Situated in the Caribbean Islands hotspot, the Dominican Republic occupies part of Hispaniola, sharing the island with Haiti. Alongside Cuba, these two islands are significant contributors to Caribbean biodiversity. The Dominican Republic is distinguished by its high endemism rates, especially in reptiles, with five species per 2,000 km² (772 mi²), as well as in vascular plants and birds.

The country is home to unique Caribbean ecosystems such as Lake Enriquillo, the region’s largest lake and lowest point, and its highest mountain, which reaches 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) above sea level. With diverse habitats including coniferous and broadleaf forests, mangroves, wetlands, and coastal regions, the Dominican Republic is a vital biodiversity hotspot, harboring a rich array of flora and fauna.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	58.50	54	N/A
Land Management	71	14	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	85	52	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	55	88	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	43	32	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	13	126	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	63	83	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	61	171	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	64	61	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	3	160	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	55	9	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	35	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	84	134	N/A
Capacity and Governance	63	88	N/A
Total Management Cost	98	62	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	46	74	N/A
Conservation Legislation	34	118	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	50	63	N/A
Control of Corruption	42	95	N/A
Government Effectiveness	48	84	N/A
Future Trends	37	117	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	37	117	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

The Dominican Republic has established a robust network of protected areas to preserve its rich biodiversity and natural heritage, which includes 29 national parks, 2 marine national parks, 3 marine sanctuaries, 3 ecological corridors, 15 forest reserves, 2 biological reserves, and 2 marine mammal sanctuaries. These protected zones range from rainforests and cloud forests to coastal and marine ecosystems, safeguarding environments such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and whale breeding grounds.

Notable protected areas include Armando Bermúdez National Park, known for its cloud forest; Jaragua National Park, which includes dry forests and marine environments; Los Haitises National Park with its mangroves and limestone formations; Monte Cristi National Park, home to a significant flamingo population; and Saona Island National Park, celebrated for its pristine beaches and coral reefs. These conservation efforts ensure the preservation of the Dominican Republic’s environmental treasures for future generations.

Threats to Biodiversity

The primary threats to the Dominican Republic’s ecosystems include the loss of natural habitats, primarily due to agricultural and livestock expansion, tourism development, mining, and energy projects. Other significant challenges are the fragmentation and degradation of habitats caused by infrastructure development (like roads and settlements), timber extraction (e.g., for charcoal production), wildfires, and pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Overexploitation of native flora and fauna through overfishing, hunting, and illegal harvesting also poses a major threat.

Climate change exacerbates these issues, affecting water availability, air and seawater temperatures, sea levels, and the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. Additionally, the introduction of invasive species and diseases like chytridiomycosis in amphibians are major concerns.

Capacity and Governance

The Dominican Republic actively participates in international biodiversity protection efforts, being a signatory to key agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Since ratifying the CBD in 1997, the country has adopted both the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols, enhancing its legal and institutional frameworks to protect and sustainably use its biodiversity. Key legislative measures include the 2000 General Act on Environment and Natural Resources, underpinning efforts like the National Red List of Threatened Species and the National Strategy on Invasive Alien Species, both initiated in 2011.

Moreover, the National Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and its Action Plan for 2011-2020 were set forth, with a National Committee on Biodiversity overseeing implementation from 2012. The primary conservation mechanism has been the establishment of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), which covers over 25% of the nation’s land and nearly 5 million hectares (50,000 km²) of marine area. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, such as ineffective management of protected areas, the presence of human activities that threaten biodiversity, and insufficient reduction of biodiversity pressures, indicating a need for stronger environmental regulations and land use planning.

Future Trends

The Dominican Republic acknowledges the critical role of biodiversity in its economic and societal health. The nation is dedicated to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and is pursuing comprehensive reforms to meet this objective. To support its biodiversity conservation efforts, the Dominican Republic collaborates with international bodies such as USAID and the World Bank. These partnerships are driving projects aimed at sustainable tourism, zero-waste practices, and community-driven environmental solutions.

Biodiversity

The Dominican Republic, located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, boasts a remarkable diversity of ecosystems and a rich array of flora and fauna. The country’s varied landscapes include tropical rainforests, mountainous regions, coastal mangroves, and arid deserts, each supporting unique species. The Cordillera Central mountain range, home to Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, is a significant biodiversity hotspot. These highland areas are home to many endemic species, such as the Hispaniolan solenodon and the hutia, along with numerous bird species, like the Hispaniolan parrot and the palmchat, which is the national bird.

The coastal and marine environments of the Dominican Republic are equally diverse and vibrant. The country’s extensive coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests provide critical habitats for a variety of marine species, including manatees, sea turtles, and an array of fish and invertebrates. The Samaná Bay is particularly famous for being a breeding ground for humpback whales.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Dominican Republic only):

	Species (World rank)	Threatened	% Threatened	Endemic	% Endemic
Mammals	59 (#158)	7	11.9%
Birds	237 (#159)	17	7.2%	1	0.4%
Reptiles	135 (#69)	47	34.8%
Amphibians	50 (#60)	32	64.0%	1	2.0%
Fishes	531 (#110)	38	7.2%	18	1.5%
Plants	5,600 (#56)	47	0.8%	2,050	36.6%