Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information The Mandele dry forest has much to offer in terms of wildlife. The significance cannot be underestimated particularly with its association to endemic species. In addition to the White-breasted Thrasher, other species of great significance include the St. Lucia Oriole, The St. Lucia Black Finch, the St Lucia Peewee, the Antillean Euphonia, Bridled quail dove, Grey Trembler, Lesser Antillean flycatcher, three hummingbird species, Pearly-eyed and Scaly-breasted Thrashers and possibly the Rufous Nightjar. At some times of the year St Lucia Amazons forage at this site too, mainly in the upper elevations. Migratory birds species furthermore nest and roost in different locations in the area. The Magnificent Frigate bird is one such species.

Site description The Mandele dry forest is located on the eastern part of St. Lucia encompassed by Ravine Pascal to the north, Ravine Bourge to the south and on the northwest by the Dennery Water Works Forest Reserve. It is about 826 ha.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Anse Galet-Anse Cochon reefs	Marine Reserve	0	protected area contained by site	0
Fregate Islands	Nature Reserve	6	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Praslin Mangroves	Marine Reserve	0	protected area is adjacent to site	0

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity The agouti is found in the area. Also found are the boa constrictor and the fer-de-lance. Among the plants, the endangered Latanier palm is very significant to the area.

Management considerations Threats include: Deforestation – It is worth noting that indiscriminate harvesting of sapling poles for broom handles is slowly depleting the forest vegetation .A small portion along the Praslin River is under agricultural cultivation with bananas, coconuts and to a lesser extent cashew nuts and corn. Fires, usually contained within relatively small areas (few ha) are common Non-native predators – small Indian mongoose; black, brown rats Pollution – Application of agro-chemicals to crops maybe causing chemical pollution to the lower Praslin River, which discharges into Praslin Bay. The influx of those chemicals may be causing adverse effects to both freshwater and marine life Commercial Development – The development of a massive hotel will result in a significant depletion of the thrasher’s habitat.

Protection status Marine Reserve – Praslin Mangroves. This site was declared a marine reserve in 1986; Reef from Anse Galet to beach at Anse Cochon – declared a marine reserve in 1990. All sites are found within the IBA Projected PAs – Praslin Island, Nature reserve within DCG development area There are also Crown Lands at this site (e.g. around Bordelais) which may have the potential for future conservation management. The Praslin mangroves and Frigate Islands are protected areas adjacent to the proposed IBA

Conservation response In 2006 St Lucia Forestry Department (SLFD), Ministry of Agriculture, and The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DW) and carried out a two month project, funded by the Design Construction Group (DCG), to develop a monitoring programme and carry out a baseline survey of the White-breasted Thrasher (WBT) Ramphocinclus brachyurus sanctaeluciae. The data from the survey were used to assess the potential impact of the Le Paradis hotel and golf course. Monitoring will be ongoing.

Further web sources of information 

Site profile from Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean: key sites for conservation (BirdLife International 2008)

References Hudson L., Renard Y., and Romulus G. 1992. A system of protected areas for St. Lucia. St. Lucia National Trust, Castries St. Lucia biodiversity country report of St. Lucia. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 2000.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mandele Dry Forest. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013

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