Wades Green and Teren Hill (19769)
Turks and Caicos Islands (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Wades Green and Teren Hill
Central coordinates: Latitude: 21.9410, Longitude: -72.0272
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 6 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 2.26222
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Most important remaining high forest area in Turks and Caicos Islands. In vicinity of two major historic plantation ruins in nw North Caicos.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The globally threatened Blue-headed Quail Dove, a Cuban endangered endemic is recorded occasionally. It is the only recorded location on TCI for this species but its rare occurrence does not qualify the site for A1 status. The site is important for restricted-range species including the Pearly-eyed Thrasher, , for which it is probably the most important area in TCI. Also the Bahama Woodstar and Thick-billed Vireo. Biome-restricted species include: Key West Quail-dove for which it is probably the most important area in TCI, Stripe-headed Tanager and the Cuban Crow. The site contributes to a network for these species, Non-bird biodiversity: Site for several endemic reptiles, including one rediscovered following presumed extinction. These include: the gecko Aristelliger hechti (CR), Curly Tail Leiocephalus psammodromus, Caicos Islands Reef Gecko Sphaerodactylus caicosensis; and the one endemic species of snake: the Caicos Islands Trope Boa Tropidophis greenwayi. In addition there are three further lizards that are endemic at the subspecific level: Turks & Caicos Bark Anole Anolis scriptus scriptus, Turks & Caicos Rock Iguana, Cyclura carinata carinata (CR; the only subspecies of Cyclura carinata found outside the Turks & Caicos Islands is confined to the small island of Booby Cay off nearby Mayaguana); Mabuya Skink ,Mabuya mabouya sloanei (or slippery back or snake-doctor); and one snake: Bahaman Rainbow Boa Epicrates chrysogaster chrysogaster.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: It is the most important area in TCI for high forest, the dominant vegetation prior to about 1800.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: TCI Executive Council agreed a 99-year lease to TCNT for the central buildings area at Wades Green on 17 Nov 1999, because of historic importance. TCNT manages that site. A wider area needs protection for biodiversity interest, but boundaries are only now being defined because of the recent discovery of this interest. The area falls within the remit of the TCNT Biodiversity Management Plan. Nature Reserve status and TCNT management are needed over the rest of the area to recognise natural importance.