The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Colombia

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

COLOMBIA / COLOMBIE

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Colombia on 18 October 1998. Colombia presently has 3 sites designated as a Wetland of International Importance, with a surface area of 447,888 hectares.

Política Nacional para Humedales Interiores de Colombia, 2001

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

Delta del Río Baudó. 05/06/04; Chocó; 8,888 ha; 04°53'N 077°22'W. The estuary of the Baudó river on the Pacific coast, comprising flood banks, sand beaches, shrub-swamps and swamp forests. Outstanding vegetation includes nato mangroves (Mora oleifera, Mora megistosperma), with trees reaching 35 m or more in height; mangrove forests (Pelliciera rhizophorae, Avicennia germinans), and giant reeds. Noteworthy fauna include the Spotted Paca (Agouti paca), the peccaries (Tayassu pecari and Tayassu tajacu), Jaguar (Panthera onca) and Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis). The wetland is habitat and reproduction site of numerous species of fish such as the cichlid Cichlasoma kraussii, the Trahira (Hoplias malabaricus) and the Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus). Uses of the site by human communities include forest exploitation, fishing, subsistence agriculture, hunting and basket-making. Potential threats include mangrove felling, overfishing, uncontrolled hunting, boat transportation with off-board engines, and clearing for rice cultivation. Surrounding areas are the collective property of black communities. Ramsar site no. 1387.Most recent RIS information: 2004.

Laguna de la Cocha. 08/01/01; Nariño; 39,000 hectares; 01°03’N 077°12’W. Wildlife sanctuary. Largely made up of a volcanic lake and the surrounding highland Andean peatlands and forest, the site support a diverse range of associated flora and fauna, mammals such as the endangered tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), near-threatened Northern pudu (Pudu mephistotels), and the endangered spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). Important bird species such as Grebe (Podiceps occidentalis), the golden peck duck (Anas georgica spicauda), several species of snipes (Gallinago gallinago paraguaiae, Gallinago nobilis, Gallinago gallinago delicata) and the endemic ducks (Anas cyanoptera borreroi, Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea). Regarding plants there are two important endemic species of frailejon (Espeletia cochensis, Espeletia schultesiana) and Totora (Scirpus californicus, Juncus bogotensis). Human uses include agriculture and aquaculture. The breeding of "cuyes" (Cavia porcelus) generates about 23% of the agricultural product in the Department. The site also has an important cultural value as the indigenous groups of the area, which consider it sacred, use it for purification and fertility. The archaeological values of the site are also considerable, as it was inhabited by Precolombian communities. Ramsar site no. 1047. Most recent RIS information: 2001.

Sistema Delta Estuarino del Río Magdalena, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta. 18/06/98; Magdalena; 400,000 ha; 10º45’N 074º29’W. The site is a coastal estuarine system with 20 lagoons of varying salinity, with several rivers running through the area and extensive zones of mangroves. The site is important for its mangrove ecosystem, which is the largest on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It also serves as habitat and winter breeding ground for several bird species, has at least two endemic bird species, and is also a spawning ground for many fish species. Part of the site is state-owned, while a large area is privately-owned and commercial fishing is important for the community around it. Shellfish and crayfish are also harvested in the area, while the higher zones are used for agriculture. Ecotourism is being developed in the protected area. Ramsar site no. 951. Most recent RIS information: 1998.

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 12 January 2000, updated 4 June 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.