Aux Cornichons (20488)
Haiti, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2008

National site name: Aux Cornichons

Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.3500, Longitude: -72.2667

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1000 to 1870

Area of KBA (km²): 6.29412

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Aux Cornichons (629 ha) is situated on the Massif de la Selle, West of Seguin on State land. It consists of a slope bordered north by Morne Nacel and Roche Plate, east by Bois Pin Jean Noel, South by Étang Pouillet and West by Ti Place (18°21'N and 72°16' W). Altitudes range from 1000 to 1870 m. Population around Aux Cornichons is made of the former workforce brought in La Scierie area when the pine forest was under national exploitation during the mid 1950's.

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: It one of the most diverse IBA within the National Park La Visite. Eighteen endemic species are known in this IBA, among them the Endangered La Selle Trush, the Vulnerable Hispaniolan Parakeet, the near threatened Plain Pigeon, Hispaniolan Trogon and the vulnerable Chat Tanager. It is an important habitat for a number of endemics such as the Hispaniolan Trogon and waterbirds such as the Limpkin. Last inventory of January-February 2005, included misnetting, sight counting and banding from 5:00 am to 7pm. This area is of special concern since it is consider a population sink. Due to the fact that this area was never managed some species may have already been extirpated such as Hispaniolan Parrots and White-Winged Warblers Non-bird biodiversity: This area is habitat for Plagiodontia aedium. Endemic species threatened are: Hypericum millefolium, Miconia rigidissima, Gesneria hypoclada, Siphocamylus caudatus, Ilex blancheana (discovered in 1984) and many of the orchids and epiphytes.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Aux Cornichons consists on wet mountain hardwood forest on karst. Vegetation includes tree ferns, orchids and bromeliads. Dominant tree species are: Didymopanax tremulum, Ocotea acarina, Ocotea wrighii, Persea anomala and Myrsine coriacea . Other plants include Senecio bucchii, and Senecio picardae . Aux Cornichons is probably the most endangered remnant forest of Haiti. Much of the land although protected by decree is used by poor farmers to produce vegetables and herbs. As a matter of fact, parsley and wild carrot (Queen Ann's lace) are becoming invasive species there. Orchids, ferns, bromeliads and other potentially ornamental species are extracted to be sold in Pétion-Ville and Port-au-Prince (18 to 22 km north).

Land use: agriculture | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Absence of conservation program, Habitat destruction, Introduced animals, Fuelwood extraction, Endemic species extraction, Demography, Land tenure, Introduction of exotic species,Erosion, Tourism, Conversion to agriculture and Hunting.

Additional information

References: Franz, R and D. Cordier (1986); Gali, F. and A. Schwartz (1986);Holdridge, L.R. (1947);Judd, W.S. (1986);Judd, W.S. (1987);MacFadden, B.J. (1986);MDE. (1999);Paryski, P., C. A. Woods, and F. E. Sergile. (1989);Rimmer, C., E. G. Gomez, J. L. Brocca. (2005);Sergile, F. E. (2001);Sergile, F. E, C. A Woods and P. E Paryski. (1992);Thompson, F. G. (1986);USAID. (1987); Woods, C. A. (1975);Woods, C. A. and J. A. Ottenwalder. (1983); Woods, C. A. and J. A. Ottenwalder. (1986);Woods, C. A., and L. Harris. (1986);Woods, C. A., F. E. Sergile, and J. A. Ottenwalder. (1992); Woods, C.A. (1987);Woods, C.A. (1983); Woods, C.A., and J.A. Ottenwalder(1983); Woods, C.A., and R. Rosen(1977)