Country: Turks-Caicos Is.
Administrative region: North Caicos (Island)
Central co-ordinates: 21.95543 N, 72.01063 W
Area: 0.95km²
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, C(iii)Site contains nationally threatened or restricted habitat or vegetation types, AND/OR habitats that have severely declined in extent nationally
IPA assessment rationale
This site qualifies as a TIPA under criterion A(i), as it is one of the five best sites in Turks and Caicos for the threatened orchid Encyclia caicensis and the shrub Chamaecrista caribaea. The site supports 9 species of high conservation importance and 18 species from the list of social, culturally or economically important species, meeting the criteria for B(ii) and B(iii). This TIPA is also one of the five best sites for the coastal coppice habitat which occurs along the northern boundary of this site, meeting criterion C(iii).
Site description
This site is situated on the north-western coast of North Caicos and encompasses the area immediately surrounding the northern side of Mud Hole Pond and Pumpkin Bluff Pond, extending as far as Whitby.
Botanical significance
This site is one of the most important sites for the threatened orchid Encyclia caicensis and Chamaecrista caribaea. A third threatened species, Argythamnia argrentea also grows here. Species of high conservation importance include Coccothrinax inaguensis, which is the dominant tree of the coastal coppice habitat and a critical phorophyte for Encyclia caicensis.
Habitat and geology
This site is predominantly coastal coppice and is one of the best sites for this threatened habitat in TCI. Coastal scrub is the second largest habitat within this TIPA and supports salt and drought adapted plant species. Also found at this site are small areas of limestone thicket and palustrine swamp, also nationally threatened habitats.
Conservation issues
This site is vulnerable to development, as its location is very desirable for tourism. Some development has already taken place around Three Mary Cays, though has largely remained sympathetic to natural vegetation. Fire is also a significant threat here, and a fire at Whitby Haven in 2022 destroyed some of the coastal coppice. This habitat is highly sensitive to disturbance and fires.
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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| Chamaecrista caribaea | A(i) | |
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| Encyclia caicensis | 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:
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:
IPA criterion C qualifying habitats
| Habitat | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 5% of national resource | ≥ 10% of national resource | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Areal coverage at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal coppice | C(iii) | |
|
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Coastal coppice
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest | |
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| Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools | |
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| Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland | |
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity | High | Ongoing - increasing |
| Climate change & severe weather - Storms & flooding | High | Ongoing - increasing |
Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
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: Pumpkin Bluff and Three Mary Cays (Turks-Caicos Is.). https://tipas.kew.org/site/pumpkin-bluff-and-three-mary-cays/ (Accessed on 20/06/2025)