Forests of the Tequendama Rift (19131)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1e

Year of last assessment: 2024

National site name: Bosques de la Falla del Tequendama

Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.7023, Longitude: -74.3636

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 2400 to 2900

Area of KBA (km²): 109.96961

Protected area coverage (%): 96.83

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Tequendama geological fault is located on the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera, in the department of Cundinamarca. It is the southwestern limit of the Bogotá savanna, extending approximately 80 km to the northwest, where the savanna drops abruptly into the Magdalena River valley. On the fault there is a chain of Andean forest with a certain degree of fragmentation (Ahumada et al. 1997) that is one of the few remnants of this type of forest in the department of Cundinamarca. The KBA includes the Chicaque Natural Park, the Bosques de Macanal Private Natural Reserve, and the Pedro Palo Lagoon, places known for their good conservation status and for being excellent observation points for fauna and flora. The KBA is primarily covered by Andean forest (Ahumada et al. 1997, Correa 1999, Mendoza 1999); however, some sectors are covered by pastures, crops, and pine and eucalyptus plantations. In addition, Pedro Palo Lagoon offers refuge to different species of fauna and flora associated with aquatic habitats. Some sectors of the KBA are used for cattle ranching and agriculture; however, due to the steep slopes, much of the forest remains unaltered. Some land is primarily used for ecotourism, research, or conservation.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This area is important as KBA for the conservation of the endangered and range-restricted species of hummingbird Coeligena prunellei (Black Inca), that triggered the A1b criteria. This site also holds the only known populations of the tree species that trigger the A1e criteria, Clusia tequendamae and Sloanea helianthoides.

Additional biodiversity: In the area, approximately 210 bird species have been recorded (ABO 2004, Peraza 2000). The presence of the Andean Rail (Rallus semiplumbeus), the Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei), and the Turquoise Dacnis (Dacnis hartlaubi) is notable (Renjifo et al. 2002). Various studies have been conducted on the biology of different bird groups in the area (Peraza 2000, Baptiste 2001, Echeverry 2001). Regarding non-bird biodiversity, different studies have been conducted on the fauna and flora of the Andean forests in the area. Notable are the studies conducted on the vegetation biology of the area (Mendoza 1999).

Manageability of the site: Most of the KBA is included within the Integrated Management District (DMI) Salto del Tequendama and Cerro Majuí Sector, and the Laguna de Pedro Palo Protected-Producing Area, both areas declared and managed by the CAR. Additionally, the Chicaque Natural Park and the Bosques de Macanal Private Natural Reserve are private initiatives that guarantee the protection of natural resources on their properties. In this sense, the management in this KBA is joint, between the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR), some municipalities and private owners, who together are in charge of the protection and conservation of part of the natural resources of the area.

Delineation rationale: The limits of this KBA were delineated following the boundaries of the Sector Salto del Tequendama y Cerro Manjui Integrated Management Regional District, extending a central part of the area to cover the Laguna de Tenasucá o Pedro Palo

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Artificial - Aquatic		Plantations
Artificial - Aquatic		Urban Areas
Artificial - Aquatic		Rural Gardens

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main conservation issue in the area is the indiscriminate logging of forests for the implementation of agricultural, livestock, and timber production systems.

Additional information