Los Haitises National Park
Encyclopedia
Los Haitises National Park is a national park located on the remote northeast coast of the Dominican Republic
. It is a protected virgin forest with little road access. The number of tourists allowed is limited, but since 2000 it has been a relatively popular destination for ecotourism
. Haitis (singular) means highland or mountain range in the Taíno
language, although the elevation of the park's hills ranges from 30–40 m (98.4–131.2 ft). There is a multitude of caverns created by water erosion. Native Americans adorned these caverns with pictographs and petroglyph
s. The culture or cultures which created these artworks remain unidentified, some of them possibly predating the Taínos.
The park was created by Law 409 enacted June 3, 1976. It was preceded by a Reserva Forestal (Forest Reserve) called Zona Vedada de Los Haitises (Los Haitises Prohibited Zone), created by Law 244. In 1996, it area was expanded from 208 square kilometre by Decree 233. Its boundary, which has been redrawn on multiple occasions, is presently uncertain. The bulk of the park is located in the municipality of Sabana de la Mar
, province of Hato Mayor, while the remainder lies in the provinces of Monte Plata
and Samaná. Sabana de la Mar is the site of a visitors' center.
Despite advanced deforestation
, the precipitation is still considerable, ranging from 1900–2000 mm (74.8–78.7 in) annually. The park is near the top rank in both annual total rainfall and annual number of rainy days among sites in the Dominican Republic.
epoch of the Neogene
period. Geomorphologically
, it is a platform karst
with dense clusters of conical hills of nearly uniform height (200 –) in between which there are many sinkhole
s. The maximum dimensions of this platform karst block are 82 km (51 mi) east to west (from Sabana de la Mar to Cevicos
) by 26 km (16.2 mi) north to south (from the Samaná Bay
to Bayaguana
). The hills of the interior have the same origin as the islets of the Samaná Bay. There is a multitude of caverns.
Hydrographically, Los Haitises spans portions of two basins: in its western half, the lower basin of the Yuna River
; and in its eastern half, a zone spanning Miches
and Sabana de la Mar
. The Yuna drains through two mouths: its own and that of the Barracote River. In addition to these two rivers, the park is traversed by the Payabo River, the Los Cocos River, the Naranjo River, and numerous natural channels including the Cabirma, Estero, and Prieto.
: humid subtropical forest
(Bh-S) and very humid subtropical forest
(Bmh-S). Broadleaf species in the park include "musk wood" (Guarea guidonia, locally cabirma santa), cigar-box cedar (Cedrela odorata
), ceiba (Ceiba pentandra), West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni
, Spanish caoba), cupey (Clusia rosea), and grandleaf seagrape (Coccoloba pubescens). There are many species of orchids. Los Haitises contains the greatest abundance of Caribbean mangrove
, in which species like red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle
) and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa
) predominate.
of Los Haitises is of great variety, and due to the park's diversity of physical geographic zones, it boasts the greatest representativity of fauna among the protected natural areas in the country. Two endemic mammal
species, the Hispaniolan Hutia
(Plagiodontia aedium) and the Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), are threatened with extinction.
Being a coastal and marine park, it contains an unparalleled variety of bird
s, including most of the species endemic to the country. These include the brown pelican
or alcatraz (Pelecanus occidentalis), magnificent frigatbird
(Fregata magnificens), Hispaniolan amazon
(Amazona ventralis), barn owl
(Tyto alba), and Stygian owl
(Asio stygius). Some of the bird species found in Los Haitises are not found elsewhere within the Dominican Republic.
, also known as shortleaf fig) and tropical almond (Terminalia catappa
) are the other park trees.
Most visitors arrive by sea embarking from Sabana de la Mar
(east end), Sánchez (north end), or Samaná (across Samaná Bay
from Sabana de la Mar); however, it is possible to arrive by land from the south using four wheel drive vehicles. A private highway is being constructed through the mountains and a new airport is being built in the city of Samaná to provide better access. The main economic activities in Monte Plata Province
are cattle ranching and sugarcane farming. Tourists will find a large number of roads for sugarcane transport.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. It is a protected virgin forest with little road access. The number of tourists allowed is limited, but since 2000 it has been a relatively popular destination for ecotourism
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
. Haitis (singular) means highland or mountain range in the Taíno
Taíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
language, although the elevation of the park's hills ranges from 30–40 m (98.4–131.2 ft). There is a multitude of caverns created by water erosion. Native Americans adorned these caverns with pictographs and petroglyph
Petroglyph
Petroglyphs are pictogram and logogram images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, and abrading. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions of the technique to refer to such images...
s. The culture or cultures which created these artworks remain unidentified, some of them possibly predating the Taínos.
