Country: Bolivia
Administrative region: Murillo, Loayza (Province)
Central co-ordinates: 16.87541 S, 67.74312 W
Area: 2629km²
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(iii)Site contains an exceptional number of socially, economically or culturally valuable species
IPA assessment rationale
Valles Secos de La Paz califica como un sitio IPA por ser un ecosistema de transición con paisajes contrastantes entre nevados, montañas y serranías. La vegetación está dominada por arbustos, matorrales espinosos, pajonales, entre otros. Alberga 38 taxones endémicos, de los cuales siete se encuentran amenazados o en riesgo de extinción a nivel global. También alberga 15 taxones endémicos con una distribución restringida y potencialmente amenazados. Adicionalmente, en este sitio se tienen 164 especies útiles, resaltando aún más su importancia.
Site description
El sitio IPA fue delimitado de acuerdo con los límites municipales de Cairoma, Luribay, Palca y Sapahaqui, con el objetivo de proteger una muestra representativa de los Valles Secos hasta las formaciones de alta montaña, incluyendo la presencia de nevados. Esta delimitación no solo abarca una gradiente ecológica única, sino que también garantiza una protección más robusta, ya que el sitio se sobrepone a siete áreas de conservación, de las cuales tres han sido designadas como Áreas Clave para la Biodiversidad (KBA).
Botanical significance
El sitio IPA Valles Secos de La Paz tiene una alta relevancia botánica debido a sus especies endémicas amenazadas a nivel global como ser: Clinopodium pallidum (VU), usada como medicinal, Baccharis glomerata (EN), Festuca copei (VU), Festuca scabrifolia (EN), Pyrolirion boliviense (EN), Setaria barbinodis (VU) y Polylepis pacensis (EN), usada como material de construcción y medicinal. Adicionalmente a este valor botánico se suman 164 especies de plantas útiles entre nativas y endémicas, alcanzando un valor del 5% de acuerdo con la lista de especies útiles documentada a nivel nacional. Podemos destacar las siguientes: Baccharis latifolia (LC), Baccharis papillosa (LC), Ephedra americana (LC), Lupinus microphyllus (LC) y Senna aymara (LC).
Habitat and geology
El sitio fisiográficamente presenta Altiplano, Cordillera Oriental y Nevados, destacándose las llanuras, montañas, piedemontes, serranías y nevados. A nivel ecorregional se conforma por Bosques Secos Interandinos, Puna Norteña, Puna Sureña y Yungas. Los suelos que cubre las cimas y laderas en esta región han sido erosionados como producto de factores naturales, tales como los avances y retrocesos de glaciares, la erosión pluvial y erosión fluvial. Estas últimas también afectan a los valles de la región (Forno & Baudoin 1991, Ibisch et al. 2003, Espinoza 2017).
La vegetación se caracteriza por la presencia de arbustales, bosque semidecíduo basimontano, pajonales y matorrales (Navarro & Ferreira 2011, Navarro 2011). Estos tipos de vegetación se agrupan en Matorral de gran altitud subtropical/tropical, Pastizales de gran altitud subtropical/tropical, Bosque húmedo montano subtropical/tropical y Bosque seco subtropical/tropical según la clasificación de la UICN.
Conservation issues
La intensificación del uso del suelo desencadena en la deforestación para habilitar zonas de cultivos. Ejemplo de ello es la afectación del bosque de Polylepis pacensis (EN), utilizada para leña, postes y con numerosos fines medicinales (Domic et al. 2017). Otra actividad, es la minería en las montañas de la cordillera, el sobrepastoreo en diferentes zonas, reduciendo así la regeneración natural y promoviendo la propagación de especies no nativas y malezas. Otra actividad antrópica en la región es la quema (Anthelme et al. 2017, Villavicencio et al. 2017). Considerando la presencia de especies endémicas, algunas de distribución restringida, esta situación puede llegar a ser preocupante. Como bien se ha detallado anteriormente, los hábitats del sitio IPA Valles Secos de La Paz albergan especies con alto grado de amenaza, además de su importancia por contener especies útiles, por lo cual es necesario tomar medidas de conservación.
Site assessor(s)
Assessed by:
Oriana A. Lino-Villalba, 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
Stephan G. Beck, Herbario Nacional de Bolivia (LPB), Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor San Andrés
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
Liliana Arroyo-Herbas, Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN)
Bente B. Klitgaard, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Date of first assessment: 2nd Aug 2023
Date of latest reassessment: 8th Oct 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atriplex rusbyi Britton | A(iv) |  |
|
 |
|
|
Unknown |
| Pyrolirion boliviense (Baker) Sealy | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Baccharis densiflora subsp. densiflora | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Baccharis glomerata Joch.Müll. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Mniodes argentea (Wedd.) M.O.Dillon | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Senecio loayzanus Cabrera | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Senecio potosianus Klatt | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Stevia stuebelii Hieron. | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Verbesina boliviana Klatt | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Verbesina pflanzii Perkins | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Lobivia maximiliana subsp. caespitosa (J.A.Purpus) Rausch | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Argythamnia illimaniensis Müll.Arg. | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Croton bangii Rusby | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Erythrostemon coulterioides (Griseb.) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Gentianella armerioides (Griseb.) J.S.Pringle | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Gunnera boliviana Morong | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Clinopodium pallidum (Epling) Govaerts | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Caiophora rusbyana Urb. & Gilg ex Rusby | A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Habenaria vasquezii Dodson | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Festuca copei Renvoize | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Festuca scabrifolia Renvoize | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Setaria barbinodis R.A.W.Herrm. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Polylepis pacensis M.Kessler & Schmidt-Leb. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Capsicum cardenasii Heiser & P.G.Sm. | A(ii), A(iv) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
Atriplex rusbyi Britton
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
Pyrolirion boliviense (Baker) Sealy
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
Baccharis densiflora subsp. densiflora
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
Baccharis glomerata Joch.Müll.
