Climate: Located within the Trade Wind belt, the island experiences average temperatures of 27 degrees C (79OF) and a relative humidity of 75%. Rainfall amounts show annual and spatial variation. Mean annual rainfall varies from 1,450 mm at Hewanorra in the South to 3,450 mm at Edmond Forest within the central ridge, with the island experiencing two distinct wet (June to December) and dry (January to May) seasons. Wet season rainfall is primarily cyclonic in origin and is spatially distributed with the northern and southern tips significantly drier, and the interior due to orographic effects, significantly wetter.
Climatic phenomena such as tropical cyclones and extensive dry periods (drought) also contribute significantly to land degradation, particularly with respect to the resultant accelerated short-term erosion. In September 1994 when the island was ravaged by Tropical Storm Debbie (TSD), antecedent rainfall conditions were such that soils were already saturated when TSD brought with it an estimated 25 centimetres of rain over a ten-hour period. This event resulted in widespread run-off, flooding, and massive landslides with soil, trees and crops being washed away and tons of debris deposited in rivers, on farmlands and on near shore coastal areas. It was estimated that as much as ten percent (10%) of agricultural land was lost due to land slippage, severe erosion and river relocation.
Forest ecosystems and soils: The island’s natural vegetation types have been classified into seven broad categories: Elfin Woodland, Montane Thicket, Lower Montane Rainforest, Secondary Forest, Savannah and Grazing Land and Dry Scrub Woodland. Soils have been divided into three mineralogical groupings , allophanes, kaolinites and montmorillonites. The allophone group is representative of younger soils and occupies the highest rainfall areas particularly in the south. Kaolinitic soils occupy the older land surfaces in high rainfall areas in the north and finally, the montmorillonites are located in the drier and some intermediate areas. The interior soils tend to be inherently more stable to surface erosion (good aggregation on account of extent of weathering), but are easily degraded once the forest cover particularly on steep slopes are removed. The montmorillonitic (expanding lattice) clays dominate the thin soils around the coastal areas and are highly erodible once the vegetation is disturbed.
The natural environment is characterized by small and fragile ecosystems, and by the high level of inter-connectivity among these and their natural functions. Less than 10% of the total land area occurs on slopes less than five (5) degrees (which translates to the need for the application of some type of soil conservation measure on more than 90% of the land area for any type of use). Activities occurring in one area can very rapidly have negative environmental impacts on surrounding ecosystems and in particular, changes taking place in upper watershed areas very rapidly impact on lower watershed and coastal areas.
Land use trends: According to the last major land use assessment carried out in 1992, rain-fed agriculture was the dominant land use, accounting for just over 55% of the total land area. Forest (all broad classes) accounted for just over 35%. The bulk of agricultural production (dominated by bananas) takes place within the flat alluvial plains of the major river valleys (such as the Roseau, Cul de Sac and Mabouya watersheds), extending to the mid-watershed reaches within the steep interior of the island. The areas along the coastal corridor tend to less suited to rain-fed cultivation on account of soil and water availability limitations. Other land uses account for a relatively minor proportion of the total land area (9.5%). The more heavily urbanized areas are clustered along the coastline and some areas in the interior where the settlement patterns tend to follow major roadways.
Forest cover was in 1992 estimated at 21,741 hectares although in the period 1977 to 1989 the area under forest had declined at a rate of 1.5% annually as lands were converted to agriculture due to a then expanding banana industry. Table 1 presents information on the land use categories for the island. Of the lands under forest a total of 7,500 hectares are found in the Government Forest Reserve, which is managed by the Department of Forestry. Rainforests are located in the central mountainous ridge with agriculture surrounding this central area as shown in Annex 1. In spite of the conversion of forests to agriculture, the 1996 agricultural census indicates a gradual decline in land under cultivation in particular in the productive land category. This is attributable to the transition from large estate holdings (categorized as farm lands under the census) with greater overall combined acreages to smaller, more numerous, intensively cultivated holdings with less cumulative land area.
Project ObjectiveThe overall objective of this Project is “Promote the advancement of research and learning in forest ecology and biodiversity in the Eastern Caribbean through the establishment of a “Biodiversity Research and Visitor Centre”.
The Concept Summary and Background
The project will meet the secondary objective of developing sustainable tourism and income generation in the southeast of St. Lucia through the promotion of eco-touristic activities.
