Beausejour / Grenville Vale (19908)
Grenada, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Beausejour / Grenville Vale

Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.1000, Longitude: -61.7333

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 200 to 500

Area of KBA (km²): 1.01025

Protected area coverage (%): 13.10

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Located near the west coast of Grenada, the Beausejour–Grenville Vale IBA is just inland from the north-south coastal road from Beausejour Bay. The bowl-shaped site is bordered to the west, north and south by a slope, rising to c.500 m in elevation, and includes the east-facing side of the eastern ridge (Grenville Vale). The slopes to the west, north and east are forested. The valley bottom comprises some fruit trees, an agricultural plot and cattle grazing. Immediately to the south is a housing development. The north-western side of this IBA is adjacent to the south-eastern border of the Perseverance IBA (GD002).

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: This IBA is important for the Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi. The population was estimated at c.15 pairs in 2003/2004 (pre-Hurricane Ivan) (Rusk and Clouse 2004)but only 1–6 pairs 3–4 months after the hurricane in 2004 (Rusk 2005) (a possible under/over estimate due to a change in calling behaviour post hurricane). Seven pairs were estimated in 2007 (Rusk 2008). Five (of the seven) Lesser Antilles EBA restricted-range birds occur at this IBA. Non-bird biodiversity: Nothing recorded.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	67
Shrubland	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This site is both Crown land and under private ownership and is currently unprotected. Threats include the possible expansion of a housing development and cutting for agriculture. Rats Rattus spp., mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus and other predators may impact the L. wellsi population. A fire (May 2008) burned a large portion of the IBA, though remained upslope of most known dove territories. Hurricane Ivan caused extreme changes to vegetation structure and composition on the west coast. Protection measures are being explored by Government that could result in a contiguous protected area with the Perseverance IBA.

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), Wells (1886).