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Plant Conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot

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Abstract

While the Caribbean is a recognized “biodiversity hotspot”, plant conservation has not received adequate attention; particularly, given the high levels of endemism in many plant groups. Besides establishing protected areas, there needs to be a sustained effort to study the taxonomy, systematics and ecology of the flora. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown high levels of endemism and conservation studies indicate a large propotion of the flora is threatened with extinction. Eight recommendations are given for plant conservation in the region.

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Acknowledgements

“Set aside your random research and devote your life to activities that will bring the world to understand that tropical nature is an integral part of human life. If our generation does not do it, it won’t be there for the next” (D. Janzen 1986). We dedicate this paper to the plant conservationists of the tropical world, working to save the plants that sustain life. George Procter has shown a life time’s dedication to the flora of the Caribbean and we present this paper in tribute to his exemplary botanical career. Javier Francisco-Ortega thanks the Cuban Research Institute of Florida International University for their support. Field research has been supported by the Latham Expedition Fund of FTBG. Eugenio Santiago thanks a NSF-CREST grant (HRD # 026200) to the University of Puerto Rico—Río Piedras Campus. This is contribution number 144 from the Tropical Biology Program of FIU.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Tropical Plant Conservation, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Miami, FL, 33156, USA

    Mike Maunder, Alan W. Meerow & Javier Francisco-Ortega

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Mike Maunder & Javier Francisco-Ortega

  3. Jardín Botánico Nacional, Calabazar, Boyeros, C.P. 19230, Havana, Cuba

    Angela Leiva

  4. Jardín Botánico de Puerto Rico, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Apartado Postal 364984, San Juan, PR 00936, Puerto Rico, USA

    Eugenio Santiago-Valentín

  5. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York, NY, 10458, USA

    Dennis W. Stevenson

  6. United States National Herbarium, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20013, USA

    Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez

  7. United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami, FL, 33158, USA

    Alan W. Meerow

  8. Jardín Botánico Nacional, Apartado Postal 21-9, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    Milcíades Mejía

  9. The Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK

    Colin Clubbe

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  1. Mike Maunder
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Maunder, M., Leiva, A., Santiago-Valentín, E. et al. Plant Conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot. Bot. Rev 74, 197–207 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-008-9007-7

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