Boven, Sint Eustatius (19894)
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (to Netherlands), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Boven, Sint Eustatius
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.5087, Longitude: -62.9933
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 14.77437
Protected area coverage (%): 73.84
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Boven Subsector is a legally protected area comprising several xeric, rocky hills in the northwest peninsula of St. Eustatius, or Statia. Zeelandia beach is on the southeast end of the area, which harbors Tropicbird nesting areas in its sandy cliffs. The hills above the airport form the southern limit of the concentration of Tropicbird nesting.There are no settlements within Boven; however, an oil transfer station lies on the western border along the coast.
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: A significant population of Red-billed Tropicbirds, Phaethon aethereus, nests within the Boven Subsector, meeting the requirements of A4(i) for a biogeographic population within the Caribbean. An estimate of 100-200 breeding birds was made in 2003 based on field surveys which did not cover all of Boven. Non-bird biodiversity: Species with restricted ranges include the Antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima, the ground lizard Ameiva erythrocephala, two anolis lizards Anolis bimaculatus and A. wattsi, and two geckos Sphaerodactylus sputator and S. sabanus. There are five species of bats, the only native mammal, including Ardops nichollsi montserratensis which has a restricted range. Locations for the aforementioned species could not be referenced. The endemic Statia Morning Glory Ipomoea sphenophylla can be found within Boven.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Boven is arid, primary vegetation being Acacia thorn scrub and grassland. Rocky outcroppings are scattered through the Boven hills. The coastline is cliffs and rocky shore.Grazing continues within the protected area, as grazing rights are under dispute. Recreational use of the area has been hampered due to this dispute and visitors are rare.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Marine Neritic | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to Red-billed Tropicbirds include:Introduced predators rats and cats.Trampling of nest burrows by goats.Erosion due to overgrazing.Threat of oiling due to spills from oil transfer station.
Additional information
References: Collier N.C. and A.C. Brown. 2003. Report to St. Eustatius National Parks: Surveys of Sea and Terrestrial Birds. Unpublished Report. Environmental Protection in the Caribbean, Florida, USA.Hoogerwerf, A. 1977. Notes on the birds of St. Martin, Saba, and St. Eustatius. Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other caribbean islands 54(176):60-123.Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998. A guide to the birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.Rojer, A. 1997b. Biological Inventory of Sint Eustatius. Unpublished Report. Carmabi Foundation. Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles.Stuffers, A.L. 1956. The vegetation of the Netherlands Antilles. Studies of the Flora of Curaçao and Other Caribbean Islands 1(15).Van Halewyn, R. and R.L. Norton. 1984. The status and conservation of seabirds in the Caribbean. Pp 169-222 in Status and conservation of the world's seabirds (J.P. Croxall, P.G.H. Evans, and R. Schreiber, Eds.). ICBP Technical Pub. No. 2.Cambridge, United Kingdom.Voous, K. H. 1955.The birds of the Netherlands Antilles. Curaçao: Uitg. Natuurwet. Werkgroep Ned. Ant.Voous, K. H. 1983. Birds of the Netherlands Antilles. 2nd ed. De Walburg Pers, Zutphen, Netherlands.Walsh-McGehee M. 2000. Status and Conservation Priorities for White-tailed and Red-billed Tropicbirds in the West Indies. Pages 31-38 in Status and Conservation of West Indian Seabirds (E.A. Schreiber and D.S. Lee, eds.). Society of Caribbean Ornithology, Special Publication No. 1, Ruston, LA.