Quill / Boven National Park

Evergreen seasonal forest is the dominant habitat of the Quill sector, and dominated by Cotton Tree (Ceiba pentandra), Yellow Plum (Spondias mombin) and Laurel (Phoebe elongata). Shrub and herb layers beneath the canopy are dominated by liana (Iperaceae sp) and ferns with a rich moss flora. Unique Elfin Forest is found at the top of the Quill on Mount Mazinga and dominated by Wild Balsam (Clusia major) and Copey Vera (Ternstroemia peduncularis) and includes liverworts such as Frullania spp. The drier Boven sector is typified by Seasonal Thorny Woodland. Acacia, Agave and Cactus species are dominant throughout the hills and wild fruit trees grow in valleys (Sugar Apple Annona squamosa and Kinnup Mellicocca bijuga) surrounded by abundant vines such as passionflower (Passiflora sp) and Cockspur (Pisonia aculeata). Steeper slopes are generally covered with bushes such as Wild Sage (Lantana sp.).

Within the terrestrial and surrounding marine habitats of St Eustatius, 19 IUCN Red List species, 10 CITES Appendix 1 species and 98 Appendix 2 species of flora and fauna live, feed and breed. There are many other species that make this island their home and contribute to the ecology of St. Eustatius.

A rich moss flora exists, and liverworts are scarce (Augustinus, Mees & Prins, 1985). Evergreen seasonal forest is similar to rainforest and is biologically very diverse.

The fauna assemblages are dominated by birds, reptiles and one snake species. The Quill and Boven are resident to many rare species of birds, some of which are commonly found in localized areas, such as Scaly Breasted Thrashers (Margarops fuscus), Bridled Quail Dove (Geotrychon mystacea), Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita aurita), and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis coryi). Noteably, 100-200 pairs (representing over 1% of the global population) of the Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) are breeding on steep hillsides of the Quill / Boven National Park. A widely distributed bird of prey is the island signature bird known as the Killy Killy or American Kestrel (Falco sparverius caribaeum). The range of the Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is increasingly restricted on surrounding islands but is found within the National Park with an estimated population of 425 in 2005. Tree lizards and ground lizards are abundant. The Red-bellied Racer snake is endemic to St Eustatius and Saba and is commonly observed in the National Park.