Colta Lake (14598)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Laguna de Colta
Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.7371, Longitude: -78.7560
System: freshwater
Elevation (m): 3350 to 3350
Area of KBA (km2): 2.52622
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Localized at 3200 - 3300m in Chimborazo province in the central Andean valley. Surrounded by agricultural lands, urbanization and other infrastructure (roads). The main vegetation in the lake is Schoenoplectus sp. This aquatic vegetation is used by locals and, it is the main resource for aquatic birds' nesting process. This Andean lake is one of the most important sites for aquatic and shore birds from the upper Andes, including boreal migratory birds.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. The congregation of two Andean aquatic and shore birds meets the D1 criteria: Oxyura ferruginea and Vanellus resplendens
Additional biodiversity: This site is important for andean avifauna related with wetlands. Freile & Santander (2005) included this andean wetland in the Important Bird Areas catalog for Ecuador, based on records of boreal migratory shore birds. Moreover, Colta is the first between nine ecuadorian Andean lakes with a highest aquatic bird abundance and richness (Guevara et al. 2020). This water body have several threats like eutrophication, pollution and size reduction (sedimentation). Since 2011, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition compromised to protect and rescue the lake. This lake concentrates the best population of Podiceps juninensis in Ecuador.
Manageability of the site: Site is administrated by Colta's municipality plus the compromise of the ecuadorian environmental authority to protect the lake.
Other site values: The majority of the citizens in Colta municipality and Chimborazo province are Kichwas from the upper Andes Original Nation Group. The lake's water and vegetation it is used by locals for different activities (agriculture, handcrafts and recreation).
Delineation rationale: It follows the original polygon delineated by the Important Bird Areas (IBA) and KBA process that compromises the important water body and mudflats areas surrounding Colta lake that are important for migratory and resident wetland depended birds. Surrounded by agricultural fields and villages and roads of Cajabamba county.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Highland wetland freshwater habitat, mainly; with patches of S. californicus vegetation. Surrounded by agricultural areas and infrastructure.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha) |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Desertification. Sedimentation. Pollution. Agricultural pressure. Fires (seasonal or accidental). Domestic animals presence. Poor management of visitors and a very poor management of garbage by the authority. It might receive waste water, thus eutrophication is a latent threat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | In the past but now suspended and likely to return |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | 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 | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Other options | Other threat | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Aves y Conservación (wetland census national team and coordination). Contact: Tatiana Santander G.
Birders and ornithologists that collaborate on the national census of aquatic birds.