| Hispaniolan dry forests | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Jaragua National Park, Dominican Republic | |
 Ecoregion territory (in purple) | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Neotropical |
| Biome | tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 15,123 km2 (5,839 sq mi) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Critical/endangered[1] |
| Protected | 2,859 km2 (19%)[2] |
TheHispaniolan dry forests are atropical dry broadleaf forestecoregion on the island ofHispaniola (split between theDominican Republic andHaiti). They cover 15,123 km2 (5,839 sq mi), around 20% of the island's area.[1]
The dry forests are found mostly on the southern and western portions of the island of Hispaniola, covering portions of both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The ecoregion covers the southern and western coastal lowlands, theCul-de-Sac–Enriquillo lowland, and theCibao Valley in the north-central portion of the island.[1]
Plant communities include high dry forest and cactus scrub dominated by species ofProsopis,Pilosocereus,Hippomane,Cylindropuntia,Agave, andBursera, as well asMelocactus lemairei.[3]
Given the climate, reptiles are numerous in this region. Species found includeRicord's iguanas (Cyclura ricordii),rhinoceros iguanas (C. cornuta),Hispaniola racers (Haitiophis anomalus), andBarreras fanged snakes (Ialtris agyrtes). A 2017 study found thatextinctgiant tortoises (Chelonoidis marcanoi) found on Hispaniola were specialists adapted to dry, open habitats and had a major role in shaping this ecoregion; following a decrease in the extent of these ecosystems after the end of thePleistocene, these tortoises were restricted torefugia habitats up until their extinction.[4]
2,859 km2, or 19%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[2] Protected areas includeAnacaona National Park,Canapé-Vert National Park,Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó National Park,Grand Bois National Park,Jaragua National Park (1535.5 km2),La Gran Sabana National Park,Lagon des Huîtres National Park,Les Matheux National Park,Máximo Gómez National Park,Picky Lora National Park,Sierra de Bahoruco National Park (1091.8 km2),Sierra Martín García National Park,Three Bays National Park,Arroyo Cano Forest Reserve (23.9 km2),Barrero Forest Reserve (192.2 km2),Cabeza de Toro Forest Reserve (5.9 km2),Cerro de Bocanigua Forest Reserve (29.2 km2), Carretera Cabral - Polo panoramic road (12 km2), and Carretera Santiago - La Cumbre - Puerto Plata panoramic road (21 km2).[5]
