draft scientific report - guysuco biodiversity assessment ... · in total 481 fish belonging to 20...

Example: Densely populated

wooded reefs of low-medium

height Photo: W. Prince

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FFIINNAALL RREEPPOORRTT JANUARY 2006

Environmental Management Consultants60 Area H Ogle East Coast Demerara

E1751

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Cover photos: Waldyke Prince and Dr. Gary Clarke Top: Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis Spectacled Caiman Caiman crocodilus Mabuya Skink Mabuya mabuya White Leaf Frog Hyla leucophyllata Bottom: Aerial view of the Skeldon Water Path bordering the Guysuco Conservancy

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CONTENTS PAGES Executive Summary 6 1. INTRODUCTION 8 2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 Study Site 9 2.2 Schedule of Fieldwork 9 2.3 Vegetation Surveys 9 2.4 Faunal Surveys 11 2.5 Sampling Protocol 12 2.6 Collection of specimens 12 2.7 Photography 13 2.8 Data Analysis 13

3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION

3.1 Vegetation 14 3.2 Invertebrate fauna 19

3.3 Fish Fauna 20 3.4 Amphibian Fauna 21 3.5 Reptile Fauna 23 3.6 Mammal Fauna 24 3.7 Avifauna 26 3.8 Key Species and Habitats of Conservation Importance 32 3.9 Indicator Species 32 3.10 Summary of Flora and Fauna Species Diversity 32 3.11 Shift in Species Composition 33

4. CONSTRAINTS & LIMITATIONS 34 5. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Biodiversity monitoring 35 5.2 Hunting 35 5.3 Cattle Ranching 35 5.4 Fire Control 35 5.5 Management of Watershed/Catchment Area 35

6. LITERATURE CITED 36 APPENDIX I Terms of Reference 37 APPENDIX II Schedule of Activities and Fieldwork 39 APPENDIX III Avifauna Transect Monitoring Datasheet 40 APPENDIX IV Images 42

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Table 1. Composition of Assessment Team, Team Member Expertise and Roles 9

Table 2. Geographical location of transects 11 Table 3. List of Flora Species recorded in the Halcrow and GUYSUCO

Conservancies 14 Table 4. Frequency of Woody Species above 5cm dbh in all Halcrow

Conservancy Transects 16 Table 5. Frequency of Woody Plant Species frequency in Halcrow

Conservancy Transects 16 Table 6. Understorey Species < 5cm dbh occurring in each quadrat in

the Halcrow Conservancy 17 Table 7. Frequency of Woody Plant Species in the GUYSUCO Conservancy

Transect 18 Table 8. Understorey Species < 5cm dbh occurring in each quadrat in the

GUYSUCO Conservancy 19 Table 9. Invertebrate Fauna of the Conservancies 19 Table 10. Fish Species Diversity and Abundance in the Skeldon

Water Path and surrounding Waterways 20 Table 11. Amphibian Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO

and Halcrow Conservancies 22 Table 12. Reptile Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO

and Halcrow Conservancies 23 Table 13. Mammal species diversity and abundance recorded during transect

surveys, time searches and opportunistic observations in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow conservancies 25

Table 14. Bat Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow

Conservancies 26 Table 15. Avifauna Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO

and Halcrow Conservancies 26

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ACRONYMS GUYSUCO Guyana Sugar Corporation

EMC Environmental Management Consultants

GPS Global Positioning System

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature

NTFP Non-Timber Forest Species

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Guyana Sugar Corporation has agreed to manage the Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies, Skeldon Estate, to secure the water supply needed for a new sugar factory and expanded cane cultivation and also to conserve the biological diversity of the conservancies. A biodiversity assessment team was contracted to survey the flora and fauna within the Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies, collect baseline data on the presence, distribution and relative abundance of species, and take special note of key species and habitats of conservation interest. In total the assessment team conducted 17 days of fieldwork from 14th to 30th November 2005. Three broad vegetation types were found to exist in the conservancies, with one intermediate type: 1) densely populated wooded reefs of low-medium height, 2) low-grass savannah, 3) papyrus-dominated wet savannah, and 4) sparsely wooded savannah with isolated trees and/or tree islands (intermediate).

In total 56 plant species were recorded. Vegetation types and plant species assemblages were similar between the two conservancies. Within each of the vegetation types species assemblages were fairly homogenous and were typical of secondary or disturbed wet marsh habitats. The vegetation is disturbed due to the area historically and currently being used as cattle pasture. Also there is evidence that the grassland (and forest) is subject to burning in the dry season either naturally or by man. No plant species of national or regional significance or global conservation importance were found. In total 481 fish belonging to 20 species and 9 families were recorded. Perch-like fishes (perciformes) and characids (characiformes) dominated the fish fauna. The main species caught by local fishermen to sell for human consumption (of economic importance) were the hassa Hoplosternum littorale, common pattwa Cichlasoma bimaculatum, and the huri Hoplias marabalicus. In total 113 amphibians belonging to 10 species and three families were recorded: one toad species (Bufonidae), six species of tree frogs (Hylidae), and three species of rain frogs (Leptodactylidae). The ubiquitous cane toad Bufo marinus dominated the amphibian community. In total 69 reptiles belonging to 12 species and seven families were recorded: one caiman species, six lizard species, four snake species and one tortoise species. Spectacled caiman Caiman crocodiles, the giant ameiva Ameiva ameiva, and the common tegu Tupinambis teguixin dominated the reptile community. In total 93 volant and non-volant mammals belonging to 13 species were recorded. Sixty non-volant mammals belonging to eight species and six families were recorded. The most commonly observed non-volant mammals were the squirrel monkey Saimiri scuireus and red rumped agouti Dasyprocta leporina. Five bats species were recorded during surveys and mist netting, one emballonurid, the proboscis bat Rhynconycteris naso, and four phyllostomid species (leaf-nosed bats) bats, which were captured in mist nets. In total 2797 birds belonging to 119 species and 38 families were recorded and we estimate that the true species richness for the avifauna is around 140 species. The smooth billed ani Crotophaga ani, brown-throated parakeet Aratinga pertinax and the great kiskadee Pitangus sulpharatus dominated the avifauna community. All of the faunal species recorded have a wide geographical distribution, are relatively common, and are tolerant of a wide range of habitats, including disturbed habitats. Plant species in the conservancies also have a wide geographical distribution and are not uncommon in Guyana. Only three animal species of conservation importance were recorded. The yellow-footed tortoise Geochelone denticulata is listed by IUCN as Vulnerable and in the region it is harvested at an unsustainable rate for human consumption. We observed signs indicating the presence of jaguar Panthera onca, a species listed as Near Threatened by IUCN. Finally, we recorded the blue-cheeked amazon parrot

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Amazona dufresnia, which is listed by IUCN as Near Threatened. The assessment team surveyed the area for West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus, listed by IUCN as Vulnerable, and interviewed local people. No manatees were observed and local’s state that they have not been seen for many years and are likely to have been extirpated (hunted out) from the area. In this report a number of recommendations are made as to how the conservancies could be managed to conserve biodiversity, including the need for biodiversity monitoring. It is suggested that birds be used as indicator species for biodiversity monitoring as they are ecologically diverse, relatively common in the conservancies, well studied, relatively easy to sample and identify, and able to respond rapidly to environmental changes.

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1. INTRODUCTION The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) is building a larger, modern sugar factory at Skeldon, Corentyne Berbice, Guyana. Sugar cane cultivation will be expanded to supply the capacity of the new factory. The new factory and expanded sugar cane cultivation will require a constant supply of fresh water. Therefore GUYSUCO has agreed to manage two adjacent conservancies, which are state lands under long-term management by GUYSUCO, to secure the water supply needed and conserve biodiversity. Dams are being built around the conservancies that will lead to an increase in water level within the conservancies and the creation of a mini-reservoir with a total surface area estimated to be approximately 1520ha and a maximum depth of 1m (Anon. 2002). The mini-reservoir will thus cover the entire 1400 ha of the GUYSUCO conservancy and small fraction of the Halcrow conservancy, approximately 120ha of 6000ha (2%). Water will be drawn from these conservancies to irrigate new areas under sugar cane cultivation. In order to manage the conservancies for biodiversity conservation there is a need to document the flora and fauna. EMC was contracted to conduct a Rapid Biological Assessment (RBA) of both Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies (Appendix I). The EMC biodiversity assessment team surveyed the flora and fauna within habitat types encompassed by both conservancies, collecting baseline data on the presence, distribution and relative abundance of species and taking special note of species of conservation interest. This report discusses the findings of the RBA. We report on the species diversity and abundance of plants and animals in the conservancies, key species and habitats of economic conservation importance, likely changes in species composition resulting from the flooding of the conservancies, and make management recommendations on how to manage the conservancies to maintain biodiversity, including the need for biodiversity monitoring and the choice of indicator species.

