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ISLAND DIRECTORY

Islands of Puerto Rico (United States)

Culebra     [1560]
   Group: Puerto Rico   Archipelago: Greater Antilles
   Country: United States - Puerto Rico   Region: Caribbean Sea
Lat: 18.33º N   Long : 65.33º W
Area: 0.0 sq. km   Altitude: ? m
Depth to nearest land: <200 m
Nearest island: 15 km   group: 30 km
Nearest continent: South America    Distance: 850 km    Isolation Index: 39
ISLAND TYPE:      Natural Protection Indicator: 1
GEOLOGY/SOILS:

CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
   Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS:

*SPECIES NUMBERS*:	*Total*	*Endemic*	*Threatened (EVRI)*
*Plants*	0	1	1
*Butterflies*	0	0	0
*Land snails*	0	0	0
*Rept/Amphib*	15	1	4
*Land birds*	0	0	0
*Mammals*	0	0	0

SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants: Peperomia wheeleri (evergreen shrub) endemic, Endangered by feral livestock Reptiles/Amphibians: Anolis roosevelti, endemic, Endangered
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 3
Marine endemic species: 0 Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2   Marine: 0
  seabird rookery, some turtle nesting
INVASIVE SPECIES:     Invasive Species Indicator: 4
  feral animals

HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, ?
Population: 0    Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
HUMAN IMPACTS:

PROTECTED AREAS:    Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
Number: 1   Area: Terrestrial: 2.8 sq. km    Marine: 0 sq. km
Culebra Wildlife Sanctuary (1909) (284 ha)
DATA RELIABILITY: partial    Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX     HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX   CI-Terrestrial: 8   Moderate
CI-Marine: 2   Low
REFERENCES:

Last updated: 16/09/90

Desecheo     [2006]
   Group: Puerto Rico   Archipelago: Greater Antilles
   Country: United States - Puerto Rico   Region: Caribbean Sea
Lat: 18.40º N   Long : 67.55º W
Area: 1.5 sq. km   Altitude: ? m
Depth to nearest land: >201 m
Nearest island: 22 km   group: 80 km
Nearest continent: South America    Distance: 730 km    Isolation Index: 41
ISLAND TYPE:      Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
   Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS:

*SPECIES NUMBERS*:	*Total*	*Endemic*	*Threatened (EVRI)*
*Plants*	0	0	0
*Butterflies*	0	0	0
*Land snails*	0	0	0
*Rept/Amphib*	0	2	0
*Land birds*	0	0	0
*Mammals*	0	0	0

ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 0
Marine endemic species: 0 Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1   Marine: 0
  seabird rookery
INVASIVE SPECIES:     Invasive Species Indicator: 4
  goats and monkeys reduced seabird colonies
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, ?
Population: 0    Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Conservation support: tenure, government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS:    Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 7 Marine: 0
Number: 1   Area: Terrestrial: 1.5 sq. km    Marine: 0 sq. km
DATA RELIABILITY:    Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX     HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX   CI-Terrestrial: 4   Low
CI-Marine: 2   Low
Last updated: 14/10/90

Mona (Isla Mona) - including Monito    [1559]
   Group: Puerto Rico   Archipelago: Greater Antilles
   Country: United States - Puerto Rico   Region: Caribbean Sea
Lat: 18.10º N   Long : 67.90º W
Area: 0.0 sq. km   Altitude: ? m
Depth to nearest land: >200 m
Nearest island: 55 km   group: 55 km
Nearest continent: South America    Distance: 675 km    Isolation Index: 41
ISLAND TYPE:      Natural Protection Indicator: 1
GEOLOGY/SOILS:

CLIMATE: subtropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
   Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS:           Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4    Marine: 1
Dry forest (73%), moist forest (6%), shrub forest on north-east and east, low cacti near cliffs
   Percent of land: Forested: 79% Developed: 0% Degraded: 0%

*SPECIES NUMBERS*:	*Total*	*Endemic*	*Threatened (EVRI)*
*Plants*	393	4	43
*Butterflies*	0	0	0
*Land snails*	0	0	0
*Rept/Amphib*	12	3	7
*Land birds*	0	1	1
*Mammals*	0	0	0

SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants: 393 vascular plants, 4 endemic, 11% rare or endangered Reptiles/Amphibians: 5 endemic reptiles on Mona, 2 on Monita Sphaerodactylus monensis, endemic to Mona Sphaerodactylus micropithecus, endemic to Monito, Endangered Anolis monensis, endemic to Mona and Monito Typhlops monensis, endemic to Mona, Rare Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri, endemic to Mona, Vulnerable Epicrates monensis monensis, endemic to Mona, Rare 1 endemic amphibian Eleutherodactylus monensis, endemic to Mona Birds: Agelaius xanthomus monensis (Mona Yellow-shouldered Blackbird) endemic, 300- 500 (1987) and stable, Vulnerable 6 breeding seabirds, with further 3 possible
SPECIES RICHNESS:   Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
moderate
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 2 Group: 3
Marine endemic species: 0 Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2   Marine: 0
  seabird rookery, turtle nesting area
INVASIVE SPECIES:     Invasive Species Indicator: 4
  rats, goats, pigs, mongooses, cats

HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, ?
Population: 0    Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
HUMAN IMPACTS:

Conservation support: government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS:    Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
Number: 1   Area: Terrestrial: 0.0 sq. km    Marine: 0 sq. km
Mona and Monita Islands Reserve (1986)
DATA RELIABILITY: partial    Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX     HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX   CI-Terrestrial: 29   Very high
CI-Marine: 3   Low
REFERENCES:

Last updated: 16/09/90

Puerto Rico     [459]
   Group: Puerto Rico   Archipelago: Greater Antilles
   Country: United States - Puerto Rico   Region: Caribbean Sea
Lat: 18.20º N   Long : 66.45º W
Area: 9099.8 sq. km   Altitude: 1338 m
Shoreline: 585.1 km (scale 1:1290000)   Coastal Index: 0.0643
Depth to nearest land: >200 m
Nearest island: 100 km   group: 100 km
Nearest continent: South America    Distance: 700 km    Isolation Index: 46
ISLAND TYPE: continental      Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Rectangular island 178 by 58 km with mountains of Lower Cretaceous and Eocene volcanic origin, undulating plains of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks with karstic limestone formations, flat fringing coastal plains with sedimentary deposits over bedrock; large rivers to north, arid coastal plains to south
CLIMATE: wet subtropical mean 25-28�C, 1000-5000 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones (hurricanes)
   Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS:           Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 8    Marine: 3
Most forest disturbed (10%) or removed (90%); small areas of montane rainforest (0.2%); subtropical moist forest in north and west, subtropical dry forest in south-west; palm brake on slopes; elfin woodland on summits; dry evergreen vegetation on lowland limestone; swamps; coastal mangroves; barrier reefs, beaches Coral reefs, Mangroves
   Percent of land: Forested: 10% Developed: 0% Degraded: 0%

*SPECIES NUMBERS*:	*Total*	*Endemic*	*Threatened (EVRI)*
*Plants*	0	234	2
*Butterflies*	0	0	0
*Land snails*	0	0	0
*Rept/Amphib*	0	33	2
*Land birds*	0	12	2
*Mammals*	0	0	1

SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants: 3000 native and introduced vascular plants, 234 endemic Calyptronoma rivalis (Manic Palm) endemic, 20 plants in one locality (1970), Endangered Pseudophoenix sargentii (Palm) Endangered on Puerto Rico Banara vanderbiltii (evergreen shrub) 6 individuals in karst, endangered Invertebrates: Cylindromus uniporus (millipede) endemic to Cueva los Chorros Nelipophygus sp. (cockroach) endemic to caves Helobdella punctatolineata (leech) endemic Reptiles/Amphibians: 21 endemic reptiles, 13 endemic amphibians Epicrates inornatus (Puerto Rican Boa) endemic, relatively common Eleutherodactylus jasperi, endemic, threatened Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti, endemic, Luquillo Forest, possibly extinct Birds: 12 endemic species, 6 regional endemics Amazona vittata (Puerto Rican Parrot) endemic, single population of 30 in Luquillo Forest plus 37 in captivity, Endangered Caprimulgus noctitheris (Puerto Rican Nightjar) endemic, 450-500 pairs in dry limestone forest on south-west coast, Rare Saurothera vielloti (Puerto Rican Lizard-Cockoo) endemic Otus nudipes (Puerto Rican Screech-Owl) endemic, formerly also Virgin Is. Anthracothorax viridis (Green Mango) endemic Chlorostilbon maugaeus (Puerto Rican Emerald) endemic Todus mexicanus (Puerto Rican Tody) endemic Melanerpes portoricensis (Puerto Rican Woodpecker) endemic Vireo latimeri (Puerto Rican Vireo) endemic Loxigilla portoricensis (Puerto Rican Bullfinch) endemic Nesospingus speculiferus (Puerto Rican Tanager) endemic Dendroica angelae (Elfin Wood Warbler) endemic Colomba inornata wetmorei (Puerto Rican Plain Pigeon) endemic ssp., 190 (1987), Endangered Agelaius xanthomus xanthomus (Puerto Rican Yellow-shouldered Blackbird) endemic ssp., has declined to 350, Vulnerable (now endangered) Dendrocygna arborea (West Indian Whistling Duck) Vulnerable Accipiter striatus venator (Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk) endemic ssp., Rare Buteo platypteris brunnescens (Puerto Rico Broad-winged Hawk) endemic ssp., Rare Falco peregrinus tundrius (Tundra Peregrine Falcon) Endangered Mammals: 7 regional endemics Trichechus manatus (Caribbean Manatee) 100 on east, west and southern coasts (1978), Vulnerable
SPECIES RICHNESS:   Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 5 Marine: 0
very rich
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 4 Group: 4
    high
Marine endemic species: 0 Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2   Marine: 1
  seabird rookeries, manatees
  cave systems including Cueva los Chorros
INVASIVE SPECIES:     Invasive Species Indicator: 3
  Caimen crocodilus, rats

HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, colonized by Europeans 1508
Population: 3451000 (1985)   Density: 379.2 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.5%/yr   Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: manufacturing, sugar, livestock,, tourism
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Mostly cleared for agriculture and grazing, but half now abandoned and regenerating to secondary forest, economy shifting to light industry and business
Habitat: Urban Pop: 435000 Urban Indicator: 1
Accessibility: port, airport
Conservation support: government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS:    Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
Number: 6   Area: Terrestrial: 155.8 sq. km    Marine: 0 sq. km
Cabo Rojo Wildlife Sanctuary (1974) (238 ha) Luquillo Experimental Forest Biosphere Reserve (1976) (11,330 ha) Guanica State Forest Biosphere Reserve (1919) (4015 ha) Humacao Pterocarpus Forest Reserve (1986) Hacienda La Esperanza Reserve (1986) Cabeza de San Juan Reserve (1986) Proposed: Dorado Pterocarpus Reserve 10 new reserves
DATA RELIABILITY: good    Data Rel. Indicator: 3
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX     HI: 15
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX   CI-Terrestrial: 24   Very high
CI-Marine: 4   Low
REFERENCES:
Johnson, Timothy H. 1988. Biodiversity and conservation in the Caribbean: profiles of selected islands. ICBP Monograph No. 1. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge. 144 p.
Last updated: 16/09/90

Vieques     [394]
   Group: Puerto Rico   Archipelago: Greater Antilles
   Country: United States - Puerto Rico   Region: Caribbean Sea
Lat: 18.13º N   Long : 65.40º W
Area: 147.9 sq. km   Altitude: 301 m
Shoreline: 79.3 km (scale 1:1000000)   Coastal Index: 0.5362
Depth to nearest land: <200 m
Nearest island: 10 km   group: 35 km
Nearest continent: South America    Distance: 700 km    Isolation Index: 36
ISLAND TYPE:      Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
   Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS:

*SPECIES NUMBERS*:	*Total*	*Endemic*	*Threatened (EVRI)*
*Plants*	0	0	0
*Butterflies*	0	0	0
*Land snails*	0	0	0
*Rept/Amphib*	20	0	3
*Land birds*	0	0	0
*Mammals*	0	0	0

SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2   Marine: 0
  seabird rookery, turtle nesting area
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 0    Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX   CI-Terrestrial: 3   Low
CI-Marine: 1   Low
Last updated: 16/09/90

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