Country: Turks and Caicos Islands
Administrative region: Middle Caicos (Island)
Central co-ordinates: 21.78689 N, 71.65995 E
Area: 16.22km²
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 all three criteria. Under A(i), it qualifies due to being one of the five best sites for the threatened species Encyclia caicensis and is estimated to support more than 1% of the global population and more than 5% of the national population of Spermacoce brittonii. Under B(ii), this site qualifies by supporting 10 species (greater than or equal to 20%) from the list of species of high conservation importance and under B(iii) it qualifies by supporting 14 species of social, cultural or economic importance. It also meets criterion C(iii) by being one of the five best sites for three nationally threatened habitats: coastal coppice, coastal scrub and herbaceous dune.
Site description
Wild Cow Run is a 3 mile long, low lying peninsula situated on the north-eastern side of Middle Caicos. At its north-western end it is bounded by Haulover Point and south-eastern end by Cedar Point. It is separated on its western shore from the mainland of Middle Caicos by Lorimers and Increase Creek.
Botanical significance
The Lucayan endemic palm Coccthrinax inaguensis dominates the area to the west of the main road. Also found in this TIPA is one of the largest populations of Encyclia caicensis, which flowers here in the summer months, differing from other populations of the species which only flower between January and April. This, along with other morphological features such as flower colour, distinguishes this population from others of its species. The small endemic and threatened shrub, Spermacoce brittonii is also found scattered here, growing in areas where it is exposed to the sun. Four further threatened species grow here; the endemic threatened herb Lepidium filicaule was recently discovered here- the first record of it outside of Grand Turk and Salt Cay; the tree Zanthoxylum flavum; and the shrubs Argythamnia argentea and Chamaecrista caribaea. Several species of social, cultural or economic importance also grow here, such as Pilosocereus millspaughii, Reynosia septentrionalis and Turnera ulmifolia.
Habitat and geology
The majority of this site is dominated by coastal coppice and scrub, key habitats for Coccothrinax inaguensis which provides the only canopy cover for the area. The site is mainly compacted sand with large limestone pavements and is exposed, particularly on the shore-side. Mangrove habitat can be found on the western side of Wild Cow Run bordering Lorimers Creek and Increase Creek. The site also contains important areas of herbaceous dune habitat.
Conservation issues
The invasive pine tree Casuarina equesetifolia dominates the coastal border of Wild Cow Run, presenting a major fire hazard due to the accumulation of large quantities of pine needles. Development of the area is an upcoming threat and may result in the bulldozing of sand dunes. Severe storm surges, as a consequence of climate change may also impact this area.
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
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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| Lepidium filicaule | A(i) | |
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| Spermacoce brittonii | A(i) | |
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| Zanthoxylum flavum | 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:
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:
Spermacoce brittonii
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:
Zanthoxylum flavum
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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| Herbaceous dune | 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:
Herbaceous dune
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland | |
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| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest | |
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| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Forest Vegetation Above High Tide Level | |
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| Marine Coastal/Supratidal - Coastal Sand Dunes | |
Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Forest Vegetation Above High Tide Level
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Marine Coastal/Supratidal - Coastal Sand Dunes
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species | High | Ongoing - increasing |
| Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity | High | Ongoing - increasing |
| Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas | Medium | Future - planned activity |
| Climate change & severe weather - Storms & flooding | High | Ongoing - increasing |
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Future - planned activity
Climate change & severe weather - Storms & flooding
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Recommended citation
Bryan Naqqi Manco, Junel Blaise, Dodly Propser, Stuart Cable, Colin Clubbe, Marcella Corcoran, Thomas Heller, Juan Viruel, Tim Wilkinson (2025) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Wild Cow Run (Turks and Caicos Islands). https://tipas.kew.org/site/wild-cow-run/ (Accessed on 01/07/2025)