Flora and fauna in the Dominican Republic
Flora and fauna in the Dominican Republic
Flora and fauna in the Dominican Republic
Flora of the Dominican Republic
The nature of the Dominican Republic is so diverse and rich. The Dominican Republic takes the first place in biodiversity in the Caribbean. Except of the eternal snow zones, all climatic zones are represented in the island. You can find tropical jungle as well as extensive pine forests in the mountains.
In the southwest of the country is the area with cactus stands and nopals. The most widespread across the country are various types of palms – there are over 45 types palm trees. 26 types are native and 19 imported. Among the most common palm trees are the coconut palm tree, royal palm and palm cana then palm manila, guano, yarey and many others.
The mahogany trees are also widespread throughout the country – mahogany or caoba is the national tree of the Dominican Republic. Beside them you can easily find the fiery blooming Flamboyans, the African tulips and countless fruit trees.
At several places on the island, you can also admire extensive mangrove stands, such as in the Los Haitises National Park. According to botanical surveys, there are about 600 tree species on the island. From agricultural crops you can find coffee, cocoa, banana, papaya, maracuja, bushes of cashew nuts, tobacco plantations, rice, corn, sugar cane, pineapples and other exotic fruits and vegetables. From flowering plants in national parks you can encounter a flood of flowers of bougainvillea and hibiscus and up to 300 species of various orchids flowers some of them can be find only in the Dominican Republic.
Over 12% of the total area of the Dominican Republic is a protected area. There are 14 national parks and 9 nature reserves. 12% of the area consists of arable land and 33% of forests. Since 1982, the felling of trees has been banned in the Dominican Republic! From all plant species growing on the island – over 5600 species – 36% of them are endemic.
Fauna of the Dominican Republic
For some of you the local fauna can be a little disappointing. You will not find large mammals or predators. The unusual low number of mammals is due to the relatively small size of the island and its isolated geological development – the island is of vulcanic origin and has emerged from the sea some 75 million years ago. Yet you can still find something special. Among the rarities, for example, are “winter” whales matings – occurring on the Dominican coast every year between January and March. This spectacle is an incredible experience and whoever is here at this time of the year should not miss it. The number of whales arriving here to reproduce is estimated to be up to 3000 pieces per year. These giants – weighing about 40 tons and measuring 15-20 meters, could be seen at a distance of several tens of meters.
Another place to visit is the national park at Lake Enriquillo, where one of the last wild colonies of the American crocodile is located. At the shore and on the island, which is located in the center of the lake, there are plenty of 1m large lizards – iguanas. Surrounding area is also a place where we can find most of bird species on the island – eg the Caribbean Flamingo Colony.
The same paradise, especially for bird admirers, is the “Los Haitises” National Park where you can see pelicans, herons, cormorants, vultures and sea gulls. Of the more than 250 species of birds present on the island, almost half of the birds are birds of passage and 22 species are endemic. The most valuable bird species is the so-called cotorra – Amazonia ventralis – a parchment-green parrot parrot, which can still be found freely in the mountains. This bird is the national bird of the Dominican Republic. When you are very attentive, you will see tiny hummingbirds at flowers of evergreen hibiscus…
During the visit of the Southwest Coast with a bit of luck, in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean can be seen not only dolphins, but also large sea turtles or Steller’s sea cow – called “manati” which can be found only in few places on our planet and which has the same descended as an elephant!
The impenetrable jungle provides habitat for lot of birds, but also for various snakes, lizards and insects (except for mosquitoes and spiders also a bit of poisonous centipedes etc.). Fortunately, there are not any insects dangerous for man. Interestingly, out of the 33 species of mammals on the island 18 of them are bats. Among endangered species belongs beside manati also a sympathetic insect eateing Jutía and its related solenodon.
