The Gulf

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, A(iii)Site contains one or more highly restricted endemic species that are potentially threatened

This site qualifies as a TIPA under criterion A(iii) due to being the only known site (thus greater than or equal to 5% of the national population) in Turks and Caicos for the highly restricted Lucayan endemic grass species, Aristida correlliae. Additionally, it qualifies under A(i) due to being one of the five best sites for the threatened species Encyclia caicensis and Ayenia tenuicaulis, and is estimated to support more than 1% of the global population and more than 5% of the national population of Spermacoce brittonii

This TIPA extends from South Caicos Airport runway and is bounded by mangroves on its western edge, the salina on its eastern edge and the northern end of Cockburn Harbour at its southern extent.

This site, despite high levels of disturbance, still supports a diverse range of species. Three globally threatened species (Ayenia tenuicaulis, Encyclia caicensis, Spermacoce brittonii) are found here. Also found at this site is the Lucayan endemic grass, Aristida correlliae, which is only known in Turks and Caicos from this site. This species is very poorly known and is currently assessed as Data Deficient. The site is heavily disturbed, and the species has not been recorded since its discovery in 1988 despite recent targeted searches, meaning it could be threatened. At least nine species of social, cultural or economic importance occur here, including the Turks Head Cactus Melocactus intortus, which is nationally uncommon and found at only a few sites in the archipelago. It is scattered and rare on South Caicos

The primary habitat at this site is open scrubland, with pockets of the threatened habitat, palustrine marsh. In the north-eastern corner of the site, the palustrine marsh is hyper-saline due to its proximity with the adjacent salina. The remainder of the site is heavily disturbed and altered by roads, residential and commercial areas and grazing animals. The open areas created by disturbances can be beneficial to some species, by creating more spaces for them to occur, despite the threat from grazing animals. Important species benefitting from these open areas include Mosquito Bush Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus.

This site does not fall within the boundary of any protected area and the site is at further risk from urban sprawl from Cockburn Town or expansion of the South Caicos Airport. There is already significant disturbance across the site, and parts of the area are used to dump household waste, contributing to an overall degradation in habitat quality. There may be heavy impacts from donkeys and cattle who can trample or graze on native vegetation. Poaching of Turks Head Cactus is also a plausible threat here.

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