Protecting Key Habitats
Managed
Key Habitats of Dominica
Three main habitats, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, support fisheries,
stabilize coastlines and host tourism activities.
• Only 5% of seagrass, the most extensive habitat, is protected, with 0.7% new
proposed. Approximately 0.8% km 2 of coral reefs is within existing MMAs. The
designation of currently proposed MMAs would increase the amount of reef
protected. Only 19% of mangroves are protected. No additional mangrove area is
currently proposed for management.
• Healthy, intact corals, mangroves and seagrasses provide higher quality habitat,
food, shelter, nursery areas, and corridors for resident and transient species.
• Habitats are threatened by direct removal and damage, overfishing, human use,
coastal development, poor water quality, and global climate change.
• There is a lack of geospatial benthic habitat data, but detailed descriptions of coral
reefs are available. 1
Dominica’s Habitat Types 1
0.8 km 2 of n/a
0.8 km 2 of mangroves 19%
10 km 2 of
seagrass 5%
coral reef
Designated
Proposed
Not Protected
Threatened
Coral reefs cover 0.8 km 2 of the narrow, steep western shelf and
broader shallow east coast. The Northeast has the largest reef,
Calibishie, but west coast reefs, especially between Batali and
Mero, have higher coral cover, diversity and structural framework.
Most reefs are isolated not continuous, with 46 coral species. Reefs
include shallow patch reefs of pencil (Madracis auretenra) or finger
coral (Porites porites), fields of volcanic boulder rocks colonized by
small corals, deep (5-40 m) fringing reefs of mountainous star coral,
pencil or finger coral and remnant elkhorn (Acropora palmata).
Healthy
Sascha Steiner Sascha Steiner
Steve Schill Sascha Steiner
Mangroves are not common in Dominica and limited to only
two mangrove species - black (Avicennia germinans) and white
(Laguncularia racemosa) mangroves. White mangroves are found
near Cabrits on the northwest coast and black mangroves are
found at Bout Sable near La Plaine on the east coast. Although
uncommon, protecting these mangroves will provide habitat and
nursery areas, protect shorelines and improve water quality.
Seagrass
is the most extensive habitat. Species include
Syringodium filiforme (manatee grass), Thalassia testudinum (turtle
grass), Halodule wrightii and Halophila decipien. More seagrass
occurs along the west coast, even into deep waters. The largest
meadows, between Canefield to Point Ronde, have more manatee
grass. The NE and East coasts have turtle and manatee seagrass
in calm waters behind reefs and in bays (Marigot, Calibishie, Anse
Soldat, Hodges Bay). The invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea,
first observed in 2007, has replaced several native seagrasses on
the west coast and colonized new areas, but not found in NE areas.
Native seagrasses are impacted by sediment runoff and storms.
Steve Schill
Climate Change Impacts
5
Sasch Steiner
Biodiversity
Local and regional resource managers need
to incorporate planning for climate change in
their efforts to protect coral reefs.
Rising ocean temperatures increase coral
bleaching, disease and mortality
Oceans will become more acidic as more
atmospheric carbon dioxide is dissolved
reducing calcification in corals and other
calcifying animals
The intensity and frequency of hurricanes
will increase as oceans continue to warm
and will damage corals, coastlines and
infrastructure
Rising sea levels will flood coastal areas
and may reduce light in seagrass beds
and coral reefs
Coral Mangrove Seagrass
Coral Parrotfish
Sponge Grouper
Seagrass Urchin
Mangrove Conch
Threats
Coastal development, dredging
Land based sources of pollution
Unsustainable Tourism Hurricanes
Unsustainable fishing Rising temperatures
Symbol library courtesy
of the Integration and
Application Network,
University of Maryland
Center for Environmental
Science
(ian.umces.edu/symbols/)