Runtacocha-Morococha (14801)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Runtacocha-Morococha
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.7280, Longitude: -72.6970
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 3500 to 4700
Area of KBA (km2): 374.86641
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Runtacocha - Morococha KBA covers an area of 374.86 sq km; it is located in Perú, in the provinces of Abancay in Apurímac; part of districts of Curpahuasi, Gamarra, Curahuasi, Abancay, and Lambrama; limits to the north with district of San Pedro de Cachora, to the east with Collpa in the distric of Curahuasi, to the south with the province of Grau in Apurímac, and to the west with Caype, in the district of Lambrama. The geomorphology of the KBA Runtacocha - Morococha includes high plateaus with gently shaped hills; the Eastern Cordillera, which differs from the first by its morphology, the reliefs are very acute; the latter are dissected by deep valleys and often canyoned. This KBA has tributaries of Río Apurímac. The elevation ranges from 3500 to 4700 m. This KBA includes three climate types: 1) Semidry with dry winter. Temperate. The maximum temperature ranges between 15-21 °C, while the minimum temperature ranges between 7°C and 11°C. Annual precipitation is 300-700 mm; 2) Rainy with dry autumn and winter. Cold. The maximum temperature ranges between 9-19 °C, while the mínimum temperature ranges between -3°C and 3°C. Annual precipitation is around 500 to 1200 mm; 3) Semidry with dry autumn and winter. Temperate. The maximum temperature ranges between 23-27 °C, while the minimum temperature ranges between 5-11 °C. Annual precipitation is between 500 to 900 mm. The KBA Runtacocha - Morococha encompasses plant cover types as wetlands (Bofedal, lago, lagunas, cochas), Scrub and Andean Grassland (Pajonal andino). The vegetation is mainly Andean grassland (Pajonal andino).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The KBA Runtacocha - Morococha qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for the A1b, B1, and B2 criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBA. The KBA Runtacocha - Morococha harbors the Critically Endangered Cinclodes aricomae in the forest of Polylepis subsericans (VU), along with two Endangered and range restricted birds Anairetes alpinus and Leptasthenura xenothorax, and the restricted Aglaeactis castelnaudii. Additionally, it hosts a restricted species of Cactaceae: Weberbauerocereus cuzcoensis.
Additional biodiversity: Asthenes virgata, Thinocorus orbignyanus.
Manageability of the site: The KBA Runtacocha - Morococha could be managed by the Peasant Communities such as Cuz Pata, Santa Isabel de Caype, Kishuara, Payanca and Marjuni together with the Regional Government of Apurímac (https://www.gob.pe/regionapurimac) because it has the capacity to establish Regional Conservation Areas. The KBA presents limits with one Prioritized Zone to National Level (Supreme Decree No. 016-2009-MINAM) and 2 Prioritized Zone to Regional Level (Regional Government of Apurímac) who can be involved in manageability.
Other site values: Peasant communities: Santa Isabel de Caype, Kishuara, Payancca, Marjuni
Delineation rationale: The boundaries of the KBA Runtacocha - Morococha were delineated taking into account the shape of Quebradas in a range of 3500-4700 m elevation in a google satellite map and fieldwork by researchers who made study of cacti populations for their conservation. To the east it follows the mountainous relief above 3500 m elevation towards the Hualaza sector, to the south it crosses the Sarconta River, to the west it follows parallel to the mountainous relief of the provincial limit of Abancay.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The KBA Runtacocha - Morococha encompasses plant cover types as wetlands (Bofedal, lago, lagunas, cochas) 1%, Polylepis relict forest 4%, Scrub 15% and Andean Grassland (Pajonal andino) 80%. The vegetation is mainly Andean grassland (Pajonal andino).
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 52.4 | |
| Shrubland | 33.3 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 14.3 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Susy Castillo, Soledad Rivera, Mónica Arakaki , Letty Salinas, Victor Sánchez, Laura Graham- Angeles and Camila Dávila.