Northern Range (20664)
Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Northern Range
Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.7400, Longitude: -61.2200
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 364.88597
Protected area coverage (%): 51.70
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Northern Range as its name suggests, runs along the northern edge of Trinidad. Geologically it represents an extension of the coastal cordillera of Venezuela’s Paria Peninsula. It reaches 925m at the highest point but the average elevation of the ridge is about 600m. The range is dissected by thirteen major valleys to the south each with access roads and settlements. Valley and foothills to the west are mainly residential while the valleys further east are largely agricultural areas. Extending from Port of Spain eastward, immediately south of the Northern Range is the major residential and commercial area of northern Trinidad. A coastal road runs along the north of the range for most of its length providing access to coastal villages and sandy beaches. The rivers are regularly used for recreation and a network of foot paths cross the forested areas which provide access to hunters. Due to the topography, the eastern end of the northern range experiences the highest rainfall in Trinidad in excess of 3800mm per annum and some of the least disturbed and most luxuriant forest. Six KBAs have been identified within the Northern Range which together comprises over 36000 ha of the eastern half of the Northern Range and all lands above 500m. The sub-divisions reflect different levels of state protection, private ownership and consequent settlements and forest degradation. The Matura National Park covers approximately 9000 ha at the eastern end of the Northern Range and includes the catchments area of three large rivers; the Salybia and Rio Seco rivers which drain to the south and Shark River and Grande Riviere draining to the north. Altitude ranges from sea level to 500m. Most of the land is state-owned but there are a few roads and agricultural activities within the park. Conservation agreements are to be developed with the owners of private lands within the park boundary. The Madamas river is a north flowing river at the eastern Northern Range. The catchment area is approximately 4700 ha and the altitude ranges from sea level to just over 600m. It is essentially unpopulated and there are no paved roads. Hunters and other visitors access to the area via foot paths or by boat. The land is predominantly state-owned. The Quare River is a south-flowing stream just east of the town of Valencia. Its catchment area is approximately 2200 ha. It is one of the primary sources of water in Trinidad and the river has been dammed to create the Hollis Reservoir. Altitude ranges from 100m to the highest peak in Trinidad, El Cerro Del Aripo at 925m. The land included in the KBA is state-owned and apart from the road to and buildings associated with the Hollis Reservoir, there is no habitation. Along the north coast, between the Matura National Park and the Madamas valley lies the village of Matelot. The Matelot river flows to the north and the catchment area is approximately 3700 ha most of which lies within the St. David Forest Reserve and is owned by the state. Altitude ranges from 100m to 600m. The forest and wildlife is similar to that of the adjacent Madamas catchment area but less pristine. On the southern slopes of the Northern Range, between the Matura National Park and the Quare River lies the catchment area for two major rivers the Oropuche and Matura. This area contains a higher proportion of privately-owned land and consequently more roads and habitation than the adjacent valleys. Nevertheless the population density is low and much of the forest is of high quality. The two catchment areas encompass approximately 12500 ha above the 100m contour. Altitude ranges from 100 m to 600m although most of the area lies below 300m. Roughly half of the area lies within the Matura Forest Reserve and its eastern and western extensions. The main ridge of the Northern Range constitutes the final section of the Northern Range selected as an KBA. For this purpose all additional lands above 500m are included and covers an additional 4300 ha most of which is state owned and forested. The main threats to the Northern Range are habitat destruction due to bush fires and clearing of vegetation for agriculture or housing. Hunting is common throughout the Northern Range and is a particular threat to the Trinidad Piping-Guan which makes a very easy target once it has been located. The areas in which the Piping Guan are most regularly seen is a semi-abandoned agricultural estate. This suggests that they may be tolerant of some level of habitat modification. Their requirements for successful breeding however are not known and relatively undisturbed forest may be required. The Piping Guan faces the additional threat that numbers may already be below critical levels needed to maintain genetic variability. The Madamas watershed is at risk from a proposed coastal road linking to the villages to the east. These villages are currently the most remote within Trinidad and the construction of the road is likely to result in development of previously agricultural or abandoned lands.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of Trinidad Piping-guan, triggering A1e, and the Golden Treefrog (Phytotriades auratus) meets A1a and B1. The Copper-rumped Hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci) meets legacy KBA criteria and is in need of reassessment against the Global Standard.
Manageability of the site: Site was validated as an IBA/KBA in 2007 by BirdLife Partners. A rationale on manageability is not available.
Delineation rationale: Site was validated as an IBA/KBA in 2008 by BirdLife Partners. A delineation rationale is not available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 95 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |