Sangay-Ichubamba-Yasepan (14567)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, A1e, B1, B2, B3a, B3b
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Sangay-Ichubamba-Yasepan
Central coordinates: Latitude: -2.0792, Longitude: -78.4534
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 700 to 5260
Area of KBA (km2): 4907.73881
Protected area coverage (%): 99.03
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This KBA and national park was recognized as a world natural heritage in 1983 by UNESCO at the same time than Galapagos. This impressive complex of habitats and ecosystems are shared by four provinces as follows Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Cañar and Morona Santiago. Moreover, it have two active volcanoes and massive extensions of cloud forest andean-amazonian mountains and paramos that feeds with water the lower amazonian rivers. The altitudinal range goes from 700 to 5250m. The main ecosystems are: lakes complex distributed in the upper zones. Plus, subnival evergreen paramo grasslands and paramo shrublands; evergreen shrublands and paramo grasslands; evergreen upper montane, montane, lower montane and foothills forests of the northeastern slope of the Andes. Also, evergreen upper montane, montane, lower montane and foothill forests of the southern slope of the Andes. Finally, the rare and scarce riparian evergreen shrubs of the eastern slope of the Andes.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least six criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. A total of 58 species meet one or three threshold of the KBA criteria. The most relevant species are: Pristimantis sambalan (A1a, B2); Pristimantis saturninoi (A1a, B2); Pristimantis caniari (A1a, A1e, B2); Pristimantis atillo (A1a, B2); Pristimantis pycnodermis (A1a, B2); Pristimantis cryophilius (A1b, B1); Pristimantis bambu (A1a, B2); Pristimantis gagliardoi (A1a, B2); Noblella personina (A1a, B2); Pristimantis mazar (A1a, B2); Pristimantis albujai (A1a, B2); Ceratostema lanigerum (A1a); Spizaetus isidori (A1a); Hyloscirtus psarolaimus (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis tinguichaca (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis churuwiai (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis lutzae (A1b, B1, B2); Sericossypha albocristata (A1b); Riama anatoloros (A1b, B1); Stenocercus festae (A1b); Tapirus pinchaque); Caenolestes sangay (A1b, B1, B2); Mazama rufina (A1b, A1d); Tremarctos ornatus (A1b, A1d); Aotus lemurinus (A1b, A1d); Tephrophilus wetmorei (A1b, B2). Plus 31 species that meet thresholds of range restricted or more than the 10% of its distribution is in the KBA (B1 and B2).
Additional biodiversity: Leopardus tigrinus, Panthera onca, Puma concolor. Vultur gryphus.
Manageability of the site: This KBA is a national park (Sangay) that includes another private reserve recognized as a national protected area, named Ichubamba-Yasepan, both areas are supported and managed by the national environmental authority, Ministry of environment, water and ecological transition.
Delineation rationale: This KBA follows the official limits of the KBA (National Park). On north and northeast, the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor southern borders. On east the remnants of forests and agricultural regions of Morona-Santiago. On south, the Sangay-Podocarpus Connectivity Corridor and the Mountains of Cañar (southwest). On west the paramos of Chimborazo province and farmlands, agricultural areas and cattle pasture zones.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 10 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent freshwater marshes/pools (under 8 ha) |
| Forest | 40 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
| Shrubland | 10 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| 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 |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Geological events | Volcanoes | Ongoing | |
| Other options | Other threat | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Universidad Católica del Ecuador: Santiago Ron (amphibians), Omar Torres (reptiles)
Instituto de Biodiversidad del Ecuador: Jorge Brito (amphibians and mammals), Mario Yánez (reptiles)
Universidad San Francisco de Quito: Carolina Reyes (amphibians and reptiles)
Jaime Palacios (Jocotoco Foundation and Cloudforests Organics)
Experts participating in the KBA workshops on birds, freshwater fishes, non-flying micromammals and amphibians
Juan C. Sánchez
Universidad del Azuay: Juan C. Sánchez, José M. Falcón (amphibians and reptiles)