Cotapata National Park and IMNA - Park Profile

Cotapata NP-IMNA harbors a wide variety of habitats, which results in an elevated number of species despite a relatively small size. Each ecological zone harbors specific plant and animal communities. The tropical cloud forest, in particular, features the highest species richness and endemism level in the world (CEPF, 2001; Bruijnzeel and Hamilton, 2001). The area is also home to many rare and/or threatened species, as well as species with restricted geographic ranges. Due to these characteristics, the park has been given high priority for conservation within the Amboro-Madidi Biological Corridor (AMBC) and is part of the proposed Cotapata-Cotacajes Sub-Corridor, which encompasses approximately one million hectares (Trópico, in prep.).

a) Flora

735 species of flowering plants have been recorded in the area (Fundeco, 2002 in CARE-WCS, 2003b), of an estimated total of 1,800 species (SERNAP, 2001). In a transect spanning between 1,600 and 3,400 m (5,250 m asl), Bach et al. (2003) recorded 346 species: 246 ferns, 56 Melastomataceae, 21 Araceae, 17 Bromeliaceae, 2 Cactaceae and 4 Palmeae.

Ecological zone	Altitudinal range	Description
Snow-capped peaks and periglacial region	Above 4,700 m	Sparse vegetation composed of drought and freeze resistant species. Precipitation occurs almost exclusively in the form of hail and snow, so that the landscape is dominated by rocky outcrops, grasses (Poa chamaeclinos), lichens and small shrubs (Valeriana pynantha and Senecio sp.) (Ribera-Arismendi, 1995a); Sevilla Callejo, 2003).
High Andean grasslands	4,100 - 4,700 m	Grasses are dominant (Deyeuxia filosofia, Festuca sp., Agrostis sp., Bromus sp., Stipa ichu, Calamagrostis sp., Bidens andicola and Rumex acetocella) as well as rosette plants (Hypochoeris sp., Lachemilla sp., Pycnophyllum sp., Azorella sp.) (SERNAP, 2001). In the bofedales - small-size, high-altitude wetlands with evergreen vegetation - the following species are common: Distichia muscoides, Plantago tubulosa and Oxycloe andina.
Yungas paramo	3,500 - 3,200 m	This ecological zone is found in strips and patches of almost constantly humid grasslands and shrublands, with mostly horizontal precipitation (Sevilla Callejo, 2003). It also corresponds to the natural distribution area of lowland Polylepis pepei forests, which have been almost completely replaced by grasslands (Ibisch et al., 2003). This genus is endemic to the tropical Andes, where it is often the only arboreal species in areas dominated by herbs and low shrubs (CEPF, 2001). The most common genera of the Yungas paramo are Stipa, Festuca, Brachyotum, Satureja, Mutisia, Chuquiraga, Baccharis, Calceolaria and Gnaphalium (Pacheco et al., 2003). The soils of this ecological zone are generally composed of thick organic material covered by a profusion of mosses, lichens and fungi (Sevilla Callejo, 2003).
Cloud forest ridges	Aprox. 2,400 - 3,500 m*	This forest represents the upper limit of the montane cloud forest, and reaches a maximum of 5-13 meters (Bach et al., 2003). It is characterized by the presence of Podocarpus oleifolius, one of the most remarkable and most threatened cloud forest species (Sevilla Callejo, 2003), and bamboos (Chusquea sp.). Parts of this ecological zone are dominated by Weinmannia boliviensis, Weinmannia crassifolia and the Andean alder (Alnus acuminata). Climatic conditions lead to the presence of many epiphytic species, such as orchids, ferns, mosses and lichens, many of which are highly endemic.
Humid montane Yungas cloud forest	1,000 - 2,500 m	This evergreen forest can reach above 25 meters and harbors incredibly high biological diversity. Towards its lower limit, it adopts the structural and floristic features of a tropical piedmont forest. Among others, its dense understory contains a large variety of epiphytic plants (Sevilla Callejo, 2003). Among the most important tree species found here are the Bolivian walnut (Juglans boliviana), Lauracea genera (Nectandra sp. and Ocotea sp.), cedar (Cedrela lilloi), quinine (Cinchona officinalis) and Podocarpus (Podocarpus oleifolius) (Trópico, 2000). This is the most altered ecosystem in the Bolivian Yungas and, within the park, the most threatened by human presence (Sevilla Callejo, 2003).

* Depending on sun exposure and microclimatic conditions.

It is important to point out that extensive parts of the park are secondary growth or anthropogenic plant communities, particularly in the highlands, along the banks of the Huarinilla river, and on Mount Nogalani.

b) Fauna

The diversity of ecosystems in Cotapata NP-IMNA translates into the presence of many vertebrate species. According to Sarmiento (2002, in Colectivo, 2003), 284 vertebrate species have been reported: 66 mammals, 183 birds, 14 amphibians, 11 reptiles and 10 fish. Remsen and Taylor (1985, in Sevilla Callejo, 2003) state that approximately 400 bird species could be nesting in the area or using it as seasonal habitat. Sampling the rivers and streams of Huarinilla, Santa Catalina, Elena, Jucumarini, and Yucupi, Miranda-Chumacero (2004) yielded nine fish species, among which several threatened species. In terms of vertebrate endemisms, the park harbors three confirmed mammal, six bird and two amphibian species endemic to the country (Ergueta & Gómez, 1997).

The park’s western highlands are home the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), the Peruvian guemal or North Andean deer (Hippocamelus antisensis), the Andean fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus), the mountain viscacha (Lagidium viscaccia), the Andean cat (Oreailurus jacobita), the black-and-chestnut eagle (Oroaetus isidori) and other bird species. The bofedal wetlands create habitat for ducks such as the speckled teal (Anas flavirostris) and pairs of Andean geese (Chloephaga melanoptera) (Trópico, 2000).

Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus). Photo: Giuliano Gerra

The home ranges of the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and puma (Felis concolor) span from the high-Andean ecosystems to the montane cloud forest. Among the most outstanding inhabitants of the cloud forest ridges are the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), dwarf brocket deer (Mazama chunyi), tayra (Eira barbara), coati (Nasua nasua), some curassows and toucans, as well as the “tunqui,” or Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) and the black-hooded sunbeam (Aglaeactis pamela), which is endemic to Bolivia. Also inhabiting the cloud forest is Leopardus tigrinus, a feline recently recorded in Bolivia (Pacheco et al., 2001).

The Yungas Montane forest is home to several mammals such as the spider monkey (Ateles paniscus), white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons), river otter (Lutra longicaudis), agouti (Dasyprocta punctata and Dasyprocta variegata), agouti (Agouti paca), pacarana (Dinomys branickii), cats (Leopardus wiedii, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, L. tigrinus) and peccaries (Tayassu pecari and Pecari tajacu). There are also many birds such as the Andean guan (Penelope montagnii), sickle-winged guan (Chamaepetes goudotii), oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) and crested oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus).

The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus) and the cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) are the park’s three emblematic species. Photos (from left to right): Stéphane Pauquet, Lira Olivier and André Bärtschi Vaduz