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Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
The Boven Subsector is a legally protected area comprising several xeric, rocky hills in the northwest peninsula of St. Eustatius, or Statia. Zeelandia beach is on the southeast end of the area, which harbors Tropicbird nesting areas in its sandy cliffs. The hills above the airport form the southern limit of the concentration of Tropicbird nesting.There are no settlements within Boven; however, an oil transfer station lies on the western border along the coast.
A significant population of Red-billed Tropicbirds,
Phaethon aethereus, nests within the Boven Subsector, meeting the requirements of A4(i) for a biogeographic population within the Caribbean. An estimate of 100-200 breeding birds was made in 2003 based on field surveys which did not cover all of Boven.
Non-bird biodiversity: Species with restricted ranges include the Antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima, the ground lizard Ameiva erythrocephala, two anolis lizards Anolis bimaculatus and A. wattsi, and two geckos Sphaerodactylus sputator and S. sabanus. There are five species of bats, the only native mammal, including Ardops nichollsi montserratensis which has a restricted range. Locations for the aforementioned species could not be referenced. The endemic Statia Morning Glory Ipomoea sphenophylla can be found within Boven.
Boven is arid, primary vegetation being
Acacia thorn scrub and grassland. Rocky outcroppings are scattered through the Boven hills. The coastline is cliffs and rocky shore.Grazing continues within the protected area, as grazing rights are under dispute. Recreational use of the area has been hampered due to this dispute and visitors are rare.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats to Red-billed Tropicbirds include:Introduced predators rats and cats.Trampling of nest burrows by goats.Erosion due to overgrazing.Threat of oiling due to spills from oil transfer station.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The park service, STENAPA, is attempting to manage Boven and limit grazing, although these efforts have been met with significant resistance due to ancestral claims to the land. EPIC surveyed for Tropicbirds in March 2003, and was permitted access to the area only when accompanied by park staff; the entire peninsula was not surveyed due to access and time limits.
The Boven Subsector is a protected area. The other protected area is the Quill but it is located at the opposite end of the island. Marine protected areas surround Statia.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Boven, Sint Eustatius (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (to Netherlands)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/boven-sint-eustatius-iba-bonaire-sint-eustatius-and-saba-(to-netherlands) on 26/11/2024.
