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Caribbean landscapes and their biodiversity
Author(s): A. E. Lugo; E. H. Helmer; E. Santiago Valentín
Date: 2012
Source: Interciencia 37:705-710
Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
Station: International Institute of Tropical Forestry
PDF: View PDF (705.03 KB)Description
Both the biodiversity and the landscapes of the Caribbean have been greatly modified as a consequence of human activity. In this essay we provide an overview of the natural landscapes and biodiversity of the Caribbean and discuss how human activity has affected both. Our Caribbean geographic focus is on the insular Caribbean and the biodiversity focus is on the flora, forests, and built up land. Recent land cover changes from agricultural to urban cover have allowed for the proliferation of novel forests, where introduced plant species have naturalized and play important ecological roles that appear compatible with native and endemic flora.Publication Notes
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Citation
Lugo, A. E.; Helmer, E. H.; Santiago Valentín, E. 2012. Caribbean landscapes and their biodiversity. Interciencia 37:705-710.Keywords
Caribbean landscapes, biodiversity, human activity, novel forests, urbanization, land cover changesRelated Search
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https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/44771