Country: Turks-Caicos Is.
Administrative region: Grand Turk (Island)
Central co-ordinates: 21.48958 N, 71.14638 W
Area: 0.76km²
Qualifying IPA Criteria
A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species
IPA assessment rationale
This site qualifies under criterion A(i) as it is inferred to support more than 1% of the global population of the threatened endemic herb Lepidium filicaule.
Site description
This TIPA is situated to the north-west of Grand Turk. To the east it is bordered by North Creek. It encompasses the quarry site and former livestock drinking wells that is currently in use by the feral livestock. The area contains a shallow ephemeral brackish lens that is recharged by rainfall.
Botanical significance
This site supports an important population of Lepidium filicaule. Argythamnia argentea, a threatened shrub also grows here. Four species of high conservation importance occur here, including the Hatpin Sedge Eleocharis bahamensis. It is home to some rare aquatic plants, including the fern Marsilea nashii and Sesuvium humifusum. Towards the south of this TIPA is a single, very large Terminalia buceras tree, with a fused multi-trunk base. In the scrubland along the western coast, a very rare bromeliad in TCI can be found, Tillandsia recurvata.
Habitat and geology
This TIPA contains large areas of anthropogenic disturbed and altered habitats such as grasslands. Palustrine marsh is dominant around the ponds at North Wells, whilst the wider area is predominantly scrubland. This site also includes the only Oakbottom habitat outside of North Caicos and is where the single Terminalia tree grows.
Conservation issues
Grazing by donkeys may be influencing the botanical composition of the area, but they also help some native plants but eating the competitive grass species. Other invasive species that may be an issue in the area include the invasive Malagasy vine Cryptostegia grandiflora. Quarrying remains active in the area. Development on the coastal side of the TIPA is likely, but should be low density.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argythamnia argentea | A(i) |  |
|
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|
 |
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| Lepidium filicaule | A(i) | |
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Argythamnia argentea
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:
Lepidium filicaule
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | |
|
| Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Lowland Grassland | |
|
| Wetlands (inland) - Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools | |
Artificial - Terrestrial
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Lowland Grassland
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Wetlands (inland) - Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Energy production & mining - Mining & quarrying | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas | Low | Future - planned activity |
| Climate change & severe weather - Storms & flooding | High | Ongoing - increasing |
Agriculture & aquaculture - Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Energy production & mining - Mining & quarrying
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas
Severity:
Low
Timing:
Future - planned activity
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: North Wells (Turks-Caicos Is.). https://tipas.kew.org/site/north-wells/ (Accessed on 20/06/2025)