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Biodiversity assesment of Saint Lucia’s Forest |
This report is a synthesis of a series of ecological studies conducted as a part of the National Forest Demarcation and Bio-Physical Resource Inventory Project, funded by the European Community under the Saint Lucia SFA2003 Programme of Economic and Agriculture Diversification and Poverty Reduction through Integrated National Resources Management. The purpose of this project was to survey and demarcate the physical parameters of the public forest reserve and conduct a comprehensive biophysical inventory/ assessment and management system of forest resources.
Biodiversity is often considered by forest managers as simply a list of the species present, some of which may be useful. Biodiversity in fact has a much wider definition than that: the Convention on Biological Diversity defined "biological diversity" as the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part. These living organisms drive the ecological processes that create and maintain the forest.
This report draws out some of the team's major discoveries and presents the main recommendations for conserving Saint Lucia's remarkably rich yet fragile forest biodiversity. For further details of the methods and findings, please refer to the technical reports cited above for each taxon and theme.
Table of contents:
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Context of this Report
1.2. Biodiversity Research Team
1.3. Saint Lucia: A Brief Introduction
2. THE FORESTS AND THEIR BIODIVERSITY
2.1. Forest Diversity
2.2. Plant Diversity
2.3. Animal Diversity
2.4. Functions and Values
3. PRIORITY FOREST BIODIVERSITY AREAS
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Priority Areas Within the Forest Reserve
3.3. Priority Areas Outside the Forest Reserve
4. PRIORITY FOREST SPECIES FOR CONSERVATION
5. THREATS TO FOREST BIODIVERSITY
5.1. Forest Threat Analysis
5.2. Discussion of Two Major Threats to Saint Lucia’s Forests
6. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1. FOREST RESERVE AND PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT
Objective 1: Within the Forest Reserves and existing protected areas, establish and implement site management plans that integrate biodiversity conservation with other forest uses and services
6.2. FORESTS ON PRIVATE LANDS
Objective 2: Make a concerted effort to safeguard important forests outside of the current Forest Reserves, with particular attention to deciduous and semi-evergreen seasonal forests
6.3. NATIONAL LEGISLATION
Objective 3: Revise and amend the national legislation to reflect the current status and needs of Saint Lucia’s forest biodiversity
6.4. ALIEN INVASIVE SPECIES
Objective 4: Control the introduction and spread of alien invasive species that seriously endanger Saint Lucia’s forests and their biodiversity
6.5. THREATENED AND EXPLOITED SPECIES
Objective 5: Develop species management plans for threatened and exploited species, and update their Red List status
6.6. APPLIED RESEARCH AND MONITORING
Objective 6: Conduct applied research to inform and monitor the management of Saint Lucia’s forest biodiversity
6.7. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Objective 7: Strengthen local and national understanding and support for forest biodiversity conservation, with special attention to the lesser-known forest types
6.8. CIVIL SOCIETY
Objective 8: Foster the development of a civil society organisation(s) as a tool for lobbying for and enhancing the conservation of forests and their biodiversity
6.9. CAPACITY BUILDING
Objective 9: Ensure the Saint Lucia Forestry Department and other groups responsible for forest management have the necessary skills, resources and information to manage forest biodiversity effectively
7. REFERENCES
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