Country: Bolivia
Administrative region: Inquisivi, Ayopaya (Province)
Central co-ordinates: 16.97761 S, 66.84025 W
Area: 3051km²
Qualifying IPA Criteria
A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, A(ii)Site contains one or more regionally threatened species, A(iii)Site contains one or more highly restricted endemic species that are potentially threatened, A(iv)Site contains one or more range restricted endemic species that are potentially threatened, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance, B(iii)Site contains an exceptional number of socially, economically or culturally valuable species
IPA assessment rationale
El sitio se caracteriza por un sistema de montañas y colinas que forman un profundo valle. Se constituye como zona transicional entre la región de los Yungas hacia los Bosques Secos Interandinos. Estas características fisiográficas resguardan a 30 especies de plantas amenazadas a nivel global y dos especies amenazadas a nivel nacional. En el sitio también se resguardan 33 especies de rango restringido y altamente restringido en su distribución y potencialmente amenazadas. Por otra parte, en el sitio se resguardan a 125 especies de plantas endémicas, que representan el 5% de la lista nacional. Y a este número se suman 232 especies de plantas útiles que representan el 7% de las especies útiles documentadas en Bolivia.
Site description
La Cuenca de Cotacajes se tiene una superficie de 3.051 km2, que se extiende entre los límites de las provincias de Inquisivi del departamento de La Paz y la provincia de Ayopaya del departamento de Cochabamba. Con relación a las áreas de conservación el sitio IPA se sobrepone casi en su totalidad sobre dos Áreas Clave para la Biodiversidad (KBA) Cuenca de Cotacajes Cochabamba y Cuenca de Cotacajes de La Paz; y al suroeste el sitio se conecta con el Parque Nacional Tunari. Uno de los mayores atractivos del sitio es su valor arqueológico e histórico, ya que a lo largo de la cuenca se encuentran diseminados al menos 21 sitios arqueológicos (La Razón 2015), entre los que destacan sistemas de terrazas de cultivos, tumbas subterráneas, iglesias y murallas, muchos pertenecientes a la época inka y época colonial (Bengtsson & Avilés 2005). Así también, en el sitio se resguarda el arte rupestre de Chawpisuyo como también vestigios de la cultura Tiwanakota (Cordero et al. 2013).
Botanical significance
El significado botánico del sitio radica en el número de especies endémicas. De las 125 especies registradas para el sitio 25 se encuentran amenazadas globalmente. Entre las especies prioritarias para su conservación esta Mimosa woodii (EN), una especie que además de estar amenazada globalmente toda su población es restringida dentro del sitio. Otra especie prioritaria es Yungasocereus inquisivensis (LC) que, aunque no está bajo una categoría de riesgo de extinción, toda su población se encuentra dentro del sitio. El sitio también es uno de los cinco mejores sitios a nivel nacional para la conservación de especies endémicas como Philibertia fontellae (EN), Boliviadendron bolivianum (EN), Tillandsia pseudocardenasii (EN) y Clinopodium pallidum (VU), especies que se encuentran amenazadas a nivel global y contemplan el 5% de su población dentro del sitio. Ademas el sitio contiene a 232 especies útiles que representan el 7% de las especies documentadas a nivel nacional. Dentro de este grupo se incluyen a 17 especies de parientes silvestres de cultivos, como Capsicum eximium (NE) y Nicotiana otophora (LC), especies emparentadas a cultivos de los ajíes y tabaco.
Habitat and geology
La Cuenca de Cotacajes pertenece a la Cordillera Oriental y fisiográficamente se caracteriza por montañas y colinas con pendientes pronunciadas de grandes extensiones, donde yacen valles profundos y encajonados como resultado de la erosión fluvial. Hidrográficamente pertenece a la cuenca del río Amazonas, y parte desde la cuenca alta del río Beni, donde yacen el río Sacambaya y río Cotacajes con una longitud de al menos 263 km. En cuanto a su vegetación en el sitio convergen tres ecorregiones: Bosques Secos Interandinos, Yungas y parte de la Puna Norteña (Ibisch et al. 2003). El sitio se caracteriza por resguardar relictos de la región de Bosques Secos Interandinos bien conservados, que albergan géneros típicos como Piptadenia, Puya y Salvia sobre todo en la zona de transición de los municipios de Inquisivi y Quime en el departamento de La Paz. Todos los tipos de vegetación presentes para Cotacajes se agrupan en Bosque seco subtropical/tropical, Bosque húmedo montano subtropical/tropical y Pastizales de gran altitud subtropical/tropical según la clasificación de UICN.
