Anegada, British Virgin Islands. Extent of occurrence: 25 km², Area of occupancy: <10 km². Ex situ population: One mature, reproducing individual in the display collection of the JR O’Neal Botanic Garden on Tortola, BVI. 22 seedlings are in cultivation at the JR O’Neal Botanic Garden Nursery.

Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate it to be locally common on limestone and scarce on sand dunes. Treated as one location with no distinct subpopulations.

Unknown

Definite preference to limestone substrate – field data show a frequency >50% on limestone and <5% on sand dunes (based on 104 x 20 m² plots). Field observations indicate poor recruitment – relatively few seedlings or saplings observed.

Anegada is under severe development pressure resulting in both loss of habitat to residential and tourism infrastructure, and further fragmentation due to upgrading and construction of new roads. Loose livestock (cattle, goats, donkeys) roam the island and impact at the habitat (trampling) and species level (grazing). Invasive species may be a problem with increasing habitat fragmentation. The Settlement (Anegada’s only town) has lots of known invasives, three of which have been observed moving into natural habitats – Casuarina equisetifolia (also found along several western dunes), Cryptostegia madagascariensis and Bryophyllum pinnatum. Fire may be a problem in the future – increasing use of fire to clear land. Highest point of Anegada is approx. 10 m above sea level. Most of the preferred habitat is <3 m above sea level and so global climate change will reduce quality and area of habitat available to A. anegadensis. Natural disasters are a current and on-going threat e.g., hurricanes, coastal inundation and earthquakes. Formally cut for timber and the resin used as a boat sealant. No current utilization known.

A small proportion of the preferred habitat (limestone) lies within a Ramsar site (declared 1999) and national legislation is currently being prepared to declare this a Protected Area. One mature, reproducing individual in cultivation in the JR O’Neal Botanic Garden on Tortola, BVI. 22 seedlings in cultivation in the botanic garden nursery (collected in Anegada in 2000). Protected Wildlife legislation is currently being revised and consideration is being given to including named endemic/ threatened species of flora and fauna within this Schedule.

Clubbe, C., Pollard, B., Smith-Abbott, J., Walker, R. & Woodfield, N. 2003. Acacia anegadensis. In: IUCN 2010 . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4 . <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 May 2012 .