Jaraqua National Park, Dominican Republic Photograph by WWF/ Jergen Czeruenlca   Island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests   6,000 square miles (15,500 square kilometers) -- about the size of Hawaii Critical/Endangered

· Dwarf Trees and Thick-Knees
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Dwarf Trees and Thick-Knees

Visit the remaining patches of the Hispaniolan Dry Forests and you'll see many fascinating trees and wild creatures. For example, wild dwarf forest covers the small northwest peninsula of Presqu’ile Mole St. Nicolas in Haiti. Wander through this habitat and you'll find a riotous profusion of trees and shrubs, including mesquite, gumbo limbo, acacia, lantana, and tamarind marron. You may also see a large bird called a double-striped thick-knee! (As in all birds, its "knee" joints are actually its heels.)This bird takes shelter during the day, coming out at dusk to search for insects and lizards. It rarely flies but instead runs away in a burst of speed when alarmed.

Special Features

Because the Hispaniolan Dry Forests grow on low-lying lands suitable for agriculture, they have been largely degraded by both farming and resort development. But you can still find significant areas of dry forest on the Barahona Peninsula in the south, in the southwestern lowlands of the Neiba Valley, and in the northwest of the Ciabo Valley between Santiago and Monte Cristo. Hardy lignumvitae trees and slender baitoa or bois blanc trees grow to 33 feet (10 m), with a thin shrub and herb layer beneath them. Cacti are found in disturbed forest or on dry, rocky soils. Mesquite is also commonly found in the dry forests of Hispaniola. These spiny plants are well adapted to life in arid areas and their roots can grow as deep as 66 feet (20 m) to reach the water table.

	The Hispaniolan hutia is a small endemic mammal that resembles an oversized guinea pig. It is increasingly rare as a result of over-hunting, loss of habitat, and introduced predators.

Wild Side

In these dry forests you might see a rhinoceros iguana, easily recognized by the horn-like bump on its head. You're much less likely to see the endangered Ricord’s iguana, although it can grow as large as three feet (1 m) in length. You probably won't miss the striking nests of the Hispaniolan palmchat, which are suspended high up on the trunks of royal palm trees. At their largest, these nests can measure 6 feet (2 m) long by 3 feet (1 m) wide, with multiple compartments. Small flocks of bright green Hispaniolan parrots call noisily overhead. Increasingly rare, the beautiful bay breasted cuckoo is hunted by those who believe eating it can ease arthritis and other body pains. The Hispaniolan lizard cuckoo forages high in the canopy searching for lizards, which make up 75 percent of its diet. Also searching for food high up in the trees is the Hispaniolan hutia, a small mammal which eats fresh leaves, bark, lizards, and other small animals.

Cause for Concern

The Hispaniolan Dry Forests has been widely cleared for tourist development and agriculture and is further threatened by firewood harvesting and charcoal production. Hispaniolan parrots are declining due to unsustainable harvesting for the pet trade. Introduced animals, which prey on native species, are a serious concern. Conservation efforts are threatened in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, although for different reasons. Haiti's dry forest is threatened largely by agricultural and rural expansion. The Dominican Republic's forests are threatened by urban expansion and tourism.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.