Southern Great Lake (20594)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Southern Great Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.0070, Longitude: -74.5098
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 15.30677
Protected area coverage (%): 93.66
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: San Salvador is a small island only 5 miles by 12 miles with a population of less than 1,000 persons. It contains a high proportion of wetlands.
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 Great Lake occupies a considerable proportion of the inland of this island, accessable from only a few places. Here can be found Double-crested Cormorants, egrets and herons. West Indian Woodpeckers present on San Salvador. Non-bird biodiversity: The Endangered San Salvador Rock Iguana is the smallest West Indian Rock Iguana and it is believed that there are only approximately 500 individuals survivors. They can be found on nearby remote cays and in the interior lake areas.
Delineation rationale: Mark has the complete shapefiles.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The primary habitat at this site is saline inland wetlands which is home to many species of waterfowl and wading birds. Secondary, is dry scrubland which provide habitat for resident land birds and migrating woodland birds.
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Resort development is always an underlying threat to habitat destruction and disturbance to birds. The expanded airport has recently caused considerable habitat destruction.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp. Bainton, Aileen M. and Anthony W. White. 2006. A Bibliography of Birds, Ornithology and Birding in The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands. Media Enterprises Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. 96pp.