The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Bolivia

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

BOLIVIA / BOLIVIE

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Bolivia on 27 October 1990. Bolivia presently has 8 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 6,518,073 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Bañados del Izozog y el río Parapetí. 17/09/01; Santa Cruz; 615,882 ha; 18°27’S 061°49’W. Partially within National Park. The largest and most important wetlands in the Santa Cruz region of the multinational Chaco biogeographical region, the site supports a diverse community of flora and fauna characteristic of the rivers of the Chaco. The Bañados lie at the termination of the river’s course in a tectonic depression and are of great seasonal important as a source of water. As the only water source in a region of dry forest, during the dry season the site supplies vital support to at least four species of larger mammals (types of armadillo, panther, peccary, and tapir) which are listed by IUCN as vulnerable or endangered. Ecologically, because of its hydrological connection with the Amazon basin, the site serves as part of a biological and genetic corridor which permits the flow and interchange of species of the wetter north with those of arid zones of the south. The shores of the Parapetí have been inhabited by the Izoceño-Guaraní people since at least the 15^th century, who have made little impact upon the natural values of the site, and the area remains the physical and spiritual center of their culture. About a third of the Ramsar site is included within the Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco. Construction of a gas pipeline, with associated roadworks, should be well planned so as to preclude fragmentation of habitat. Ramsar site no. 1087. Most recent RIS information: 2001.

Cuenca de Tajzara. 13/06/00; Tarija; 5,500 ha; 2147'S 06506'E. Reserva Biológica. Situated in the endorrheic Tajzara basin, 45 kilometres west of the city of Tarija, at 3,700m above sea level, the site consists of a group of seasonal, semi-permanent and permanent lakes, high-altitude streams, marshes and high-Andean pastures. The two permanent lakes (areas between 350 and 800 ha) serve as a refuge for 40 species of birds indigenous to the high-Andean aquatic systems, where about 90% of the high-Andean waterfowl in Bolivia is found. The area is important for migratory shore birds, with year-round concentrations of the vulnerable high-Andean waterfowl species Andean flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus), James's flamingo (P. jamesi), and Fulica cornuta. More than 30 archaeological sites have been identified near the lakes, ranging from vestiges of primitive hunter-gatherers, pre-Incan hydraulic constructions, cave paintings illustrating aquatic birds, and three Incan roads that lead from the basin to the valley. The main economic activity is the raising of sheep, llamas and cattle; agriculture is limited by the climate, though the families in the area have an average of ½ to 1 hectare for subsistence crops. There is a visitors' centre, a bird-observation site, information material, and facilities for school visits. There are plans to draw up a management plan with the participation of the local communities. The site forms part of the Reserva Biológica de la Cordillera de Sama, which is managed by the Servicio Nacional de Areas Protegidas through the NGO Protección del Medio Ambiente Tarija (PROMETA). Ramsar site no. 1030. Most recent RIS information: 2000.

Lago Titicaca (Sector Boliviano). 26/08/98; La Paz; 800,000 ha; 16º10’S 068º52’W. Transboundary site between Bolivia and Peru. The site is characterized by a mixture of freshwater permanent lakes, rivers, associated marshes and high Andean peatlands. It harbours several rare species and threatened fish, birds and invertebrate species endemic to the high Andes. The area is used for agriculture, fishing, sheep and cattle ranching. Small-scale tourism is becoming more important. Ramsar site no. 959. Most recent RIS information: 1998.

Lagos Poopó y Uru Uru. 11/07/02; Oruro; 967,607 ha; 18°46'S 67°07'W. National Ecological Reserve. A site comprising two associated brackish lakes at over 3,600m altitude which fulfil all eight of the Ramsar Criteria and are excellent representatives of the high-altitude Andean wetlands of the Puna region. Some 76 species of birds have been reported for the site, including about 120,000 individuals of flamingos Phoenicopterus chilensis, Phoenicoparrus andinus, and Phoenicoparrus jamesi. Endemic and endangered fauna and flora, such as vicuña and pumas, are supported, as well as the cactus Opuntia and Trichocereus. Two pre-Hispanic cultures, the Aymaras and Urus, the latter believed to be one of the oldest ethnic groups on the continent, dating from 2000-1500 before the common era, are present in the area and practice subsistence agriculture and fishing, with some mining and limited grazing and illegal bird hunting also in evidence. Ramsar site no. 1181.Most recent RIS information: 2002.