Conservation issues
La zona se caracteriza por ser un centro de producción agrícola y ganadera, donde se ha observado una disminución de la cobertura natural ya que desde 1995 al 2020 la perdida de bosque ha sido de 4.027 ha (MapBiomas Bolivia 2024). Esto puede deberse a las principales amenazas que se presentan en el sitio como las actividades de agricultura intensiva de papa, cebada, coca y quinua, además de la cría de ganado, principalmente vacuno y ovino (KBA 2025). Así también, en el municipio de Independencia a menos de 2 km del sitio se encuentra la mina Kami, una de las concesiones mineras más grandes de Cochabamba (Mancomunidad Ayopaya 2020). Si bien esta actividad no ocurre de manera directa en el sitio, en un futuro se podría despertar el interés para nuevas exploraciones en la región. A pesar de que la cuenca de Cotacajes no se ha establecido como un área protegida en el país, sus atributos botánicos demuestran que en el sitio se debe aunar los esfuerzos de conservación, enfocados en grupos prioritarios como especies de plantas endémicas, especies de plantas en riesgo de extinción y sobre todo para las especies que se encuentran altamente restringidas al sitio.
Site assessor(s)
Assessed by:
Liliana Arroyo-Herbas, Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN)
Elmer Cuba-Orozco, Unidad de Ecología Animal y Zoología, Instituto de Ecología, Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Puras y Naturales, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; Instituto Experimental de Biología “Luis Adam Briançon”. Facultad de Ciencias Químico Farmacéuticas
Oriana A. Lino-Villalba, Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN)
Maira T. Martinez-Ugarteche, Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno; Herbario del Oriente Boliviano (USZ), Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado; Department of Accelerated Taxonomy, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Daniel Villarroel Segarra, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología (BIOCEN), Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo
Bente B. Klitgaard, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Date of first assessment: 16th Jul 2025
Date of latest reassessment: 1st Sep 2025
IPA criterion A species
| Species | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 1% of global population | ≥ 5% of national population | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Entire global population | Socio-economically important | Abundance at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aphelandra kolobantha Lindau | A(i) |  |
|
|
 |
|
Scarce |
| Pedersenia cardenasii (Standl.) Holub | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Orthosia boliviana Liede & Meve | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Orthosia goyderiana Liede & Meve | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Philibertia fontellae Goyder | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Oreopanax atopanthus Harms | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Oreopanax pentlandianus Decne. & Planch. ex Wedd. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Sciodaphyllum nebularum (Harms) Lowry, G.M.Plunkett & M.M.Mora | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Asplenium ayopayense M.Kessler & A.R.Sm. | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Asplenium bolivianum M.Kessler & A.R.Sm. | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Diplazium bolivianum M.Kessler & A.R.Sm. | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Ayapanopsis euphyes (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob. | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Dendrophorbium ayopayense (Cuatrec.) D.J.N.Hind | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Fleischmannia soratae (Sch.Bip. ex B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Galinsoga boliviensis Canne | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Begonia santarosensis Kuntze | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Fosterella cotacajensis M.Kessler, Ibisch & E.Gross | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Fosterella elviragrossiae Ibisch, R.Vásquez & J.Peters | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Puya claudiae Ibisch, R.Vásquez & E.Gross | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Tillandsia pseudocardenasii W.Weber | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Trattinnickia nebulae M.F.F.Melo & Daly | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Styloceras columnare Müll.Arg. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Siphocampylus werdermannii E.Wimm. | A(ii) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Thibaudia cardenasii Luteyn | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Boliviadendron bolivianum (C.E.Hughes & Atahuachi) E.R.Souza & C.E.Hughes | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Mimosa woodii Atahuachi & C.E.Hughes | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Gentianella bridgesii (Gilg) Fabris ex T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Gentianella sancti-mathaeii (R.C.Foster) T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Cypella mandonii Rusby | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Clinopodium pallidum (Epling) Govaerts | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Gaya pilocarpa Krapov. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Miconia mandonii Cogn. ex Britton | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Cedrela angustifolia DC. