Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central (14899)
Peru, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central
Central coordinates: Latitude: -12.0770, Longitude: -74.5280
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1260 to 3626
Area of KBA (km2): 143.148209
Protected area coverage (%): 23.83
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The KBA Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central covers an area of 210.97 sq km and it's located within the districts of Huachocolpa of province of Tayacaja in the department of Huancavelica. The altitude range of the KBA is 1260 - 3626 masl. The weather is rainy-cold. The KBA Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central presents the following ecosystems: ca. 9.5 % of Andean shrubland (Matorral andino), ca. 85.8 % of secondary vegetation and approximately 4.7 % of agricultural zone.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The KBA Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for the B2 criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs for the range restricted bird species Atlapetes melanopsis and Cranioleuca albicapilla.
Additional biodiversity: Scytalopus femoralis observed on the site.
Manageability of the site: The KBA Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central can potentially be administered by the regional government of Huancavelica (https://www.regionhuancavelica.gob.pe/) because it has the capacity to establish Regional Conservation Areas. Currently, the Amaru-Huachocolpa-Chihuana Cloud Forest Regional Conservation Area is within the KBA and is being managed by the regional government of Huancavelica.
The National Coordination Group of KBAs has a conservation promotion and monitoring committee, which is composed of various governmental and civil society institutions that will work to promote conservation actions in the KBA.
Delineation rationale: The KBA Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central is delineated to encompass the ecological and topographic characteristics where the triggering bird species are found, which include agricultural areas present at the site. The boundaries of KBA are also delineated to include the entire Amaru-Huachopalca-Chihuana Cloud Forest Private Conservation Area, which was proposed in a consultation workshop with local experts. To the north follows the departmental limit between Huancavelica and Junín along the banks of the Mantaro River. To the east, the mountainous relief continues above 2,500 meters above sea level to the town of Balcon, Huachocolpa. To the south it continues through the tributary of the Mantaro River in the province of Tayacaja to the town of Villa Paucarmarca. To the west it follows the provincial limit of Surcubamba, excluding agricultural areas up to the Mantaro River.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The KBA Río Mantaro-Cordillera Central comprises approximately 9.5% Andean Scrubland, around 85.8% Secondary Vegetation, and about 4.7% Agricultural Zone.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 85 | |
| Grassland | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This KBA, which is home to the species Atlapetes melanopsis and Asthenes ayacuchensis, faces multiple threats including climate changes, residential development, and pollution. These threats collectively endanger the habitat and survival of these two species within the area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | |||
| Pollution | |||
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas |
Additional information
Contributors: Letty Salinas, Alejandra Arana, Victor Sánchez, Camila Dávila