What is biodiversity and why does it matter?

Biodiversity is the basis of all life, and it is our responsibility to protect it

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Biodiversity is the basis of all life, and it is our responsibility to protect it 〰️

The Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot, including our tri-island state.

What makes Grenada special

Grenada’s native and endemic species contribute to our local biodiversity and make this nation truly unique. Endemic species are those that are found nowhere else in the world. Grenada has several endemic species and subspecies, including our national bird the Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi).

Data included to right is from the Grenada National Ecosystem (2023) and excludes introduced or invasive species.

  • At least 5 endemic plants and 150 species of medicinal plants

  • 177 bird species recorded, with 2 endemic species (Grenada dove and Grenada wren), 1 endemic subspecies (Grenada hook-billed kite), and many Caribbean regional endemics

  • 4 terrestrial amphibians, including 1 endemic frog

    >15 reptiles, including 5 sea turtles, 4 endemic snakes, and 1 endemic lizard

  • 15 species - 11 bats and 4 other, including 2 endemic (Lesser Chapman’s murine opossum and Grenada rice rat)

  • Over 20 endemic species

Local Resources for Exploring Grenadian Biodiversity

Grenada National Ecosystem Assessment

Comprehensive assessment of Grenada’s ecosystems, services, and threats; written by dozens of local and international authors in 2020-2023.

Grenada Biodiversity 101 Magazine

Developed by the Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund providing information on Grenada’s protected areas, endemic or endangered species, and priorities for conservation.

Grenada Biodiversity Data Hub

Scientific resource developed by the Gaea Conservation Network as a hub for biodiversity data, to make data more accessible and reduce duplication of scientific effort. 

The Grenada National Ecosystem Assessment is quite an intimidating document (totaling 550 pages!) so two additional resources have been developed to ease entry into the NEA and provide key users with the information they need in a more digestible format: