Country: Turks-Caicos Is.
Administrative region: Middle Caicos (Island)
Central co-ordinates: 21.82741 N, 71.75649 W
Area: 2.06km²
Qualifying IPA Criteria
A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance, B(iii)Site contains an exceptional number of socially, economically or culturally valuable species
IPA assessment rationale
This site is recognized as a TIPA due to being one of the five best sites for two globally threatened plant species, Pseudophoenix sargentii and Stenandrium carolinae,, qualifying it under criterion A(i). This site also qualifies under B(ii), with six species of high conservation growing here, and also B(iii) as it contains twelve species of social, cultural or economic value, exceeding the threshold of greater than or equal to 15% of from the agreed list of socially, economically or culturally valuable species.
Site description
This TIPA is situated in the central region of Middle Caicos, where it spans an inland area approximately 3.7 km long between Kitty Pond in the north-west, English Pond in the south-west and the King Road north of Flamingo Pond to the east. The site consists of an east-west orientated ridge at the north of the site, which extends up to c. 20-30 meters above sea level, with a lower valley to the south.
Botanical significance
Four globally threatened species are found at this site, and it is one of the five best sites in Turks and Caicos for two of these: the vulnerable endemic herb stenandrium carolinae and the Christmas palm Pseudophoenix sargentii are found growing on the slopes of this ridge. It is one of the only know Pseudophoenix sites on Middle Caicos. Other threatened species found at this site are Encyclia caicensis and chamaecrista caribaea. This site has high botanical richness, with six species of high conservation importance and 12 species of social, economic or cultural importance including the tree Guettarda krugii and a population of Argythamnia lucayana which is found growing in sand at the base of the ridge. The infrequently found cacti, Opuntia nashii and Pilosocereus milspaughii are also found growing at the top and on the slopes of the ridge. Two rare plants, the terrestrial orchid Malaxis spicata and the bromeliad Wittmackia lingulate also grow at this site.
Habitat and geology
This TIPA is a limestone ridge which extends up to 20-30 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest points in Middle Caicos. It consists almost entirely of limestone thicket, which is a nationally threated habitat formed on limestone rocks and marl which equally support a range of mixed plant species including broadleaf evergreen and drought deciduous species. The base of the ridge consists of a narrow band of coastal scrub and scrubland habitat. The habitats at this site are notable due to being in pristine condition due to a lack of anthropogenic disturbance or influence of grazing animals.
Conservation issues
The eastern end of this sites falls within the North, Middle and East Caicos Islands Nature Reserve (Ramsar Site) meaning it is formally protected from development. However, ridgetop development is highly sought after, potentially placing parts of this site at risk in the future. Poaching of Pseudophoenix palms from the site is also a threat, due to the species' popularity as a garden plant.
Site assessor(s)
Assessed by:
Bryan Naqqi Manco, Department for Environment and Coastal Resources, Turks and Caicos Government
Junel Blaise, Department for Environment and Coastal Resources, Turks and Caicos Government
Dodly Propser, Department for Environment and Coastal Resources, Turks and Caicos Government
Amy Barker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Sara Bárrios, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Elloise Budd, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Stuart Cable, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Colin Clubbe, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Marcella Corcoran, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Thomas Heller, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Juan Viruel, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Tim Wilkinson, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Date of first assessment: 14th Feb 2025
IPA criterion A species
| Species | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 1% of global population | ≥ 5% of national population | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Entire global population | Socio-economically important | Abundance at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamaecrista caribaea | A(i) |  |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Encyclia caicensis | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pseudophoenix sargentii | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Stenandrium carolinae | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Chamaecrista caribaea
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Encyclia caicensis
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Pseudophoenix sargentii
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Stenandrium carolinae
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks] | |
|
| Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland | |
Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks]
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants - Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Medium | Ongoing - trend unknown |
| Climate change & severe weather - Storms & flooding | High | Ongoing - increasing |
Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants - Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - trend unknown
Climate change & severe weather - Storms & flooding
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Recommended citation
Bryan Naqqi Manco, Junel Blaise, Dodly Propser, Amy Barker, Sara Bárrios, Elloise Budd, Stuart Cable, Colin Clubbe, Marcella Corcoran, Thomas Heller, Juan Viruel, Tim Wilkinson (2025) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Bambarra Ridge (Turks-Caicos Is.). https://tipas.kew.org/site/bambarra-ridge/ (Accessed on 20/06/2025)