La Patience
Nature Park The Estate is located within the Fond Watershed that has
its headwaters at the foothills of the highest mountains in the central
spine of the island (near Mt. Gimie). The topography is varied, with precipitous slopes along the northern and southern
boundaries of the watershed. Gentler slopes dominate the lower reaches
of the watershed along the river channel, although at some locations the
river has been deeply incised into the underlying bedrock giving rise
to localized steep slopes in several areas.
Biodiversity: The lands at the highest elevations are
still covered by climax lower montane rainforest. The dominant emergent
tree species include balata (Manilkara bidentata), gommier (Dacryoides
excelsa) and chatagnier (Slonea caribaea). The dominant overstorey
typically stands at in excess of 100 feet above the forest floor.
Secondary species that dominate the understorey are listed in the
inventory of flora and Fauna.
Wildlife biodiversity associated
with the forest at that location are similar to that found in the
adjacent montane forest. Among the best known include the endangered
St. Lucia Parrot (Amazona versicolor). Several endemic bird species are
found in the forests at Patience Estate. These include the St. Lucia
Oriole, the St. Lucia Pewee, the St. Lucia Warbler and the St. Lucia
Blackfinch. Other relatively rare species include the Forest Thrush and
the Bridled Quail Dove. The latter species are associated with
relatively undisturbed close forest cover.
Reptile biodiversity consists of lizards and
snakes. The St. Lucia Anole (Anolis lucae), endemic to the island is
found, in addition to the St. Lucia Pygmy Gecko (Sphaerodactylus
microlepis), the House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) and St. Lucia anole
(Anolis luceae) It is assumed the very rare St. Lucia Whiptail
(Cnemidophorus vanzoi), only found on the Maria Islands (and a small
population recently translocated to Praslin Island) was once found in
the forests on the mainland. Three snake species are known to inhabit
the area. These are the St. Lucia Boa Constrictor (Constrictor
oraphias), the St. Lucia Viper (Bothrops caribbaeus) and the St. Lucia
Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops bilineatus)
