Salt Cay

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, 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

North Salt Cay qualifies as a TIPA under all three criteria. It meets A(i) by supporting an inferred more than 1% of the global population of the threatened endemic Lepidium filicaule and by being one of the five best sites for the Endangered Ayenia tenuicaulis. It meets criterion B(iii) as it supports 12 species (more than or equal to 15%) from the list of socially, culturally or economically important species. Criterion C(iii) is also met, as it is one of the five best sites for both the coastal scrub and salina habitats.

This TIPA encompasses the northern half of Salt Cay, excluding Town Salina. It does not include the residential areas in the south district of Balfour Town, though does abut the edge of the residential areas of the North District north of Town Salina.

Lepidium filicaule, a minute and threatened endemic herb with a very short life cycle, is found in two sites within this TIPA; on a ridge near north-west point and by a pond north of the airport. Two additional threatened species occur here, Argythamni argentea and Ayenia tenuicaulis. The national flower of Turks and Caicos, Limonium bahamense, is found in the area between Taylor Hill and Town Salina. This is the densest population of the species within the TCI, making this site of high significance for this plant. Also found within this TIPA is a population of the rare freshwater fern Marsilea nashii.

Town Salina is one of the five best sites for the salina habitat in TCI. It is a hypersaline waterbody with anaerobic microorganisms in the soil-bed. Flooding of Town Salina supports the existence of the large area of palustrine marsh adjacent to it, which is vital to supporting the large population of Limonium bahamense found here. This palustrine marsh is an open area with soil which is encrusted with salt, supporting strictly halophytic plant species including Limonium.

In the north-west point area of the TIPA, a ridge with a steep southern slope and gentle northern slope towards the coast is found. This area consists of dwarf shrubland, limestone thicket and coastal scrub. The site is one of the five best sites for coastal scrub habitat, which forms in coastal areas from encroaching vegetation which covers the bordering sand dunes. Here, this habitat is important for supporting species such as Euphorbia lecheoides, Reynosia septentrionalis and Lantana involucrata.

Given its coastal setting, this area is highly threatened by further residential and tourist developments. Grazing by cattle and donkeys may also threaten some plant species, particularly herbaceous species such as Lepidium filicaule. Excessive flooding of the salina can salinate surrounding areas, potentially affecting the composition of species due to lower soil fertility.

Assessed by:

Bryan Naqqi Manco, Department for Environment and Coastal Resources, Turks and Caicos Government

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