BEST III - Working document
Remark: This document gathers information from the list of references previously validated for the island. It is a
working document that will be implemented following your comments and corrections. It will be used as a guide
during the consultation process that will involve local governments, institutions and organizations.
The objectives are to identify and map Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in order to define conservation outcomes.
KBAs are defined at 3 ecological levels: (1) species, including: globally threatened species, restricted-range
species, and species gathering in important number during their life cycle; (2) sites: habitats that are home to the
species previously identified;habitats and ecosystems that play important ecological processes and contribute to
the persistence of biodiversity ; (3) ecological corridors: inter-connected landscapes of sites.
Regarding the information and references cited hereafter, a list of "potential KBAs" is proposed in App.2.
This is a working process that will be validated through the consultation of local actors.
Synthetic note-Saba
Saba island and the Saba Bank
Policy and Socioeconomic context

Political Status
- Saba is located in the northern Lesser Antilles (17°38'N, 63°13'W) about 45km
south-west of St Maarten and 25km north-west of St-Eustatius. Saba, with the
islands of Sint-Maarten and Sint-Eustatius, formed the Windward Islands of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saba is an extinct volcanic peak rising steeply to
887m at the top of Mount Scenery, the highest peak of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands.
- Since October 10th 2010, Saba (such as St-Eustatius and Bonaire) became a special
municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saba is an European Oversea Territory of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Demographic Trends and Socio-economic context (Central Bureau Statistics - Caribbean
Netherlands 2012)
- Area:13 km²
- EEZ: 9 644 km² (including the territorial sea: 1611 km²)
- Population:1 991 inhab., density: 153 inhab./km²
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BEST III - Working document
- GDP ($/ inhab.): 16 000
- Main economic activities: tourism, with associated service and construction industries. Ecotourism
is a significant part of Saba's economy (scuba-diving, hiking)
Protected and/or managed areas
 List of protected areas
- Saba Terrestrial Park (created in 1999 over 41 ha) is managed by Saba Conservation Foundation.
The Terrestrial Park includes the Elfin Forest Reserve from 550 m high to the top of Mount Scenery.
The property was donated by the Sulphur Mining Company to a US NGO called "Friends of Saba
Conservation Foundation" that supports conservation project on Saba. In 1999, the property was
officially turned over to the Saba Conservation Foundation. This protected area consists of the
nature park (35 ha) from Pirate Cliffs to the cloud forest at the peak of Mt Scenery at 877 m, the
highest point of the Kingdom, and is managed by Saba Conservation Foundation.
- Saba Trail System: Saba has an extensive nature trail system covering the whole island an
including many nature areas in addition to the top of mount scenery and the terrestrial park area.
Management of the trails has been given by the island government to the Saba Conservation
Foundation.
- Saba National Marine Park (created in 1987 over 1300 ha) is managed by Saba Conservation
Foundation, a non-profit and non-governmental organization. The Marine Park surrounds the island
(from high tide mark to 60m deep) and protects seagrass beds and spectacular coral pinnacles. This
MPA includes several marine no-take zones.
- Saba Bank National Park (created in 2010 over 268 000 ha) Management has been mandated by
the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to Saba Conservation Foundation through the Saba Bank
Management Unit. Saba Bank is located 4 km offshore from Saba island and measures 40 by 60 km.
It is considered a coral atoll, though wholly submerged, and it is the 3rd largest atoll in the world. The
Saba Bank is spectacularly rich in biodiversity, including extensive coral reefs, covering an estimated
150 km² area. It forms a flat-topped seamount rising 1,800 meters from the sea floor, crowned by a
ring of growing coral reef on its fringes. The summit never reaches the water’s surface. Most of the
bank lies at depths of 20 to 50 meters, but a large area to the east lies between 10 and 20 meters.
About one-third of the Saba Bank lies within Saban territorial waters with the rest in the Exclusive
Economic Zone waters. The Saba Bank has been noted as the area with the highest marine algae
diversity in the Caribbean.
On-going projects - Projects under study
- Designation of a shark and marine mammal sanctuary in the Caribbean waters of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands (Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan 2013-2017, Project "Save our sharks", Debrot
et al. 2011). Establishment of a Dutch Caribbean Shark National Plan Of Action (van Beek et al.
2014). This includes an outreach program to build support for shark protection and acoustic tagging
research to study shark movements.
- Goat reduction program, this program with Dutch funding started at the end of 2014 and aims to
reduce the free roaming goat population to manageable numbers.
- North Coast National Park. The island government is considering the possibilities of establishing
the entire northern quarter of the island, from the coast to the top of Mt. Scenery, as a National Park.
This would greatly increase the currently protected terrestrial area.
Action and management plans
- Saba Bank - Special Marine Area Management Plan (Lundvall, 2008)
- Management Plan - Saba Marine Park (Schults and Kooistra 1999, Saba Conservation Foundation)
- Saba National Marine Park - Lionfish response plan (Wulf 2010)
- Management Plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean (Meesters et al.
2010)
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Biological importance of the ecosystems
Species outcomes
 List of Taxa assessed as globally threatened (IUCN Red List). List of species are indicated in
Appendix 1.
Taxonomic
Group
Plants
Invertebrates
Critically
endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
- Corals
2
2
4
2 (rare)
2
5 (+ 6 occ.)
3 occ.
1
2 (+ 1 occ.)
(1 occ. species)
Total
3
Fishes
Sharks and Rays
Reptiles
Mammals
- Marine mammals
1
Total

List of species geographically restricted(References: Rojer 1997, DCNA 2012b, Sastre et Breuil
2007, New York Botanical Garden database, Paul Hoetjes personal communication 2015)
Taxonomic
group
Plants
Invertebrates
- Insects
Fishes
Amphibians
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Total
Number of endemic species
- 24 plant species restricted to the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico, including 4 species limited to only few islands (Chromolaena macrantha,
Begonia retusa, Agave karatto, Mitracarpus polycladus)
- 2 butterfly species endemic of the Lesser Antilles (Electrostrymon angerona,
Urbanus obscurus)
- 1 species endemic of Saba Bank (Labrisomidae fish species: Starksia williamsi)
- 1 species endemic of the Lesser Antilles (Caribbean tree frog Eleutherodactylus
johnstonei)
- 1 anole endemic of Saba (Saban anole Anolis sabanus)
- 1 gecko endemic of Saba and St Kitts Bank islands (Saba dwarf gecko
Sphaerodactylus sabanus)
- 1 snake endemic of Saba and St-Eustatius (Red-bellied racer Alsophis
rufiventris)
(- The Saban Iguana iguana is suspected of being an endemic subspecies (Paul
Hoetjes, personal communication 2015))
- 9 bird species restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico (with Euphonia
musica not observed since 1952)
- 1 bat species restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico (Antillean Fruiteating Bat Brachyphylla cavernarum)
- 2 species endemic strict of Saba island and Saba Bank
- 2 species restricted to islands of St. Kitts Bank
- 37 species restricted to the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands and Puerto-Rico
 Species aggregations / List of species occurring at key stages of their life-cycles
- The Saba Bank includes important fish spawning aggregation areas for 3 species (red hind, queen
triggerfish (locally called moonfish) and squirrelfish) (Lundvall 2008). A small area (2 km 2) on the
northeast edge of the Bank, called Moonfish Bank, has been identified as a spawning area for red
hinds (Epinephelus guttatus) and the vulnerable queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) (Lundvall 2008,
Kadison et al. 2009). Since 2013 this areas has been closed to fishing during the spawning months.
Other spawning aggregation areas, such as for squirrelfish but also for red hinds, are suspected on
the Bank but still need to be identified and located (Paul Hoetjes, personal communication 2015).
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BEST III - Working document
- 2 breeding seabird species congregate in important numbers on the island and nest on steep
cliffs and rocky hills around the island: the Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus, 2250-3000
breeding individuals) and the national bird of Saba, the Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri,
1000 breeding pairs). This bird species breeds only in the Thissell Park area.
- Together Saba and St. Eustatius are home to the Caribbean's largest nesting population of Redbilled Tropicbirds and may host the most significant breeding colony in the world (DCNA 2012).
About 3000 individuals are recorded on Saba coastlines, representing approx. 15% of the global
population (20,000 ind. in total, BirdLife International dataset, Rojer 1997, Brown et al. 2009).
Habitat outcomes
 Terrestrial areas (References: Rojer 1997)
- Coastal cliffs of 100 m high or more characterize the entire perimeter of the island and constitute
important habitat for breeding seabirds
- The area of the mountain above 450 m including secondary rainforest, ravine forest, tree-fern
brake and mountain formations:
- Secondary rainforests are observed between 420 and 650 m, this formation includes the
endangered Black Sweet Wood (Nectandra krugii). Secondary ravine rainforests are found on
Saba in deep ravines (this plant community is not the true rainforest that defines a climax
formation in the Caribbean).Secondary forest formations are important in the control of erosion.
- Tree-fern brake formations (secondary vegetation) develop at mid elevations under conditions
of high humidity.
- Mountain formations (above 750 m) are located at the top of Mount Scenery and consist of
Palm brake and Elfin woodlands communities. Elfin woodlands are composed mainly of
Mountain Mahogany (Freziera undulata), a plant species restricted to the Lesser Antilles, covered
by epiphytic plants and mosses. The mountain mahoganies of Saba grow higher than on any of
the other islands resulting in a unique type of elfin woodland.
- Rainforest and elfin forest have a high water retention potential and includes plant species endemic
of the Lesser Antilles, as well as bird species restricted to the region of the Lesser Antilles and
Puerto Rico (Eulampis jugularis, Cinclocerthia ruficauda, ...)
- These forests are home to amphibian, reptile and bird species restricted to the Lesser Antilles.
- There are no terrestrial wetlands on the island.
 Coastal areas
- The shoreline is dominated by xeric rocky hills and coastal cliffs all around Saba island. Coastal
cliffs are important breeding sites for seabird species and are identified as IBA.
- Islets of Green Island and Diamond Rock are small cays located off the north coast and constitute
birds roosting and breeding areas.
 Marine areas
- 2 sea turtle species occur in the waters around Saba, Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata.
Two more species are seen occasionally (Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea). Sea turtles used
to nest on 2 seasonal beaches, Well's Bay and Cave of Rum Bay (Rojer 1997). Presently, there is no
nesting area on Saba due to the presence of only small rubble-beaches and the lack of permanent
sand-beaches.
- Most individuals of hawksbill sea turtles are juveniles or sub-adults, suggesting that they forage
around Saba. Foraging areas are located along the south coast of Saba, around Green island, Core
Gut Bay and Corner Point (Swinkels 2004). Adult hawksbills have been seen foraging on the Saba
Bank.
- Coral reefs surround Saba island with dense patches of coral formations observed in the no-take
zones within the Marine Park.
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BEST III - Working document
- Unique diversity and structure of Saba's coral reefs composed by 5 types of reefs: 1) seamounts or
pinnacles, 2) deep patch reefs, 3) encrusted boulders, 4) walls, 5) true reefs (built by living
organisms such as corals) (Schults and Kooistra 1999)
- The Saba Bank is located 4 km southwest from Saba (17°25'N, 63°30'W), separated by a channel
of more than 500 m deep, and forms a submerged seamount with a ring of actively growing coral
reefs. It covers an area of 185 000ha (above the 50m isobath) and rises to an average depth of 24m
below the sea surface. It is considered as the largest submerged atoll in the Atlantic Ocean and the
3rd largest atoll in the world (Lundvall 2008). About 10 globally threatened species (CR, EN, VU) are
observed on the Saba Bank (Lundvall 2008).
