Metropolitan Nature Park (19313)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Parque Natural Metropolitano
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.9833, Longitude: -79.5500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 15 to 120
Area of KBA (km2): 2.5119
Protected area coverage (%): 70.76
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Metropolitan Nature Park is an urban park at the edge of Panama City. It is adjacent to Camino de Cruces National Park in the north and to the Curundu and Los Angeles sections of Panama City to the south, east, and west.
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: Metropolitan Nature Park is an important bottleneck site for migratory raptors. In 2004 a total of 732348 Turkey Vultures, 55,061 Broad-winged Hawks, and 322,469 Swainson's Hawks were counted on autumn migration. Many of these probably used the park as an overnight roost. Several nationally threatened and biome-restricted species also occur, including the nationally endemic Yellowish-green Tyrannulet. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals that are known or probably occur include Central American Woolly Opossum, Silky Anteater, Geoffroy’s Tamarin, Panamanian Spiny Pocket-Mouse, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi. The reptiles and amphibians have not been surveyed in detail but some of the species found in Soberanía National Park may occur.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The park contains semideciduous lowland forest mostly less than 70 years old. There are several developed trails.
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 95 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: In 1995 the law establishing the park was amended to permit construction of the Northern Corridor Highway, dividing the park and destroying forest in the eastern sector, before an environmental impact assessment had been completed, leading to strong opposition from many of Panama’s environmental and civil organizations including PAS. Some of the mitigations and compensation promised by PYCSA, the company constructing the highway, have never been made. Only a few minutes from downtown Panama City, it is of exceptional interest for ecotourism and environmental education, and there are several nature trails.
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.