Portobelo National Park (19303)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B2
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Parque Nacional Portobelo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.5222, Longitude: -79.6128
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 979
Area of KBA (km2): 268.81843
Protected area coverage (%): 98.54
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Portobelo National Park extends from the coast between Buenaventura and San Cristobal Bays inland to the mountains forming the northern rim of the Chagres River watershed. It includes the headwaters of the Boquerón, Gatún, and Piedras Rivers on its southern side and the Cascajal on the north. The highest pont is Cerro Bruja (979 m). The park is contiguous with Chagres National Park on its inland side. The coastal area is easily accessible by road, but higher elevations are more difficult to reach and poorly known ornithologically. The impressive Spanish colonial forts and other ruins surrounding Portobelo town are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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 globally threatened endemic Speckled Antshrike occurs on Cerro Bruja, and the globally near-threatened Great Curassow, Harpy Eagle and Blue-and-gold Tanager are also found. The globally near threatened Plumbeous Hawk and Crested Eagle also certainly occur although specific records are lacking. The site contains 6 of 15 species (40%) of the Darién Lowlands EBA, plus a few species of the Darién Highlands EBA and several nationally threatened species. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals recorded or probably present include Central American Wooly Opossum, Giant Anteater, Silky Anteater, Northern Naked-tailed Armadillo, Geoffroy's Tamarin, Western Night Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, Capybara, Crab-eating Raccoon, Bush Dog, Olingo, Neotropical River Otter, Ocelot, Margay, Jaguarundi, Jaguar and Baird's Tapir. Slaty Mouse Opossum is likely to occur. Reptiles and amphibians include the frogs Atelopus limosus, Colosthetus flotator, Minyobates minutus, Eleutherodactylus raniformis and E. puntariolus, the salamander Bolitoglossa schizodactyla, the lizards Sphaerodactylus lineolatus, Leposoma southi and Anolis poecilopus, and the snake Rhadinaea sargenti (Ibáñez 1997).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The park contains lowland evergreen and submontane forest. There are small areas of mangroves along the coast, which also contains fringing coral reefs. The southern part of the park is within the Panama Canal watershed. Extensive areas near the coast have been deforested for cattle and subsistence agriculture. The town of Portobelo is within the park. Coastal areas are popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 48 | |
| Forest | 48 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Approximately 6,000 people, mostly afrocolonials and latinos, live within the park, primarily near the coast. Nearly all of this area below 300 m has been deforested for cattle and agriculture (11,200 ha, 46% of the park.). Continuing deforestation and illegal hunting are serious problems. The fact that much of the park provides water for operation of the Panama Canal provides an economic incentive to conserve it.
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. Ibáñez, Roberto (ed.). 1997a. Informe Final de Inventario del Vertebrados Terrestres. Cerro Bruja. USAID/ANAM/STRI, 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.