Green Cay (19792)
Virgin Islands (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Green Cay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.4535, Longitude: -64.7083
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 4.24905
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Green Cay is a small six hectare volcanic island comprised of igneous bedrock reaching a maximum elevation of 30m, covered in xerophytic coastal scrub. The island is currently privately owned and is a proposed protected areas to be included within the system of national parks.
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: Green Cay is an important nesting site for the Roseate Tern. In 1996, a total of 1755 Roseate Terns, were counted making Green Cay the largest breeding colony in the US and British Virgin Islands. Non-bird biodiversity: The terrestrial vertebrate fauna on Green Cay is limited to a few species of common lizard, primarily Anoles.
Delineation rationale: Mark has teh shapefiles.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 67 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Continued high visitation to the adjacent island of Sandy Spit by the yacht industry will result in disturbance to the nesting site unless mitigated.