Antisana National Park (14597)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, B1, B2, B3a
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parque Nacional Antisana
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.5744, Longitude: -78.0341
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 1190 to 5490
Area of KBA (km2): 1203.53327
Protected area coverage (%): 99.79
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This KBA located in the eastern Andean valley. Is altitudinal range goes from 1190 to 5490 m. Moreover, specific types of upper paramo ecosystems are present, like the ultra humid subnivean paramo grassland, evergreen shrubland and grasslands from the upper paramos and from the subnivean paramos, upper montane, montane and lower montane evergreen forests from the northern eastern Andean cordillera. Several lakes are located in the KBA some are water resources that feed with freshwater the ecuadorian capital.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least three criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction species like: Lipaugus fuscocinereus (B2); Pipreola lubomirskii (B2); Cinclodes excelsior (B2); Scytalopus micropterus (B2); Urosticte ruficrissa (B2); Oreotrochilus chimborazo (B2); Urochroa leucura (B2); Atractus touzeti (B1, B2, B3a); Pristimantis inusitatus (A1a, B2); Tapirus pinchaque (A1a); Tremarctos ornatus (A1d); Bolitoglossa palmata (B2); Dysithamnus occidentalis (B2); Mazama rufina (A1b, A1d); Pristimantis devillei (A1a, B2); Anolis fitchi (B2, B3a); Aotus lemurinus (A1d); Osornophryne guacamayo (A1b, B1, B2); Grallaria gigantea (A1b, B2); Grallaricula peruviana (B2); Pristimantis incanus (A1a, B2); Pristimantis eriphus (A1b, B1, B2); Riama orcesi (A1b, B1, B2, B3a); Ceratostema nodosum (A1b, B1, B2); Grallaria alleni (A1b, B2) and Neomicroxus latebricola (A1a).
Additional biodiversity: Vultur gryphus, Puma concolor, Panthera onca.
Manageability of the site: This is a National Park managed by the government of Ecuador via the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition
Supersedes another site: Antisana Ecological Reserve and surroundings 14597 and Cordillera de Huacamayos - San Isidro - Sierra Azul 14632
Delineation rationale: This KBA follows the limits of the Antisana National Park. On north and east, Papallacta river including the KBA named, "San Isidro and surrounding areas". Also, the Jondachi region. on South, the Colonso Chalupas protected area and KBA and the forests of Pangayacu on extreme southeast. On west, the Central Volcanoes KBA.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 30 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
| Grassland | 60 | Grassland – Temperate |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 69 | Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha) |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | 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 |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Geological events | Volcanoes | Unknown | |
| Other options | Other threat | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Unknown |
Additional information
Contributors: Omar Torres, Santiago Ron and Fernando Ayala from QCAZ - Herpetology at Universidad Católica del Ecuador.
Mario Yanez from Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad (INABIO)
Experts that participated in the KBA workshop on birds, fishes and non-flying micromammals.
Information about flora from Symbiota by INABIO