East Caicos

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, C(iii)Site contains nationally threatened or restricted habitat or vegetation types, AND/OR habitats that have severely declined in extent nationally

The entire island of East Caicos qualifies as a TIPA under all three criteria. It meets criterion A(i) by supporting two of the five best sites in Turks and Caicos for the globally threatened tree Guaiacum officinale. It is also one of the five best sites for the threatened endemic herb Stenandrium carolinae and the threatened tree Zanthoxylum flavum. It is inferred to support more than 1% of the global population of the TCI endemic shrub Spermacoce capillaris and estimated to support more than 1% of the global population plus more than 5% of the national population of the related endemic shrub Spermacoce brittonii. Both species are threatened. Under criterion B, this site meets subcriteria B(ii) by supporting 19 species (greater than or equal to 20%) from the list of species of high conservation importance. It meets subcriteria B(iii) by supporting 36 species (greater than or equal to 15%) from the list of socially, culturally or economically important species. This site also qualifies under criterion C(iii) for threatened habitats, due to being one of the five best sites for six threatened habitats: coastal coppice, coastal scrub, ironshore, limestone thicket, palustrine marsh and palustrine swamp.

This TIPA encompasses the entirety of the island of East Caicos at the eastern end of the Caicos islands. The total land area is around 90 km2, with an additional 182 km2 of the total area comprising ponds, marsh, swamps and mangroves. East Caicos is unique in TCI due to having ridges orientated in both the north-south and east-west directions, a contributing factor to the unmatched plant diversity seen here as each ridge orientation supports a different species assemblage. The highest point in TCI, Flamingo Hill, is also found here and reaches 48 meters above sea level.

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This TIPA is a significant reservoir for plant diversity in Turks and Caicos, being the largest uninhabited island and supporting a diverse range of habitats. Seven threatened plant species have been recorded from here, including rare threatened endemics. It is one of the few known places in the islands for the threatened tree Guaiacum officinale, which is known from two sites on East Caicos. The threatened and highly range restricted endemic shrub Spermacoce capillaris grows on East Caicos at Flamingo Hill and the related species Spermacoce brittonii has a significant population along the north coast, where it is very common in primary dunes. This TIPA also supports a large population of the threatened endemic Stenandrium carolinae and populations of the threatened shrubs Argythamnia argentea, Chamaecrista caribaea and the endemic orchid Encyclia caicensis. Furthermore, the site supports a high diversity of Lucayan endemic species and is the site with the highest overall richness of species of high conservation importance, or with social, cultural or economic importance within the TCI TIPAs network. Notable species include the cacti Melocactus intortus, Mammillaria nivosa and Pilosocereus millspaughii, and the rare lithophytic orchid Encyclia correllii.

Given its large geographic extent and varied topography, this TIPA supports a wide diversity of habitats, many of which are nationally threatened. There are extensive areas of estuarine and palustrine habitats including mangrove swamp and palustrine marsh. In addition, East Caicos is one of the five best sites for coastal coppice, coastal scrub, ironshore, limestone thicket, palustrine marsh and palustrine swamp. The limestone thicket habitat found on East Caicos is distinct through the presence of secondary growth which results in dominance of the tree Busera simaruba.

The majority of terrestrial land is currently unprotected, though the wetland areas are protected within the RAMSAR site. Development of the island, which is currently uninhabited, has been somewhat considered, including construction of a roadway between East and Middle Caicos. To date no development has taken place on the island. Other threats to biodiversity come from the presence of donkeys and cows, whose grazing may have detrimental effects on some native plant species. Invasive plant species, notably Casuarina equesitifola, currently covers several kilometres of the northern coastline and has a detrimental impact on native plant species and habitat integrity.

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