Map of the Turks and Caicos Islands (click to view full-size)
Background information
Legislation regarding biodiversity and impact assessment
International
The Turks and Caicos Islands are included within the UK's ratification of the following:
- World Heritage Convention
- Ramsar Convention
- Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention) Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
- Convention on Migratory Species
- International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling
National
National legislation is covered by the following:
- The National Parks Ordinance 1992
- Wild Birds Protection Ordinance 1990
- Fisheries Protection Ordinance 1941
Further information regarding this legislation can be found through the legislation pages.
Key development areas and issues
As with most other Caribbean island states, tourism is the key economic activity, with offshore finance and fishing also important - the latter the most important activity in social terms. Development of the islands also appears to occur without much regard to biodiversity or protected area concerns.
Biodiversity interest
Key fishery species are the spiny lobster Panularis argus and the queen conch Strombus gigas. Both island chains are based on limestone platforms, the larger being the Caicos bank, at some 8,000km2. Reef communities currently (1999) show little evidence of human action, although the impacts of intensive diving in some areas and the possibility of major construction work both threaten reef integrity at least locally. Mangroves occur around much of the islands, although the extent of the habitat is fairly small, being inhibited by intense wave action.
In terms of terrestrial vegetation, the island groups are quite different: The Turks are covered by scrubby forest on poor-quality soils, whilst the Caicos have a scrub-bush and cactus understorey below low trees on relatively fertile soils. Whilst there are only nine strictly endemic species of plant, over 40 of the species endemic to the larger Bahamas archipelago are present [link table]. Seven species of herptile are endemic to the islands, and are probably under threat from non-native mammals, particularly domestic dogs and cats. The three marine turtle species recorded breed on numerous small cays. Bird and mammal fauna are not particularly diverse or threatened, although Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandi (VU) and West Indian Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arborea (VU) occur, the former as a wintering visitor.
Native reptiles threatened by feral and domestic animals, as with other Caribbean islands. Predation, competition and loss of nesting habitat are the key problems. Eradication projects are in hand (Varnham 2006).
Protected Areas
One Ramsar site has been designated in the islands, with another six proposed. The designated site, North, Middle and East Caicos Islands, covers some 58,617ha. The proposed sites are as follows: Caicos Bank Southern Cays; Grand Turk salinas, ponds and shores; Leeward-Going-Through Cays; Salt Cay creeks and salinas; Turks Bank Seabird Cays; West Caicos saline lake and coral reef system; and West Providenciales Wetlands, all of which cover a total of 7,939ha. Further details can be found through this page