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
Mniodes argentea (Wedd.) M.O.Dillon
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
Senecio loayzanus Cabrera
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
Senecio potosianus Klatt
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
Stevia stuebelii Hieron.
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:
Occasional
Verbesina boliviana Klatt
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
Verbesina pflanzii Perkins
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
Lobivia maximiliana subsp. caespitosa (J.A.Purpus) Rausch
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
Argythamnia illimaniensis Müll.Arg.
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
Croton bangii 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:
Occasional
Erythrostemon coulterioides (Griseb.) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis
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
Gentianella armerioides (Griseb.) J.S.Pringle
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
Gunnera boliviana Morong
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:
Occasional
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:
Occasional
Caiophora rusbyana Urb. & Gilg ex 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
Habenaria vasquezii Dodson
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:
Unknown
Festuca copei 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:
Unknown
Festuca scabrifolia 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:
Unknown
Setaria barbinodis R.A.W.Herrm.
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
Polylepis pacensis 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:
Occasional
Capsicum cardenasii Heiser & P.G.Sm.
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:
Scarce
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Shrubland | 55 | Major |
| Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Grassland | 19 | Major |
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Forest | 12 | Major |
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest | 3 | Minor |
| Other | 17 | Major |
Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Shrubland
Percent coverage:
55
Importance:
Major
Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Grassland
Percent coverage:
19
Importance:
Major
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Forest
Percent coverage:
12
Importance:
Major
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest
Percent coverage:
3
Importance:
Minor
Other
Percent coverage:
17
Importance:
Major
Land use types
| Land use type | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture (arable) | |
Major |
| Residential / urban development | |
Major |
| Harvesting of wild resources | |
Major |
Agriculture (arable)
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Residential / urban development
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Harvesting of wild resources
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
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 - Livestock farming & ranching - Nomadic grazing | High | Ongoing - stable |
| Energy production & mining - Mining & quarrying | Medium | Ongoing - stable |
| Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants | High | Ongoing - stable |
| Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression | High | Ongoing - trend unknown |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unknown | Ongoing - trend unknown |
| Pollution - Agricultural & forestry effluents - Soil erosion, sedimentation | High | 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 - Livestock farming & ranching - Nomadic grazing
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Energy production & mining - Mining & quarrying
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - trend unknown
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases
Severity:
Unknown
Timing:
Ongoing - trend unknown
Pollution - Agricultural & forestry effluents - Soil erosion, sedimentation
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Protected areas
| Protected area name | Protected area type | Relationship with IPA | Areal overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserva de Vida Silvestre Serranía de Ticoma | Local / Regional Nature Reserve | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 74 |
| Área Municipal de Valor Monumental y Paisajístico Valle de las Animas | Local / Regional Nature Reserve | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 6 |
| Monumento Natural Turístico Cantón de Chuwaqueri | Local / Regional Nature Reserve | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 3 |
| Reserva de Agua y Bosques Montañosos Serranías del Mururata | Local / Regional Nature Reserve | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 1 |
Reserva de Vida Silvestre Serranía de Ticoma
Protected area type:
Local / Regional Nature Reserve
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
74
Área Municipal de Valor Monumental y Paisajístico Valle de las Animas
Protected area type:
Local / Regional Nature Reserve
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
6
Monumento Natural Turístico Cantón de Chuwaqueri
Protected area type:
Local / Regional Nature Reserve
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
3
Reserva de Agua y Bosques Montañosos Serranías del Mururata
Protected area type:
Local / Regional Nature Reserve
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
1
Conservation designation
| Designation name | Protected area | Relationship with IPA | Areal overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBA Illimani Sur | Key Biodiversity Area | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 191 |
| KBA Mallasa-Taypichullo | Key Biodiversity Area | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 11 |
| KBA Río Caballuni | Key Biodiversity Area | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | 2 |
KBA Illimani Sur
Protected area:
Key Biodiversity Area
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
191
KBA Mallasa-Taypichullo
Protected area:
Key Biodiversity Area
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
11
KBA Río Caballuni
Protected area:
Key Biodiversity Area
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
2
Bibliography
Clasificación de la Vegetación de Bolivia
Ecosistemas altoandinos del valle de La Paz: Aportes a la sociedad y vulnerabilidad frente a los cambios globales.
Historia natural del valle de La Paz (pub. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor San Andrés)
Historia Natural de un Valle en Los Andes
Poaceae
Catálogo de las plantas vasculares de Bolivia (pub. Missouri Botanical Garden Press), page(s) 1035-1104
Mapa de Sistemas Ecológicos de Bolivia
Los bosques de queñua (Polylepis pacensis) del valle de La Paz
Historia natural del valle de La Paz (pub. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor San Andrés), page(s) 15-118
Geología y geomorfología de un valle en los Andes
Historia natural del valle de La Paz (pub. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor San Andrés), page(s) 14-20
La diversidad biológica
Biodiversidad La Riqueza de Bolivia (pub. Editorial FAN), page(s) 47-148
Recommended citation
Oriana A. Lino-Villalba, Elmer Cuba-Orozco, Stephan G. Beck, Maira T. Martinez-Ugarteche, Liliana Arroyo-Herbas, Bente B. Klitgaard (2026) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Valles Secos de La Paz (Bolivia). https://tipas.kew.org/site/valles-secos-de-la-paz/ (Accessed on 13/08/2026)