Zumba-Chito (14596)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Zumba-Chito
Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.8774, Longitude: -79.0832
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 750 to 1800
Area of KBA (km2): 261.42924
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This KBA covers the Marañón valley in Ecuador in Zamora Chinchipe province reaching the borders with Peru. The main landscape ecosystems are: lower montane and foothill evergreen forests from the southern Andean cordillera and the marañonean endemic semi-deciduos foothill forest from the southern Andean Cordillera. Located between the 750 to 1800 m.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least four criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction amphibians, like: Pristimantis citriogaster (A1a). Plus, range restricted reptiles, like: Micrurus peruvianus (B2) and Enyalioides anisolepis (B1, B2) and the Vulnerable to the extinction bush anole, Polychrus peruvianus (A1b, B2). Additionally, endemic birds of the Marañón valley, like the critically endangered Synallaxis maranonica (A1a, B2) among other Marañón endemics, like: Pheugopedius sclateri (B2); Melanopareia maranonica (B2); Atlapetes paynteri (B2); and Turdus maranonicus (B2).
Additional biodiversity: Panthera onca, Tremarctos ornatus.
Manageability of the site: Local governments and nearest actors will take actions to administrate this site via conservation corridors mainly focused on Marañón endemic biodiversity.
Delineation rationale: This KBA covers the remnants of marañón valley endemic vegetation and forests. To the south the borders with Peru with the Mayo river. To the eastern side several agricultural farms and forest remnants of Chito and small human settlements. On north the towns and human settlements of Miraflores, Yacará and Palanuma area. And, on west the road Palanda - Zumba, plus towns and agricultural areas.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical dry |
| Forest | 55 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 10 | Ponds [below 8 ha] |
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 | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Jocotoco Foundation.
QCAZ-Herpetofauna from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.