The project seeks to establish a biodiversity research centre that is envisaged to be a center of excellence for studies in forest ecology and biodiversity in the Eastern Caribbean. It is anticipated that the centre will be networked to similar research institutions and universities within and outside the Caribbean region.
The facility will be established in the forested area in the upper reaches of the Fond watershed within residual lands that were part of the Patience Estate. Ownership of the Patience Estate has remained for several decades with a family whose members mostly reside in the United Kingdom. The lowlands of the estate were historically used for agricultural production, while the highlands in the interior were used for timber extraction. The timber was converted to wood products at a sawmill established by the management of the Patience Estate and later acquired and operated by the Government of St Lucia. The sawmill was closed in the early 90’s due to non-profitability and from that time, agricultural lots were dismembered from the estate and sold to the local community. In 1992 approximately 1,000 acres were acquired by the Government of St. Lucia for soil, water and biodiversity conservation. The residual lands now constitute some 200 acres located approximately three and one half miles inland from the east coast highway.
Site attributes
Topography: The Estate is located within the Fond Watershed that has its headwaters at the foothills of the highest mountains in the central spine of the island (near Mt. Gimie). The topography is varied, with precipitous slopes along the northern and southern boundaries of the watershed. Gentler slopes dominate the lower reaches of the watershed along the river channel, although at some locations the river has been deeply incised into the underlying bedrock giving rise to localized steep slopes in several areas.
Biodiversity: The lands at the highest elevations are still covered by climax lower montane rainforest. The dominant emergent tree species include balata (Manilkara bidentata), gommier (Dacryoides excelsa) and chatagnier (Slonea caribaea). The dominant overstorey typically stands at in excess of 100 feet above the forest floor. Secondary species that dominate the understorey are listed in the inventory of flora and Fauna.
Wildlife biodiversity associated with the forest at that location are similar to that found in the adjacent montane forest. Among the best known include the endangered St. Lucia Parrot (Amazona versicolor). Several endemic bird species are found in the forests at Patience Estate. These include the St. Lucia Oriole, the St. Lucia Pewee, the St. Lucia Warbler and the St. Lucia Blackfinch. Other relatively rare species include the Forest Thrush and the Bridled Quail Dove. The latter species are associated with relatively undisturbed close forest cover.
Mammals found in the area are similar to those found in the rest of the island. Agouti and the opossum are the larger mammal species. Rats and mice, in addition to mongoose and feral pigs are considered as pest species and of threat to native biodiversity. There are at least eight bat species thought to occur in the area. These include Artibeus jamaicensis, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Molossus, Ardops Nicholls, Monophyllus plethodon, Noctilio leporinus, Sturnira lilium, Tadarida brasiliensis.
Reptile biodiversity consists of lizards and snakes. The St. Lucia Anole (Anolis lucae), endemic to the island is found, in addition to the St. Lucia Pygmy Gecko (Sphaerodactylus microlepis), the House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) and St. Lucia anole (Anolis luceae) It is assumed the very rare St. Lucia Whiptail (Cnemidophorus vanzoi), only found on the Maria Islands (and a small population recently translocated to Praslin Island) was once found in the forests on the mainland. Three snake species are known to inhabit the area. These are the St. Lucia Boa Constrictor (Constrictor oraphias), the St. Lucia Viper (Bothrops caribbaeus) and the St. Lucia Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops bilineatus).
A complete list of wildlife biodiversity is contained in the inventory of flora and fauna.
Threats: The forests of St, Lucia have seen significant deforestation since the dawn of colonialism. Most of the lowland forests in the fertile river valleys were initially cleared to open up lands for sugar cultivation, while the hillside lands were cleared to cultivate tree crops. Timber extraction was a significant activity for building and boat construction. With the decline of the sugar industry and conversion to banana production in the 1960s, the rate of deforestation accelerated dramatically as lands in the interior were opened up with the establishment of farm access feeder road networks.
Similar trends occurred in the Patience Estate lands although development was restricted substantially to the lower elevations. As was the case with the other forested areas on the island, deforestation certainly resulted in loss of biodiversity, with the decline in the wildlife and plant species abundance and distribution. The threat for continued biodiversity loss remains, for as a small island state with limited land resources, development pressures can be expected to continue to place demands for land space. At the national policy level the principles of sustainable development have been adopted through the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and signature of the OECS St. Georges Principles of Sustainable Development. It is within this framework that land owners must be encouraged to wisely use their land resources to continue to conserve the unique natural attributes of St. Lucia. It is often through an economic platform that conservation can prevail; by counterbalancing the threat of destruction in short-term gain, to value-added through long-term sustainable use.
