Aux Becs-Croisés (20498)
Haiti, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2008

National site name: Aux Becs-Croisés

Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.3400, Longitude: -73.9733

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 1850

Area of KBA (km²): 24.53338

Protected area coverage (%): 73.52

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Aux Bec-Croisé is situated in Plaine Boeufs on the Chaine Formond south of Duglacis, 1850 meters above sea level overlooking the Grande Ravine du Sud, near the area of Ti Chien. It is close to Kay Tilus, Kay Ogile and on the way to Duglacis where the small growing population grows staple food on state land since the 1950's. Several men in this region are timbermen.

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: Although as not rich as in the karstic zones areas, Aux Bec-croisés shelters Hispaniolan Crossbills and the Western Chat-Tanager. Species diversity also increased in winter months when migratory birds arrived from northern latitudes. Last inventory was on February 2004 which included mistnetting, sight counting and banding all day from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Bird species of special concern are Western Chat-Tanager (Calyptophilus tertius), Bicknell's Thrush. Non-bird biodiversity: The Chaine of Formond is the center of biodiversity for the genus Mecranium and shelters plants that are restricted there such as Ekmaniocharis. Due to frequent fires in the lower areas and absence of prescribe fires, metrological station and knowledge, many species might face threats, since one a forested area is opened or clear, farmers tend to appropriate these land.

Delineation rationale: Area needs verification after the final polygon is ready. Currently, a draft exist.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: It consists of pine forest and hardwoods on a mosaic of volcanic and limestone soils with much of the cutting bamboo (Arthrostylidum haisiense), numerous endemics of the Melastomataceae, ferns, bromeliads, peperomia and orchids. Dominant trees are Pinus occidentalis, Didymopanax tremulum, Tabebuia conferta, Meliosma recurvata, Rhytidophylium bicolor, Amyris apiculata and Wallenia ekmanii. Floristic studies of the mid 1980's reported a number of new species to sciences. In the lower slopes, Judd reported that fire were too frequent.

Land use: nature conservation and research

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Ephemerality of conservation program, Habitat destruction, Introduced animals, Fuelwood extraction, Lumber extraction, Demography, Land tenure, Erosion and Conversion to agriculture.

Additional information

References: Dod (1984 a, b); Franz and Cordier (1986);Gali and Schwartz (1986);Judd (1987); MacFadden (1986);Mcpherson et al (1994);Mcpherson et al (1994);Monaghan (1988);Rimmer et al (2005); Rimmer et al (2004);Sergile and Woods (1994);Sergile (2001);Sergile and Woods (2001); Sergile and Bayard (2004); Sergile and Woods (1993);Sergile et al (1992); Smith (1991);Smith (1992); Thompson (1986);Wetmore and Swales (1931);Woods (1975);Woods and Ottenwalder (1983); Woods and Ottenwalder (1986);Woods and Ottenwalder (1992);