Mindo and Western Slope of Pichincha Volcano (14639)
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: Mindo y estribaciones occidentales del Volcán Pichincha
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.1103, Longitude: -78.7085
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 880 to 4480
Area of KBA (km2): 1030.13393
Protected area coverage (%): 0.10
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This KBA covers the northwestern andean ecosystems of the chocó-andean region of Ecuador in Pichincha province. Covering from the high altitude Guagua Pichincha volcano at 4480 m approx. to 880 m, towards the west covering paramo grasslands, elfin forests, upper montane and lower montane forest including foothill forests reaching the base of the western slope of the Andes. Rivers and cloudforest mountains are the main landscape of this region full of endemic and endangered species of flora an fauna.
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. 69 species trigger this KBA. Among these, the most relevant are: the Critically Endangered, Atelopus mindoensis (A1a, A1e, B2), and Noblella mindo (B1, B2), the entire distribution of these two frogs fall in the KBA. Moreover, 15 globally endangered species, like: nine (9) amphibians, all of them meet the criteria (A1a, B2); three (3) reptiles (A1a, B2, B3a); one hummingbird, Eriocnemis nigrivestis (A1a) and two (2) plants of the genus Psammisia, P. aurantiaca (A1a, B2) and P. flaviflora (A1a, B2, B3a). Furthermore, vulnerable of extinction species: nine (9) amphibians (A1b, B1 and B2); one (1) reptile, Riama unicolor (A1b); three birds (A1b; A1d and B2) and three plants (A1b, B1 and B2). The other 35 species are range restricted, endemic of a determined bioregion or the 10% or more of their global distribution is covered by the KBA, as follows: one (1) fish, Astroblepus mindoensis (B1, B3b); two (2) amphibians (B1, B2); 28 birds (B1, B2); two (2) plants (B2) and three (3) reptiles (B1, B2 and B3a).
Thibaudia inflata (A1b, B1, B2); Echinosaura brachycephala (A1a, B2, B3a); Sphyrospermum sodiroi (A1b, B1, B2); Psammisia aurantiaca (A1a, B2); ; Macleania coccoloboides (A1b, B1, B2); Anolis proboscis (A1a, B2, B3a); Riama oculata (A1a, B2, B3a); Pristimantis crenunguis (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis pteridophilus (A1b, B1, B2); Centrolene heloderma (A1b, B2); Pristimantis actites (A1b, B2); Pristimantis hectus (A1b, B2); Pristimantis muricatus (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis quinquagesimus (A1b, B1, B2); Pristimantis surdus (A1a, B2); Pristimantis vertebralis (A1b, B2); Nymphargus lasgralarias (A1a, B2); Pristimantis mutabilis (A1a, B2); Pristimantis mindo (A1a, B2); Centrolene lynchi (A1a, B2); Grallaria gigantea (A1b, B2); Glaucidium nubicola (A1b, A1d, B2); Centrolene ballux (A1a, B2); Grallaria alleni (A1b, B2); Psammisia flaviflora (A1a, B2, B3a); Pristimantis pahuma (A1a, B2); Pristimantis eugeniae (A1a, B2); Pristimantis calcarulatus (A1b, B1, B2); Riama unicolor (A1b); Eriocnemis nigrivestis (A1a) and Pristimantis sobetes (A1a, B2).
Additional biodiversity: Vultur gryphus, Tremarctos ornatus, Bassaricyon neblina, Mindomys hammondi, Cebus aequatorialis, Spizaetus isidori
Manageability of the site: Protected forests, private reserves and locals extensions of forest plus communal and NGO's lands are part of the KBA. People in the KBA are well organized to protect and administrate the KBA's ecosystems. An important portion of this KBA (70-80%) is located in the conservation and sustainable use area named Chocó-Andino Sur.
Delineation rationale: This site was delineated according with new records of trigger species and following the Important Bird Area original limits according with Bird Life International.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) |
| Forest | 80 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
| Shrubland | 5 | Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical high altitude |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | In the past but now suspended and likely to return |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad, Aves y Conservación, Fundación Jocotoco, Birders and Ornithologist from Ecuador, Universidad Central del Ecuador, QCAZ- Herpetofauna (Universidad Católica del Ecuador). Experts attending workshops on birds, amphibians, freshwater fishes and non-flying micro-mammals.