Cerro Hoya National Park (19283)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Parque Nacional Cerro Hoya
Central coordinates: Latitude: 7.2833, Longitude: -80.7667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1559
Area of KBA (km2): 277.5964
Protected area coverage (%): 98.48
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cerro Hoya National Park encompasses the highest peaks at the southern end of the isolated mountain range that runs along the western Azuero Peninsula. The park extends to the coast between the Restingue and Ventana Rivers, with the highest point being Cerro Hoya (1,559 m). It includes the headwaters of the Varadero, Pavo, Tonosí, and Jobero Rivers on its northern side and many shorter streams on the south. The only part of the park reachable by road is at Restingue at the western end; otherwise access is by foot, horse or boat.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The globally threatened Brown-backed Dove, Great Green Macaw, and Three-wattled Bellbird are found, and the near-threatened Great Curassow probably occurs. Cerro Hoya is one of only four known sites for the dove, the others being Coiba National Park, Cébaco Island, and El Montuoso Forest Reserve. Glow-throated Hummingbird may occur, since a Selasphorus hummingbird has been collected here, although the specific identity of the specimen has not yet been confirmed. A few pairs of the nationally endangered Scarlet Macaw may occur. The Cerro Hoya area is the only site for the endemic Azuero Parakeet, which has a global range estimated at only 700 km2. Although presently considered a subspecies of Painted Parakeet, several recent studies have suggested it merits full species status (Joseph 200). Several endemics of the South Central American Pacific Slope EBAs and Costa Rica and Panama Highlands are also found. The area is fairly well known ornithologically, having been the subject of studies by F. Delgado of the University of Panama and a survey by the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences and the Panama Audubon Society in 1996. However, additional information is needed about bird distribution at higher elevations. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals probably include Western Night Monkey, Coiba Howler, Central American Spider Monkey, Panamanian Spiny Pocket-Mouse, Darien Harvest Mouse, Neotropical River Otter, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Puma, and Jaguar. The frog Eleutherodactylus azueroensis has been recorded.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The park contains semideciduous and evergreen lowland and submontane and montane forest. Many latino farmers live around and in the park, and the area is under severe pressure for clearing for timber and cattle pasture. Some 2,800 ha, or 10% of the land area of the park, has already been deforested.
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Many people live within the park boundaries, having lived there before the park was declared. Illegal clearing for agriculture and timber is an ongoing problem. In the 1990s there were very serious conflicts between local residents and ANAM personnel seeking to enforce regulations against clearing. Although the park has great potential for ecotourism, access is difficult.
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. Delgado, Francisco. 1985. A new subspecies of the Painted Parakeet (Pyrrhura picta) from Panama. in: Buckley, P. A. et al (editors) Neotropical Ornithology, AOU Monograph No. 36., pp. 17-20. Joseph, Leo. 2000. Beginning an end to 63 years of uncertainty: The Neotropical parakeets known as Pyrrhura picta and P. leucotis comprise more than two species. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 150: 279-292. Ridgely, Robert S., and John A. Gwynne. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Panama (Second Edition). Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Wetmore, Alexander. 1965. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 1. Tinamidae (Tinamous) to Rhynchopidae (Skimmers). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wetmore, Alexander. 1968. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 2. Columbidae (Pigeons) to Picidae (Woodpeckers). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wetmore, Alexander. 1973. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 3. Passeriformes: Dendrocolaptidae (Woodcreepers) to Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wetmore, Alexander, Roger F. Pasquier, and Storrs L. Olson. 1984. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 4. Passeriformes: Hirundinidae (Swallows) to Fringillidae (Finches). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.