Great Thatch Island

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance

The whole island has been identified as a TIPA for its botanical richness and importance for two globally threatened plants and six species of national high conservation importance.

The whole island has been identified as a TIPA. The island is uninhabited and has been proposed as a terrestrial National Park in the BVI protected areas system plan 2007-2017.

The Puerto Rican Bank endemic Erythrina eggersii (EN) is mainly found within this TIPA and Hawks Nest TIPA on Tortola in the BVI, growing in small patches of less disturbed Seasonally deciduous forest and woodland habitat in higher elevations (above 100m). It is found in the central part of this TIPA above Callwood’s Point. The small number of individuals of this species and its limited distribution in the BVI makes this population nationally important. A large population of the globally important Puerto Rico Bank endemic Agave missionum (VU), which is threatened by a non-native and invasive agave snout weevil, has been recorded from the coast to higher elevations (c.150m) in the central part of Great Thatch. The island is botanically rich with presence of six plant species of high conservation importance.

Despite this TIPA not qualifying for its threatened habitats, it does contain areas of Mangroves and Dry salt flats around the salt pond at The Hollow and Coastal shrublands along the coast. The main habitat type (c.85%) in this TIPA is Seasonally deciduous forest and woodland.

The island was inhabited in the 19th Century and ruins dating from the sugar plantation era remain. The major threats to this TIPA are grazing by feral animals, including goats, and invasive species of plants and animals, including mongoose. Future development near the historic sites for interpretation and tourism and potential concession development at the beaches might lead to vegetation disturbance within the TIPA. There is already one existing concession license that was granted by the Government but is not yet operational.

BVI TIPAs National Team, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands - BVI Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration