Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

The islands harbour 1,150 species of plant and 163 of fern, including 15 endemic flowering plants and 4 ferns, 7 species of amphibian, over 20 of reptile, 170 of bird, 22 of mammal, and 516 species of marine biodiversity [ ] 193 Innovations in reforestation In 1982, the World Resources Insti- tute determined that St. Vincent and the Grenadines possessed some of the largest examples of relatively unal- tered tropical rain and cloud forests in the Lesser Antilles. Most of St. Vin- cent’s natural forest is found in the island’s conservation corridor within the central mountain range. The forest inventory completed in 1993 indicated that the total forestland area was approximately 12,683ha and con- sisted of primary rainforest (4,306ha), secondary rainforest (3,450ha), and dry scrub woodland (2,178ha). In 2004, it was estimated that the islands contained about 12,748ha of tropical forests representing approx- imately 29 per cent of the land area. Natural forest constituted about 70 per cent of this area with planted forest and agro-forest representing about 25 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. Now, there is concern for the status of the islands’ forest. Forest loss is estimated to be at a rate of 3–5 per cent annually, due primar- ily to the encroachment of banana cultivation and illegal farming. The Forestry Department continues its reforestation efforts within upper and middle watershed areas, with the aim of increasing forest cover for soil and water conservation. Examples of such efforts include the reforestation of unstable lands and those unsuitable for agricultural activity within the Cumberland Forest Reserve, with the aim of preserving forest, protecting against sedimentation and improving the overall hydroelectric potential of the watershed. Further, reforestation efforts in the Montreal Watershed resulted in reduced land slippage and soil erosion and water sedimentation. In the past, reforestation efforts were concentrated in areas reclaimed from agricultural activity. Today the focus is also on areas reclaimed from marijuana farming. Mahogany (Swi- etenia macrophylla and S. Mahago- ni), and blue mahoe (Hibiscus elatus) are the prime species planted in reforestation activities. There is also a thrust towards establishing mixed plantations and agroforestry stands, allowing for the inclusion of indige- nous forest species and agricultural crop trees. Exotic and indigenous plantations help to meet increas- ing demand for local timber, poles, fuelwood, charcoal and handicraft species. Their production, howev- er, has been a low priority because planting efforts were committed to ‘protection’ rather than ‘production’ forests. Some 142ha of plantations have been established by the Forestry Department under its reforestation programme and are primarily located in Cumberland, Perseverance and Vermont Valleys. Petit Tabac St.Vincent and the Grenadines S t. Vincent and the Grenadines is an archipelagic state in the Eastern Caribbean. The main island, St. Vincent, is located to the north of the island archipelago. The Grenadines, a chain of 32 islands and cays, lie to the south, between St. Vincent and Grenada. The diverse physical features and climatic conditions of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have resulted in a variety of ecosystems such as forest, grassland, wetland, coastal and marine, which harbour and sustain high biodiversity and contribute to human wellbeing. To date, the country has recorded some 14 endemic animals, 19 endemic plants and 29 regionally endemic tree species. dchris on flickr