Biodiversity - Haiti Observer Blog

The site of la Hotte which is located in the Massif o La Hotte in Haiti has been selected by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve. This decision was made in Peru by UNESCO as they added 20 additional sites to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This brings the total number of biosphere reserves around the world to 669, scattered in 120 countries.

Haitian Kreyol:

Massif de la Hotte chwazi pa UNESCO kòm Biosphère mete an rezèv

Massif de le Hotte te chwazi pa UNESCO kòm yon rezèv byosfèr. Desizyon sa a te fè nan Perou pa UNESCO pandan ke yo te ajoute 20 sit anplis nan Rezo Mondyal byosfèr Rezèv. Sa a pote kantite total rezèv byosfr atravè mond lan a 669 ki gaye toupatou nan 120 peyi.

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The Caribbean contains a high level of biodiversity at risk of further degradation. The Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) has been set up to facilitate cooperation between Caribbean countries to engage in biodiversity restoration and sustainability practices used world-wide. The CBC is comprised of three nations. Haiti and the Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola, and Cuba, lying to the north, are subject to frequent natural disasters. These events weaken biodiversity infrastructure and scare off organizations that worry increases in expenditures will bankrupt their efforts.

Haiti ranks second in natural-resource differentiation with over 30% flora and 75% vertebrates native and omnipresent on the island. Despite these impressive statistics, its tree-canopy coverage has been severely depleted, with only 1.5% of Haiti's landmass blanketed.

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For the first time in history, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized Haiti by establishing a biosphere in the region of La Selle. This region is inhabited by about four percent of the Haitian population. The main economic activities taking place in this region include fishing, tourism, and handicraft and agro-forestry business.

The area was recognized due to the presence of vast mountains and plains coupled with dry tropical forest and a coastal environment. The biosphere is shared by both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is a stretch in the region of the Caribbean forming a kind of a corridor which is shared among the countries in the Caribbean.

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