Fortuna Forest Reserve (19267)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, A1e, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Reserva Forestal Fortuna
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.7138, Longitude: -82.1878
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 207.83243
Protected area coverage (%): 95.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Fortuna Forest Reserve protects the watershed of the Fortuna Dam, a major hydroelectric project completed in the mid-1990s. It includes the upper watershed of the Chiriquí River, plus an area in the southwest outside the watershed. On the Pacific side of the continental divide, it contains rugged terrain, with the high point, Cerro Chorcha (2,213 m), in the southeast, and the low point (700 m) in the southwest. The Oleoducto (Pipeline) Road between lowland Chiriquí and the town of Chiriquí Grande in Bocas del Toro traverses the reserve. The Fortuna Forest Reserve is a concession of the hydroelectric company that operates the Fortuna Dam. Because of this project, there has been a strong economic incentive to protect its watershed. Protection of the watershed is largely the responsibility of the hydroelectric project, rather than of ANAM. This company has recently changed hands. Although major changes in the status of protection of the area are not anticipated, this remains to be determined. There has been a proposal by another company to construct wind turbines in cloud forest which would destroy extensive areas of habitat. Although this project is no longer under consideration, it could be revived in the future. Since 1997, many species of frogs have disappeared, apparently due to a fungal disease (Lips1999). Tourism facilities exist at Finca Suiza, at the south entrance.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known populations of the amphibians Bolitoglossa anthracina and Oedipina fortunensis. An additional 26 species of bird meet threatened and/or restricted range criteria and 16 species of birds meet legacy KBA criteria.
Manageability of the site: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2003 by BirdLife partners. A manageability rationale is not available.
Delineation rationale: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2003 by BirdLife partners. A delineation rationale is not available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 | |
| Forest | 95 |