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2. METHODOLOGY 2.1 Study Site The Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies are located on the Skeldon Sugar Cane Estate, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana (Figure 1). The Halcrow Conservancy encompasses an area of approximately 6000 ha and the GUYSUCO Conservancy approximately 1400 ha. Land-use maps and local knowledge indicate that the conservancies generally consist of a lowland marsh and extensive open wet grassland savannah interspersed with patches or strips of raised reef (marsh) forest and small high-bush islands. At the northern end of the GUYSUCO conservancy is the Skeldon Water Path containing fresh water pumped from the Canje Creek. 2.2 Schedule of Fieldwork The biodiversity assessment team consisted of six Guyanese biologists familiar with the fauna and flora on Guyana (Table 1). The team conducted 17 days of fieldwork from 14th to 30th November 2005 (Appendix II). Fieldwork was completed as scheduled before the onset of the rainy season when heavy rains would have prevented access to the study sites and made continuation of the fieldwork difficult. 2.3 Vegetation Surveys Three transects were established perpendicular to the northern edge of the Halcrow Conservancy (Figure 1). The location of transects within the Halcrow Conservancy were selected to ensure that, given limited time and human resources, the different habitat types within the conservancy were represented and sampled. Additionally, the assessment team traversed as much of the Halcrow Conservancy as they could in the limited time available for the rapid biodiversity assessment. Transects appear to be representative of the vegetation types within the conservancy. It was not possible to establish transects within the GUYSUCO Conservancy due to the deep pegasse (swamp/bog). However a single transect was established along the northern edge of the conservancy (a second transect was established along the eastern edge to survey the fauna). Table 1. Composition of Assessment Team, Team Member Expertise and Roles Technical/Managerial Staff Name Position Role

Mr. Shyam Nokta

Project Team Leader & Environmental Management Specialist

Overall planning and coordination and oversight of report preparation.

Dr. Frank Clarke Technical Team Leader & Biodiversity Specialist

Monitoring fieldwork and report, evaluating field results and the preparation of reports

Dr. Gary Clarke Forester & Flora Expert

Supervise and assess fieldwork & preparation of reports.

Mr. Michael Tamessar Faunal Expert and Field Manager

Field data collection of faunal information and coordinating all aspects of the field work, including logistics and scientific data collection

Mr. Khalawan Flora Expert Field data collection of flora information Technical Staff Ms Floria Francis Research Assistant Assistant to Mr Khalawan (vegetation survey) Mr Waldyke Prince Research Assistant Assistant to Mr Tamessar (faunal surveys) Mr Avinash Mohammed Research Assistant Assistant to Mr Tamessar (faunal surveys) Ms Aneesa Khan Research Assistant Assistant to Mr Tamessar (faunal surveys)

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Figure 1. Map showing location of the conservancies, transects and quadrats.

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The geographical location of transects were recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS) so that they could be resampled in subsequent years should ecological monitoring be required (Table 2). Transects were 2 km in length. All woody species above 5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh = 1.3m above ground) were recorded 5 m either side of the transect line and their height to the nearest metre measured. Additionally, four 5 x 5m quadrats were established along each transect line at random locations within which all plant species below 5 cm dbh were recorded. 2.4 Faunal Surveys Four methods were employed to survey the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the conservancies:

1. Transect surveys – Transects are a good method to measure relative abundance or density of a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians and thus transect surveys were the main method used to sample the terrestrial fauna in both the Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies. This method is particularly good for surveying animals in open habitats and is relatively efficient where animals occur at low densities. To conduct transect surveys assessment teams walked along transects starting around sunrise or sunset and all birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians observed or heard were recorded. Signs of mammal presence were also recorded e.g. faeces, scratch marks, tracks. The assessment teams surveyed the four vegetation transects and an additional transect located along the eastern boundary of the GUYSUCO conservancy for animal species (Figure 1).

2. Timed Searches – A timed search is a simple relatively effective method that is useful for

surveying rare species or species that are difficult to detect. For habitat types in the Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancy not sampled by transects or for areas where there may be high biodiversity or species of conservation importance, timed searches were used to record birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians and to quantify their abundance.

3. Opportunistic Sampling (recording of incidental observations) – This method is most often

used to establish presence of rare or rarely encountered species that cannot be monitored easily by other means. The disadvantages are that observation and recording effort (sampling effort) varies and cannot easily be analysed and compared. When not conducting transects surveys or timed searches any new species observed was recorded in a field notebook along with the date and time of observation, location, the number of individuals observed or signs (tracks etc), and notes.

Table 2. Geographical location of transects. *Map datum is Prov South America ‘56. Position

format is UTM

Transect GPS Coordinates Transect Start*

GPS Coordinates Transect End*

GUYSUCO 1 21N 0467247 0653480 21N 0465318 0654050

GUYSUCO 2 21N 0467213 0653468 21N 0467115 0651359

Halcrow 1 21N 0411420 0648821 21N 0471540 0646257

Halcrow 2 21N 0469936 0648823 21N 0470258 0647170

Halcrow 3 21N 0470910 0648831 21N 0470950 0646743

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4. Mist netting – Because of the difficulty capturing and identifying many bats, only limited mist netting of bats was conducted to maximise mammal inventory completeness. Mist nets were also set to sample the avifauna and maximise inventory completeness, as some birds are more easily recorded through mist netting programmes than visual encounter surveys.

The main method used to survey the fish fauna was through the use of cast nets:

Cast Nets – these are conical bell-shaped nets with a weighted periphery. Cast nets are cast so as to cover an area of water in order to trap fish as the nets sink through the water column. Small and large fish become trapped in the nets as they are hauled in.

Gill Nets – gills nets of 1¼ inch mesh size were set at only one site as the high density of caiman

prevented their use at most locations i.e. gill nets could not be set due to the high number of spectacled caiman, Caiman crocydilus, and vegetation dumped in the canals that would foul the nets.

Due to the time of year (end of the dry season) in which sampling was conducted there were no water bodies within the conservancies where nets could be set to sample the fish fauna. Nevertheless the fish fauna of the water paths and canals is representative of the species found within the conservancies when the water level is higher in the conservancies. This is because fish move from the canals and water paths into the surrounding conservancies and environs during the rainy season when the land becomes flooded and pools form. Finally, local hunters were interviewed to further document the terrestrial vertebrate fauna, local fishermen were interviewed and their catches were inspected to document the fish fauna, and light traps and opportunistic surveys were used to record the invertebrate fauna. 2.5 Sampling Protocol For faunal transect surveys the team surveyed each of the five transects on three different days. This resulted in a total of two diurnal and one nocturnal survey per transect. At each of the five transects four mist nets were set to capture bats. Mist nets were erected just before sunset and were taken down three hours later. Mist netting had to be abandoned at one transect due to heavy rains that forced the closure of nets. Bat captures were identified to species using a field key to the bats of the Guianan subregion (Lim & Engstrom 2001). Over a three-day period four mist nets were set to capture birds. Mist nets were erected at sunrise and were taken down three hours later. Over ten consecutive days the assessment team used systematic sampling to sample the fish fauna at 10 different points along the Skeldon Water Path. Sampling points were spaced 200m apart. Each day a different sampling point was sampled by casting a cast net 15 times. Wherever possible the team also opportunistically sampled fish at other locations, including the GUYSUCO Canal. 2.6 Collection of specimens Two bats specimens were collected as positive identification to species was not possible in the field. IUCN species listed as threatened (critical, endangered, vulnerable) or Near Threatened and CITES Appendices I and II listed species were not collected.

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2.7 Photography To document the flora and fauna of both conservancies a digital still camera was used to photograph representative habitat types and flora and fauna. Additionally, the survey methodology was documented by digital photography. Fieldwork was supplemented by aerial reconnaissance of the two conservancies. 2.8 Data Analysis To estimate true species richness (Smax) we used the Chao Quantitative Estimator, a reliable non-parametric method that gives a lower-bound estimate (Chao 1984). This estimator is based on the observed number of species, Sobs, the number of species observed once, a, and the number of species observed twice, b. The expected number of species, S*, is then given by the expression:

S* = Sobs + (a2/2b)

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3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION 3.1 Vegetation The complete list of 56 plant species recorded in the Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies is given in Table 3 (Mennega et al. 1998). Halcrow 1 – Reef woodland composed mainly of Sijan Inga edulis, Corkwood Pterocarpus officinalis and Clam Cherry Cordia tetrandra dominated the first 300m after which the vegetation was grassland, mainly fine grass and three-cornered razor grass. Thereafter the grassland gave rise to tall stands of pure Papyrus (Cyprus spp.). Halcrow 2 – The entire transect was reef woodland composed mainly of Long John Triplaris weigeltiana, Corkwood, Plum Spondias mombin, Clam Cherry and Sijan. The lower story was rich in plant diversity and consisted mainly of palms, Ginger Lily, Heliconia Heliconia spp, Corkwood, several grass species and vines. Commercial species such as Crabwood Carapa guianensis, Bulletwood Manilkara bidentata, Locust Hymenaea oblongifolia, Haiariballi Alexa spp., Wild Calabash Vitex compressa, Wild Tamarind Chamaecrista adiantifolia and Silk Cotton Ceiba pentandra were present, though they were not of commercial size i.e. >35cm dbh. Halcrow 3 – The entire transect was reef woodland similar in species composition to the Halcow 2 transect, though less densely populated by medium to large woody species. Table 3. List of Flora Species recorded in the Halcrow and GUYSUCO Conservancies

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name Palmae Euphorbiaceae Bactris palm Bactris spp Gum Tree Sapium glandulosum Manicole Euterpe oleracea Wild Gooseberry Phyllanthus elsiae Kokrite Maximiliana maripa Papilionaceae Poaceae Haiariballi Alexa spp.

