Altos de Campana National Park (19304)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Parque Nacional Altos de Campana
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.7000, Longitude: -79.9500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 220 to 1007
Area of KBA (km2): 46.89914
Protected area coverage (%): 94.74
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Altos de Campana National Park, 50 km west of Panama City near the town of Capira, includes Cerros Campana (1,007 m), Trinidad (988 m), Peña Blanca (907 m), and Los Monos (893 m) and the headwaters of the Capira and Chame Rivers on the Pacific slope, and the Trinidad River, part of the Panama Canal watershed, on the Caribbean slope. The low point (220 m) is on the Trinidad River in the northwest. The park is noted for its remarkable steep rock formations. The park is easily accessible by road and well known ornithologically.
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 contains 4 of 11 species (36%) of the Central American Caribbean Slope. Orange-bellied Trogon, of the Costa Rica and Panama Highlands EBA also occurs. Black Guan has been recorded in the past but may now be extirpated. Several nationally threatened and biome-restricted species also occur. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals recorded or probably present include Central American Woolly Opossum, Silky Anteater, Geoffroy’s Tamarin, Panamanian Spiny Pocket-Mouse, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi. Reptiles and amphibians include the frogs and toads Atelopus varius, A. zeteki, Bufo coccifer, Minyobates minutus, Phyllomedusa lemur, Eleutherodactylus gollmeri, E. noblei, E. pardalis, E. punctariolus, and Rana cf. pipiens, the salamanders Bolitoglossa colonnea and B. schizodactyla, the lizards Leposoma southi and Anolis lionotus, and the snake Micrurus stewarti (Ibáñez 1997 and other literature).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The site contains ever-green lowland and submontane forest. Approximately 2,600 ha, or 54% of the park, has been deforested, including almost all of the area below 600 m. The area is inhabited by latinos and surrounding land uses include cattle and subsistence agriculture.
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Approximately 2,600 ha, or 54% of the park, has been deforested, including almost all of the area below 600 m. The area has considerable potential for tourism due to its proximity to Panama City and popular beaches on the coast.
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.). 1997b. Informe Final de Inventario del Vertebrados Terrestres. La Cabecera del Río Trinidad en Cerro los Monos, Parque Nacional Altos de Campana. 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.