Bethesda Dam (20876)
Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, D1a

Year of last assessment: 2019

National site name: Bethesda Dam

Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.0360, Longitude: -61.7385

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 10

Area of KBA (km²): 0.01131

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Bethesda Dam IBA is a man-made reservoir in the south-eastern part of the island, just north-west of Bethesda village. The reservoir is surrounded by grass and scrub covered hills to the west and south, and an agricultural area to the north. Bethesda Dam was constructed (by the government) in the 1970s to provide irrigation water for the agricultural area. Water levels vary, but during the rainy season the reservoir covers c.5 ha and provides good feeding and cover for waterbirds.

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: This IBA is significant for its populations of the Near Threatened Caribbean Coot Fulica caribaea (up to 110 have been recorded) and Vulnerable West Indian Whistling-ducks Dendrocygna arborea. During 2006-2007, 204 whistling-ducks were seen at the reservoir. The species can be highly mobile, but is usually present and does breed at this site. Four (of the 11) Lesser Antilles EBA restricted-range birds occur in the shrublands around the reservoir. Non-bird biodiversity: This reservoir was one of the first places where an invasive alien species of reed was observed. The reed has since spread rapidly to other freshwater sites.

Habitats

Land use: water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Bethesda Dam is state owned (the dam was a government project, built on government land), but it not protected in any way. There is no conservation management or action on-going at this site. However, the Environmental Awareness Group (a national NGO) does undertake some informal monitoring of the waterbirds. Hunting takes place within the IBA, posing a threat to the whistling-ducks and other waterbirds. Also, villa construction and landscaping associated with a bar/ restaurant has impacted the preferred roosting area of Dendrocygna arborea. Bethesda village is close to the eastern side of the reservoir. Villagers do frequent the IBA, often resulting in disturbance to the birds.

Additional information

References: Bacon, PR., (1991);Bunce, L., (1993);Caribbean Conservation Association. (1991);Lindsay, k. and Horwith, B. (1997);MacPherson, J. (1973);Martin-Kaye, P., (1969);Martin-Kaye, P., (1959);Pregill, GKD et al.(1994);Raffaele, H., et al. (1998); Spencer, W (1981)