In Ivan's Wake: a Darwin Initiative Biodiversity Action Plan for the Cayman Islands - Project completed (2005-08)

Documenting key endemic, threatened and invasive taxa and producing a Biodiversity Action Plan for the Cayman Islands

Monitoring the endemic Agave caymanensis growing in Caribbean dry forest on Grand Cayman
Photo: Colin Clubbe

The main purpose of this highly collaborative three-year Darwin funded project was to produce a sound, government endorsed and realisable Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the Cayman Islands following the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 (reef damage, loss of natural vegetation, pollution and loss of infrastructure). Integral to this aim were substantial elements of: biodiversity mapping of marine and terrestrial habitats based on remotely sensed imagery; research into key endemic and threatened taxa, invasive species; institutional capacity building; and environmental awareness activities for the general public and key stakeholder groups.

Major botanical outputs were:

• Updated maps of key terrestrial habitats and key species, including invasives;
• Invasive plant species collection, identification, mapping and recommendations incorporated into the BAP for their mitigation;
• Working with local groups to help identify suitable species for establishment in a native species nursery. A native species nursery was established at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. The original concept for the nursery was developed while the QEIIBP deputy manager participated in the International Diploma in Botanic Garden Management course at Kew in 2006;
• Training provision for and establishment of a seed collecting programme;
• Raised awareness of the importance of native plant diversity by giving talks, interviews and writing articles;
• Publication of Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands Red List (co-funded by OTEP)