Colonarie Forest Reserve (19934)
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: Colonarie Forest Reserve

Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.2265, Longitude: -61.1597

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 208 to 1009

Area of KBA (km²): 16.01618

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This Reserve essentially encompasses the mid and upper reaches of the Colonarie watershed. The Colonarie River is the longest watercourse on St. Vincent and its watershed; the second largest on the island has a drainage area of about 8.8 sq. miles (22.7 km2). The area faces continued land pressure from the population living within the lower regions and has in the past seen intensive exploitation for agriculture. This Reserve is a main source of potable water and hydro electricity. Within the upper parts (over 1000 ft/305 m) of the Reserve, slopes cut deeply into ash agglomerates, and basaltic bedrock creating an area of irregular, complex and steeply sloping landform units (Reid, Collins and Associates, 1994). The steepness of the terrain also causes high rates of erosion and landslide hazards. Much of the area is still covered with Primary forest but encroachment is a major concern. This natural forest zone is being converted to agriculture cultivation and pasturing of animals. Timber is also removed for charcoal purposes. Land settlement is also a serious threat to the remaining Primary Forest (Reid, Collins and Associates, 1994). The average rainfall within this area is 214 inches (5,436 mm) (Metereological Office, VINLEC) though it can exceed 185 inches (4,700 mm) (See Reid, Collins and Associates, 1994).

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: The Reserve is a traditional stronghold for the St. Vincent Parrot, which numbered 142 individuals in 2004 (Forestry Department, 2004). The site supports the other Globally-threatened species, the Whistling Warbler, and thirteen (13) RRS. Other important species include the House Wren, Short-tailed Swift, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Caribbean Elaenia and Black Hawk. Non-bird biodiversity: Endemic herpetofauna A. griseus, C. vincenti, A. griseus and A. trinitatus; 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: This Reserve is a main source of potable water and hydro electricityMuch of the area is still covered with Primary forest but encroachment is a major concern. This natural forest zone is being converted to agriculture cultivation and pasturing of animals. Timber is also removed for charcoal purposes.

Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Conservation concerns consist of lack of riparian buffers, deforestation that causes disturbance to wildlife and habitat, erosion of soils leading to slope instability and sedimentation of streams, tree harvesting for charcoal and agriculture on steep slopes, which accelerates erosion. Squatting, involving the use of makeshift shelters and storage buildings particularly for agricultural purposes (storage buildings), is another concern. It is possible that these may eventually lead to more permanent structures within the Reserve (see also Reid, Collins and Associates, 1994). River poisoning to harvest crayfish during the Easter period is a common practice in nearby communities. It causes death of many aquatic fauna, and possibly associated avian species.

Additional information