Perseverance (19907)
Grenada, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Perseverance

Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.1000, Longitude: -61.7500

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 15 to 150

Area of KBA (km²): 0.32395

Protected area coverage (%): 98.76

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Perseverance IBA, a plantation destroyed by Hurricane Janet in 1955, is on the west coast of Grenada, inland from Halifax Harbour. Its western border is on the north–south coastal road, running inland c.400 m to its eastern border at the base of a steep cliff. To the north, the IBA is bordered by some houses and the Salle River. This IBA includes an unprotected habitat corridor north of the Salle River, inland of the sanitary landfill to the base of the ridge (behind which is a proposed quarry), linking this IBA with Woodford IBA (GD001). North of the river is a (non-operational) sanitary landfill. On the coastal side of the north–south road are a mangrove swamp, Grenada’s main garbage dump, and an asphalt plant.

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: This IBA is important for the Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi. The population was estimated at six pairs in 2003/2004 (Rusk and Clouse 2004) (pre-Hurricane Ivan), only one pair 3–4 months after the hurricane in 2004 (Rusk 2005)(a possible under estimate due to a change in calling behaviour post hurricane), and three pairs in 2007 (Rusk 2008). It supports all of the Lesser Antilles EBA restricted-range birds and also the threatened endemic Grenada Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus mirus subspecies. Non-bird biodiversity: Nothing recorded.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Shrubland	50
Forest	50

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Perseverance IBA is a protected area (Dove Sanctuary)established in 1996 to protect L. wellsi. It comprises a c.32 ha (to be re-surveyed) portion of the 113-ha Government-owned Perseverance Estate (contrary to the government gazette which suggests it includes the entire estate). Protection measures are being explored for the nearby Beausejour–Grenville Vale IBA (GD003) that would link the two sites. Expanding industrial activity is the primary threat to the IBA. Toxic fumes (from landfill fires that started in 2004) and garbage are blown into the IBA. A proposed (2008) quarry would impact the habitat corridor to the Woodford IBA. Rats Rattus spp., mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus and cats may affect the bird populations (including L. wellsi). A metal recycling collection site borders the IBA to the north. Hurricane Ivan caused extreme changes to vegetation structure and composition, and to the availability of resources used by the dove. A fire (May 2008) burned the western-facing ridge down to the edge of the lower slopes, below which the doves are found.

Additional information

References: Devas (1943), Blockstein (1988), Blockstein (1991), BirdLife International (2000), Lack and Lack (1973), Lugo, (2005), Germano et al (2003), Groome (1970), Howard (1950), Rusk (1992), Rusk et al. (1997), Rusk (1998), Rusk and Clouse (2004), Thornstrom et al. (2001), Smith & Temple (1982).Wells (1886), Wunderle (1985).