On the eastern edge of the Bank coral reefs grow over a 55 km long fringe. The coral reefs of the
Saba Bank are relatively remote from intense human impact and may provide a reserve of
biodiversity (through larval dispersal) for the region. Two marine habitat are represented within the
Saba Bank: the pelagic habitat (with fish, sharks and rays, sea turtles, cetaceans), the benthic
habitat (with coral reefs, sponges and algae and their associated fauna) (Lundvall 2008).
- The Saba Bank is an important spawning area for fish species such as red hind, queen triggerfish
(locally called moonfish) and squirrelfish. On the Bank, fish assemblages show a relatively high
abundance of large predators (i.e. groupers, sharks) that are generally considered as an indicator of
good ecosystem health (Toller et al. 2010).
- Seabird densities on Saba Bank averaged two times higher than off the Bank (Postma and Nijkamp
(1996).
 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) (References: Collier and Brown 2009)
- The Eastern Caribbean Islands are important resting areas for migratory birds (winter or summer
transient species) that can rest and forage before travelling on to their northern or southern
migrations.
- Of the 87 bird species recorded on the island, 26 species breed and 36 are regular Neotropical
migratory birds. However, Saba is too small to hold significant populations of migratory bird
populations.
- 1 IBA is identified from the coast to 400m inland around the perimeter of Saba and up to 1km over
the sea. The IBA covers 2145 ha of terrestrial and marine habitats, including Green Island and
Diamond Rock. Besides the coastal area of Saba Terrestrial National Park, there is no legal
protection over the remaining terrestrial part of the IBA.
- 8 (out of 38) bird species have a range restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto-Rico, none of
these is strictly endemic to Saba. A ninth restricted-range bird species, the Antillean Euphonia
(Euphonia musica) has not been observed on the island since 1952 and is probably extirpated.
Numbers of the Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea) have declined dramatically over the last
10 years and may also be heading for extinction on the island, as a result of predation and hurricane
impacts.
 Areas for mammals
- Caves located in the southwestern part of the island harbor the Antillean Fruit-eating Bat
(Brachyphylla cavernarum), a species restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto-Rico (Rojer 1997).
 Corridors
- Saba Bank may be considered as an important Caribbean reef habitat due to its large extent and its
upstream position relative to the northern Antilles and Meso-American Barrier Reef (Hoetjes and
Wulf 2012).Saba Bank is affected by the Antilles Current that flows northward east of the Antilles.
Sea-current patterns occurring on Saba Bank suggest that these coral reefs are potentially important
source of fish and invertebrate larval dispersal to neighboring islands (Saba, St-Maarten, Virgin
islands) and to islands in the eastern Greater Antilles (Lundvall 2008). A recent genetic connectivity
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BEST III - Working document
study of Saba Bank by IMARES (Becking and de Bakker, 2015) detected gene flow for the coral
Orbicularis cavernosa and the sponge Xestospongia muta within the Saba Bank as well as between
the populations on the Saba bank and those at the nearby islands.
- Saba Bank is an important area for cetaceans (including spermwhales and humpback whales) and
is linked to other breeding sites of humpback whales in the Caribbean (i.e. Silver Bank) (Hoetjes and
Wulf 2012). The vulnerable Spermwhale, Physeter macrocephalus, occurs on the Saba Bank
(Debrot et al. 2013).
International recognition of natural habitats and wildlife
- SPAW has recognized the Saba Bank National Park (268 000 ha) and the Saba National Marine
Park (1300 ha), as protected areas with particular importance for the Wider Caribbean Region
- The Saba Bank is recognized as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) (no-anchoring zone, avoidance of the area by vessels over 300 gross
tonnage)
- The Saba Bank has also been acknowledged by the CBD (the Convention of Biological Diversity)
as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA)
- 1 Important Bird Areas (IBA) is located all around Saba island (2000 ha).