The park was created by Law 409 enacted June 3, 1976. It was preceded by a Reserva Forestal (Forest Reserve) called Zona Vedada de Los Haitises (Los Haitises Prohibited Zone), created by Law 244. In 1996, it area was expanded from 208 square kilometre by Decree 233. Its boundary, which has been redrawn on multiple occasions, is presently uncertain. The bulk of the park is located in the municipality of Sabana de la Mar
Sabana de la Mar
Sabana de la Mar is a town in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
, province of Hato Mayor, while the remainder lies in the provinces of Monte Plata
Monte Plata Province
Monte Plata is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital city. It was split from San Cristóbal in 1992.-Municipalities and municipal districts:...
and Samaná. Sabana de la Mar is the site of a visitors' center.
Despite advanced deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, the precipitation is still considerable, ranging from 1900–2000 mm (74.8–78.7 in) annually. The park is near the top rank in both annual total rainfall and annual number of rainy days among sites in the Dominican Republic.
Geology
The area was formed during the MioceneMiocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
epoch of the Neogene
Neogene
The Neogene is a geologic period and system in the International Commission on Stratigraphy Geologic Timescale starting 23.03 ± 0.05 million years ago and ending 2.588 million years ago...
period. Geomorphologically
Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them...
, it is a platform karst
Karst topography
Karst topography is a geologic formation shaped by the dissolution of a layer or layers of soluble bedrock, usually carbonate rock such as limestone or dolomite, but has also been documented for weathering resistant rocks like quartzite given the right conditions.Due to subterranean drainage, there...
with dense clusters of conical hills of nearly uniform height (200 –) in between which there are many sinkhole
Sinkhole
A sinkhole, also known as a sink, shake hole, swallow hole, swallet, doline or cenote, is a natural depression or hole in the Earth's surface caused by karst processes — the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks or suffosion processes for example in sandstone...
s. The maximum dimensions of this platform karst block are 82 km (51 mi) east to west (from Sabana de la Mar to Cevicos
Cevicos
Cevicos is a town in the Sánchez Ramírez province of the Dominican Republic.This small town ia a beauty of the nature. It produces fruits like mango, pineapple, sugar cane, passion fruit and many others. This is the home town of famous bachatero Joe Veras. This small town have an approximately...
) by 26 km (16.2 mi) north to south (from the Samaná Bay
Samana Bay
Samaná Bay is a bay in the eastern Dominican Republic. The Yuna River flows into the Samaná Bay, and it is located south of the town and peninsula of Samaná....
to Bayaguana
Bayaguana
Bayaguana is a municipality of the Monte Plata province in the Dominican Republic.As of the Dominican Republic's 2002 census, the municipality had a total population of 33,122 inhabitants, of which 19,351 resided in urban areas and 13,771 in rural areas.Bayaguana was founded in 1606, when Spain...
). The hills of the interior have the same origin as the islets of the Samaná Bay. There is a multitude of caverns.
Hydrographically, Los Haitises spans portions of two basins: in its western half, the lower basin of the Yuna River
Yuna River
The Yuna River is in the Dominican Republic. The river flooded in 2000 and 2004 causing loss of life and livelihood. The river is the second longest river in the Dominican Republic measuring at 209 km long....
; and in its eastern half, a zone spanning Miches
Miches
Miches is a town in the El Seibo province of the Dominican Republic.Miches is a small town with many smaller towns surrounding it. Historically, it has its roots as a fishing town, deriving much of its income and protein from the surrounding waters...
and Sabana de la Mar
Sabana de la Mar
Sabana de la Mar is a town in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
. The Yuna drains through two mouths: its own and that of the Barracote River. In addition to these two rivers, the park is traversed by the Payabo River, the Los Cocos River, the Naranjo River, and numerous natural channels including the Cabirma, Estero, and Prieto.
Flora
Los Haitises has two Holdridge life zonesHoldridge life zones
The Holdridge life zones system is a global bioclimatic scheme for the classification of land areas. It was first published by Leslie Holdridge in 1947, and updated in 1967. It is a relatively simple system based on few empirical data, giving objective mapping criteria...
: humid subtropical forest
Hispaniolan moist forests
The Hispaniolan moist forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion on the island of Hispaniola. They cover , around 60% of the island's area.-Geography:...
(Bh-S) and very humid subtropical forest
Hispaniolan moist forests
The Hispaniolan moist forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion on the island of Hispaniola. They cover , around 60% of the island's area.-Geography:...
