Mandelé Protected Landscape (20716)
St Lucia, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2019
National site name: Mandelé Protected Landscape
Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.8920, Longitude: -60.8960
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 25.51514
Protected area coverage (%): 16.27
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Mandele dry forest is located on the eastern part of St. Lucia encompassed by Ravine Pascal to the north, Ravine Bourge to the south and on the northwest by the Dennery Water Works Forest Reserve. It is about 826 ha.
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 Mandele dry forest has much to offer in terms of wildlife. The significance cannot be underestimated particularly with its association to endemic species. In addition to the White-breasted Thrasher, other species of great significance include the St. Lucia Oriole, The St. Lucia Black Finch, the St Lucia Peewee, the Antillean Euphonia, Bridled quail dove, Grey Trembler, Lesser Antillean flycatcher, three hummingbird species, Pearly-eyed and Scaly-breasted Thrashers and possibly the Rufous Nightjar. At some times of the year St Lucia Amazons forage at this site too, mainly in the upper elevations. Migratory birds species furthermore nest and roost in different locations in the area. The Magnificent Frigate bird is one such species. Non-bird biodiversity: The agouti is found in the area. Also found are the boa constrictor and the fer-de-lance. Among the plants, the endangered Latanier palm is very significant to the area.
Delineation rationale: Mark has the complete shapefiles.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The vast majority of the area is covered by scrub forest, giving way to a strip of natural tropical moist forest in the interior region. Towards the coast is primarily xerophytic vegetation which includes cacti. Agriculture is a minor activity in the area, however, there is a major hotel under development in the area. A large section of the area is under scrub forest and not utilized. Majority lands in this IBA are privately owned. Other areas to the southwest are under intensive agriculture. The Praslin River to the south and Deux Branches Ravine in the north are important water sources to the area. The area is mostly under private ownership and a significant chunk of it is currently being altered to accommodate the construction of a hotel. There is however, a portion of the area that is owned by the state and currently under natural forest. The area has served an ecotouristic purpose by means of a nature trail (now partly covered by the hotel development area) which was managed by the St. Lucia National Trust. Bird watching was also another activity carried out on the site.
Land use: agriculture | not utilised | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Other | 48 | |
| Shrubland | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include: Deforestation – It is worth noting that indiscriminate harvesting of sapling poles for broom handles is slowly depleting the forest vegetation .A small portion along the Praslin River is under agricultural cultivation with bananas, coconuts and to a lesser extent cashew nuts and corn. Fires, usually contained within relatively small areas (few ha) are common Non-native predators – small Indian mongoose; black, brown rats Pollution – Application of agro-chemicals to crops maybe causing chemical pollution to the lower Praslin River, which discharges into Praslin Bay. The influx of those chemicals may be causing adverse effects to both freshwater and marine life Commercial Development – The development of a massive hotel will result in a significant depletion of the thrasher’s habitat.
Additional information
References: Hudson L., Renard Y., and Romulus G. 1992. A system of protected areas for St. Lucia. St. Lucia National Trust, Castries St. Lucia biodiversity country report of St. Lucia. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 2000.