International Treaties and Conventions
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
- the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider
Caribbean Region with the SPAW Protocol (concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife)
- the Bonn Convention (or the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
- Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC)
- Convention for Migratory Species (CMS 1985), Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of
migratory sharks (MoU Sharks, 2011)
- International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MarPol)
National Legislation
- Nature Policy Plan, Caribbean Netherlands (2013-2017)
- Nature Conservation Framework Act BES (Bonaire-St. Eustatius-Saba) (Stb. 2010, 565)
- Fisheries Act BES(Stb. 2010, 566) and Fisheries Decree BES (Stb. 2010, 572): regulations regarding fishing in
the territorial sea and the EEZ of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.- National Maritime Management Act BES (Stb.
2010, 626, amended Stb. 2011, 33)
- Regulation designating Saba Bank as Nature Park (Nat. Gaz. 2010-20424
- Regulation prohibiting ship traffic over the Saba Bank (Nat. Gaz. 2013-14291)
- National Ordinance for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (PB 1993, no. 108)
- National Ordinance on Civil Liability Oil Tankers (PB 1998, no. 169)
- National Oil Pollution Compensation Ordinance (PB 1998, no. 170)
Saba legislation
- Marine Environment Ordinance (1987), designated the Saba Marine Park, its zoning and regulations.
- Exotic Species Ordinance and Ordinance on the Identification and Registration of Livestock and Domestic
Animals: legislative efforts to recognize and control threats from non-native and alien exotic species.
- Saba Marine Environment Ordinance of (1987): establishment of Saba Marine Park
Socio-economicand civil society context
 List of local institutions and organizations
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BEST III - Working document
SABA
Special municipality of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands
Government of the Netherlands
Government of the Netherlands
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Directorate-General for the Environment and International Affairs (DGMI)
Minstry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I)
Island Government of Saba
NGOs
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)
Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF)
Saba Bank Management Organization (SBMO)
Sea and Learn Foundation
Saba Archaeological Center (Sabarc)
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)
Vogelbescherming Nederland - BirdLife
International
DCNA is a regional network of nature conservation organisations. This NGO supports nature
conservation activities of national and local institutions which are responsible for the
conservation of nature, species and or management of protected areas and other areas of high
natural value in the Dutch Caribbean.
NGO managing Saba National Marine Park, Saba Bank National Park and Saba National
Terrestrial Park. This local NGO is also in charge of managing the Saba Trail network, Saba
Trail and information center.
NGO in charge of the management and conservation of the natural and economic resources
within the Saba Bank National Park
Non-profit foundation that brings together the local community, diverse nature experts and
visitors to understand the value of nature, both worldwide and locally on Saba.
NGO that strives for the preservation of Saba's cultural heritage. Involvment of local youth and
community in archaeology and heritage programs and surveys.
Foundation for environmental education and awareness. EPIC’s mission is to protect the
Caribbean environment through research and community based action. Projects on Saba focus
on bird research and environmental outreach and education.
Nongovernmental conservation organization associated to the International Organization
BirdLife. The NGO has a special focus on bird conservation and conduct surveys in the Dutch
Caribbean.
Research institutions
IMARES UR
NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea research
Amherst College (USA)
National Museum of Natural History, Netherlands
(Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie)

Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies based in Wageningen (Netherlands).
IMARES is commisoned by the Ministry of EL&I and provide researchers and expertise for
monitoring and research work on Saba island and Saba Bank.
NIOZ is the national oceanographic institution for the Netherlands, it facilitates and supports
fundamental as well as applied marine research and education in the Netherlands and Europe.
Participation to bird surveys on Saba.
Research surveys conducted in the Windward Islands (Saba including the Saba Bank, St.
Eustatius, St. Martin)
Major sources of funding
Please complete the table below by providing information on the funding dedicated to the conservation of
biodiversity in the territory.May you indicate projects that have been funded in the last 5 years ?