Bamboo grass Hymenachne amplexicaulis Korokororo Ormosia coutinhoi

Bird Seed Grass Panicum rudgei Heliconiaceae Batseed Andira inermis Heliconia Heliconia spp Fine Grass Leersia hexandra Lauraceae Water Grass Luziola subintegra Kereti Ocotea oblonga Cyperaceae Guttiferae Bisi Bisi Cyperus giganteus Kurahara Calophyllum lucidum Hassa Grass Cyperus spp Polygonaceae Papyrus Cyperus spp. Long John Triplaris weigeltiana Razor Grass Scleria Spp Sterculiaceae Asteraceae Maho Sterculia pruriens Bitter Tally Mikania micrantha Nyctaginaceae Mimosaceae Mamodan Neea floribunda Briar Mimosa myriadena Polygonaceae Trysil Pentaclethra macroloba Matura Cocoloba latifolia Wild Sijan Inga edulis Araceae

Sapotaceae Moco Moco Montrichardia arborescens

Bulletwood Manilkara bidentata Annonaceae

Wild Starapple Chrysophyllum argenteum Monkey Apple Annona glabra

Solanaceae Yari Yari Anaxagore aqliocarpa

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Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name Buru buru Solanum spp Anacardiaceae Caesalpiniaceae Plum Spondias mombin Carrion Crow Bush Senna alata Similacacaea

Locust Hymenaea oblongifolia Ramdatwa or Similax Similax spp

Wild Tamarind Chamaecrista adiantifolia Passifloraceae Cucurbitaceae Semitoo vine Passiflora spp Corilla Bush Momordica sp. Simarubaceae Boraginaceae Simarupa Simarouba amara Clam Cherry Cordia tetrandra Olacaceae White Lady Vine Heliotropium indicum Stink wood Liriosma spp Cecropiaceae Vitaceae Congo Pump Ceropia obtusa Vine Cissus spp Bombacaceae Piperaceae Coomaka (Silk cotton) Ceiba pentandra Wild Black Pepper Piper sp. Fabaceae Verbenaceae Corkwood Pterocarpus officinalis Wild Calabash Vitex compressa Meliaceae Guttiferae Crabwood Carapa guianensis Wild Mamee Platonia insignis Zingiberaceae Bromeliaceae Ginger Lilly Hidychum sp. Wild Pine Bromelia karatas Ink Vine Renealmia floribunda

A total of 674 individuals of 30 species >5 cm dbh were recorded in the Halcrow transects equating to a density of 112 stems/ha (Table 4). Halcrow 2 was more densely populated by wood species >5cm dbh than other transects with an average of 195 stems per ha, followed by Halcrow 3 with 103 stems per ha, and the savannah-dominated Halcrow 1 with only 38 stems per ha (Table 5). Paired t-tests indicated that the mean height of the woody vegetation was significantly greater in Halcrow 2 (5.4 m) than Halcrow 3 (4.9 m) and Halcrow 1 (4.5 m) (P < 0.01). The understorey in woodland reefs consisted of grass species, some vines and many tree saplings and seedlings. In the savannah areas grass species dominated (Table 6). GUYSUCO 1 – a total of 91 stems of seven woody species >5 cm dbh were recorded (Table 7). In order of frequency they were Long John, Manicole Euterpe oleracea, Clam Cherry, Corkwood, Congo Pump Ceropia obtusa, Plum and Wild Sijan. The mean height of woody species was 4.3 m. The understorey consisted of grasses, vines, palms, Corkwood, Carrion Crow Bush Senna alata and Corilla Bush Momorodica sp. (Table 8). In summary, the vegetation types, plant species assemblages and dominants were similar between the two conservancies. Three broad vegetation types were found to exist in the conservancies, with one intermediate type:

1. Densely populated wooded reefs of low-medium height 2. Low-grass savannah 3. Papyrus-dominated wet savannah 4. Sparsely wooded savannah with isolated trees and/or tree islands (intermediate type)

Within each of the vegetation types species assemblages were fairly homogenous and were typical of secondary or disturbed wet marsh habitats. The past land use in the area was cattle pasture and some cattle are still present in the area, partly accounting for the disturbance to the vegetation. Also there is evidence that the grassland (and forest) is subject to burning in the dry season either naturally or by man perhaps to improve grazing and/or to allow areas to be accessed more easily.

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No plant species of national or regional significance or global conservation importance were found (Mennega et al. 1998). The felling of Bulletwood is restricted in Guyana as historically it was economically important in the production of gum (balata) and also because it is an important wildlife species (monkeys and other mammals feed on the fruit)(van Andel et al. 2003). However, this species is expected to be declassified in the near future under revised legislation and will be harvested for commercial purposes. Other plant species of economic importance as Non-Timber Forest Species (NTFP) are Crabwood Carapa guianensis and Manicole Euterpe oleracea (van Andel et al. 2003). The seeds of Crabwood are used to produce crab wood oil that has medicinal properties and is used as an insect repellent. The heart of the Manicole plant, also known as cabbage palm, is removed for human consumption. Table 4. Frequency of Woody Species above 5cm dbh in all Halcrow Conservancy Transects

Species Total Stems/ha

Species (cont.) Total Stems/

ha Species (cont.) Total Stems/

ha Long John 135 22.50 Matura 14 2.33 Coomaka 3 0.50 Corkwood 101 16.83 Trysil 10 1.67 Haiariballi 3 0.50 Manicole 89 14.83 Bulletwood 9 1.50 Kurahara 3 0.50 Stink wood 65 10.83 Wild Calabash 7 1.17 Simarupa 3 0.50

Clam Cherry 51 8.50 Wild Mamee 7 1.17 Wild Goosberry 3 0.50

Yari Yari 35 5.83 Gum Tree 6 1.00 Wild Starapple 2 0.33

Plum 30 5.00 Kereti 6 1.00 Korokororo 1 0.17 Wild Sijan 30 5.00 Locust 5 0.83 Maho 1 0.17 Crabwood 25 4.17 Kokerite 4 0.67 Mamodan 1 0.17

Congo Pump 21 3.50 Batseed 3 0.50 Wild tamarind 1 0.17

Total 674 112.33 Table 5. Frequency of Woody Plant Species frequency in Halcrow Conservancy Transects

HALCROW 1 HALCROW 2 HALCROW 3 Species Total Stems/ha Species Total Stems/ha Species Total Stems/haCorkwood 27 13.5 Long John 70 35 Corkwood 47 23.5 Long John 22 11 Manicole 54 27 Long John 43 21.5 Clam Cherry 10 5 Stinkwood 50 25 Manicole 29 14.5 Plum 6 3 Clam Cherry 31 15.5 Stink wood 15 7.5 Manicole 6 3 Yari Yari 31 15.5 Crabwood 14 7 Congo Pump 4 2 Corkwood 27 13.5 Clam Cherry 10 5 Matura 2 1 Wild Sijan 22 11 Wild Sijan 8 4 Maho 1 0.5 Plum 17 8.5 Plum 7 3.5

Total 78 39 Congo Pump 13 6.5 Kereti 6 3 Crabwood 11 5.5 Gum Tree 5 2.5 Trysil 10 5 Matura 5 2.5 Bulletwood 8 4 Congo Pump 4 2 Matura 7 3.5 Yari Yari 4 2 Wild Calabash 6 3 Locust 2 1 Wild Mamee 6 3 Batseed 1 0.5 Kokerite 4 2 Bulletwood 1 0.5

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HALCROW 1 HALCROW 2 HALCROW 3 Species Total Stems/ha Species Total Stems/ha Species Total Stems/ha Haiariballi 3 1.5 Coomaka 1 0.5

Kurahara 3 1.5 Wild Calabash 1 0.5

Locust 3 1.5 Wild Mamee 1 0.5

Simarupa 3 1.5 Wild Starapple 1 0.5

Wild Goosberry 3 1.5 Wild tamarind 1 0.5

Batseed 2 1 Total 206 103 Coomaka 2 1 Gum Tree 1 0.5 Korokororo 1 0.5 Mamodan 1 0.5 Wild Starapple 1 0.5 Total 390 195

Table 6. Understorey Species < 5cm dbh occurring in each quadrat in the Halcrow

Conservancy

HALCROW 1 Quadrat 1 – Woodland Quadrat 2 – Savannah Quadrat 3 - Savannah Quadrat 4 - Savannah Species Species Species Species Fine Grass Fine Grass Fine Grass Fine Grass

Matura Long John Three cornered razor grass White Lady vine

Three cornered razor grass Congo Pump Similax Heliconia Corkwood White Lady Vine Bisi Bisi Wild Black Pepper

Bactris palm Heliconia White lady vine Three cornered razor grass

Wild clove Wild Black Pepper Bisi bisi

Long John Three cornered razor grass Corkwood

Wild pine Bisi bisi Buru Buru White Lady vine Buru Buru Heliconia Congo Pump Manicole Vines Bisi bisi Ginger Lilly

HALCROW 2 Quadrat 1 – Woodland Quadrat 2 – Woodland Quadrat 3 – Woodland Quadrat 4 – Savannah Species Species Species Species Fine Grass Fine Grass Stinkwood Moko Moko Matura Hassar Grass Yari Yari Long John Three cornered razor grass

Three cornered razor grass Corkwood Corkwood

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HALCROW 2 Quadrat 1 – Woodland Quadrat 2 – Woodland Quadrat 3 – Woodland Quadrat 4 – Savannah Species Species Species Species Corkwood Corkwood Heliconia Heliconia Bamboo Grass Vines Ginger Lilly Ginger Lilly

Long John Heliconia Three cornered razor grass Fine Grass

Stinkwood Ginger Lilly Vines Three cornered razor grass

Moko Moko Trysil Vines Yari Yari Bird seed grass Vines Bitter tally Heliconia Ginger Lilly

HALCROW 3 Quadrat 1 – Woodland Quadrat 2 – Woodland Quadrat 3 – Savannah Quadrat 4 – WoodlandSpecies Species Species Species Bactris palm Corkwood Fine Grass Long John

Vine Yari Yari Three cornered razor grass Corkwood

Long John Fine Grass Long John Fine Grass

Corkwood Crabwood Smilax Three cornered razor grass

Manicole Matura Ink Vine Matura Fine Grass Congo Pump Bisi Bisi Vine Three cornered razor grass Wild Sijan Bactris Matura Matura Yari Yari Wild Pine Smilax Table 7. Frequency of Woody Plant Species in the GUYSUCO Conservancy Transect Species Total Stems/ha Species contd. Total Stems/ha Long John 37 18.5 Congo Pump 6 3 Manicole 17 8.5 Plum 5 2.5 Clam Cherry 12 6 Wild Sijan 4 2 Corkwood 10 5 Total 91

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Table 8. Understorey Species < 5cm dbh occurring in each quadrat in the GUYSUCO Conservancy

GUYSUCO 1

Quadrat 1 - Woodland Quadrat 2 - Woodland Quadrat 3 - Savannah Quadrat 4 - Savannah Species Species Species Species Fine Grass Fine Grass Fine Grass Moko Moko Monkey Apple Hassar Grass Bactris Long John Three cornered razor grass

Three cornered razor grass Smilax Bitter Tally

Corkwood Corkwood Heliconia Heliconia Bamboo Grass Vines Ginger Lilly Ginger Lilly Long John Heliconia Three cornered grass Fine Grass

Congo Pump Ginger Lilly Vines Three cornered razor grass

Moko Moko Bitter Tally Ink Vine Vines Bitter Tally Moko Moko Fern Bird seed grass Vines Congo Pump Bisi Bisi Wild corila Heliconia Long John Briar Bisi Bisi Ginger Lilly Wild Sijan Wild Semitoo Water Grass Smilax Razor Grass Long Grass Wild Corila 3.2 Invertebrate fauna In total 27 invertebrate species belonging to 12 families were recorded (Table 9). No species of conservation importance were recorded and all invertebrates are typical of reef forest and savannah habitats. Table 9. Invertebrate Fauna of the Conservancies. Scientific name Common Name Scientific name Common name LEPIDOPTERA Butterflies & moths Neoconocephala spp. Pieridae Coleoptera Beetles Aphrissa statira Scarabaeidae Nymphalidae Dycenetus spp. Heliconius melopomene Postman Lutela spp. Anartia jatrophe Biscuit Chrysomelidae Leaf eating beetles Agrilus vanillae Silver spot Unidentified species 1 Precis zonatis Donkey eye Unidentified species 2 Riodinidae HEMIPTERA Bugs Nymphidium mantus Blue mymphidium Coeridae Evenus regalis Bank note blue Unidentified species 1 Lycaenidae Iassidae Leaf hoppers Tecla spp. 3 unidentified species Satyridae HYMENOPTERA Ants, bees & wasp Euptychia spp. Polistes spp. Paper wasp Hesperiidae Apis mellifera Honey bee Urania leilus DIPTERA Flies ODONATA Dragonflies Culex spp. Diastatops pullata Asilidae Robberflies Erythemis spp. Mellifora spp.

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Scientific name Common Name Scientific name Common Name Acrididae Grasshoppers Schistocerca pallens 3.3 Fish Fauna In total 481 fish belonging to 20 species and 9 families were recorded (Table 10). Chiclasoma festivum, a common cichlid popular with aquarists, was by far the most common species recorded. The perch-like fishes (perciformes) and characids (characiformes) dominated the fish fauna. The percentage composition among the fish fauna was as follows: perciformes 43%, characiformes 41%, siluriformes (catfish) 14%, cyprinodontiformes 2%, and gymnotiformes (knife-fishes) 1%. The relative abundance of fish in the Skeldon Water Path is 1.4 individuals per cast. Species caught by local fishermen to sell for human consumption (of economic importance) include the hassa Hoplosternum littorale, common pattwa Cichlasoma bimaculatum, and the huri Hoplias marabalicus. It is difficult to compare the results of this RBA to the results of the 2002 EIA, as unfortunately the latter study only provides species lists and does not provide information on the number of animals recorded and the sampling effort and does not provide a map of sampling locations (Anon. 2002). Table 10. Fish Species Diversity and Abundance in the Skeldon Water Path and surrounding

Waterways (*Gill Nets used)

SKELDON WATER PATH SITE

Taxa A B C D E F G H I J Camp* Opp. Surveys Total

Characidae Astyanax fasciatus Banded astynax 5 8 4 1 1 5 2 2 30 58

Ctenobrycon spilurus Silver tetra 1 1 2 4

Serrasalmus rhombeus Black or spotted piranha 1 12 1 1 15

Callichthyidae Callichthys callichthys Armoured catfish/flat head hassa

1 6 3 1 2 2 15

Hoplosternum littorale Hassa or armoured catfish 9 1 1 3 1 1 1 20 37

Hoplosternum thoracatum Brown hoplo catfish 6 6

Cichlidae Cichlasoma bimaculatum Common pattwa 2 15 10 3 1 4 17 3 4 8 1 103 171

Cichlasoma festivum Flying pattwa 11 12 23

Crenichicla saxatilus 6 1 7 Erythrinidae Erythrinus erythrinus Yarrowpa 3 1 5 34 43

Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus Yarrow 4 2 3 4 13

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SKELDON WATER PATH SITE

Taxa A B C D E F G H I J Camp* Opp. Surveys Total

Hoplias marabalicus Huri or Wolf fish 1 15 12 1 1 2 3 29 64

Gymnotidae Gymnotus carapo Banded knifefish 2 2

Gymnotus sp. Knifefish 1 1

Loricariidae Hypostomus plecostomus Suckermouth catfish 1 1

Rineloricaria sp. Catfish 1 6 7

Pimelodidae Pimelodus blochii Bloch’s catfish or Larima 1 1 2

Rhamdia holomelas Kassie 1 1

Poecillidae Poecilla sp. Molly 6 6

Sciaenidae Plagioscion squamosissimus S. American silver croaker

5 5

Number of individuals 246 13 222 481

Species richness 19 7 9 20 The EIA recorded more species (34), probably due to their extensive use of dragnets and gill nets and more extensive sampling programme, which included sampling of the Canje River. In contrast to the EIA, we found catfish to be relatively less abundant in the waterways. This is probably due to the fact that the EIA used dragnets to sample fish whereas we did not, and these dragnets are effective at sampling bottom-dwelling species such as catfish. As with the EIA, we did not record any species of conservation importance and all species recorded are relatively common and have extensive fresh water distributions along the coast of Guyana. 3.4 Amphibian fauna In total 113 amphibians belonging to 10 species and three families were recorded in transect surveys: one toad species (Bufonidae), six species of tree frogs (Hylidae), and three species of rain or ditch frogs (Leptodactylidae) (Table 11). No. amphibians were recorded during opportunistic surveys and timed searches. Using the Chao estimator we estimate the true species richness for the amphibian fauna of the conservancies and surrounding environs is 19 species. However, this is likely to be an underestimate as surveys took place at the end of the dry season when many amphibians are inactive and most male frogs are not calling. It is likely that many more amphibian species would have been recorded if the surveys had taken place at the beginning of the rainy season.

