La Selle / Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve (Dominican Republic, Haiti)

La Selle / Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve (Dominican Republic, Haiti)

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This transboundary Biosphere Reserve includes the biodiverse reserves of La Selle in Haiti and Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic. These reserves include the La Visite National Park in Haiti and the Lago Enriquillo National Park in the Dominican Republic.

La Selle / Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve

The La Selle / Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve is a transboundary Biosphere Reserve that includes the reserves of La Selle in Haiti and Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic.

These two reserves represent ecological corridors divided by a political and administrative frontier. Bringing them together is hoped to allow for improved environmental management.

On the Haitian side, the biosphere reserve is located in the Massif de la Selle, which contains 'Pic la Selle,' Haiti's highest peak at 2,680 m (8,793 ft). It is the second most biodiverse region of the country after the Massif de la Hotte.

These two mountain ranges form the southern peninsula of the island of Hispaniola, known for its high level of endemism. Most endemic species are flowering plants, of which 16% are endemic to this region.

The Dominican side includes three biogeographic regions in the Caribbean:

  • Hoya del Lago Enriquillo

  • Sierra de Bahoruco

  • Procurrente de Barahona

The La Selle / Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve comprises many natural ecosystems, from tropical highlands to karstic terraces with coastal, marine, islands and cays with rich biodiversity and essential regional endemism.

The area has a rich faunal diversity, including pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and manatees (Trichechus manatus). In addition, the 'Isla Beata' and 'Los Cayos Los Frailes' have an enormous variety of marine birds; 107 bird species and 67 reptiles are reported all over the reserve.

From a geological point of view, the area has a wide variety of igneous and sedimentary rocks dating to the Late Jurassic (140 million years).

Communities living within or near the area of the reserve practice several economic activities related to agroforestry, fisheries, tourism, recreation and leisure, and crafts. The reserve has significant cultural, historical, political, social, and religious values.

La Selle Biosphere Reserve

The La Selle Biosphere Reserve was Haiti's first biosphere reserve. The area includes a large number of different ecosystems and protected areas, such as:

  • La Visite National Park, which is one of the most important biodiversity sites in the country

  • Forêt-des-pins Forest Reserve, Haiti's biggest pine reserve, is dominated by the endemic pine species Pinus occidentalis

Significant cultural and architectural traditions are preserved in the historic city of Jacmel, which is partially included in the biosphere reserve.

Most endemic species are flowering plants, of which 16% are endemic to this region. In addition, the area has 22 species of amphibians and 41 species of reptiles, of which two are endemic to the Massif de la Selle.

The area has many landscapes and ecosystems: rainforests, mountain pine forests, deciduous forests and high-altitude dry forests. However, the coastal landscape is dominated by marine ecosystems such as mangroves, lagoons, estuaries and deltas.

The area is home to nearly 4% of the country's population, or about 380,000 people, of which about 68% are in the transition zone. Communities living within or near the area of the reserve practice several economic activities related to agroforestry, fisheries, tourism, recreation and leisure, and crafts.

The reserve has significant cultural, historical, political, social and religious values. The district of Jacmel, the central city of the South-East department (part of which is located in the reserve), has significant cultural and historical sites. The historic center of Jacmel still retains all urban and architectural consistency dating from colonial times.

The South-East department is also known for its handicrafts, art, architecture, music, and Carnaval, deeply rooted in the area's rich tradition.

Jaragua-Bahoruca-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve

The Jaragua-Bahoruca-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve is located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. The protected Lago Enriquillo National Park, covering Lake Enriquillo, a highly saline lake below sea level, is one of its more important features.

The Jaragua-Bahoruca-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve comprises many natural ecosystems, from tropical highlands to karstic terraces with coastal, marine, islands and cays, rich biodiversity, and important regional endemism.

The relief is sloped, covered by humid and cloud forests, caves and coastal wetlands with significant mangrove associations, mud banks and lagoons, creating a complex of habitats supporting a high diversity of flora and fauna. In the coastal and marine area of Parque Jagara, species of pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and manatee (Trichechus manatus) are found.

The Isla Beata and Cayo Los Frailes host various marine birds. Some 107 bird species and 67 reptiles are reported all over the reserve.