MX026
Valle de Tehuacán - Cuicatlán


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2021 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Military Macaw Ara militaris VU resident 2015 123 individuals A1

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2021).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2022 unfavourable very high high
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat good

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Habitat detail Reference area (ha) Actual area (ha) Habitat quantity (% remaining) Habitat quality (carrying capacity) Result
Forest Pine-oak 0 0 moderate (70-90%) moderate (70-90%) unfavourable
Shrubland Scrub 0 0 good (> 90%) good (> 90%) favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification annual & perennial non-timber crops - small-holder farming happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - agro-industry grazing, ranching or farmin happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - nomadic grazing happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Agricultural expansion and intensification marine and freshwater aquaculture - subsistence/artisinal aquaculture happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Biological resource use fishing & harvesting aquatic resources - intentional use: subsistence/sml scale happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Biological resource use gathering terrestrial plants - intentional use (species being assessed is the target) happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Biological resource use gathering terrestrial plants - persecution/control happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Biological resource use hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - intentional use (species being assessed is the target) happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Biological resource use logging & wood harvesting - intentional use: subsistence/small scale happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather drought happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Climate change and severe weather temperature extremes happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Energy production and mining mining and quarrying happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Geological events avalanches/landslides likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Geological events earthquakes/tsunamis likely in long term (beyond 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration medium
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - named species happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes problematic species/diseases of unknown origin - named species happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications other ecosystem modifications likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Pollution domestic & urban waste water - sewage happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Pollution garbage & solid waste happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development commercial and industrial development likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development housing and urban areas happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development tourism and recreation areas happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Transportation and service corridors roads and railroads happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented high
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 145,255 protected area contained by site 0
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Reserva de la Biosfera 490,187 is identical to site 459,578
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve 490,187 is identical to site 0
Tehuacán - Zapotitlán Zona Sujeta a Conservación Ecológica 2,846 protected area is adjacent to site 0

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Tropical deciduous, Montane broadleaf evergreen, Pine, Pine-oak, Tropical coniferous -
Shrubland Scrub -
Other -
Unknown -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
rangeland/pastureland -
urban/industrial/transport -
agriculture -
other -

Land ownership
Tenencia de la tierra: Ejidal y privada.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Valle de Tehuacán - Cuicatlán. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/valle-de-tehuacán--cuicatlán-iba-mexico on 28/09/2023.