Dry Enclave of the Dagua River (19135)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, B3b

Year of last assessment: 2025

National site name: Enclave Seco del Río Dagua

Central coordinates: Latitude: 3.7330, Longitude: -76.6722

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 400 to 1400

Area of KBA (km²): 105.59291

Protected area coverage (%): 50.19

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Enclave Seco del Río Dagua is located to the west of Colombia, on the eastern slope of the Western Cordillera. It is a small area within the biogeographic Chocó, with a very dry microclimate contrasting with the humidity of its influencing zone, composed of tropical rainforests. The enclave is situated between the districts of Loboguerrero and Atuncela, featuring undulating to relatively flat terrain with canyons and ravines on the side facing the Dagua River. The soils are compacted and dry with rocky outcrops in some areas, and the organic layer is mostly absent. The slopes of the enclave are very steep, forming a closed canyon; the mountains facing east are very dry, with grasslands and small remnants of dry forest, while the higher parts are planted with pine trees. Livestock farming has been one of the most harmful activities for the enclave over many years due to deforestation, burning, and grazing. The location of existing forests is restricted to deep ravines, gorges, and a few fragments. The area has undergone strong pressure due to its climatic and soil characteristics, as well as its susceptibility to fire. There is significant agricultural activity in the area, which tends to expand due to high demand for cultivated products. CVC (Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca) is responsible for coordinating processes aimed at conserving the site. In 2003, in partnership with the Trópico Foundation and with international resources from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), a proposal was made to consolidate the subxerophytic enclave of the upper Dagua River basin and its influencing zone as a Special Management Area. Currently, a detailed socio-economic study of the exact area of the enclave is underway, along with an analysis of opportunities and threats to the conservation of the site (Ochoa 2004).

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Based on the re-evaluation carried out under KBA standards, the site is key for the conservation of five bird specie: Colombian chachalaca (Ortalis columbiana), Greyish piculet (Picumnus granadensis), Bar-crested antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus), Apical flycatcher (Myiarchus apicalis) and Gray's humming bird (Chrysuronia grayi) that triggered criterion B3b and for a threatened amphibian species: Andinobates bombetes that activated criteria A1b.

Additional biodiversity: More than 290 bird species have been recorded in this KBA: https://ebird.org/region/BIRDLIFE_19135. The most important group of plants in this type of cover are cacti. Currently, nine species of cacti grow in the region, two of which are endemic: Melocactus loboguerreroi, which is the only species of cephaloid cactus in the area, and Opuntia bella. This KBA is important for two Near Threatened bird species: Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus) and Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara wagleri), however, there are no trigger bird species.

Manageability of the site: The Regional Autonomous Corporation of Valle del Cauca-CVC is in charge of coordinating the processes aimed at the conservation of the site.

Delineation rationale: The boundaries of the Dagua dry enclave were adjusted, delimited by an altitude of 1000 meters above the Dagua River canyon, with boundaries to the northwest by the Cisneros and Junta rural areas of the municipality of Dagua.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Five ecosystems are recorded in this KBA: Very humid medium forest in fluvio-gravitational mountains (BOMMHMH), humid medium forest in fluvio-gravitational mountains (BOFMHMH), humid warm forest in fluvio-gravitational mountains (BOCHUMH), very dry warm shrublands and thickets in fluvio-gravitational mountains (AMCMSMH) and very dry medium shrublands and thickets in fluvio-gravitational mountains (AMMMSMH). A total of 784 flora species have been recorded in the Río Dagua National Protective Forest Reserve, these species belong to 505 genera and 123 families. Regarding the ichthyofauna of the reserve, a total of 41 species have been reported, of which two are introduced species (Oreochromis niloticus and Poecilia reticulata) and 39 are native species, belonging to 20 families and six orders. Among amphibians, 35 species have been recorded in the reserve, represented in 11 families, 23 genera, and three orders. Regarding reptiles, a total of 47 species have been recorded, distributed among 14 families and one order. Regarding mammals, a total of 71 species have been reported in the reserve, representing 26 families and eight orders. Of these, 34 species are flying mammals, representing 47.9% of the total reported.

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	16.4	Urban Areas
Artificial - Terrestrial	25
Forest	15.5	Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry
Artificial - Aquatic	7	Water Storage Areas [over 8 ha]
Wetlands(Inland)	0.02	Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks
Grassland	45
Artificial - Aquatic	60.9	Plantations

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The original conditions of Dagua River have been transformed, and the original vegetation cover has almost completely disappeared, making it more arid today due to the disappearance and channeling of small streams and the repeated effect of fire over many years. The simplification of these ecosystems is constant through land adaptation for agriculture, the use of machinery, agrochemicals, water channeling, the establishment of irrigation in drier areas, logging, burning, selective extraction of species for firewood, timber, and the trade of ornamental and medicinal plants, as well as from the hunting of dispersing birds. Unfortunately, in recent years, the cultivated area in sugarcane has increased, seriously endangering the small areas where remnants of typical vegetation persist. Due to its proximity to Cali and Buenaventura, the area is suitable for recreation, especially in Loboguerrero, which has led to an increase in housing construction and water demand.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Oil & gas drilling		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing

Additional information