St. Helena
International Year of Biodiversity Projects
In 2010, for the International Year of Biodiversity, the UK
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), has
funded a series of invasive species projects across the UK Overseas
Territories. This has been coordinated by the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee. Project activities on St
Helena will be:
Project
- The implementation of a project to recover the Bastard Gumwood
and restore native habitats thus preventing the ongoing spread of
invasive alien plant species. NEW
- The implementation of a programme to clear the highly invasive
Pheasant Tail Fern from identified priority areas within the
biodiversity rich mountain peaks of St Helena. NEW
St. Helena Facts and Figures
Location
Latitude 15°58’S, longitude 5°43’W, the island lies
approximately 1,920 km from the south-west coast of Africa and
2,900km east of South America. The nearest land mass is 1300km away
at Ascension Island.
Size
17km long and 10km wide at its largest point, with a land area
of 122 sq km
Climate and Climate Change.
St. Helena has a sub-tropical but oceanic climate, tempered by
the South-East Trade winds. Temperature ranges from 14˚C to 27˚C
, the average rainfall is approximately 820mm.JNCC has
prepared a series of outreach materials which give a general
background to climate change and includes territory specific
information on climate
change impacts.
Topography & Geology
A volcanic island with a high central ridge.
The highest point, Diana’s peak [pic], rises to 823m above sea
level.
The island emerged from the sea in the Miocene
Epoch approximately 14 million years ago due to the activity of
two, now coalesced, shield volcanoes. The North-eastern Volcanic
Centre located at Flagstaff and Knotty Ridge formed the bulk of the
island; the younger South-western Volcanic centre is found at Sandy
Bay.
Rocks found on the island are almost entirely
volcanic in origin.
The soils are variable from place to place;
the majority of soils are heavy clays that have poor structure and
are mostly acidic, however, along the central ridges there are
extremely acid, peaty soils.
Biodiversity
St.Helena's isolated position in the South
Atlantic has given rise to an unusual and remarkable land and
marine flora and fauna. Key vegetation zones on the island today
are: remnants of tree fern thicket; pastures, woodlands and
cultivated land; scrub and semi-desert.
- The flora consists of about 450 species, 50
of which are endemic (10 genera). The endemic gumwood (Commidendrum
robustum) is the island's National tree and is one of 14 threatened
tree species on St Helena (Global Trees Campaign).
- Out of 225 species of lichen, eight were
recently found that are new to science. There are also 120
bryophytes, of which 20 are endemic.
- The precise number of endemic invertebrates
is uncertain, however of about 1,110 land
invertebrates, some 400 - 450 are unique to St. Helena.
- At least six unique land birds once occurred
on St. Helena, only one, the wirebird (Charadrius sanctaehelenae),
survives today.
- There are 10 endemic, inshore fish species
and 16 more are found only here and at Ascension. At least
five species of marine mammals are known to occur in the waters
around St. Helena.
- Three species of native amphibian occur on
the island (Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles), however none
are endemic.
Main economic activities
The main industries are fisheries, tourism and agriculture.
National Environmental Strategies, Plans and Policies
A list of St Helena’s environmental
strategies, plans and policies as per information provided by the
Environmental Co-ordinator, June 2009:
- Environment Charter Strategy for Action
(produced in 2005)
- St Helena Sustainable Development Plan
2007/08 – 2009/10
- Land Development Control Plan (LDCP)
[produced in 2006]: proposes 14 Protected Areas
- South Atlantic Invasive Species Project
Plans being worked toward:
- Protected Areas Plan for the Central Peaks:
2007-2010
- Wirebird Species Action Plan
- Species Recovery Plans for 12 endemic species
Legislation relevant to nature conservation
A list of St Helena’s relevant legislation
(information taken from Introduced Species/Biosecurity Legislative
Review for South Atlantic UKOTs by Clare Shine, January 2009.)
- Land Development Control Ordinance
(2008) – makes provision for Environmental Impact Assessments
(EIAs)
- National Parks Ordinance
(2003)
- Endangered Species Protection Ordinance
(2003)
- Conservation & Management of
Fishery Resources Ordinance (2003)
- Fish & Fish Products Marketing
Regulations 1999
- Harbours Ordinance (1997)
- Plants Protection Ordinance (1938) -
updated in 2001
- Customs (Export & Import Control)
Regulations. Customs (Arriving & Departing Ships) Regulations.
Customs (Entry Forms) Regulations.
International Obligations
A list of St Helena’s international obligations, as per information from
the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website, June 2009:
- Convention on Biological Diversity extended
03.06.1994
- CITIES extended 02.08.1976
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals extended 23.07.1985
- London Convention extended 17.11.1975
- Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat extended 19.04.1984
- International Convention on the Regulation of
Whaling extended 17.02.1937
- Vienna Convention for the Protection of the
Ozone Layer (supplemented by the Montreal Protocol on substances
that deplete the ozone layer) extended 15.05.1987
- Protocol on Environmental Protection to the
Antarctic Treaty extended 25.04.1995
- Protocol to amend the International
Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of
29.11.1969 extended 15.05.1998
- Protocol to amend the International
Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for
Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage of 18.12.1971 extended
15.05.1998
- United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought
and/or desertification, particularly in Africa extended
18.10.1996
- Agreement for the Implementation of the
Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea
of 10.12.1982 relating to the conservation and management of
straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks extended
03.12.1999
- Agreement on the Conservation of
African-Eurasian Migratory Species extended 22.02.1999
- Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses
& Petrels extended 13.04.2006
- Convention concerning the Protection of the
World Cultural and Natural Heritage extended 29.05.1984
Other information
Population – 3867 (June, 2009). St.
Helena is currently accessible only by sea, and is served by the
Royal Mail Ship St Helena; plans to build an airport in the near
future have been halted and a further consultation is now in
progress. The currency is the St Helena Pound which is at parity
with the British pound.
Updated (01.07.2009) by Shayla
Ellick.
