Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Project Summary

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), known for their spectacular beaches and coral reefs, are also home to a diverse array of native plants that play a vital role in the islands' ecosystems. A three-year partnership between the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Government of TCI's Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) has now identified, mapped and collated the priority plant species and habitats to ensure their long-term conservation and sustainable management.

This project, funded by the UK Government's Darwin Plus Initiative, builds on two decades of collaboration between Kew and DECR. Together, they've identified 19 Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) across the islands – sites that represent the best examples of native vegetation and support the territory's most threatened plant species. The need for this work was pressing. Tourism, which drives nearly half of the islands' economy and brings over a million visitors annually, has led to extensive coastal development. Combined with threats from climate change, invasive species, and a devastating scale insect that has killed over 90% of the native Caribbean pines, many plant populations face an uncertain future.

Through systematic field surveys across all major islands – from developed Providenciales to uninhabited East Caicos – the team documented 541 native plant species. While only eight species are endemic to the archipelago, another 49 have restricted ranges across the Caribbean, making TCI an important refuge for regional plant diversity. Notable species include the Turks head cactus, the territory's national plant, and several rare orchids that grow on the limestone rocks.

The project delivered practical tools for conservation. The team completed 172 species threat assessments for the IUCN Red List, providing standardised evaluations of conservation status. They created detailed digital maps showing plant distributions and threatened habitats, which government planners now use when reviewing development proposals. Ongoing genetic studies of agaves and orchids are resolving taxonomic problems and improving our understanding of the evolution of the flora. The team also developed a technical guide and plans for interpretation panels at key sites to help residents and visitors appreciate the islands' botanical heritage. DECR will continue to monitor and refine the TIPAs post-project.

The 19 TIPAs range from small coastal areas supporting rare shrubs to entire islands like East Caicos, which remains largely undeveloped. Each site was carefully selected using scientific criteria and validated through stakeholder workshops. These areas are already influencing policy decisions and some will be considered for formal protection under new environmental legislation. Our collaborative approach demonstrates how international partnerships can deliver lasting conservation benefits. By combining Kew's technical expertise and herbarium data with DECR's local knowledge and ongoing stewardship, the result is a science-based system that helps the Turks and Caicos Islands protect their natural heritage while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Project outputs

A new baseline of knowledge about the flora of TCI
Population genetics of key Agave and Encyclia orchids to inform conservation
Enhanced GIS maps of threatened habitats and species
Published IUCN Red List assessments of priority species
Published Guide to the TIPAs of TCI
Interpretation panels at key sites