Description of Project outcomes
Demonstration of best practices: The project will involve the establishment of a Biodiversity Research and Visitor Centre with a focus for learning in the field of small island forest ecology. It is anticipated that this centre will be established in partnership with lead research institutes in tropical biodiversity in the wider Caribbean. This facility will be modeled around other such facilities that exist in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and closer to home, in Trinidad and Dominica. The Asa Wright Nature Centre in the Northern Range of Trinidad perhaps best exemplifies the type of concept that is being proposed.
The project envisages a first phase that includes the construction of a main research facility that will incorporate classroom and conference facilities, an interpretation centre, laboratory, living quarters and other ancillary facilities. Also included in the first phase is the construction of a network of forest trails through the property. The trail network will link with the hiking trial that was recently established on the Government Forest Reserve (Central Reserve A). A series of lookouts will be created on high vantage points to permit observation over the forest canopy.
The second phase will see the establishment of at least six eco-lodges for accommodation by visiting researchers and tourists. The lodges will be one-storey bungalows built to blend into the surroundings and sited in areas least prone to land degradation. All the buildings will maximize alternative energy sources and utilize low-impact waste disposal technologies. These will be considered “best practice” that can be replicated in mainstream construction practice.
Strategic alliances: Alliances will be established between tertiary level research institutions world-wide as a means to encourage research in areas of mutual interest to the country and the partner institution. The centre will serve as a training ground to build local capacities in biodiversity management.
The Department of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will be expected to be a major local technical counterpart, to provide strategic direction in research programmes. The learning center, which will spark conservation interest at primary to elementary school levels, will serve as an outdoor classroom for school children. This will augment the facility the Forestry Department currently manages at its headquarters at Union. The facility at Union combines an Interpretive Centre, Mini-zoo and nature trail through a dry woodland ecosystem. The main difference however is the fact that this facility is located in a wet montane forest ecosystem which contrasts to the site at Union.
Other local strategic alliances will be forged with the St. Lucia National Trust and the adjacent land owners and developers. Of special interest will be the forging of a partnership with the neighboring Le Paradis Resort that could not only be a source of visiting clients but a financial contributor and supporter to research activates. Other alliances will be established with other private eco-attractions in the country such as the Rainforest Skyrides (based at Chassin, Babonneau), Paradise Palm Services (based art Errand Estate). The visitor experience can be combined with other offerings at other locations such as horseback riding, ocean kayaking, bird and turtle watching.
Community benefits: The local communities of Praslin, Patience and Mon Repos will be among the front-line beneficiary communities. Community members will benefit in the short-term through provision of jobs in the establishment of the facility to be followed by the provision of services in the long-term to include tour-guiding, teaching, ground maintenance, food catering, sale of souvenirs.
Marketing and promotion: The center will be marketed and promoted through its research partners, its website and direct marketing outreach programme, and thorough the St. Lucia Tourist Board. The strength of its research programme will serve to promote the facility as a Centre for Excellence.
Financial viability: The Center will be sustained through revenue generated by visitation fees, contributions from partner agencies and funds raised in respect of enhancement of the facility.
Summary of Key Project Outcomes and OutputsThe following are the core project outcomes and outputs. More will likely be identified as the project is detailed.
Outcome 1: Contribution to biodiversity conservation through learning
- Output 1.1: A biodiversity research and learning center
- Output 1.2: Enhanced capacities built in local biodiversity managers amongst responsible state and non-state agencies
- Output 1.3: Increased public awareness and appreciation of St. Lucia’s biodiversity resources
- Output 1.4: Recognition of St, Lucia among the lead countries in the OECS pioneering forest biodiversity research
Outcome 2: Contribution to national economic growth
- Output 2.1: Eco-touristic lodges and visitor attractions
- Output 2.2: Improved livelihoods of residents in surrounding communities build on diversified incomes generated from the Centre
- Output 2.3: Expanded contribution to the local foreign exchange and the wider economy earnings through visitation (tourists and researchers)
Location and physical attribute Maps
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