Puerto Rico Critical Wildlife Areas - Puerto DRNA - Gobierno de ...

32- Former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base Mangroves, Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Area Description:
The former U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads mangroves are located on the east coast of
Puerto Rico in the municipality of Ceiba. The facility occupies approximately 3,238 ha and is
bordered on all sides but the west by the Caribbean Sea.
This CWA area includes the extensive mangroves ecosystems, Piñero Island and Cabeza
de Perro Cay. Roosevelt Roads Naval Station contains one of the largest stands of relatively
pristine mangrove habitat in the Caribbean Basin. Mangrove habitat is critical to many species
of Neotropical migrant birds and was once the host of breeding colonies of the endangered
Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) (YSBL). During 1975-1976, Post and
Wiley (1976) estimated that about 200 YSBL existed in this CWA. By 1982, the population had
declined to six pairs (97% decline) (Cruz et al., 1989). In 2002, only three nests were found
(DNER 2002). From 2003 to 2004, no nest of YSBL has been seen, although they have count
two individuals in the Naval Station facilities (DNER 2003 and 2004).
The terrain ranges from low (12-15 m) hills on either side of the harbor entrance to a low
ridge in the northwest quadrant having a maximum elevation of about 92 m. The importance of
the coast of Ceiba lays on the presence of many bays and coves that provides refugee for a
variety of species. The presence of extensive areas of the sea grass Thalassia testudinum provide
habitat for different marine species that are endangered. Also there is extensive mangrove stands
interspersed with saltflats, shallow ponds and forested hills. These areas are of great importance
for resident and migratory bird species.
Ownership/Protection:
This area used to be Roosevelt Roads NAVY Base and today some areas are part of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Roosevelt Roads is due to close on 31 March 2004. On Sept.
30, 2003, the President of the United States signed into law the fiscal year 2004 Defense
Appropriations Act. The legislation included language that calls for the NAVY to close Naval
Station Roosevelt Roads no later than six months after enactment of the act.
Special Recognition:
This CWA is classified as one of the endangered Yellow-shouldered blackbird critical
habitats (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995). The Roosevelt Roads mangroves complex and
coastal waters are still classified as a primary CWA.
Wildlife:
Birds
Thirty seven bird species have been reported in the mangroves of Ceiba: West Indian
Whistling duck Dendrocygna arborea, Least grebe Tachybaptus dominicus, Ruddy duck
Oxyura jamaicensis, Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis, Yellow shouldered blackbird
Agelaius xanthomus, White-crowned pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala, Black-necked stilt
Himantopus mexicanus, Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus, (Cardona and Rivera 1988).
White-cheeked pintail Anas bahamensis, Blue-winged teal A. discors, Green-winged teal A.
crecca, Lesser scaup Aythya affinis, Green heron Butorides virescens, Great blue heron Ardea
herodias, Great egret A. alba, Snowy egret Egretta thula, Tricolored heron E. tricolor, Little
blue heron E. caerulea, Caribbean Coot Fulica caribaea, Clapper rail Rallus longirostris,
Osprey Pandion haliaetus, American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus, Greater yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca, Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularia, Black-bellied plover Pluvialis
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