Gran Galera de Chorcha-Cerro Barro Blanco (19275)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Gran Galera de Chorcha-Cerro Barro Blanco
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.4333, Longitude: -82.2167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 80 to 543
Area of KBA (km2): 5.26674
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Gran Galera de Chorcha (494 m) is a large mesa, four km in diameter, 25 km east of David and 1.5 km north of the Pan-American Highway. It is surrounded by sheer cliffs more than 100 m high, and an impressive waterfall cascades down the south face in the rainy season. A narrow band of semideciduous lowland forest (430 ha) clings to the steep sides. The top of the mesa and the surrounding area have been cleared for cattle pasture. Cerro Barro Blanco (543 m) is located one km southwest of the Gran Galera, and contains about 100 ha of semideciduous and deciduous forest. The surrounding area is inhabited by primarily by latinos and devoted to cattle and some subsistence agriculture. The area of the mesa is private property and permission is required to visit.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The site retains two of the more resilient South Central American Pacific Slope endemics, Fiery-billed Aracari and Black-hooded Antshrike, as well as the nationally threatened Sepia-capped Flycatcher. Non-bird biodiversity: Not surveyed in detail, but several of the species known from Cerro Batipa (CH-10) probably occur.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Forest remains at this site only in areas too steep to clear for cattle.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The forest is likely to be gradually reduced by dry-season fires set in pasture, and for firewood. The value of the site would be enhanced by planting forest corridors to link it to Cerro Batipa.