Source of funding
Admission Fees/Service
- DCNA-Trust fund for the Dutch
Antilles: funds from Dutch Ministry
of the Interior, Dutch Postcode
Lottery
Government's subsidies
Donations and souvenir sales
Grants
Other incomes
Emergency Funding (DCNA Trust
Fund): Installation of the island's
hyperbaric chamber facility (DCNA
Trust fund)
Ministry of Economic Affairs of the
Netherlands
Amount (US$) (year)
84,007 (2012)
166,750 (2012)
Beneficiaries
Saba Conservation Foundation
Saba Conservation Foundation
52,226 (2012)
17,669 (2012)
157,820 (2012)
9,659 (2012)
33,000 (2012)
Saba Conservation Foundation
Saba Conservation Foundation
Saba Conservation Foundation
Saba Conservation Foundation
Saba Conservation Foundation
$135.000/year
Saba Conservation Foundation for
Saba Bank Management Unit
- Lack of funding
Specify here the identified lack of funding dedicated to particular actions or projects for the conservation
of biodiversity on Saba (both terrestrial and marine actions).
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BEST III - Working document
References
Becking, L. E. and D. de Bakker. 2015. Genetic diversity and connectivity of populations on the Saba Bank.
IMARES Report number C015/15
BirdLife International. Database on IBAs and bird species: http://www.birdlife.org/
Brown A., Collier N., Debrot A., Del Nevo A. & Wells J. 2009. Dutch Caribbean. Pp 179 – 188 In C. Devenish, D.
F. DíazFernández, R. P. Clay, I. Davidson & I. YépezZabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites
for biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16.
Collier N. and Brown A. 2009. Important Birds Areas: Saba. BirdLife Conservation. Pp 259-262. In C. Devenish,
D. F. DíazFernández, R. P. Clay, I. Davidson & I. YépezZabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority
sites for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16.
Debrot, A.O.; Graaf, M. de; Henkens, R.; Meesters, H.W.G.; Slijkerman, D.M.E. 2011. A status report of nature
policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean over the last 10 years and recommendations
towards the Nature Policy Plan 2012 - 2017. IMARES Report C065/11.
Debrot A. O. et al. 2013. Marine Mammals of the Northeastern Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands: Saba, St. Eustatius, St.
Maarten, and the Saba Bank. Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol.47, No.2-3, 159-172.
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2012a. DCNA Annual Report 2012, 82p.
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2012b. Special Species List - Dutch Caribbean Key Conservation Species
(December 2012)
Hoetjes P. and Wulf K. 2012. Report concerning the inclusion of Saba Bank National Park in the SPAW list.
UNEP-SPAW-RAC Report. 27p.
Kadison E., Nemeth R.S., Blondeau J.E. 2009. Assessment of an unprotected red hind (Epinephelusguttatus)
spawning aggregation on Saba Bank in the Netherlands Antilles. Bulletin of Marine Science, 85(1): 101-118.
Lundvall S. 2008. Saba Bank: Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008. 75p + app.
Meesters E., Slijkerman D., de Graaf M. & Debrot D. 2010. Management plan for the natural resources of the
EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean. IMARES Wageningen Report N. C100/10, 93p.
New York Botanical Garden (S. A. Mori, W. R. Buck, C. A. Gracie, & M. Tulig). Plants and lichens of Saba.
Collaborative project between The New York Botanical Garden, the Saba Conservation Foundation and
Conservation International: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/saba/
Postma, T.A.C. and H. Nijkamp. 1996. Seabirds, marine mammals and human activities on the Saba Bank.
Field observations made during the Tydeman expedition, April-May 1996. AIDEnvironment, report. 25 pp.
Rojer A. 1997. Biological inventory of Saba. Unpublished report, 86p.
Sastre C. et Breuil A. 2007. Plantes, milieux et paysages des Antilles françaises. Ecologie, biologie,
identification, protection et usages. Parthénope Collection. 672p.
Schults E.G. and Kooistra D. 1999. Management Plan Saba Marine Park. Saba Conservation Foundation. 44p.
Swinkels J.L. 2004. Status of the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelysimbricata) on the Dutch Caribbean Islands of St.
Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba. Unpublished. 55p.
Toller W, Debrot AO, Vermeij MJA, Hoetjes PC (2010) Reef Fishes of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles:
Assemblage Structure across a Gradient of Habitat Types. PLoS ONE 5(5): 1-13.
