Pisba Natural National Park (19083)
Colombia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parque Nacional Natural de Pisba
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.8626, Longitude: -72.5754
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 2000 to 3800
Area of KBA (km2): 490.51062
Protected area coverage (%): 71.64
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Pisba National Natural Park is located in the Eastern Cordillera, in the department of Boyacá, municipalities of Socha, Socotá, Tasco, Jericó, Pisba and Socotá. Due to being a corridor that communicates the Cundiboyacense highlands with the Eastern plains, the Pisba páramo had great commercial importance and during the colonial period; Currently, the old road is still populated and the peasants try to extract products derived from their agricultural and pastoral activities. The Park is located in the Norandina biogeographic zone (Hernández-Camacho et al. 1992a, b); with cloud forest ecosystems, which accumulate large amounts of humus, and moors. The area has high atmospheric humidity due to evapotranspiration from the forest which, added to the low temperatures, produces large volumes of rainwater. This makes the Pisba area one of the best water reservoirs in the Andes.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This KBA is key to conserving the Apolinar's Wren (Cistothorus apolinari) a threatened species, meeting A1a criterion. Also, 8 plant species triggered some KBA criteria: Espeletia formosa and Espeletia mirabilis triggered A1a, B1 and B2 criteria; Espeletia episcopalis, Espeletia ariana and Espeletia jaramilloi triggered A1b, B1 and B2 criteria; Espeletia curialensis and Espeletia pisbana triggered B1 and B2 criteria; and Espeletia lopezii triggered only B2
Additional biodiversity: The presence of species such as Cistothorus apollinari and some nationally threatened species (Renjifo et al. 2002) such as Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera borreroi), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), American Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis sylvicola) and the Andean are notable. Condor (Vultur gryphus). Additionally, according to the testimony of local people, it is possible that the Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica nicefori) still persists, a subspecies that is believed to be extinct. This KBA is also key to conserving the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), a Near Threatened species about which little information is available.
Manageability of the site: This KBA manageability is mostly directed by the administrative direction of Parques Nacional Naturales de Colombia (PNN). Specifically, in the area that corresponds to the protected area. The additional portions outisde this area are managed by local communities and CORPOBOYACÁ, the Autonomous Regional Corporation in charge of areas outside PNN
Delineation rationale: The boundaries of this KBA primarily correspond to those of the Pisba National Natural Park (WDPA ID: 145). Additionally, we have incorporated adjacent areas into the delineation that contain forest remnants, which may serve as potential habitat for some of the key species found in this region."
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The Park is located in the NorAndean biogeographic zone (Hernández-Camacho et al. 1992a, b), with ecosystems including cloud forests that accumulate significant amounts of humus, and páramos. The area experiences high atmospheric humidity due to forest evapotranspiration, combined with low temperatures, resulting in substantial rainfall. This makes the Pisba area one of the best water reservoirs in the Andes.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 47 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 53 | Rural Gardens |
| Wetlands(Inland) | Wetlands (inland) – Permanent rivers/streams/creeks (includes waterfalls) | |
| Shrubland | 13.6 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 13.6 | |
| Grassland | 4.5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problem facing the Park is the expansion of agricultural and livestock frontiers in its buffer zones.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | ||
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Geological events | Avalanches/landslides | Unknown |
Additional information
Contributors: Asociación Calidris
Alexander von Humboldt Institute