Lomas de Atocongo (14868)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Lomas de Atocongo
Central coordinates: Latitude: -12.2793, Longitude: -76.6893
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1000
Area of KBA (km2): 489.63155
Protected area coverage (%): 2.52
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The KBA is located in Peru, in the Department of Lima, in the province of Lima. The main climate types in this KBA are: (1) temperate and arid with moisture deficiency at all stations of the year, (2) temperate and very rainy with abundant moisture all the stations of the year. In the former, the maximum temperature ranges between 19°C and 31°C; the minimum temperature, between 3°C and 21°C; and the annual precipitation, between 0 mm and 5 mm. In the second, the maximum temperature ranges between 27°C and 29°C; the minimum temperature, between 17°C and 21°C; and the annual precipitation, between 2000 mm and 3500 mm. This KBA includes the following ecosystems: "Desierto Costero (Coastal desert)" and "Loma costera (Coastal Hill)".
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for A1b, A1d, A1e and B1 criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. This KBA harbors two vulnerable reptiles, the snake Dipsas williamsi and gecko Phyllodactylus lepidopygus, the critically endangered rat Melanomys zunigae, and the vulnerable cactus Mila caespitosa.
Additional biodiversity: Cumulopuntia sphaerica, Haageocereus acranthus, Haageocereus pseudomelanostele, Loxanthocereus acanthurus, Armatocereus matucanensis
Manageability of the site: Lomas de Atocongo KBA could be managed by the Municipality and Regional Government of Lima.
Supersedes another site: -
Other site values: No indigenous communities were identified
Delineation rationale: The KBA Lomas de Atocongo follows the ecological limits of the Atocongo hills. Through a consultation workshop with local specialists, the limits were adjusted with respect to the presence of urban areas within the lomal ecosystem. To the northwest it extends to the district boundary of La Molina and Villa Maria del Triunfo, excluding the Paraiso Alto population centers, including the Pachacamac population center up to the junction with the Lurin River. To the west it excludes the earth quarries of the district of Lurín, crossing the Lucumo River up to the Malanche Creek in the district of Santo Domingo de los Olleros. To the south and east it follows the ecological limits of the Atocongo Hill in the district of Chilca until the limit of the province of Lima.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Shrubland 1-10%, Desert 90-100%
Land use: Conservacion Regional Area and Private Conservacion Area
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This site is threatened by the effects of road development and human disturbance
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Ongoing | ||
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: MINAM (2018) National Ecosystems Map of Peru. In SINIA (National Environmental Information System). https://sinia.minam.gob.pe/mapas/mapa-nacional-ecosistemas-peru.
Castro, A., Dávila, C., Laura, W., Cubas Saucedo, F., Ávalos, G., López, C., ... & Marín, D.(2021). Climate of Perú: National climate classification map. https://www.senamhi.gob.pe/?p=mapa-climatico-del-peru
Contributors: César Aguilar, Victor Sánchez, Laura Graham-Angeles and Camila Dávila.