Protected only on paper? Three case studies from protected areas in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

The Caribbean is a hotspot for biodiversity, yet only a small percentage of its natural habitats remain intact. Safeguarding these ecosystems is challenging in the face of limited resources and ongoing threats. Herein we evaluate three case studies from the Dominican Republic (DR), one of the most biologically diverse countries in the Caribbean. We focus on conflicts between the DR’s national protected areas system and agriculture, tourism, and the charcoal trade. Because protected areas are widely recognized as one of the main tools to reduce biodiversity loss, with 25% of the DR’s landmass legally protected as of 2015, this developing nation seemingly has taken the right steps to secure its biodiversity heritage. However, recognition and enforcement of protected areas legislation remains despairingly poor, a situation not limited to the DR and all too common in developing nations throughout the world. The crucial role of academic and non-governmental organizations in these conflicts is discussed, as well as our vision of a collaborative way forward. We conclude that park designations are an important first step but continued action is needed to protect these refuges of Caribbean biodiversity.