Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park (26529)
Colombia, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1e, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.9327, Longitude: -73.5994
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 4014.48328
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park is Colombia's second oldest national park, established in 1964. It is located in the Cordillera Oriental range, between the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena and Cesar, in the mountain range of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is a sanctuary as well as a tourist attraction, because it offers different climate, terrain, flora and fauna environments, ranging from beaches to snowy mountain peaks.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known populations of the amphibians Atelopus arsyecue and Atelopus carrikeri, seven birds, and one mammal. The amphibians Atelopus laetissimus, Atelopus nahumae, and Pristimantis ruthveni meet A1a/B2, and Colostethus ruthveni, Cryptobatrachus boulengeri and Pristimantis insignitus meet B1/B2 as well as four plants and three reptiles, two mammals meet legacy KBA criteria, and three plants and one reptile are listed withouth any KBA criteria.
Manageability of the site: National Park is managed by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
Delineation rationale: Site boundary follows the protected area boundary for Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park (WDPAID: 132)
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |