Cerro El Amay (20363)
Guatemala, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d, B1
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Cerro El Amay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.5183, Longitude: -90.7482
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 2600
Area of KBA (km2): 451.44
Protected area coverage (%): 4.27
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cerro El Amay is located in the Atlantic slope mountain range of Guatemala. The site includes large fragments of cloud forest and ranges in elevation from 300 to 2600 m.
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: Cerro Amay supports populations of two globally threatened species, Highland and Horned Guan (Penelopina nigra and Oreophasis derbinaus) (Eisermann et al. 2006, Tenez 2006; D. Unger, pers. comm.). The site is important to 17 biome-restricted species of the Madrean Highlands. It is expected to be important for a large number of species restricted to the Central American Highlands, but because of data deficiency the site does currently not apply under criterion A2. Recent ornithological information is limited to an ecological rapid assessments (Valle et al. 2005, Tenez 2006).
Other site values: Private and communal.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Humid broadleaf and mixed forests cover 58% of this IBA. Deforested area (42%) is used for agriculture, mainly corn fields (17% of the IBA), cardamom (14%) and coffee plantations (1%). Secondary growth scrub covers 10% of the IBA (MAGA 2006).
Land use: agriculture (42%) | forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research (10%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport (1%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 32 | |
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Forest | 57 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Slash-and-burn agriculture is common in the area, threatening the forest by fires and conversion to agricultural land (Maas 2000, Valle et al. 2005).
Additional information
References: CONAP. 2007. Lista de áreas protegidas inscritas en el SIGAP. Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (CONAP), Guatemala. (Database accessed in June 2007) Eisermann, K., N. Herrera & O. Komar. 2006. Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra). Pp. 90-95. In D. M. Brooks (Ed.) Conserving Cracids: the most threatened family of birds in the Americas. Miscellaneous Publications of the Houston Museum of Natural Science 6. Maas, R. E. 2000. Diagnostico ambiental en tres municipios de Quiché(Cunén, Uspantán y Chicamán). Movimondo Molisv, Cooperazione Internazionale, Guatemala. (Unpublished report) Tenez, D. 2006. Observaciones de aves en Cerro El Amay, Quiché. Pato-Poc 3: 18-25. Valle, L., D. Tenés, E. Cano, A. López, J. Andrade, M. Acevedo, A. Gordillo, C. González, C. Monzón, R. Calderón & R. Roma. 2005. Estudio Técnico del Cerro 'El Amay', Municipio de Chicamán, Quiché, Guatemala. Documento Técnico No. 26 (06-2005), CONAP, Guatemala. Vanegas, A. 2001. Informe de validación y socialización preliminar sobre la Problemática Ambiental en las Microregiones del municipio de Chicaman, Cunen y Uspantan en el departamento del Quiché, Guatemala. Movimondo, Guatemala. (Unpublished report)
Contributors: Input of unpublished data and suggestions for the delimitation of the IBA was provided during a workshop in Cobán, in August 2006, by representatives of Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP) - Las Verapaces, Asociación de Proyectos Evaluados Raxmu (PROEVAL RAXMU), Peace Corps, Cooperativa Sanimtaca, Cooperativa Samac, and Comité Central Menotita. This first assessment of IBAs in Guatemala was conducted by Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología and BirdLife International in the Americas.