UK overseas territories in the northeast Caribbean: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat.
2000
Gell, F. | Watson, M.
The United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOT) of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands and Montserrat are in the Lesser Antilles, in the northeast Caribbean. All are small. Tropical storms and hurricanes are the most common causes of natural disturbance in this region, and for the Atlantic basin as a whole there has been an increase in the number of strong hurricanes since 1995. In Montserrat, volcanic activity is the outstanding environmental problem, and this has caused extensive destruction in the last few years. Shallow, sheltered habitats support large areas of seagrasses, mostly of shallow beds of Thalassium testudinum (turtle grass). Coral communities are also extensive. Mangroves are reduced in extent, mostly as a result of piecemeal destruction for waterside developments although mangrove felling is illegal. The beaches of the islands are one of their most important tourist attractions. This chapter describes various economic activities present in the region.
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