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Table 11. Amphibian Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow Conservancies

TRANSECT

Taxa G1 G2 H1 H2 H3 Timed Searches

Opp. Surveys Total

ANURA Bufonidae Bufo marinus Cane toad 24 12 5 4 15 60

Hylidae Hyla crepitans Rattle-voiced tree frog 4 4

Hyla granosa Rough-skinned tree frog 1 2 3

Hyla geographica Map tree frog 1 1

Hyla leucophyllata White leaf frog 1 1

Hyla minuta Lesser tree frog 1 2 1 2 2 8

Scinax ruber Common scinax 1 2 4 5 7 19

Leptodactylidae Eleutherodactylus johnstoneii Johnstone’s whistling frog

3 1 3 7

Leptodactylus sp. 1 Rain frog 1 1

Leptodactylus sp. 2 Rain frog 3 2 1 3 9

Number of individuals 29 21 17 0 17 29 0 113

Species richness 4 5 7 0 7 5 0 10 The relative abundance of amphibians is 4.2 individuals per km and 1.9 individuals per km for GUYSUCO and Halcrow conservancies, respectively. The cane toad Bufo marinus a large, ubiquitous species that feeds on a wide variety of arthropods, including the greybacked cane beetle that can threaten sugar cane production, dominates the amphibian community. The next most common species is the common scinax Scinax ruber. This medium sized tree frog that thrives in anthropogenically modified habitats such as logged forest, agricultural fields, as well as open lowlands and savannas. The amphibian species composition in the conservancies was similar to that recorded in the EIA (Anon. 2002) As with the EIA, all of the amphibian species we recorded have a wide geographical distribution, are relatively common and tolerant of a wide range of habitats, and are not of conservation importance (http://www.globalamphibians.org).

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3.5 Reptile fauna In total 69 reptiles belonging to 12 species and seven families were recorded during transect surveys, timed searches and opportunistic surveys: one caiman species, six lizard species, four snake species and one tortoise species (Table 12). Using the Chao estimator we estimate that the true species richness for the reptile fauna of the conservancies and surrounding environs is 48 species.

The relative abundance of reptiles is 2.6 individuals per km and 1.4 individuals per km for GUYSUCO and Halcrow Conservancies, respectively. The spectacled caiman Caiman crocodiles, the giant ameiva Ameiva ameiva, and the common tegu Tupinambis teguixin dominate the reptile community. Spectacled caiman are extremely abundant in the canals and waterways surrounding the conservancies. This extremely adaptable species is found in almost all lowland wetland and riverine habitats throughout its range (Hoogmoed 1979). The two large teiid lizards, the common tegu and giant ameiva, are dietary generalists who mainly inhabit open areas such as agricultural fields and lowland savannas (Pianka & Vitt 2003). Tegu lizards are particularly common along watercourses, like those found near the Halcrow and GUYSUCO conservancies, where they feed at the edge, often walking though shallow water. The reptile species composition in the conservancies was similar to that recorded in the EIA (Anon. 2002). As with the EIA, all of the reptile species we recorded have a wide geographical distribution, are relatively common, and are tolerant of a wide range of habitats. The only reptile recorded of conservation importance is the yellow-footed tortoise Geochelone denticulata. As with the EIA we only recorded this species in the reef woodland and not the savanna. This species is listed by IUCN as vulnerable. Throughout its geographical range the yellow-footed tortoise appears to be harvested at an unsustainable rate for human consumption. The common tegu is a CITES Appendix II species (www.cites.org). Table 12. Reptile Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow

Conservancies TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

CROCODYLIA Alligatoridae Caiman crocodilus Spectacled caiman 20 20

SQUAMATA Suborder: Lacertilia (lizards)

Gekkonidae Gonatodes humeralis Trinidad gecko 1 1

Polychrotidae Anolis sp. Anole 1 1

Scincidae Mabuya mabuya Mabuya skink 3 1 4

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Teiidae Ameiva ameiva Giant ameiva 4 3 1 11 19

Kentropyx sp. Kentropyx lizard 1 5 6

Tupinambis teguixin Common tegu 2 2 2 5 11

Suborder: Serpentes (snakes)

Colubridae Liophis sp. (L. lineatus?) Garter snake 1 1

Oxybelis aeneus Vine snake 1 1

Spilotes pullatus Tiger ratsnake 1 1

Viperidae Bothrops atrox Labaria or Fer-de-lance 1 1

TESTUDINAE Testudinidae Geochelone denticulata Yellow-footed tortoise 3 3


Species richness 2 4 0 3 7 3 1 12 3.6 Mammal fauna In total 93 volant and non-volant mammals belonging to 13 species were recorded. Sixty non-volant mammals belonging to eight species and six families were recorded during transect and opportunistic surveys (Table 13). Using the Chao estimator we estimate that the true species richness for the non-volant mammal fauna of the conservancies and surrounding environs is 13 species. The most commonly observed non-volant mammals are squirrel monkey Saimiri scuireus and red rumped agouti Dasyprocta leporina. Both species are ubiquitous, common, and adaptable, being found in variety of forest types and primary forest, secondary forest and forest edges (Emmons & Feer 1997). The relative abundance of non-volant mammals is 2 individuals per km and 1.3individuals per km for GUYSUCO and Halcrow conservancies, respectively. Eighteen proboscis bats Rhynconycteris naso were recorded during transect surveys in the GUYSUCO conservancies. Fifteen phyllostomid (leaf-nosed bats) bats belonging to four species were captured in mist nets (Table 14). Scratch marks of jaguar Panthera onca, a species listed as near threatened by IUCN, were observed. The two species of monkeys recorded, the red howler Alouatta seniculus and squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus, are CITES Appendix II listed. The assessment team surveyed the Manarabisi Canal and Skeldon Water Path for the presence of West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus and interviewed local fishermen and hunters. The team did not observe manatees. Local hunters and fishermen have not encountered manatees for many years and are

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likely to be extirpated (hunted) from the area. Red brocket deer used to be encountered in the conservancies but hunters state that they have moved due to human disturbance caused by the construction of the dams and clearing and burning of vegetation to clear land for sugar cane cultivation. Other species that we recorded by the EIA in reef woodland and may have been present in the conservancies have probably moved due to human disturbance or been extirpated through hunting e.g. labba Agouti paca and white-lipped peccary Tayassu peccary (Anon. 2002). Table 13. Mammal species diversity and abundance recorded during transect surveys, time

searches and opportunistic observations in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow conservancies. S = mammal signs (jaguar scratch marks)

TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

XENARTHRA Myrmecophagidae Tamandua tetradactyla Southern tamandua 1 1

CHIROPTERA Emballonuridae Rhynconycteris naso Proboscis bats 9 9 18

PRIMATES Cebidae Allouata seniculus Red howler monkey 3 2 5

Saimiri sciureus Squirrel monkey 15 2 9 26

CARNIVORA Felidae Panthera onca Jaguar S ?

Procyonidae Nasua nasua Coatimundi 4 4

Procyon cancrivorous Crab-eating racoon 1 1

ARTIODACTYLA Cervidae Mazama Americana Red brocket deer 1 2 3

RODENTIA Dasyproctidae Dasyprocta agouti Red-rumped agouti 2 18 20


Species richness 2 3 5 1 0 0 4 9

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Table 14. Bat Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow Conservancies. Bats were captured in mist nets

TRANSECT Taxa G1 G2 H1 H2 H3 Total PHYLOSTOMIDAE Glossophaga longirostris Long-tongued bat 1 5 6

Carollia perspicillata Short-tailed fruit bat 2 2 1 5

Tonatia bidens Greater round-eared bat 2 2

Micronycteris microtis Little big-eared bat 1 1 2

Number of individuals 4 7 4 15 Species richness 3 2 3 4

3.7 Avifauna In total 2773 birds belonging to 119 species and 38 families were recorded during transect surveys, timed searches and opportunistic surveys (Table 15). Twenty-four birds belonging to 14 species were captured in mist nets. No new species were captured in mist nets. Using the Chao estimator we estimate that the true species richness for the avifauna of the conservancies and surrounding environs is 140 species. The avifauna community is dominated by three species, the smooth billed ani Crotophaga ani, brown-throated parakeet Aratinga pertinax and the great kiskadee Pitangus sulpharatus. As with the majority of birds recorded, these three species have a wide geographical distribution, are relatively common, and are tolerant of a wide range of habitats (Hilty 2003). The relative abundance of the avifauna is 74.4 individuals per km and 28.6 individuals per km for GUYSUCO and Halcrow conservancies, respectively. The only species recorded of conservation importance was the blue-cheeked amazon parrot Amazona dufresnia, a species listed by IUCN as near threatened. Cites Appendix II species recorded were the orange-breasted falcon Falco deiroleucus, roadside hawk Buteo magnirostris, toco toucan Ramphastos toco, red-billed toucan Ramphastos tucanus, black-necked aracari Pteroglossus aracari, blue-headed parrot Pionus menstrus, red-shouldered macaw Diopsittaca nobilis, brown-throated parrotlet Aratinga pertinax, green-rumped parrotlet Forpus passerinus, great black owl Buteogallus urubitinga, tropical screech owl Otus choliba, great horned owl Bubo virginianus, and the little hermit Phaethornis longuemareus. Table 15. Avifauna Species Diversity and Abundance in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow

Conservancies TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Accipitridae Buteo magnirostris Roadside hawk 1 3 2 1 4 11

Buteogallus urubitinga Great black hawk 1 1 1 1 4

Busarellus nigricollis Black collared hawk 2 3 2 4 1 7 19

Circus buffoni Long winged harrier 1 1 3 5

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail kite 6 2 13 21

Aramidae Aramus guarauna Limpkin 1 1 6 8

Ardeidae Ardea alba Great egret 1 1 1 3

Butorides striatus Striated heron 9 7 3 25 44

Tigrisoma lineatum Rufescent tiger heron 1 1 2

Bombycillidae Dendroica aestiva Yellow warbler 2 2

Caprimulgidae Caprimulgus sp. Nightjar 1 1

Nyctidromus albicollis Paraque 1 1

Cardinalidae Paroaria gularis Red capped cardinal 4 2 2 8

Saltator coerulescens Southern greyish saltator 12 3 1 9 25

Cathartidae Cathartes aura Turkey vulture 1 5 4 4 5 19

Coragyps atratus Black vulture 13 1 4 9 27

Cerylidae Cloroceryle aenea Pygmy kingfisher 1 2 3

Chloroceryle amazona Amazon kingfisher 1 1 2

Chloroceryle inda Green rufus kingfisher 1 1

Megaceryle torquata Ringed kingfisher 3 1 2 6

Charadriidae Pluvialis squatarola Black bellied plover 10 10

Columbidae Claravis spp. Ground dove 1 1 2

Columba plumbea Plumbeous pigeon 1 1 1 1 8 12

Columba subvinacea Ruddy pigeon 2 2 4

Columbina talpacoti Ruddy ground dove 2 3 1 1 1 24 32

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Leptotila rufaxilla Grey fronted dove 3 7 2 2 1 1 16

Leptotila verreauxi White tipped dove 4 4 11 19

Cracidae Ortalis motmot Little chacalaca 10 3 13

Nycticorax nycticorax Black crowned night heron 4 4

Cuculidae Crotophaga ani Smooth billed ani 80 28 30 55 45 26 189 453

Crotophaga major Greater ani 28 10 18 56

Piaya cayana Squirrel cuckoo 1 3 4

Piaya minuta Little cuckoo 1 5 1 1 8 16

Tapera naevia Striped cuckoo 4 10 3 5 2 2 20 46

Dendrocolaptidae Glyphorynchus spirurus Wedge billed woodcreeper 1 1 1 3

Xiphorhynchus picus Straight billed woodcreeper 1 1 2

Xiphorhynchus polysticus Buff throated woodcreeper 2 2 3 7

Emberizidae Oryzoborus angolensis Lesser seedfinch 1 1

Sporophila lineola Lined seedeaters 6 4 4 2 2 3 21

Sporophila minuta Ruddy breasted seedeater 2 2 4

Volatinia jacarina Blue-black grassquit 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 10

Falconidae Caracaara cheriway Crested caracara 2 2

Falco deiroleucus Orange breasted falcon 1 1

Herpetotheres cachinnans Laughing falcon 2 3 3 8

Milvago chimachima Yellow headed caracara 3 3

Furnariidae Certhiaxis cinnamomea Yellow throated spinetail 18 21 4 1 1 4 33 82

Synallaxis albescens Pale breasted spinetail 4 5 3 4 5 21

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Gabulidae Galbula albirostris Yellow billed jacamar 2 2

Galbula galbula Green tailed jacamar 2 10 1 3 12 28

Hirundinidae Hirundo rustica Barn swallow 11 11

Progne chalybea Gray breasted martin 3 3

Icteridae Agelaius icterocephalus Yellow hooded blackbird 1 2 3

Cacicus cela Yellow rumped cacique 2 2 1 5

Icterus nigrogularis Yellow oriole 4 8 1 7 3 1 18 42

Quiscalus lugubris Carib grackle 3 3

Psarocolius decamanus Crested oropendola 1 1

Sturnella militaris Red breasted blackbird 3 3 1 1 8 16

Jacanidae Jacana jacana Wattle jacana 22 11 3 78 114

Picidae Dryocopus lineatus Lineated woodpecker 3 1 2 6

Picumnus exilis Golden spangled piculet 2 2 4

Picumnus spilogaster White bellied piculet 1 1

Veniliornis affinis Red stained woodpecker 2 4 2 4 12

Opisthocomidae Opisthocomus hoazin Canje pheasant (Hoatzin) 2 2

Pandionidae Pandion haliaetus Osprey 1 1

Pipridae Pipra erythrocephala Golden headed manakin 9 9

Psittacidae Amazona amazonca Orange winged parrot 6 5 11

Amazona ochrocephala Yellow crowned parrot 35 2 13 50

Aratinga pertinax Brown throated parakeet 40 3 11 71 15 7 142 289

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Diopsittaca nobilis Red shouldered macaw 13 13

Forpus passerinus Green-rumped parrotlet 104 8 112

Pionus menstrus Blue headed parrot 8 8

Rallidae Porphyrula martinica Purple gallinule 1 1

Rallidae Aramides cajanea Gray necked woodrail 1 1

Rhamphastidae Pteroglossus aracari Black necked aracari 3 2 2 1 6

Ramphastos toco Toco toucan 1 1

Ramphastos tucanus Red billed toucan 1 1

Scolopacidae Tringa solitaria Solitary sandpiper 1 1 2

Strigidae Actitis macularia Spotted sandpiper 2 2

Calidris pusilla Semi palmated sandpiper 1 1

Bubo virginianus Great horned owl 2 1 3

Otus choliba Tropical screech owl 1 1

Thamnophilidae Cymbilaimus lineatus Fasciated antshrike 6 1 7 14

Hypocnemis cantator Warbling antbird 2 2

Pygiptila stellaris Spot winged antshrike 3 3

Taraba major Great antshrike 3 2 2 2 6 15

Thamnophilus doliatus Barred antshrike 1 1

Thamnophilus doliatus Barred antshrike 4 10 1 6 18 39

Sakesphorus canadensis Black crested antshrike 12 9 8 20 49

Thraupidae Chlorophanes spiza Green honeycreeper 3 3

Chlorophonia pyrrhophyrs Chestnut bellied seedeater 2 2 1 3 1 5 14

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Euphonia violacea Violaceous euphonia 2 3 5

Ramphocelus carbo Silver beaked tanager 10 21 10 6 21 68

Tachyphonus rufus White lined tanager 1 1

Tangara cayana Burnish buff tanager 2 2

Tangara mexicana Turquoise tanager 3 8 5 2 8 26

Thraupis episcopus Blue grey tanager 9 3 3 13 28

Trochilidae Glaucis hirsuta Rufous breasted hermit 1 3 1 2 7

Phaethornis longuemareus Little hermit 1 1 2

Phaethornis sp. Hermit hummingbird 2 2

Troglodytidae Donacobius atricapillis Black-capped donacobius 3 3

Thryothorus coraya Coraya wren 1 8 10 2 14 35

Troglodytes aedon Southern housewren 2 5 16 23

Trogonidae Trogon viridis White tail trogon 1 1

Tyrannidae Arundinicola leucocephala White headed marsh tyrant 1 2 4 7

Attila cinnamomeus Cinnamon Attila 2 2

Camptostoma obsoletum Southern bearded tyrant 1 1

Elania flavogaster Yellow bellied elania 4 2 4 1 15 27

Fluvicola pica Pied water tyrant 17 7 1 2 1 21 49

Myiopagis gaimardii Forest elania 1 1

Myiozetetes cayanensis Rusty margined flycatcher 9 4 3 16

Pitangus sulpharatus Great kiskadee 59 30 12 15 5 3 103 227

Philohydor lictor Lesser kiskadee 16 1 5 22

Todirostrum cinereum Common tody flycatcher 1 8 10 19

Todirostrum maculatum Spotted tody flycatcher 14 8 4 10 3 1 49 89

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TRANSECT


Opp. Surveys Total

Tyrannus melancholicus Tropical kingbird 15 14 8 12 7 4 47 107

Unidentified sp. 1 Tyrannulet 1 2 3

Turdidae Turdus olivater Black hooded thrush 8 7 3 5 4 1 15 43

Vireonidae Hylophilus sp. Greenlet 1 2 3

Number of individuals 506 387 197 274 144 71 1194 2773 Species richness 57 47 47 43 41 23 97 119

3.8 Key Species and Habitats of Conservation Importance The assessment team surveyed both conservancies for key biodiversity features. Key biodiversity features are:

Globally threatened species i.e. IUCN Red Listed species (www.redlist.org). Significant populations of rare or otherwise nationally or regionally threatened species. Endemic species. Rare or threatened habitats (globally, regionally or nationally). Particularly good examples (e.g. large and highly natural) of characteristic habitats. Features of high intrinsic ecological importance or interest. Features of high socio-economic importance. Features (habitats, species) of high cultural importance.

