Grand Turk Salinas and Shores (19775)
Turks and Caicos Islands (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Grand Turk Salinas and Shores
Central coordinates: Latitude: 21.4500, Longitude: -71.1333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 2.68976
Protected area coverage (%): 10.50
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Abandoned salt-pans, wells and adjacent coasts throughout Grand Turk, including ones viewable in the centre of TCI's capital. Includes Town Salina, North Salina, South Salina, Great Salina, Hawkes Pond Salina & Hawkes Nest Salina and nearby shores.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: An important site bioregionally for waterbird populations. The Vulnerable Piping Plover has been seen during the Non-breeding season. Other waterbirds with populations of Caribbean significance include: Brown Pelican (60 individuals); Wilson's Plover (30 breeding pairs), Laughing Gull (900 individuals), Royal Tern (40 individuals), and Sandwich Tern (60 individuals). Non-bird biodiversity: Turtle nesting areas on some beaches: Chelonia midas (EN), Eretmochelys imbricata (CR), Caretta caretta (EN), with important nesting beaches.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 50 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Salt-pans are regarded as waste-land rather than the unique resource that they are, and are being in-filled. They need Statutory Nature Reserve status for both their historic interest and as a major wildlife feature in town. The TCI Government Development Manual requires an Environmental Impact Assessment for any development in a salina, but the Department of Planning does not enforce this requirement.