LIFE Is Precious
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FAUNA LIFE is precious. THE FLORA, FAUNA, & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY. THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY 1 FAUNA 2 THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY Flora ............................................................................................................................... 6 Fauna ............................................................................................................................. 20 Marine Life ............................................................................................................... 36 3 FAUNA Secret Bay Resort sits on a point overlooking what is now known as Prince Rupert’s Bay. After Dominica was ceded to the British in the 1700’s, plans were drawn to make Ports- mouth the island’s capital. However, due to the prevalence of yellow fever and malaria at the time, the capital was instead relocated to its current location in Roseau. Had that been the case, how different things would have looked! The green hillsides would likely have been replaced with buildings and the necessary infrastructure, and the bay, a thriving commercial harbour, not the peaceful scene you see before you. So instead, let’s travel into the past, to a time when the Europeans first sighted the island. The area was known then as Ou-you-hao by the Kalinago. It was the site of a major village, and their main settlement lay safely on the upper banks of the Indian River. A rough and rugged shoreline, the beach continued around the bay interrupted only by the swamps and marshlands. Rich forests with tall old trees abutted the sand and Indian River flowed freely into the sea. The Kalinago would have hunted crabs, birds and iguanas much like their hunter gathering ancestors, but they were also farmers, and expert seafarers. They cleared portions of land to farm maize and cassava, and they fished and traded with islanders as far north as Puerto Rico in canoes carved from the gommier tree. Dominica was uniquely located in the path of the northeasterly trade winds, and sailing ships carried on the canary current would arrive in the Caribbean through the channel between Dominica and Guadeloupe. After days at sea and in need of replenishment, Ou- you-hao, later known as Prince Rupert’s Bay was a popular stopping off point, and trading between the Europeans and Kalinago islanders ensued. Fresh water, food and wood were in high demand. Imagine the scene as it was, massive ships anchored in the forested bay and as the Kalinago islanders would greet the ships in canoes full of supplies. Because of the Kali- nago resistance, Dominica remained a raw and wild island in a time when all surrounding lands were being heavily colonized by European nations. During the time of African Slave trade, Africans who were able to escape from a neighboring island or anchored ship, would find refuge in Dominica’s forests, setting the foundations for Dominica’s thriving Maroon population, or Negre Mawon. Over the years, the bay saw much change. Demand for wood increased as the other islands exhausted their supplies. The west coast was an ideal place for harvesting trees, and many of the large old trees that grew here quickly disappeared, changing the landscape. As agricul- ture took hold, the land became exhausted and eroded. Plants and animals were introduced and the west coast you see today is a land in recovery. Secret Bay Resort has worked hard to preserve and re-establish the wildlife that thrives 4 THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY FAUNA here. It is not just about creating a place to stay, but also capturing Dominica in a time when her land and wildlife were valued not just for what they could provide, but as cohabitants in a precious ecosystem. In this booklet, we glimpse into the flora, fauna and marine life that make up our little piece of paradise. Secret Bay offers a number of experiences which allow the explorer in each of us to be set free, as, through our experiences, we can observe, under- stand and appreciate the natural world around us. THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY 5 FA FLORA THE FLORA, FAUNA, WILDLIFE & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY. 6 THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY AUNA FAUNA With such a mountainous ter- rain, Dominica is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Secret Bay sits in the rain shadow of Dominica’s highest mountain Morne Dia- blotins, which means conditions here are drier than in other parts of the island. Known as dry scrub woodland, the naturally occur- ring vegetation found on this leeward coast has evolved ways to tolerate dry conditions, an abun- dance of sunshine and saltwater. THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY 7 Coastal Flora FLORA Whether