Other than jaguar, the yellow-footed tortoise, and the blue-cheeked amazon parrot, no key species or habitats of conservation importance (IUCN: critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened or CITES Appendix I) were found in the conservancies and the surrounding environs. In summary, the fauna of the conservancies appears to be composed largely of common generalist species that are not of conservation importance. 3.9 Indicator Species Birds were selected as indicator species for future ecological monitoring. Indicator species are taxa that are used as surrogate measures of overall biodiversity and/or ecosystem health. Birds are good biodiversity indicators as they are ecologically diverse, relatively common in the conservancies, well studied, relatively easy to sample and identify, and able to respond relatively rapidly to environmental changes. They are often used as surrogate measures of the overall biodiversity of an area. Some insectivorous bird species are good indicators of forest disturbance. Birds that forage on insects terrestrially or in the forest understorey should be monitored (Thamnophilidae) to monitor the ‘health’ of the reef forest, as there is some evidence that they may be adversely affected by forest disturbance in the Neotropics (Thiollay 1992; Mason 1996). Aquatic/wading birds (Ardeidae and Anatidae) should be monitored, as they are good indicators of the health of freshwater ecosystems since they depend on healthy fish stocks, which in turn depend on healthy populations of aquatic invertebrates. 3.10 Summary of Flora and Fauna Species Diversity All of the faunal species we recorded have a wide geographical distribution, are relatively common, and are tolerant of a wide range of habitats. Only three animal species of conservation importance were

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recorded. In addition the plant species in the conservancies also have a wide geographical distribution and are not uncommon in Guyana. 3.11 Shift in Species Composition Following the flooding of 1520 ha of the conservancies, primarily the GUYSUCO Conservancy, then terrestrial animals will attempt to move following the flooding of their habitat. However, the carrying capacity of adjacent suitable habitat is likely to be full and most of these animals will not be able to establish themselves in new areas. Terrestrial animal species with small home ranges within the GUYSUCO Conservancy will be most affected but the number of species occurring in the conservancies will not change. Of the two species of conservation importance, the jaguar and yellow-footed tortoise, the former has a large home range the loss of 1520 ha of habitat will not impact on this species. The yellow–footed tortoise is restricted to woodland savannah that will largely be unaffected by the flooding of the GUYSUCO Conservancy and part of the Halcrow conservancy. The increase in water level in the conservancies will likely lead to a major die-off of most trees and other vegetation in flooded areas. In short, the species composition and structure of the floral and faunal communities in the GUYSUCO conservancy and a small part of the Halcrow conservancy is likely to change with terrestrial animals being replaced by aquatic and semi-aquatic animal species and plants. However, most of the Halcrow conservancy will be unaffected, including the marsh reef forest that has the greatest biodiversity, and no species of conservation importance are likely to be affected.

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4. CONSTRAINTS & LIMITATIONS A number of factors constrained fieldwork:

Terrestrial habitats – By far the greatest constraint to undertaking fieldwork was that both conservancies consisted primarily of swamp and flooded savannahs, thus making fieldwork difficult and dangerous. Deep bog swamps (pegasse) severely restricted access to most of the GUYSUCO conservancy. Within the GUYSUCO conservancy the ground was so water laden and boggy that for safety reasons it was extremely difficult to traverse the area by foot or by vehicle. The edges of the conservancy are nearly impenetrable due to thick stands of thorny bush and tangled vines. The flooded savannahs areas of the Halcrow Conservancy made traversing the area laborious and very time consuming and large areas of razor grass species made traversing the area difficult. Unfortunately the water level was not high enough to allow access to both conservancies by boat.

Aquatic habitats – The canals and water paths where fish sampling was conducted contained a

large number of spectacled caiman and piranha that resulted to the damage of cast nets and gill nets. Additionally, the water level in the water path and adjacent canals fluctuates over a 48 hour period due to pumping activities resulting in low water levels that precluded sampling on some occasions.

Time – The terms of reference that provided guidance for the biodiversity assessment stipulated

that the fieldwork had to be completed within three weeks and this was achieved. However, given the considerable size of the study area, particularly the Halcrow conservancy that covers 6,000 ha, it was not possible to sample and map the entire area within the time period. Nevertheless the assessment team traversed as much of the area as possible and are confident that the vegetation types sampled in the transects, is representative of the vegetation throughout the conservancies. Moreover, the fieldwork was supplemented by aerial reconnaissance of the conservancies.

During the time of the rapid biodiversity assessment, it was mainly dry season within the conservancies and as such there should have been less fruiting trees and consequentially less birds than during the wet season when there is a greater abundance and diversity of avifauna, in particular insectivorous birds. As well, terrestrial animals are more dispersed during the dry season as compared to wet season conditions when they are confined to the highland areas. However, the Team is of the view that the RBA was conducted at the correct time of the year when the wet savannahs and swamp areas of the conservancies were most easily accessible and at a time when the wet season was commencing. It is unclear whether water levels would have been high enough during the wet season to access all of the conservancies by boat, more than likely the level would have only risen a few cm and the savannah grasses and other vegetation impeding movement by boat. Additionally, traversing the conservancies by foot or vehicle during the wet season would have proven extremely difficult.

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5. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Biodiversity monitoring The five transects we established in the GUYSUCO and Halcrow Conservancies should be monitored to detect changes in species composition and abundance. In addition for biodiversity-monitoring new transects should be established in areas of the Halcrow Conservancy that will not be flooded. Birds should be used as indicator species to detect changes in the biodiversity of the conservancies. The same protocol we used for transect surveys should be used (for avifauna monitoring datasheet see Appendix III). Ideally monitoring should occur annually. To control bias and allow comparison of results, monitoring should occur at the same time of year that we conducted transect surveys (November - December). If species of conservation importance become resident in the new habitat created by the flooding of the conservancies then management practices should be implemented to conserve these species. 5.2 Hunting Currently red brocket deer Mazama americana, agouti Dasyprocta leporina, and labba Agouti paca and other mammalian species are hunted. A ban on hunting within the conservancies needs to be strictly enforced to protect the biodiversity of the conservancies. Certainly yellow-footed tortoise should not be harvested and jaguar should not be shot. Notice boards indicating a ban on hunting need to be erected at entry points to Skeldon Estate and security personnel need to check vehicles moving in and out of the estate for firearms and game species. 5.3 Cattle Ranching Cattle should not be allowed in the conservancies as cattle disturb the vegetation leading to a decrease in biodiversity. 5.4 Fire Control The grassland and forest should not be burned. A ban on setting fires in and around the conservancies needs to be strictly enforced to protect the habitat and animals and conserve biodiversity. 5.5 Management of Watershed/Catchment Area Protection and management of habitats and species should be extended to include not only the conservancies but also the entire catchment (watershed) area of the Canje River.

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6. LITERATURE CITED Ceres, C. et al. 2002. Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Proposed Expansion to Skeldon Estate. Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc., Newton, Kitty, Georgetown, Guyana. van Andel, T. MacKinven, A. and Banki, O. 2003. Commercial Non-Timber Forest Products of the Guiana Shield. IUCN/GSI. Chao, A. 1984. Nonparametric estimation of the number of classes in a population. Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 11: 265-270. Emmons, L. H. and Feer, F. 1997. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: a Field Guide. 2nd Edition, University of Chicago Press, London. Hilty, S.L. (2003) Birds of Venezuela. 2nd edition. Princeton University Press, Princeton. Hoogmoed, M.S. 1979. The Herpetofauna of the Guianan Region. Monograph Museum of Natural History, 7: 241-277 Lim, B.K., and Engstrom, M.D. 2001. Species diversity of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Iwokrama forest, Guyana, and the Guianan subregion: implications for conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 10: 613-657 Mason, D. (1996) Responses of Venezuelan understory birds to selective logging, enrichment strips, and vine cutting. Biotropica, 28, 296-309. Mennega, E. A., Tammens-de Rooij, W. C. M., Jansen-Jacobs, M. J. (eds.). 1998. Check-List of Woody Plants of Guyana. Tropenbos Technical Series No. 2. Pianka, E.R. and Vitt, L.J. 2003. Lizards: Window to the Evolution of Diversity. University of California Press. Thiollay, J.M. (1992) Influence of selective logging on bird species diversity in an Guianan rain forest. Conservation Biology, 6, 47-63. www.globalamphibians.org Global Amphibian Assessment – a comprehensive conservation status assessment of the world’s amphibian species. www.cites.org - an international agreement between Governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. www.redlist.org IUCN 2004 Red List. An assessment of the conservation status of species, subspecies, varieties on a global scale in order to highlight taxa threatened with extinction, and therefore promote their conservation.

