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Cause for Concern in South and Latin America, Carribean and Florida
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Cuban moist forests
Lowland seasonal rainforest was once the most extensive habitat type on Cuba. Now, small, fragmented areas are all that is left, as the rest has been cleared to make way for agriculture and other human endeavors. Cacao, coffee, and tobacco production continue to expand, also threatening this region.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Eastern Cordillera real montane forests
In the northern reaches of this ecoregion (Colombia and northern Ecuador), coffee plantations have displaced much of the native forest community. Other threats to the area include conversion of land (via burning and cutting) to agriculture and pasture for goats and cattle. Mining operations, especially strip mining, degrade the habitat, and logging has encroached from the southern lowland forests up into the premontane areas. Urban sprawl, road construction, and hunting are additional threats.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Eastern Panamanian montane forests
Until now, most of the Eastern Panamanian Montane Forests have escaped deforestation because they lie at relatively inaccessible elevations and on steep slopes. But recent threats include the extension of the Pan-American Highway, which has opened up nearby areas for development and timber cutting, an influx of immigrants practicing slash-and-burn agriculture, gold mining, and illegal trade in local wildlife, including parrots and other birds. The loss of lowland forests can also increase wind damage in montane forests. In addition, government instability has made enforcement of conservation laws difficult.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Fernanda de Noronha-Atol das Rocas moist forests
Humans have been altering these islands for many years. Most of the native forests have disappeared, and the remaining forests are threatened by wood collection for fire and construction, a growing human population, livestock grazing, and--most importantly--the introduction of exotic plants and animals. Most of the trees and plants found on the island today were originally brought by humans. Native forests have been reduced to only five percent of their original area and can be found only in isolated patches and on lesser-inhabited islands.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Guayanan Highlands moist forests
Much of the interior forests of the Guayana highlands region are still intact. Habitat destruction from large-scale agriculture, mining, and cattle-raising occurs along the periphery and near urban centers. Other threats include logging, hunting, fire, colonization, and unregulated tourism. Several proposed hydroelectric dams potentially threaten vast areas of the ecoregion.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Guianan moist forests
This ecoregion is threatened by expanding logging operations. Road-building is opening this "new frontier" to settlement and to continued logging and hunting pressures. Gold-mining and its resulting pollution also pose threats.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Gurupa varzea
The main dangers to this ecosystem lie in human-induced alterations. Forests along the water "highways" of the Amazon have been cleared for timber and also to make room for pasture where livestock can graze. Large-scale agricultural projects and urban sprawl also degrade the land.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Hispaniolan moist forests
Logging, firewood gathering, expanding agricultural areas, and livestock grazing threaten the habitats of the Hispaniolan Moist Forests. Hunting is also a threat to several species in the ecoregion.
Neotropic
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Iquitos varzea
Human activities pose the main threats to this ecoregion, particularly through habitat destruction and water contamination. Selective harvesting has eliminated some species from the area, including mahogany trees, tapirs, and several types of primates.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Isthmian-Atlantic moist forests
Subsistence and commercial agriculture have supplanted native forest throughout much of this region. Flat areas have been converted to banana plantations, while steeper areas have been logged and converted to cattle pasture. New roads have encouraged more human settlement of the region, and many of the forests are under tremendous logging pressure. Parrots are declining as nestlings are taken for the pet trade.
