Characterization of the Network of Protected Areas in Puerto Rico

J. Castro-Prieto; Maya Quinones; William A. Gould

Treesearch

Characterization of the Network of Protected Areas in Puerto Rico

Formally Refereed

Authors:

J. Castro-Prieto, Maya Quinones, William A. Gould

Year:

2016

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

International Institute of Tropical Forestry

Source:

Caribbean Naturalist

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Abstract

Our goal was to describe the biodiversity and associated landscape diversity and forest cover characteristics within the network of terrestrial protected areas in Puerto Rico. We conducted spatial analysis to quantify different indicators of diversity at these sites. We found that protected areas in Puerto Rico overlap the most species-rich regions on the island, encompass a diverse landscape, are dominated by core forest, and include predicted habitats for 31 threatened vertebrate species analyzed here. However, when we calculated the proportion of the biodiversity features that are actually protected, we concluded that most of them need better representation within protected areas. Other available conservation mechanisms that enhance biodiversity conservation could be employed in addition to expanding the current network of protected areas.

Keywords

protected areas, Puerto Rico, biodiversity indicators, conservation

Citation

Castro-Prieto, J.; Quinones, M.; Gould, W.A. 2016. Characterization of the Network of Protected Areas in Puerto Rico. Caribbean Naturalist. 29:1-16.