Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The Mandele dry forest is located on the eastern part of St. Lucia encompassed by Ravine Pascal to the north, Ravine Bourge to the south and on the northwest by the Dennery Water Works Forest Reserve. It is about 826 ha.
The Mandele dry forest has much to offer in terms of wildlife. The significance cannot be underestimated particularly with its association to endemic species. In addition to the White-breasted Thrasher, other species of great significance include the St. Lucia Oriole, The St. Lucia Black Finch, the St Lucia Peewee, the Antillean Euphonia, Bridled quail dove, Grey Trembler, Lesser Antillean flycatcher, three hummingbird species, Pearly-eyed and Scaly-breasted Thrashers and possibly the Rufous Nightjar. At some times of the year St Lucia Amazons forage at this site too, mainly in the upper elevations. Migratory birds species furthermore nest and roost in different locations in the area. The Magnificent Frigate bird is one such species.
Non-bird biodiversity: The agouti is found in the area. Also found are the boa constrictor and the fer-de-lance. Among the plants, the endangered Latanier palm is very significant to the area.
The vast majority of the area is covered by scrub forest, giving way to a strip of natural tropical moist forest in the interior region. Towards the coast is primarily xerophytic vegetation which includes cacti. Agriculture is a minor activity in the area, however, there is a major hotel under development in the area. A large section of the area is under scrub forest and not utilized. Majority lands in this IBA are privately owned. Other areas to the southwest are under intensive agriculture. The Praslin River to the south and Deux Branches Ravine in the north are important water sources to the area. The area is mostly under private ownership and a significant chunk of it is currently being altered to accommodate the construction of a hotel. There is however, a portion of the area that is owned by the state and currently under natural forest. The area has served an ecotouristic purpose by means of a nature trail (now partly covered by the hotel development area) which was managed by the St. Lucia National Trust. Bird watching was also another activity carried out on the site.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats include:
Deforestation – It is worth noting that indiscriminate harvesting of sapling poles for broom handles is slowly depleting the forest vegetation .A small portion along the Praslin River is under agricultural cultivation with bananas, coconuts and to a lesser extent cashew nuts and corn. Fires, usually contained within relatively small areas (few ha) are common
Non-native predators – small Indian mongoose; black, brown rats
Pollution – Application of agro-chemicals to crops maybe causing chemical pollution to the lower Praslin River, which discharges into Praslin Bay. The influx of those chemicals may be causing adverse effects to both freshwater and marine life
Commercial Development – The development of a massive hotel will result in a significant depletion of the thrasher’s habitat.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
In 2006 St Lucia Forestry Department (SLFD), Ministry of Agriculture, and The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DW) and carried out a two month project, funded by the Design Construction Group (DCG), to develop a monitoring programme and carry out a baseline survey of the White-breasted Thrasher (WBT) Ramphocinclus brachyurus sanctaeluciae. The data from the survey were used to assess the potential impact of the Le Paradis hotel and golf course. Monitoring will be ongoing.
Marine Reserve – Praslin Mangroves. This site was declared a marine reserve in 1986; Reef from Anse Galet to beach at Anse Cochon – declared a marine reserve in 1990. All sites are found within the IBA
Projected PAs – Praslin Island, Nature reserve within DCG development area
There are also Crown Lands at this site (e.g. around Bordelais) which may have the potential for future conservation management. The Praslin mangroves and Frigate Islands are protected areas adjacent to the proposed IBA
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mandelé Protected Landscape (St Lucia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mandelé-protected-landscape-iba-st-lucia on 23/12/2024.