endemic or introduced, the flora of Dominica make for an interesting and varied landscape. Many of the introduced plants were brought over during European col- onization, from Africa or the pacific islands where there exists similar climates. Coccoloba pubescens Coccoloba uvifera Family name: Polygonaceae Family name: Polygonaceae Common name: Grandleaf Sea- Common name: Seagrape grape Local name: Wézinyé bòd-lamè Local name: Wézinyé Grand feuille Range: Native to Caribbean Coasts Range: Native to Caribbean Coasts Fun Facts: A popular landscaping Fun Facts: Flourishes in coastal set- plant, the reddish fruits are edible, tings due to its high salt and drought used to make jams, jellies, wine and tolerance. Large leaves can be used vinegar. It can also be used as a dye as a makeshift umbrella. and for the tanning of leather. Pisonia fragrans Homalium racemosum Casearia decandra Flacourtiaceae Family name: Nyctaginaceae Family name: Salicaceae Family name: Wild Cherry Local name: Mapou Local name: Acoma, Hèt, White Common name: Native to Caribbean Coasts Range: Native to Tropical Americas Cogwood Range: Sometimes referred to Fun Facts: This evergreen tree Range: Native to Caribbean Coasts Fun Facts: as a honey plant due to their use common to the coast, produces pale Fun Facts: A member of the willow yellow flowers. family, its hard, heavy and strong by honeybees to collect nectar and wood is used in construction. The pollen for making honey. root and leaves are known to con- tain medicinal properties. 8 THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY Coastal Flora FLORA Pimenta racemosa Eugenia ligustrina Clusia minor Family name: Myrtaceae Family name: Myrtaceae Family name: Combretaceae Local name: Bwa denn, Bay Leaf Local name: Birchberry, Méwiz Local name: Kaklen, Lagali, Zab- Tree Range: Native to the Caribbean wiko-mawon Range: Native to the Caribbean region Range: Native to Caribbean Region region Fun Facts: Found scattered within and Central America Fun Facts: The leaves are used in woodland forests. Fun Facts: Found in damp areas, cooking and to make bay oil which it derived its Latin name Clusia is distilled to produce bay rum. Bay from French botanist Carolus rum is used as a cologne, cleaning Clusius who is responsible for the agent or even mosquito repellent. development of the tulip, potato and chestnut. Terminalia Catappa Ceiba pentandra (occidentalis) Byrsonima coriacea var. spicata Combretaceae Bombaceae Family name: Family name: Family name: Malphighiacea Indian Almond, Fòmajé, Flo Tree, Silk Local name: Local name: Local name: Bwa tan, Serret, Bois Almond, Zamann Cotton, Kapok Marie, Mowisif Asia, Africa, India, Australia Native to Caribbean and Range: Range: Range: Native to Caribbean, South Fun Facts: This introduced decidu- Central America region & Central America ous tree flourishes in coastal areas. It This commercial tree Fun Facts: Fun Facts: Found in damp coastal is uncertain where it originated as it has many uses. The seed pods areas and lands that have been has been so widely spread. The fruit produce cotton-like fluff which is degraded by farming. are edible and leaves change color used as alternative to down. Its bark before falling. and seeds also have some commer- cial use. Flowers are frequented by honeybees. THE FLORA, FAUNA & MARINE LIFE OF SECRET BAY 9 Coastal Flora FLORA Hippomane mancinella Margaritaria nobilis Andira inermis Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Family name: Family name: Family name: Fabaceae Manjini, Manchineel Mil-bwanch; Mille Local name: Local name: Local name: Angelin, Anjlen, Range: Native to Caribbean & Branches Cabbage Tree Tropical Americas Caribbean and Tropical Range: Range: Native southern Mexico Fun Facts: Known as beach apple, Americas and Central America, introduced to be careful around this tree, although Fun Facts: A fast growing orna- Caribbean, Florida, Africa. endangered it is considered on of mental tree that can be used in Fun Facts: This nitrogen-fixing the most poisonous trees in the landscaping and good for reestab- tree produces beautiful pink flowers. world. All parts of the tree are lishing woodlands, it produces a Its wood can be used for lumbar and toxic. bright blue fruit. its bark is known to have various medical properties. Hymenaea courbaril Delonix regia Haematoxylum campechianum Fabaceae Fabaceae Family name: Family name: Family name: Fabaceae Coubaril, Koubawi, Flamboyant, Shak- Local name: Local name: Local name: Campech, Kanpèch, Locust, Kas, Stinktoe shak tree, Flame tree Logwood, Bloodwood Caribbean and Tropical Endemic to Madagascar, but Range: Range: Range: Tropical Americas Americas introduced to tropical and subtropi- Fun Facts: The wood produces a Fun Facts: A tropical hardwood cal regions around the world. versatile dye, used on textiles and used in furniture and flooring, the Fun Facts: Notable for its fern-