Dominica is home to biodiversity of world significance; the island geography and complex geology
have created unique habitats and high species diversity. Key biodiversity habitats are part of
Dominica’s forest system, one of the richest and most extensive ones in the Lesser Antilles.
Dominica is known as the ‘Nature Island’ and has the most extensive natural forests in the Eastern
Caribbean of around 43,000 ha and is home to the most diverse assemblage of wildlife among
the smaller Caribbean islands. The vegetation types (flora) include littoral woodland, elfin
woodland, semi-deciduous forest, mature rain forest, montane forest, scrub woodland and
savannah. Other natural vegetation types are influenced by soil conditions including wetlands
and fumarole vegetation.
Poorly regulated tourism could emerge as a threat to Dominica’s biodiversity, due to weak
environmental controls and inadequate integration of protected areas. Biodiversity in Dominica
is therefore currently facing habitat loss due to tourism development, primarily in the Cabrits
National Park in the North, and the unsustainable pressure placed on ecotourism sites,
encroaching on turtle nesting sites and wetlands habitat for crabs. Secondly, Agriculture and land
degradation including deforestation are two of the greatest contributors to loss of indigenous
biodiversity. Private landholdings of forested areas threaten biodiversity due to habitat
fragmentation and poor agricultural practices such as the use of agrochemicals; and thirdly, the
weak legislative framework that is not conducive to strong biodiversity management. Poor
legislative framework was attributed to budget limitations for biodiversity and its perceived low
contribution to economic growth, and lack of environmental impact assessments. Irregularities
in weather patterns and effects of climate change, and more recently hurricane Maria introduced
additional complexities into biodiversity management and conservation, thus the focus on
maintenance of a healthy ecosystems
View entire document HERE