La Empalada (26526)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1e, B2

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: La Empalada

Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.3773, Longitude: -75.8918

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 1790 to 2000

Area of KBA (km²): 96.95992

Protected area coverage (%): 80.13

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: La Empalada KBA occurs in the municipality of Mistrató, Risaralda Department, Colombia. Its habitats consist of primary cloud forest which are threatened by agricultural development and cattle grazing. This area have more than 82km2 of area that goes from 1790 to 2000 meters above sea level. It's characterized by the presence of ecosystems of High Andes Humid and Cloudy Forests with the presence of different trees as Weinmania sp., Ocotea sp. and Cedrela sp. Its average annual precipitation is 1630mm with a range of temperature of 18-27°C.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This KBA is important for the conservation of the threatened species of birds that triggered the A1b and B2 criteria, Bangsia aureocincta and Bangsia melanochlamys. Also, by the presence of an amphibian that triggered the A1e criteria, Pristimantis mars.

Manageability of the site: This area is managed by the local Autonomous Regional Corporation in charge of Risaralda called CARDER (Corporación Autónoma Regional de Risaralda)

Delineation rationale: The area of the polygon originating from AZE is maintained, but it is expanded to include the areas of DRMI Cuchilla de San Juan that do not overlap with the KBA Montane Forests of Southern Antioquia, excluding the southern area where KBA Alto Pisones is located.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing

Additional information