San Lorenzo National Park (19301)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Parque Nacional San Lorenzo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.2667, Longitude: -79.9667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 189
Area of KBA (km2): 134.25922
Protected area coverage (%): 84.60
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site includes San Lorenzo National Park, plus adjacent forested areas. The lower Chagres River runs through the middle of the area, and the terrain is broken by many small streams flowing into the Chagres or the Caribbean Sea. This area was formerly the U.S. military base of Ft. Sherman. It includes the World Heritage site of colonial Fort San Lorenzo.
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.
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for migratory raptors, with 120,282 Turkey Vultures, 80,372 Broad-winged Hawks, and 60,800 Swainson's Hawks have been counted on autumn migration. The globally near-threatened Plumbeous Hawk and Great Curassow occur. Several nationally threatened species are also found, notably Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Colombian Crake and Spotted Rail, which are known from only a few sites in Panama. A few endemics of the Central American Caribbean Slope and Darien Lowlands EBAs also occur. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals recorded or probably present include Water Opossum, Central American Wooly Opossum, Silky Anteater, Tricolored Bat, Geoffroy's Tamarin, Western Night Monkey, Panamanian Spiny Pocket-Mouse, Capybara, Crab-eating Raccoon, Olingo, Neotropical River Otter, Ocelot, Margay, Jaguarundi, Jaguar, Baird's Tapir and West Indian Manatee. Reptiles and amphibians include the lizard Anolis lionotus, the snakes Urotheca fulviceps and Atropoides nummifer, and American Crocodile.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Most of the area is covered with evergreen lowland forest, with deciduous forest on limestone outcrops. The Mojinga Swamp includes cativo (Prioria copaifera) forest and an open marsh dominated by herbaceous vegetation and palms. There are small areas of mangroves on the coast, which also contains some fringing coral reefs. Several small rural latino communities to the west of the site are devoted to cattle and subsistence agriculture. The former Piña Range and two other small ranges formerly used for weapons testing are designated as 'Deferred Use' (960 ha) due to the threat of unexploded ordnance. The facilities of the former U.S. military base of Ft. Sherman occupy the northernmost point of the site.
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 90 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A substantial area of forest (1,250 ha) along the coast between the Gatún Locks and Ft. Sherman has been zoned for urban use, although there are no specific plans for development at present. An additional 325 ha of forest is designated as Canal Operating Area and under the control of the Panama Canal Authority. Poaching, including market-hunting, is a serious problem, partly because of the proximity of the economically depressed city of Colón. There is strong pressure from neighboring rural communities to permit agroforestry in part of the area, particularly along Achiote Road in the south, and some illegal clearing continues. The area has very high potential for tourism due to its closeness to Panama City and to the picturesque and historic ruins of the Spanish colonial fort of San Lorenzo, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Additional information
References: Angehr, George R. 2001. Significance of the San Lorenzo Protected Area to the Integrity the Mesoamerican Biological Corredor/El Significado del Área Protegida San Lorenzo para la Integridad del Corredor Biológico Mesoamericano. CEASPA/STRI, Panama City, Panama. Angehr, George R. 2003. Directorio de areas importantes para aves en Panama. Directory of important bird areas in Panama. Panama: Sociedad Audubon de Panama. 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.