Key Biodiversity Areas

Donate IconDonate

Portland Bight Protected Area (49032)
Jamaica, Caribbean

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1aA1eB1
Year of last assessment: 2019
National site name: Portland Bight Protected Area
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.7355, Longitude: -77.1190
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 242
Area of KBA (km2): 1973.84608
Protected area coverage (%): 99.96
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No

Site details


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. The three KBAs of Brazilleto Mountains (SitRecID 26919), Hellshire Hills (21892) and "Portland Ridge and Bight" KBA (SitRecID 18739) have been merged to form the new KBA "Portland Bight Protected Area" (SitRecID 49032).
Delineation rationale: 2019-09-18: The three KBAs of Brazilleto Mountains (SitRecID 26919), Hellshire Hills (21892) and 'Portland Ridge and Bight' KBA (SitRecID 18739) have been merged to form the new KBA 'Portland Bight Protected Area' (SitRecID 49032).