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APPENDIX I Terms of Reference Rapid Biological Assessment of the Halcrow and Guysuco Conservancies, Guyana Background: 1. To modernize Guyana’s sugar sector and make it more internationally competitive, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) is constructing a new, larger sugar factory to replace the existing one at Skeldon. To supply enough cane for the new sugar factory, a significant expansion of cane cultivation (about 10,000 ha) is underway in the Skeldon area, along Guyana’s East Coast. At the same time, GUYSUCO has agreed to manage the Halcrow Conservancy (some 6,000 ha) and adjacent Guysuco Conservancy (1,500 ha) in a manner appropriate for biodiversity conservation. While supplying needed water for nearby cane fields and other irrigated agriculture, these two conservancies will also protect 7,500 ha of freshwater swamp and reef forest, rich in a wide variety of animal and plant life. Rationale for Consultancy: 2. This consultancy will carry out a Rapid Biological Assessment (RBA) of the animal and plant life of the area encompassing the Halcrow and Guysuco conservancies, which are state lands under long-term management by GUYSUCO. The principal objectives of this RBA are (i) to obtain baseline data (useful for future monitoring and management) on the presence, distribution, and relative abundance of biodiversity on the two conservancies (with special emphasis on species of conservation interest) and (ii) to increase awareness, within Guyana and internationally, of the biodiversity significance of these conservancies. Responsibilities and Methodology: 3. The Consulting Team (described below) will carry out the Rapid Biological Assessment in the field and produce the reports indicated below. In carrying out this work, the team should, inter alia: a. Review the available literature on the biodiversity of the site, particularly the species information contained within the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Proposed Expansion to Skeldon Estate (Ground Structures Engineering Consultants, March 2003), available from GUYSUCO. The RBA should build upon, rather than repeat, the biological survey work done for this report. b. Survey the animal and plant life within all habitat types (open water, marsh, wooded swamp, upland reef forest, etc.) in the area encompassed by both conservancies and adjacent portions of the Canje River, taking special note of species of conservation interest, such as large cats, tapirs, macaws, caimans, Anaconda (Eunectes marinus), Bullet Wood (Manilkara bidentata), and the Caribbean Manatee (Trichechus manatus). In the case of the latter species, the team should also examine the Manarabisi Canal and Skeldon Water Path (outside the conservancy limits) for evidence of any remaining manatees (which were introduced decades ago but might have been hunted out).

c. Where needed for positive identification or to enhance scientific collections, the Consulting Team may collect plant and animal specimens (but no more than five individuals of any vertebrate species). However, there must be no collecting of species classified as threatened (critical, endangered, vulnerable, etc.) or near threatened by Guyanese or international authorities (including CITES Appendices I and II). Furthermore, since GUYSUCO will prohibit hunting on the conservancies, any scientific collection of birds and mammals should be done discreetly, so as not to create perceptions of hypocrisy among local people (that GUYSUCO indeed allows hunting, but only by the privileged few). d. Upon completion of the fieldwork, the Consulting Team should produce the reports indicated below.

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Required Outputs: 4. The Consulting Team will have flexibility in deciding the format and style of its written outputs. However, at a minimum, these outputs must include: a. A scientific report describing the habitat types and species present, including relative abundances, with emphasis on species of conservation interest. The report should recommend which indicator species should be the focus of any future ecological monitoring. The report should also provide any technical recommendations the Consulting Team might have for GUYSUCO personnel regarding how best to manage the conservancies for optimum biodiversity (taking into account their essential water supply function). Sufficient copies of the report should be produced for dissemination to the National Drainage and Irrigation Board, Environmental Protection Agency, University of Guyana, Conservation International-Guyana and other conservation NGOs, World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, and other stakeholders. When completed, this report should be considered the shared property of GUYSUCO and the biologist authors, any of whom should be able (and encouraged) to disseminate this and related material at future conferences and other public events.

b. One or more brochures, magazine articles, or other popular (not overly technical) account of

the conservancies’ biodiversity and long-term conservation significance. This material should be reproduced and available for widespread dissemination among interested audiences in Guyana. Qualifications and Experience: 5. The Consulting Team should consist of (i) about six expert biologists (botanist, entomologist, mammalogist, ornithologist, herpetologist, and ichthyologist/aquatic ecologist), one of whom would be the Team Leader; (ii) field assistants (at least two per biologist); (iii) a field logistical coordinator; and (iv) field support staff (camp attendants, car and boat drivers, etc.). The expert biologists should be internationally recognized for their knowledge and ability to identify the species in question. The Team Leader should have strong English writing skills and experience in producing ecological reports of the types indicated above. Nonetheless, it is expected that most (if not all) of these experts will be Guyanese (both to reduce costs and to maximize the accumulation and dissemination of local knowledge). The field assistants should be Guyanese (ideally some from the East Coast), who should be selected and trained (for about one week) by the expert biologists. Level of Effort: 6. The RBA should commence as soon as possible in June 2005 and all fieldwork, writing, and report production should be completed by January 31st , 2006. It is expected that the actual field work in the conservancy areas will take about three weeks.

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APPENDIX II Schedule of Activities and Fieldwork Date Activity

Mon 14/11/05 Advance team M. Tamessar and Mr. Khalawan and four unskilled workers arrive at site. Establish base camp. Build temporary accommodation and pit latrine for 10 persons. Initiate cutting of vegetation and faunal transects.

Tue 15/11/05 Complete construction of temporary accommodation. Cut vegetation and faunal transects.

Wed 16/11/05 Main assessment team arrives. Cut vegetation and faunal transects.

Thu 17/11/05 Cut vegetation and faunal transects. Initiation of vegetation assessment and faunal surveys – transect surveys for mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Fish sampling.

Fri 18/11/05 Cut vegetation and faunal transects. Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys.

Sat 19/11/05 Cut vegetation and faunal transects. Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys.

Sun 20/11/05 Cut vegetation and faunal transects. Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys.

Mon 21/11/05 Cut vegetation and faunal transects. Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Manarabisi Canal and Skeldon Water Path examined for evidence of West Indian Manatees.

Tue 22/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Wed 23/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Thu 24/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys.

Fri 25/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Manarabisi Canal and Skeldon Water Path examined for evidence of West Indian Manatees.

Sat 26/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Sun 27/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Opportunistic faunal surveys. Mon 28/11/05 Vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Opportunistic faunal surveys. Tue 29/11/05 Completion of vegetation assessment and faunal surveys. Opportunistic faunal surveys. Wed 30/11/05 Dismantle base camp. Assessment team leaves Skeldon Estate.

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APPENDIX III Avifauna Transect Monitoring Datasheet Transect site:

Date: Time start: Time end:

Rain: Heavy Moderate Light None Monitoring team: Comments: Time Species Observed? Heard? Number Notes

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Key for completing avifauna Transect monitoring datasheets

TRANSECT – the name of transects e.g. Halcrow Transect 3. TIME START/TIME END – the time in 24-hour clock that Timed Searches start and end. RAIN – will be recorded as heavy, moderate, light or none (no rain). MONITORING TEAM – the names of the team conducting the biodiversity-monitoring. TIME – the time of day that each bird is observed or heard should be recorded. OBSERVED – tick box if bird observed. HEARD – tick box of bird heard but not observed. NUMBER – number of birds observed or heard.

Avifauna Transect monitoring protocol Record all birds observed or heard along transects using Visual Encounter Sampling.

Teams of observers walk along the transect starting at 05:45 am and all birds observed are

recorded (walking slowly and quietly, sampling each 2 km transect should take 2-3 hours).

The next day the team will walk along a different transect until all transects have been sampled three times.

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APPENDIX IV Images

Picture 1. Wooded reef ‘islands’ within the Guysuco Picture 2. Skeldon Water Path bordering the Conservancy Guysuco Conservancy

Picture 3. Open savannah and wooded reefs within Picture 4. Halcrow Conservancy the Guysuco Conservancy

Picture 5. Expansive dense wooded reef area Picture 6. Open savannah and wooded reef in the within the Halcrow Conservancy Halcrow Conservancy

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Picture 7. Black-capped Mocking-thrush Picture 8. Glittering Throat Emerald

Picture 9. Lesser Seedeater (male) Picture 10. Phaethorinis Species

Picture 11. Red-capped Cardinal (male) Picture 12. Silver-beaked Tanager (male)

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Picture 13. Yarrow Picture 14. Huri

Picture 15. Black Piranha Picture 16. Hypostomus Species

Picture 17. Characidae Species Picture 18. Glass Frog

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Picture 19. Hyla geograhica MapTree Frog Picture 20. Scinax ruber

Picture 21. Garter Snake Liophis sp. Picture 22. Vine Snake Oxybelis aeneus

Picture 23. Mabuya Skink Lizard Picture 24. Kentropyx Lizard

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Picture 25. Raccoon Procyon cancrivorous Picture 26. Proboscis bats Rhynchonycteris naso

Picture 27. Short tailed fruit bat Carollia perspicillata Picture 28. Round-eared bat Tonatia bidens

Picture 29. Bird Survey in Halcrow Conservancy Picture 30. Collecting Vegetation Data

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Picture 31. Cast Net Fishing Method Picture 32. Guysuco Conservancy Transect 2

Picture 33. Taking bird out of net Picture 34. Main Canal

Picture 35. Papyrus Cyperus spp.- Halcrow Transect 3 Picture 36. Heliconius Spp. - Halcrow Transect 3

draft scientific report - guysuco biodiversity assessment ... · in total 481 fish belonging to 20...

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