UICN Redlist http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (Data of September 2014)
van Beek I.J.M., Debrot A.O., Walker P.A. and Kingma I. 2014. Shark protection plan for the Dutch Caribbean
EEZ. ImaresWageningen UR Report number C209/13, 96p + app.
Wulf K. 2010. Saba National Marine Park Lionfish Response Plan 2010. STENAPA. 19p + app.
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App1. List of threatened species. References: UICN RedList,DCNA 2012b - Dutch Caribbean Species of High
Conservation Value, Lundvall 2008, New York Botanical Garden database, Rojer 1997, van Beek et al. 2014
Taxonomicgroup
Plants
EN
Corals
CR
EN
VU
Fish
CR
EN
VU
Threatened species
Nectandra krugii, Swietenia mahagoni, Guaiacum officinale
Acropora cervicornis, Acropora palmata
Montastraea annularis, Montastraea faveolata
Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea franksi
Epinephelus itajara (rare), Hyporthodus nigritus (rare)
Starksia williamsi, Epinephelus striatus
Balistes vetula,( ), Hyporthodus flavolimbatus (occ), Hyporthodus niveatus (occ),
Kajikia albida (occ), Makaira nigricans (occ), Lachnolaimus maximus, Lutjanus analis,
Lutjanus cyanopterus (occ), Megalops atlanticus (common), Mycteroperca
interstitialis, Scarus guacamaia (occ)
Sharks and rays
VU
Manta birostris (occ), Rhincodon typus (occ), Sphyrna zygaena (occ)
Reptiles
CR
EN
Eretmochelys imbricata
Alsophis rufiventris, Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta (occ)
VU
Mammals
VU
Dermochelys coriacea (occ)
Physeter macrocephalus
* Occ., Occasional species are not considered for the identification of KBAs.
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BEST III - Working document
App2.Potential KBAs identified on the territory and justification following selected criteria.
N. Potential
KBA
Potential KBAs
Saba National
Terrestrial Park
(including Mount
Scenery Reserve)
Justification
Plants
- Presence of threatened: Black Sweet Wood
(Nectandra krugii), Pockwood (Guaiacum
officinale)
- Presence of restricted-range plant species,
including species endemic to few islands of the
Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico: Clidemia
umbrosa, Cordia nesophila, Tabebuia pallida,
Chromolaena macrantha, Begonia retusa,
Charianthus purpureus, Freziera undulata,
Marila racemosa, Sloanea truncata, Marcgravia
umbellata, Cyathea muricata, Agave karatto,
Monstera adansonii, Vriesea antillana, Justicia
eustachiana, Clusia major, Galactia rubra,
Gesneria ventricosa, Isachne disperma,
Mitracarpus polycladus
- Elfin forests are mainly composed by Mountain
Mahogany (Freziera undulata), a plant species
restricted to the Lesser Antilles
KBA1
Invertebrates
- Presence of butterfly species endemic of the
Lesser Antilles (Electrostrymon angerona,
Urbanus obscurus, Wallengrenia ophites)
- Presence of Orthoptera endemic of the Lesser
Antilles (Amphiacusta saba, Nesonotus tricornis,
Orophus decoratus, Orocharis fulvescens)
Reptiles
- These forests are home to reptile species
endemic of Saba (Saban anole Anolis sabanus)
and of St Kitts bank (Saba dwarf gecko
Sphaerodactylus sabanus), and to the
endangered Red-bellied racer (Alsophis
rufiventrus)
- Presence of bird species restricted to the
region of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico:
Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda),
Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis),
Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus)
Saba's IBA
KBA 2
- Presence of 8 bird species endemic of the
Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico: Brown
Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda), Scalybreasted Trasher (Margarops fuscus),
Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica), Bridled
Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea), Antillean
Crested Hummingbird (Orthorynchus cristatus),
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Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis),
Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus),
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis).
