L'llet (20911)
Dominica, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: L'llet
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.3052, Longitude: -61.2380
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 2.55079
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: L’llet is a small Islet approximately 0.020 hectare off the village of Boetica on the southeast cost of Dominica and serves as a very important site for seabird colonies. Due to the fact that it is off island in the Atlantic Ocean and that people have to swim or access by boat that limits human activity or disturbance to the seabirds using that site. Human settlements are approximately 3km from the site.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: L’llet supports several seabirds including Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens, Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), Sooty Terns (Sterna fuscata), Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus) and the White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus). Some of the other species of interest found at that site are Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita), Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus), Green –throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus), Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis), and Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax violaceus). Non-bird biodiversity: Other flora includes Wild Anthurium (Anthurium giganteum), Organ Pipe Cactus (Cephalocerus royenii), Climbing Cactus (Hylocereus trigonus), Zanana Falez (Pitcairnia angustifolia), and Eye-lash Orchid (Epidendrum ciliare). Fauna species include Fish-eating Bat (Noctillio leporinus), and Zagaya Lamè (Grapsus grapsus).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The vegetation type is xeric and the dominant tree species are White Cedar (Tabebuia pallida) and Figier (Ficus obtusifolia).
Land use: tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hurricanes - Dominica like the other Eastern Caribbean Islands lie in the hurricane belt and as a result are vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storm strikes annually. In the case of an intensive storm, the surge in swells and high winds will impact on the bird’s ability to continue to utilize this site. Hunting - Illegal hunting for some bird species and their eggs is a major concern.
Additional information
References: Caribbean Conservation Association. 1991. Dominica Environmental Profile. James, A., Durand, S., and Jno. Baptiste, B. 2005. Dominica’s Birds Lack, J. Andrew, et al, .1997. Dominica Illustrated Flora Raffaele, H. et al, 1997. A Guide to Birds of the West Indies Zamore, M. P. 2000. The Wildlife of Dominica James, A. 2004. Flora and Fauna of Cabrits National Park, Dominica