Protecting Key Habitats
Managed
Key Habitats of Saint Lucia
Three main habitats, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, support productive
fisheries, stabilize coastlines and host tourism activities.
• The Nature Conservancy conducted detailed benthic habitat mapping survey in
October 2015 (caribnode.org).
• Contiguous areas with corals, mangroves and seagrasses are important 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.
• New proposed managed areas will protect 29% more coral reefs, 2% more mangroves
and 27% more seagrass.
7 km 2 of
coral reef 51%
2.4 km 2 of mangroves 49%
37 km 2 of
seagrass 18%
Designated
Coral Mangrove Seagrass
Proposed
Not Protected
Saint Lucia’s Habitat Types
Threatened
Coral reefs: Variety of reefs. West coast: narrow shelf shallow
patch reefs, nearshore boulders with small corals, steep slope wall
reefs have high sponge and fish diversity. East coast: wide shallow
shelf, reef flats, numerous elkhorn in NE. South coast: patch reefs.
Shallow reefs most impacted by sediment from land clearing,
sewage runoff, pollution, high tourist use. All reefs vulnerable to
unsustainable fishing, coral bleaching/disease. Healthier reefs
provide greater shoreline protection, more food resources, and
higher economic and recreational benefits.
Mangroves: Highly productive forests in 14 areas. Red, black, and
white mangroves and buttonwood. East coast: Praslin, Fond D’Or.
North east: Esperance. South west: Laborie. South east: Savannes
Bay (Ramsar site), Scorpion Island (wildlife reserve) and Mankote
(largest, Ramsar site). Historic use for timber or charcoal. Pollution
and trash dumping impact mangroves. New efforts to protect
and increase sustainable use. Healthy mangroves provide habitat,
protect shorelines, and improve water quality.
Healthy
Steve Schill Frances Grenda
Saint Lucia National Trust Steve Schill
Steve Schill Frances Grenda
Seagrass: Rich seagrass meadows, more extensive on east and
southern coasts, in protected bays and patches on west coast.
Manatee, turtle, and some shoal grass species common. Invasive
seagrass very abundant, impact on native habitat unknown.
Seagrass beds provide key fish, conch, and lobster nursery areas
and sea turtle and bird foraging areas. Impacted from sediments,
pollution, direct damage. Healthy seagrass meadows stabilize
sediments, reduce beach erosion and improve water clarity.
Climate Change Impacts
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
5
Coral Parrotfish
Sponge Grouper
Seagrass Urchin
Mangrove Conch
Threats
Coastal development, dredging, sand mining
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/)