The northern portion of the west coast is also
quite diverse in it's array of habitats. Although true reefs are
only present in the form of isolated patch reefs, healthy coral
communities are found off the cliffs of Morne Espagnol and the
western half of the Cabrits where they grow on extensive rocky
habitats (boulder fields).
The band of seagrasses which can be followed from the Layou River
almost seamlessly is interrupted near the Espagnol River. It continues
on the southern end of Pointe Ronde although in a much sparser
and patchier distribution. Throughout Prince Rupert's Bay. Seagrasses
are patchy and include numerous areas with invasive species. Similarity,
patch reefs in this area are for the most part dead.
The
southern shore of the Cabrits harbors remnants of patch reefs
that were probably mined during the construction of Fort Shirley.
The patch reefs along the northern end of the Cabrits also show
signs of sever physical destruction. Within the swampy area east
of Cabrits, white mangroves can be
found.
A
fairly solid band of seagrasses starts on the southern end of
Douglas Bay and continues all the way to Anse Bell. In that stretch
coral assemblages on rocks in Douglas Bay (N), the patch reefs of Toucari Bay (s) and the
coral assemblages on large consolidated rock formations near the Hermitage River can also be found.
For
each of the following areas /sites, colored dots (see key below
map) mark the presence of specific habitats baring sessile epibenthic
communities.
The
areas/sites are: 1. Pointe Crabier to Bioche; 2. Bioche to
Espagnol River; 3. Espagnol River to Ti Bai; 4. Ti Bai to Lamoins
River; 5. Lamoins River to Indian River; 6. Indian River to Swamp
Ravine (work in progress); 7. the Cabrits or Swamp Ravine to Bell
Hall River; 8. Bell Hall River to Manicu River (Tanetane); 9.
Manicu River to Toucari Bay (N); 10. Toucari Bay to Anse Bell;
11. Anse Bell to Capucin. |