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Cause for Concern in South and Latin America, Carribean and Florida
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Araucaria moist forests
The Araucaria Moist Forests have been reduced by over 85 percent, and the remaining habitat is protected under public lands. Other patches also grow in and around agricultural areas. Logging and conversion to agriculture are the most serious threats, as are human settlement and urbanization.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Atlantic Coast restingas
These restingas have been reduced to only 10 percent of their original coverage. They are now distributed in small patches across a human landscape of cities, towns, and agriculture. Urban expansion is the major threat to the last remnants of Atlantic Coast Restingas.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Bahia coastal forests
The forests of coastal Bahia are considered among the most endangered habitats on Earth, yet more than 90 percent of the forests have been altered by humans. Forests have been lost to agriculture and pasture, colonization and settlement, and urban expansion. Hunting--both legal and illegal, wildlife trade, and pollution also threaten the species of this ecoregion.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Bahia interior forests
Much of this area has been colonized since the discovery of precious metals in the 1800s. Although diamonds, gold, quartz crystal, and manganese have all been mined in the Minas Gerais region, mining activity has recently subsided. Many people have taken to cattle ranching and have cleared extensive areas of forest to create pasture. Forests are also being logged for timber and charcoal. Much of the native habitat is fragmented, and continued settlement threatens much of the area.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Bolivian Yungas
Timber exploitation and colonization are the major threats. At lower elevations, major habitat loss is due to subsistence agriculture and cocoa and coffee cultivation. Road building is also becoming an increasing problem.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Caatinga Enclaves moist forests
Because these forest enclaves are more fertile than the surrounding caatinga scrub, humans prefer to live in them. As a result, more than 90 percent of the original forest cover has been lost to subsistence and large-scale agriculture, logging operations, and urban development. Hunting and fuel-wood harvesting also threaten the region's diversity.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Caqueta moist forests
Large-scale cattle ranching in the western extreme of this region has resulted in the clearing of vast expanses of forest. In the central section, colonization is becoming problematic, as are hunting, animal and plant collecting, and small-scale farming and cattle ranching.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Catatumbo moist forests
Cattle ranches leave bald patches in the forest cover, and the draining and channelization of wetlands robs the region of essential water. Periodic oil spills from corroded pipelines and from refineries destroy the forest as they seep through this fragile habitat.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Cauca Valley montane forests
The montane forests of the Cauca Valley are highly fragmented and have been virtually destroyed between 3,200 and 6,500 feet (1,000 and 2,000 m). Substantial forest remains at higher elevations, but only small portions are protected in national parks. Continuing degradation of forest fragments is the main threat to this ecoregion. Timber exploitation and illegal hunting are problems as well.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Cayos Miskitos-San Andrs and Providencia moist forests
Early mariners "seeded" these islands with pigs, goats, and other livestock in order to have a reliable source of food for their next visit. Unfortunately, these animals often had negative effects on the native plants and animals. Some areas are only now recovering, and they face new dangers. Tourism is taking its toll as people from around the world visit these remote islands. Urbanization and agriculture threaten San Andrs, and waste oil and sewage threaten to destroy mangrove areas on the east coast of the island.
