Status of Union Island Gecko unknown after Hurricane Beryl

The Forestry Department is preparing to conduct an assessment following the passage of Hurricane Beryl to determine the status of endemic species in the Southern Grenadines, particularly the Union Island Gecko.

Speaking on NBC Radio on Monday, July 29, Director of Forestry, Fitzgerald Providence said, following the passage of the category four hurricane, staff were mobilized primarily for the clearing of debris, fallen trees in communities, and in the forested areas where the Central Water and Sewage Authority (CWSA) needed to work to repair water lines.

Providence said the team has to assess the status of the gecko population as there was significant damage on the forested areas on Union Island.

The Union Island Gecko (Gonatodes daudini) is an endemic species found in the Chatham Bay forest area and is considered endangered due to the high demand from the illegal international pet trade. Over the last few years the Forestry Department has been working alongside various conservation groups to help boost its numbers.

“When you look at the forest on Union Island, particularly the Chatham Bay forest area, we saw that there was total defoliation, just sticks standing. But we have to do our full assessment. That area is high for biodiversity… at this time we are concerned about alien invasive species like reptiles that will take the opportunity to come in, and also animals like feral cats can go in and attack the lizards. We need to monitor those.”

Providence also said plans will have to be made for the redevelopment of the Ashton Lagoon, which was destroyed during the passage of the hurricane.

“The mangroves are important for fisheries, nurseries and the forest for rainfall,” Providence explained.

He expressed confidence that the forested areas will rebound over time as was the case in Dominica when they were hit by a category five hurricane.

“Particularly in the Grenadines where the impact was major, you would have total decimation of some of the forest areas but they will come back. As was the case with the [Soufriere] volcano where there was defoliation. What we have to do is monitor and make sure that everything is going okay.”

The Department also is paying close attention to the Kings Hill Forest Reserve on the mainland, which Providence said plays an important role in climate control. He said there was some noticeable damage to the area, especially on the windward side.

“We are hoping that Kings Hill, as it is a forest reserve, will come back, as we are in the rainy season.”

Providence said damage to the forested areas on the mainland is estimated to be around 35 to 45 percent in some areas. With the rainy season well underway, he said the Department is working to prevent the possibility of flooding from rivers clogged by fallen debris.

“This is a concern for us because we are in the rainy season. Over the past 10 years or so we have been having a major trough event that causes a lot of heavy flows in the rivers. We don’t want those branches to come down and block and cause flooding. What we are also doing is assessing the rivers and streams so there would be no major impact of flooding- to reduce that possibility as much as possible.”

An assessment is also to be done on Mayreau, as well as work on plans to assist with replanting vegetation around the Salt Whistle Bay area.