Majé Highlands (19336)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, A1e, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Serranía de Majé
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.9093, Longitude: -78.5858
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 478.52628
Protected area coverage (%): 4.58
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Serranía de Majé is an isolated mountain range on the Pacific slope, about 60 km long, 30 km south of the continental divide across the valley of the Bayano River and 15 km inland from the Pacific. The range rises gradually towards the east, with the highest point, Cerro Chucantí (1,439 m) at the eastern end. This part of the range is spectacular, with many steep bare rock towers. The Majecito, Majé, Ipetí, and Piriati Rivers drain into to Lake Bayano and the Bayano River to the north, and the Pasiga, La Maestra, Platanares, Chimán, and Congo Rivers drain into the Pacific on the south and east. The Majé Hydrological Reserve is located within the range, and the area is adjacent to the Chimán Wetlands on the coast. Timber extraction and clearing for subsistence agriculture and cattle are important threats to the area. The northern side of the range is most vulnerable due the access provided by the Panamerican Highway and the spontaneous colonization this has brought, but colonization is also going on to the south. A corridor of deforestation has now crossed the Serranía threatening its ecological integrity. Because part of the range is part of the Lake Bayano watershed, there should be economic incentives to conserve the forest. The eastern end of the range in particular is of remarkable scenic value and has significant potential for ecotourism.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known populations of Bolitoglossa chucantiensis and Diasporus majeensis. Additionally, six species of birds meet threatened and/or range restricted criteria and four species meet legacy KBA criteria.
Manageability of the site: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2003 by BirdLife partners. A manageability rationale is not available.
Delineation rationale: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2003 by BirdLife partners. A delineation rationale is not available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |