birds and freshwater fishes.