Laguna Colorada. 27/06/90; Sud Lípez; 51,318 ha; 22º12'S 067º49'W. Santuario Nacional. Added to the Montreux Record, 16 June 1993, removed from the Record, 7 August 1996. A large, shallow, hypersaline lagoon and several borax islands in a closed drainage basin at an average altitude of over 4,200 meters. The area is of volcanic origin and the lagoon is fed by geothermal springs, river inflow and seasonal rainfall. The pH is alkaline (8.5), and distinctive vegetation communities of marsh and open meadows of halophytic (salt tolerant) vegetation and endemic plants are found. An important site in Bolivia for flamingos, and Phoenicopterus chilensis, Phoenicoparrus andinus, and Phoenicoparrus jamesi occur there. The fresh water inflow provides domestic water for the local population. Archaeological sites abound in the area. Substantially extended in 1998 to include the entire Santuario Nacional. Ramsar site no. 489. Most recent RIS information: 1998.

Laguna Concepción. 06/05/02; Santa Cruz; 31,124 ha; 17°31'S 61°21'W. A lake and associated wetlands that is representative of the wetlands of the Gran Chaco, characterized by a flat area of woodland and scrub marsh with poor drainage. The expanse of open water of some 6,179 ha is surrounded by palm groves of Copernicia alba and the southern cattail Typha domingensis. The lake is one of the most significant bodies of water in the east of Santa Cruz province, particularly important for wintering migratory birds from both northern and southern hemispheres, as well as for large mammals. The area was formerly inhabited by indigenous people pursuing a nomadic hunting and gathering way of life, but presently it is occupied by private cattle ranchers and by indigenous people and campesinos practicing the same occupation. Over-grazing and over-hunting are among potential threats to the ecological character of the site. WWF-Bolivia and the Living Waters Programme have been instrumental in preparing this important site for designation. Ramsar site no. 1175.Most recent RIS information: 2002.

Palmar de las Islas y las Salinas de San José.17/09/01; Santa Cruz; 856,754 ha; 19°15’S 061°00’W. Includes National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area. A very large area of practically pristine saline and non-saline palm forests (Copernicia alba) and a system of small lagoons and channels supplying water to considerable numbers of animal species. As these are the only wetlands in a large area of dry forest, they provide essential support for many species during critical stages in their life cycles, as in the reproduction of several amphibian and reptile species. The water bodies also have great seasonal importance for larger mammals, such as peccary and tapir, which congregate around them during the dry season. The area has traditionally been used almost exclusively by the Ayoréode people, who practice a nomadic system of resource exploitation, with hunting, gathering, and subsistence agriculture. Parts of the site lie within a national park and an integrated management natural area of the Gran Chaco. Ramsar site no. 1088. Most recent RIS information: 2001.

Pantanal Boliviano. 17/09/01; Santa Cruz; 3,189,888 ha; 18°00’S 058°30’W National Park. An enormous area on the eastern frontier with Brazil, part of South America’s great Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland. The vast complex of rivers, lakes, lagoons, marsh, inundated forests and savannahs, and a major source of the Paraguay river, considered to be even richer in biodiversity and less disturbed than Brazilian portions, supporting astonishing numbers of floral species and fish, birds, and large mammals. The site also includes the Chiquitano forest, a major extension of the most intext dry forest in the world. Historically populated by Chiquitano and Ayoréode peoples in the southern parts, near the Chaco transitional region, others have joined the region over the past century to pursue cattle-grazing and trade with Brazil. Necessary future exploitation of mineral resources must be carefully managed to avoid harm to the region, and expanded cattle grazing may pose a threat to ecological values; deforestation as on the Brazilian side of the border is feared, and the potential effects of the Hidrovia project to open the Paraguay to navigation are being watched carefully. Ramsar site no. 1089. Most recent RIS information: 2001.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 10 January 2000, updated 6 May 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.