Talamanca Highlands (20410)
Costa Rica, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Cordillera de Talamanca
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.4702, Longitude: -83.4620
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1500 to 3820
Area of KBA (km2): 4271.94721
Protected area coverage (%): 75.51
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area includes all the midlands and highlands above 1500 m elevation of the Talamanca mountain range. It is the largest area (433,588 ha) and has the greatest topographic and climatic heterogeneity. It includes the highest elevations in the country, such as Cerro Chirripó at 3820 m above sea level and other massifs of similar elevation. Topographically, it is a mountain range with very steep slopes on both sides (Pacific and Caribbean) with deep canyons and small intermontane valleys, some of them above 2000m. The great climatic heterogeneity that characterizes this mountain range is caused by at least three factors: elevation, topographic heterogeneity and the influence of a relatively seasonal climate on the Pacific slope and the absence of seasonality on the Caribbean slope. Along the Pacific slope of this mountain range, the dry season occurs between December and April. On the Caribbean slope, there is no defined dry season, but there are periods in which the rain is less intense or less frequent. It is also in the foothills of some localities on this slope, such as the Tapantí National Park, where the highest rainfall in the country occurs. As a consequence of these conditions, the Talamanca mountain range includes different types of forest such as premontane, montane and páramo forests. In addition, in each of them the topographic, climatic and edaphic characteristics have favoured the formation of very particular plant associations such as oak forests (Quercus spp ., Fagaceae), cloud forests and peat bogs. In general, the forests on both slopes are characterised by having a great wealth of vegetation, which is why it is difficult to mention predominant families at canopy level. This changes with elevation where the dominance of families such as Mirtaceae, Lauracea and Fagaceae becomes more marked. In the undergrowth the situation is different, since the families Melastomatacea, Rubiaceae and Piperaceae dominate the undergrowth of the humid forests on both slopes. The páramo, on the other hand, has a very particular vegetation dominated by grasses (Poaceae), composites (Asteraceae) and shrubs of the Hypericaceae and Ericaceae families. At elevations between 1500 and 2000 m, and mainly on the Pacific slope, there are large areas of pastures, areas of secondary growth and forest fragments. These altered areas are the product of agricultural expansion and indiscriminate logging that has plagued most of the country.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of Craugastor catalinae, Craugastor phasma, and Incilius fastidiosus. Forty-five species of birds meet threatened and/or restricted range criteria.
Manageability of the site: This site was identified as an IBA in 2007. Three quarters of the KBA corresponds to managed protected areas.
Delineation rationale: This site was delineated as an IBA in 2007. In 2024 it was revised to small, outlying polygons.
Additional information
Contributors: Amphibian Red List Authority, BirdLife International