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Cause for Concern in South and Latin America, Carribean and Florida
Neotropical
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Serra do Mar coastal forests
This ecoregion lies within the most densely populated region of Brazil, so little native habitat remains. The fertile lands of the coastal plain have long been under cultivation for agriculture and have been further deforested for mining and for conversion to coffee, banana, and rubber plantations. Continued threats, including urbanization, industrialization, agricultural expansion, colonization, and associated road-building, come from the rapidly growing population of this developing country.
Neotropical
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Sierra de los Tuxtlas
Despite the fact that Los Tuxtlas is one of the most studied and well-known moist forests in Mexico, nearly 90 percent of these precious forests have been eliminated over the last 30 years. If the current deforestation rate of 4.3 percent per year continues, only 9 percent of the original forests will remain in the first decade of 2000, and more than half of the biodiversity of this region is expected to be lost. Unfortunately, forests are being cleared at a quick pace to make agricultural lands and roads, and local communities continue to extract parrots, hummingbird eggs, and other wildlife products from the forests. Three bird species--the king vulture, the harpy eagle, and the scarlet macaw--have already been extirpated from Los Tuxtlas.
Neotropical
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Sierra Madre de Chiapas moist forest
Over the years, the Sierra Madre de Chiapas Moist Forests have been degraded by fires, logging, and agricultural practices. The rapid growth of human populations is another threat to this precious ecoregion. Many scientists fear that proposed development of the area with no regard to environmental impact may soon drive these moist forests to complete extinction. In Mexico alone, there are already some 37 known endangered species and more than 30 rare taxa in the region that are of concern to scientists. These numbers are sure to increase if humans continue to clear the forests. The El Triunfo Biosphere is an important conservation area for this ecoregion.
Neotropical
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Solimões-Japurá moist forest
Much of the native habitat in this ecoregion remains intact, but recent expansion of cocoa production, logging and mining operations, and cattle ranching have resulted in large deforested areas. Colonization along the rivers is also taking a toll and often results in overhunting and collection of many forest species. Timber species, such as mahogany, have become commercially extinct, and tropical cedar is threatened with local extinction as well.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
South Florida rocklands
So much land has been cleared for agriculture and urban development in the Miami area and the Florida Keys that the South Florida Rocklands that once existed are now almost entirely gone. Only about 2 percent of the original habitat remains in small, isolated fragments surrounded by water or cities -- some patches even between highways. And as the human population continues to grow, we increasingly want to control and stop the fires that are essential to the survival of the pine forests. What's more, exotic plants such as Brazilian pepper threaten to outcompete native plants, and an increase in the water table from irrigation kills the pines. Taken together, these factors make the ecoregion very vulnerable to natural disturbances such as hurricanes.
Neotropical
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Southern Andean Yungas
It has been estimated that more than 60 percent of the Argentine yungas have disappeared due to logging, colonization, and agricultural expansion. Road building, plantations of exotic pine, and uncontrolled tourism are also concerns.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Southwest Amazon moist forests
The black caiman, giant otter, and woolly monkey are just a few of the threatened species in this ecoregion. Human activities pose the biggest threats here. Hunting, expansion of agriculture and pastures, contamination from gold mining, and logging all destroy precious habitats, while invasive plant species such as guadua bamboo replace native vegetation.
Neotropical
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Talamancan montane forests
About 75 percent of the original forest still covers this ecoregion. In fact, a full 40 percent is under strict protection in national parks and other areas. Still, threats remain in the form of illegal logging and land clearance for cattle pasture. What's more, the cloud forests of the region are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change. By being isolated on mountaintops, they have little chance to adapt to climatic shifts. Larger animals like tapirs, jaguars, and puma have been overhunted in many areas.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Tapajós-Xingu moist forests
Human logging activities and the conversion of forest to agriculture threaten to destroy this ecoregion. Livestock grazes on cleared sections of land where forest once grew. Mines scar the landscape, leaking contaminants into the soil.
Neotropical
•
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Tepuis
Illegal gold and diamond mining on the mountains' lower slopes threaten both the vegetation and the structure of the Tepuis. However, due to the inaccessibility of the steep slopes and high summits of the Tepuis, much of the natural habitat remains intact. Humaninduced fires at the base of the mountains have spread to the upper slopes and even the summits of some mountains. Because of the region's poor soils, plant recovery from these threats is slow. Hikers and campers visiting the summits of the Tepuis have trampled vegetation, stripped woody plants for firewood, and left litter behind.