Saba National Marine
Park
KBA 3
Caves of Great Hill
(Caves Tentpoint and
Fort Bay)
Saba Bank National
Park
KBA 4
- Important congregation of breeding seabird
populations: Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon
aethereus), Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus
lherminieri)
- Presence of coral reefs with high coral
coverage and the presence of threatened
species: Acropora palmata, Acropora
cervicornis, Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra
cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea
annularis, Montastraea faveolata, Montastraea
franksi
- Presence of threatened sea turtles:
Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas
- Presence of bat species endemic of the Lesser
Antilles and Puerto Rico: Antillean Fruit-eating
Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum)
- Caves of Tentpoint and Fort Bay are included
within the KBA 2.
- Presence of coral reefs with high coral
coverage and the presence of threatened
species: Acropora cervicornis, Agaricia
lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia
stokesii, Montastraea annularis, Montastraea
faveolata, Montastraea franksi
- Presence of the endemic and threatened fish
species (Labrisomidae Starksia williamsi)
- Presence of threatened fish species: Nassau
Grouper (Epinephelus striatus), Yellowedge
Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus),
Yellowmouth grouper (Mycteroperca
interstitialis), Snowy grouper (Hyporthodus
niveatus), Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus),
Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis), Cubera
Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus), Rainbow
Parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia occ.*), Atlantic
Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara occ.*)
- Moonfish Bank: Fish spawning area for red
hinds (Epinephelus guttatus) and queen
triggerfish (Balistes vetula)
- Presence of threatened shark species: Whale
Shark (Rhincodon typus, occ.*), great
hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena, occ)
- Important source of invertebrate (corals) and
fishes larval dispersal to coral reefs of the
neighboring islands
- Presence of threatened sea turtles:
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Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas
- Presence of threatened marine mammal
species (Physeter macrocephalus) and
important breeding site for humpback whales
(Megaptera novaeangliae)
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Map of Potential KBAs proposed for Saba: KBAs 1-2-3
Map of Potential KBAs proposed for Saba: KBA 4 Saba Bank
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Information on Audubon's Shearwater
Audubon’s Shearwater surveyed on Saba
The Audubon’s Shearwater, also known locally as the Wedrego, is
Saba’s national bird and it’s displayed prominently on the island’s
coat of arms. It is notoriously difficult to survey the Wedrego due
to its secretive behavior and the steep and dangerous terrain it
favours. This seabird spends much of its time out at sea, feeding
out in the ocean during the day, and only returning at night to its
breeding grounds on Saba and other islands, where it is believed
to nest in underground burrows or similarly concealed locations.
Historically, surveys on Saba for the Audubon’s Shearwater have
only been successful at determining the continuing presence of
Wedregos on island, but it has been difficult to locate nest areas,
flight paths, and populations.
Funded by Vogelbescherming Nederland (BirdLife Holland),
through the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), an expedition led by EPIC (Environmental
Protection in the Caribbean) in conjunction with Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), used RADAR
to monitor the status and distribution of Audubon’s Shearwaters (Wedrego) on and around Saba.
Biologists spent seven days in mid-December searching for and monitoring shearwaters.
The team surveyed most of the island including Wells Bay, The Bottom, Windwardside, Hell’s Gate,
and Sulphur Mine. Shearwaters were detected at all surveyed locations and over 450 birds were
recorded. Shearwaters were found to fly up numerous valleys on the island towards prominent
cliffs.
Kai Wulf, SCF’s Parks Manager, said regarding the work, “Locals are very concerned about the
status of their national bird and relieved to hear that there still is a lot of activity. However, we are
wary about the impacts of invasive predators, specifically feral cats; and it is important to continue
monitoring developments and keep up
efforts to reduce threats to the vulnerable
local seabird nesting colonies.”
“This is an excellent example of the kind of
partnership
between
conservation
organizations, which DCNA is proud to
support,” said DCNA’s Executive Director,
Kalli De Meyer. “It uses emerging science to
give us new insights into these elusive and
iconic birds, addressing a need identified in
our Biodiversity and filling another gap in our
knowledge about the birds on our islands.”
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