Cébaco Island (19281)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Isla Cébaco
Central coordinates: Latitude: 7.5000, Longitude: -81.2000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 349
Area of KBA (km2): 22.26496
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cébaco Island (7,700 ha, 26 km long by 7 km wide) lies diagonally across the mouth of the Gulf of Montijo, 10 km offshore. The rugged western end rises to 349 m.
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: Cébaco is one of only a few know sites for the globally threatened Brown-backed Dove. the others being Coiba, Cerro Hoya National Park, and El Montuoso Forest Reserve. The only records are from 1965, when it was noted 'in small numbers', usually singly, but once four together (Wetmore 1968). The present status of the species on the island is unknown. Non-bird biodiversity: Central American Woolly Opossum occurs (Handley 1966).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The island has been mostly deforested, but about 2,200 ha of forest remains in the western end. Deforested areas are assumed to be devoted to subsistence agriculture and probably cattle.
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Ongoing deforestation is undoubtedly a problem, although recent information is lacking. Given the extremely limited distribution of Brown-backed Dove, the remaining forest in the western part of the island should be protected.
Additional information
References: Angehr, George R. 2003. Directorio de areas importantes para aves en Panama. Directory of important bird areas in Panama. Panama: Sociedad Audubon de Panama. Handley, Charles O., Jr. 1966. Checklist of the Mammals of Panama. In: R. L. Wetzel and V. J. Tipton (eds.), Ectoparasites of Panama, pp. 753-795. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. Wetmore, Alexander. 1968. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 2. Columbidae (Pigeons) to Picidae (Woodpeckers). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.