Ecoregions of the Caribbean

Hispaniola, a large Caribbean island, is known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. In addition to lush tropical rainforests and vibrant coral reefs, it is home to the unique Greater Hispaniolan Dry Forests. These arid forests, found in parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, showcase nature's resilience and support a variety of endemic species thriving in challenging conditions. Despite their ecological importance, these forests face numerous threats from human activity and climate change, making their preservation crucial.

The Bahamas boasts a remarkable array of natural environments. This region's ecological diversity is vividly expressed through three primary ecoregions: the Bahamian dry forests, the Bahamian pine mosaic or Bahamian pineyard, and the Bahamian mangroves. Each of these ecoregions, with its distinctive features and ecological roles, extends beyond the Bahamas into neighboring Caribbean islands such as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands.

Cuba, the largest Caribbean island, features a stunning variety of ecoregions, each housing distinct ecosystems and endemic species. The island's natural environments, which range from vibrant forests to dry scrub and expansive wetlands, are vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Exploring Cuba's primary ecoregions emphasizes their traits, importance, and conservation challenges.

The Windward Islands, located in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, are part of the Lesser Antilles and include islands such as Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada. Due to their diverse topography, climatic conditions, and unique geological history, these islands exhibit various ecoregions. Among the most significant ecoregions are the Windward Islands' moist forests, dry forests, and xeric scrub.

Spanning the coasts of some of the Caribbean's most iconic islands, the Greater Antilles Mangroves ecoregion forms a vital natural network that supports a rich array of biodiversity and plays a critical role in the health of coastal ecosystems. From the shores of Cuba and Hispaniola to Puerto Rico and Jamaica, these mangrove forests thrive in the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea, creating a buffer between land and ocean while providing shelter to countless species.

The Hispaniolan Pine Forests represent one of the most distinctive ecoregions on Hispaniola, home to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Located in the Greater Antilles, this ecoregion is predominantly in the island's central mountainous areas and supports many endemic species. Once covering large portions of the island's highlands, these forests are now confined mainly to higher elevations due to deforestation and land degradation. However, they remain a vital refuge for biodiversity and a key component of Hispaniola's natural heritage.

The Hispaniolan moist forests are a tropical broadleaf forest ecoregion on Hispaniola, encompassing parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. They are rich in biodiversity and support numerous unique species of flora and fauna. However, they have experienced significant degradation over time due to human activities, such as deforestation and agricultural expansion. Today, conservation efforts focus on preserving the remaining patches of this ecoregion, which once covered vast portions of the island.

Puerto Rico, a jewel of the Caribbean, is home to a remarkable diversity of ecoregions that reflect its unique geography, climate, and history. From lush rainforests to arid coastal plains, the island's ecoregions harbor a wide variety of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic. These natural landscapes are not only vital for biodiversity but also form the backbone of Puerto Rico's cultural heritage and ecological sustainability.

The Trinidad and Tobago moist forests ecoregion covers most of the two-island nation located off the northeastern coast of South America. While small portions of the islands are home to other habitat types, such as mangroves and dry forests, the moist forests dominate the landscape and support an exceptionally diverse flora and fauna.

Jamaica's position in the Caribbean Sea has given rise to three distinct World Wildlife Fund (WWF) terrestrial ecoregions: the Jamaican moist forests, Jamaican dry forests, and Greater Antilles mangroves. These ecological zones represent unique assemblages of flora and fauna shaped by the island's geographical isolation, varied topography, and climate patterns. Protecting these ecoregions is critical to preserving the island's natural heritage.