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Fuchsia garleppiana Kuntze & Wittm. | A(ii), A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Bulbophyllum tricolor L.B.Sm. & S.K.Harris | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Fernandezia cardenasii (L.B.Sm. & S.K.Harris) M.W.Chase | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Macroclinium lueri Dodson & R.Vásquez | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Restrepia vasquezii Luer | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Scelochilus newyorkorum R.Vásquez, Ibisch & I.G.Vargas | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Stelis citrinella Luer | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Stelis darwinii Luer & R.Vásquez | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Stelis melanostele (Luer & R.Vásquez) Pridgeon & M.W.Chase | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Stelis pachyrrhiza Luer & R.Vásquez | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Stelis rosulenta Luer & R.Vásquez | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Stelis strigosa Luer & R.Vásquez | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Zygostates riefenstahliae R.Vásquez & I.G.Vargas | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cortaderia boliviensis M.Lyle | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Festuca cochabambana E.B.Alexeev | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Festuca stebeckii Renvoize | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Elaphoglossum catenatum F.B.Matos & R.C.Moran | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Elaphoglossum ellenbergianum M.Kessler & Mickel | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Polystichum bachii M.Kessler & A.R.Sm. | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Polylepis lanata (Kuntze) M.Kessler & Schmidt-Leb. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Zanthoxylum nebuletorum (Herzog) P.G.Waterman | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Abatia spicata (Turcz.) Sleumer | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Phoradendron kuntzei Urb. | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Buddleja cardenasii Standl. ex E.M.Norman | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Brugmansia arborea (L.) Sweet | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Lycianthes reflexa Rusby | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Solanum monanthemon S.Knapp | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Solanum okadae Hawkes & Hjert. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Solanum tunariense Kuntze | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Duranta benthamii Briq. | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Solanum stellativelutinum Bitter | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
Aphelandra kolobantha Lindau
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Pedersenia cardenasii (Standl.) Holub
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Orthosia boliviana Liede & Meve
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Orthosia goyderiana Liede & Meve
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Philibertia fontellae Goyder
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Oreopanax atopanthus Harms
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Oreopanax pentlandianus Decne. & Planch. ex Wedd.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Sciodaphyllum nebularum (Harms) Lowry, G.M.Plunkett & M.M.Mora
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Asplenium ayopayense M.Kessler & A.R.Sm.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Asplenium bolivianum M.Kessler & A.R.Sm.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Diplazium bolivianum M.Kessler & A.R.Sm.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Ayapanopsis euphyes (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Dendrophorbium ayopayense (Cuatrec.) D.J.N.Hind
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Fleischmannia soratae (Sch.Bip. ex B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Galinsoga boliviensis Canne
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Begonia santarosensis Kuntze
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Fosterella cotacajensis M.Kessler, Ibisch & E.Gross
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Fosterella elviragrossiae Ibisch, R.Vásquez & J.Peters
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Puya claudiae Ibisch, R.Vásquez & E.Gross
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Tillandsia pseudocardenasii W.Weber
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Trattinnickia nebulae M.F.F.Melo & Daly
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Styloceras columnare Müll.Arg.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Siphocampylus werdermannii E.Wimm.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(ii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Thibaudia cardenasii Luteyn
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Boliviadendron bolivianum (C.E.Hughes & Atahuachi) E.R.Souza & C.E.Hughes
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Mimosa woodii Atahuachi & C.E.Hughes
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Gentianella bridgesii (Gilg) Fabris ex T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Gentianella sancti-mathaeii (R.C.Foster) T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Cypella mandonii Rusby
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Clinopodium pallidum (Epling) Govaerts
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Frequent
Gaya pilocarpa Krapov.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Miconia mandonii Cogn. ex Britton
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Cedrela angustifolia DC.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Fuchsia garleppiana Kuntze & Wittm.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(ii), A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Bulbophyllum tricolor L.B.Sm. & S.K.Harris
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Fernandezia cardenasii (L.B.Sm. & S.K.Harris) M.W.Chase
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Macroclinium lueri Dodson & R.Vásquez
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Restrepia vasquezii Luer
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Scelochilus newyorkorum R.Vásquez, Ibisch & I.G.Vargas
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Stelis citrinella Luer
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Stelis darwinii Luer & R.Vásquez
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Stelis melanostele (Luer & R.Vásquez) Pridgeon & M.W.Chase
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Stelis pachyrrhiza Luer & R.Vásquez
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Stelis rosulenta Luer & R.Vásquez
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Stelis strigosa Luer & R.Vásquez
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Zygostates riefenstahliae R.Vásquez & I.G.Vargas
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Cortaderia boliviensis M.Lyle
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Festuca cochabambana E.B.Alexeev
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Festuca stebeckii Renvoize
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Elaphoglossum catenatum F.B.Matos & R.C.Moran
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Elaphoglossum ellenbergianum M.Kessler & Mickel
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Polystichum bachii M.Kessler & A.R.Sm.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Polylepis lanata (Kuntze) M.Kessler & Schmidt-Leb.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Zanthoxylum nebuletorum (Herzog) P.G.Waterman
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Abatia spicata (Turcz.) Sleumer
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Phoradendron kuntzei Urb.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Buddleja cardenasii Standl. ex E.M.Norman
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Brugmansia arborea (L.) Sweet
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Lycianthes reflexa Rusby
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Solanum monanthemon S.Knapp
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Solanum okadae Hawkes & Hjert.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Solanum tunariense Kuntze
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Duranta benthamii Briq.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Solanum stellativelutinum Bitter
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iv)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Forest | 70 | Major |
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest | 24 | Major |
| Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Grassland | 6 | Minor |
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Forest
Percent coverage:
70
Importance:
Major
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest
Percent coverage:
24
Importance:
Major
Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Grassland
Percent coverage:
6
Importance:
Minor
Land use types
| Land use type | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Nature conservation | 70 | Major |
| Agriculture (arable) | |
Unknown |
Nature conservation
Percent coverage:
70
Importance:
Major
Agriculture (arable)
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Unknown
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development - Housing & urban areas | Medium | Ongoing - stable |
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming | High | Ongoing - stable |
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Low | Ongoing - stable |
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Livestock farming & ranching | Medium | Ongoing - stable |
Residential & commercial development - Housing & urban areas
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops
Severity:
Low
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Agriculture & aquaculture - Livestock farming & ranching
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Conservation designation
| Designation name | Protected area | Relationship with IPA | Areal overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBA Cuenca Cotacajes La Paz | Key Biodiversity Area | protected/conservation area matches IPA | 1040 |
| KBA Cuenca Cotacajes Cochabamba | Key Biodiversity Area | protected/conservation area matches IPA | 2011 |
KBA Cuenca Cotacajes La Paz
Protected area:
Key Biodiversity Area
Relationship with IPA:
protected/conservation area matches IPA
Areal overlap:
1040
KBA Cuenca Cotacajes Cochabamba
Protected area:
Key Biodiversity Area
Relationship with IPA:
protected/conservation area matches IPA
Areal overlap:
2011
Bibliography
Contactos prehistóricos entre los Andes y la Amazonía Informe de la cuarta fase de trabajo de campo en Bolivia, septiembre 2004
Göteborgs universitet y Unidad Nacional de Arqueología, page(s) 32
El Arte Rupestre de Chaupisuyo (Municipio Morochata, Depto. de Cochabamba) - Una Aproximación Preliminar
Sociedad de Investigación del Arte Rupestre de Bolivia (SIARB)
Site factsheet: Cuenca Cotacajes La Paz
Agenda Estratégica para el Desarrollo Productivo de Ayopaya 2020-2025
Colección 2.0 de la Serie Anual de Mapas de Cobertura y Uso del Suelo de Bolivia
La diversidad biológica
Biodiversidad La Riqueza de Bolivia (pub. Editorial FAN), page(s) 47-148
Recommended citation
Liliana Arroyo-Herbas, Elmer Cuba-Orozco, Oriana A. Lino-Villalba, Maira T. Martinez-Ugarteche, Daniel Villarroel Segarra, Bente B. Klitgaard (2026) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Cuenca de Cotacajes (Bolivia). https://tipas.kew.org/site/cuenca-de-cotacajes/ (Accessed on 25/08/2026)