Dalaway (Buccament) Watershed (19929)
St Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, B1, B2

Year of last assessment: 2019

National site name: Dalaway (Buccament) Watershed

Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.2060, Longitude: -61.2060

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 290 to 953

Area of KBA (km²): 5.82025

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Over 90% of this Reserve falls within the designated 10,870-acre (4,401-ha) St. Vincent Parrot Reserve. Dalaway Reserve encompasses two of the island’s major potable water systems, supplying about 45% of the country’s water. Rainfall can exceed 200 inches (5,080 mm) annually. It is the smallest IBA within the proposed Central Forest Reserve.

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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caribbean Islands Hotspot (2019). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2017 IUCN Red List.

Additional biodiversity: This is a prime habitat for the St. Vincent Parrot and another of its strongholds. In 2004, the population was estimated at 164 individuals. All thirteen (13) RRS and two (2) Globally-threatened are found within the Reserve. Other regionally-endemic species (See Ivor Jackson and Associates, 2004) and species of note include the House Wren, Short-tailed Swift, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Caribbean Elaenia. Non-bird biodiversity: Relevant species include endemic herpetofauna A. griseus, C. vincenti; endemic sub-species M. bruesi and endemic flora A. vincentiana, B. rotundifolia, P. cuneata, P. vincentiana, E. vincentinum, C. vincentiana and C. tenera.

Delineation rationale: Mark has the shapefiles.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The vegetation comprises Rainforest, Secondary and Montane Forests. Several plantations of Blue Mahoe Hibiscus elatus, Galba Calophyllum antillanum and Caribbean Pine Pinus caribaea are also included. These plantations were established by the Forestry Department as a soil conservation initiative on abandoned farmlands. Thus agricultural crops can be found interspersed within Secondary vegetation. The two-mile Vermont Nature Trail lies within its southern segment and is a major tourist attraction that allows visitors to observe the Parrot in its natural habitat. Educational tours and patrols by the Forestry Department staff are regular and ongoing.

Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: In the past, hunting of the endemic St. Vincent Parrot was a major issue. This practice has subsided significantly though it may still occur. Hunting of other animals such as the agouti (and possibly armadillo) continues on a small scale. However, regular patrols by Forestry personnel limits such activities. Other periodic land use concerns include boundary encroachment and squatting. Concerns exist for the effects of introduced pests and diseases. The burrowing activity and resultant spin-offs of the armadillo is quite evident. Cats and dogs have also been observed within the Reserve.

Additional information