Salt Cay Creek and Salinas (19777)
Turks and Caicos Islands (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Salt Cay Creek and Salinas
Central coordinates: Latitude: 21.2000, Longitude: -71.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 2.51564
Protected area coverage (%): 48.10
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Natural creek area on the SE side of Salt Cay and abandoned salt-pans throughout the island, notably ones viewable from the roads in the settlement. This natural interest complements the historic interest of the salt industry relics.
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: In terms of the Caribbean, holds significant numbers of Brown Pelican (30 individuals), Wilson's Plover (30 breeding pairs), Laughing Gull (900 individuals), Royal Tern (30 individuals), Least Tern (400 individuals, 280 breeding) and Sandwich Tern (60 individuals). Non-bird biodiversity: Shores are probably important for nesting turtles Chelonia midas (EN), Eretmochelys imbricata (CR), Caretta caretta (EN).
Habitats
Land use: urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 40 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 40 |