(Bmh-S). Broadleaf species in the park include "musk wood" (Guarea guidonia, locally cabirma santa), cigar-box cedar (Cedrela odorata
Cedrela odorata
Cedrela odorata . The genus Cedrela has undergone two major systematic revisions since 1960. The most recent revision reduced the number of species in the genus to seven . The common cedro, Cedrela odorata L., embraces 28 other named species, including C. mexicana M. J...
), ceiba (Ceiba pentandra), West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni
Swietenia mahagoni
Swietenia mahagoni, commonly known as the West Indies Mahogany, is a species of Swietenia native to southern Florida, USA, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. It is the species from which the original mahogany wood was produced....
, Spanish caoba), cupey (Clusia rosea), and grandleaf seagrape (Coccoloba pubescens). There are many species of orchids. Los Haitises contains the greatest abundance of Caribbean mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
, in which species like red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle
Rhizophora mangle
Rhizophora mangle, known as the red mangrove, is distributed in estuarine ecosystems throughout the tropics. Its viviparous "seeds," in actuality called propagules, become fully mature plants before dropping off the parent tree...
) and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa
Laguncularia racemosa
Laguncularia racemosa is a species of flowering plant in the leadwood tree family, Combretaceae...
) predominate.
Fauna
La faunaFauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
of Los Haitises is of great variety, and due to the park's diversity of physical geographic zones, it boasts the greatest representativity of fauna among the protected natural areas in the country. Two endemic mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
species, the Hispaniolan Hutia
Hispaniolan Hutia
The Hispaniolan Hutia is one of several hutia species to have inhabited at some time the island of Hispaniola . The P...
(Plagiodontia aedium) and the Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), are threatened with extinction.
Being a coastal and marine park, it contains an unparalleled variety of bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s, including most of the species endemic to the country. These include the brown pelican
Brown Pelican
The Brown Pelican is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It is in length, weighs from and has a wingspan from .-Range and habits:...
or alcatraz (Pelecanus occidentalis), magnificent frigatbird
Magnificent Frigatebird
The Magnificent Frigatebird was sometimes previously known as Man O'War, reflecting its rakish lines, speed, and aerial piracy of other birds....
(Fregata magnificens), Hispaniolan amazon
Hispaniolan Amazon
The Hispaniolan Amazon or Hispaniolan Parrot is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is found on Hispaniola , and has been introduced to Puerto Rico, and the U.S...
(Amazona ventralis), barn owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
(Tyto alba), and Stygian owl
Stygian Owl
The Stygian Owl, Asio stygius is a medium-sized dusky colored owl. It has yellow eyes, a black beak, a dark blackish facial disk, and white eyebrows. Its underparts are a dingy buff color with dark brown barring and streaks...
(Asio stygius). Some of the bird species found in Los Haitises are not found elsewhere within the Dominican Republic.
Landscapes
Los Haitises National Park contains spectacular landscapes like the San Lorenzo Bay, the islets (keys), and the mangroves. The Cayo de los Pájaros ("bird key"), which is conspicuous for the virtually continuous presence of frigatebirds and pelicans circling low overhead, sits between the Boca del Infierno ("Mouth of Hell") and El Naranjo Arriba. Cupey is the dominant tree species and birds fill its horizontal branches. The wild banyantree (Ficus citrifoliaFicus citrifolia
Ficus citrifolia, also known as the Shortleaf Fig, Giant Bearded Fig or Wild Banyantree, is a species of banyan native to southern Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America south to Paraguay...
, also known as shortleaf fig) and tropical almond (Terminalia catappa
Terminalia catappa
Terminalia catappa is a large tropical tree in the Leadwood tree family, Combretaceae. The tree has been spread widely by humans and the native range is uncertain. It has long been naturalised in a broad belt extending from Africa to Northern Australia and New Guinea through Southeast Asia and...
) are the other park trees.
Most visitors arrive by sea embarking from Sabana de la Mar
Sabana de la Mar
Sabana de la Mar is a town in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
(east end), Sánchez (north end), or Samaná (across Samaná Bay
Samana Bay
Samaná Bay is a bay in the eastern Dominican Republic. The Yuna River flows into the Samaná Bay, and it is located south of the town and peninsula of Samaná....
from Sabana de la Mar); however, it is possible to arrive by land from the south using four wheel drive vehicles. A private highway is being constructed through the mountains and a new airport is being built in the city of Samaná to provide better access. The main economic activities in Monte Plata Province
Monte Plata Province
Monte Plata is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital city. It was split from San Cristóbal in 1992.-Municipalities and municipal districts:...
are cattle ranching and sugarcane farming. Tourists will find a large number of roads for sugarcane transport.