FAA 118/119 tropical forests and biodiversity analysis : Dominican Republic

The analysis focuses on explaining the changes that have occurred since the previous assessment prepared in 2001 by International Resources Group, Ltd. (IRG) and supplementary assessments written in 2002 (Perez) and 2003 (Hernandez). The analysis identified seven threats to biodiversity and provides specific recommendations to address them: (1) non-native invasive species (NNIS) are a severe threat to native plants and animals; (2) illegal logging is a threat to biodiversity; (3) conversion of forest land and natural landscapes to other land uses; (4) soil erosion and sedimentation has affected more than two thirds of the country (according to the Ministry of Environment); (5) unregulated tourism and industrial factory development; (6) illegal trading in forest plants and animals is considered the second largest threat, after loss of habitat, to the extinction of plants and animals; (7) the impacts of climate change on biodiversity will be felt by all countries around the world due to loss or habitat changes. Based on the analysis, Section 8 of the report provides recommendations going forward, and in particular, in addressing the identified threats to biodiversity in the Dominican Republic.