Little Bay, Sint Maarten (19917)
Sint Maarten (to Netherlands), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Little Bay, Sint Maarten
Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.0225, Longitude: -63.0628
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2 to 12
Area of KBA (km2): 0.0782
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Little Bay Pond is approximately 2.5 kilometers in diameter. It is located near the capital city of Phillipsburg but remains fairly undeveloped. Due to the low salinity (4-8 parts per thousand), this pond supports species uncommon in other parts of St. Maarten and the Lesser Antilles.
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: The Near Threatened Caribbean Coot nests at this site. Two nests have been recorded while a maximum of 22 individuals have been observed. Four pairs of Pied-billed Grebes have been recorded nesting at Fresh Pond. Four Common Moorhen pairs have been recorded nesting. White-cheeked Pintail and Ruddy Duck nest at this site as well. Other regionally limited species found at this site include Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus, Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus, Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus, and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis. Non-bird biodiversity: Not applicable.
Delineation rationale: Mark has the shapefiles.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Little Bay Pond is bordered by water grasses and red, black, and white mangrove trees. A busy road borders one side of the pond, above which is a residential development. The remainder of the pond is encircled by a hiking path which connects to the sea at the rocky shore of Little Bay. A small outlet feeds from the pond into the ocean. Surrounding areas are scrub habitat.
Land use: tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The pond is owned by a foreign development corporation and is up for sale. Previous development proposals have sought to dredge the pond and turn it into a marina, which would support a proposed resort. Local opposition halted these plans but no legal protections exist for the site. However, the legality of owning this pond has been questioned as all ponds are supposed to be public land. The water is high in nutrients from sewage outflow from surrounding areas, sometimes resulting in fish die-offs due to eutrophication. Trash is prevalent among the shoreline vegetation. Pollution runoff from adjacent roads is problematic. Predators such as cats, dogs, rats, and mongoose frequent the area.
Additional information
References: A.C. BROWN and N. COLLIER unpublished data 2001-2006;ADAM C. BROWN and N. COLLIER XXXX; ADAM C. BROWN and N. COLLIER 2001;2002;2003;2004;2005; HOOGERWERF, A. 1977; VOOUS, K. H. 1955; VOOUS, K. H. 1983