UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
La Selle
General information
This biosphere reserve includes the reserves of La Selle in Haiti, designated in 2012, and Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic, designated in 2002. These two reserves represent ecological corridors divided by a political and administrative frontier. Bringing them together should allow for improved environmental management.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2012
Country
Total population
382000
Area
Surface
377,221.00 ha
Total terresterial area
360,434.00 ha
Total Marine area
16,787.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 18.36 - Longitude: -72.05
Ecological Characteristics
On the Haitian side, the biosphere reserve is located in the Massif de la Selle, containing Haiti’s highest peak 'Pic la Selle' (2684 m) and the second most biodiverse region of the country after the Massif de la Hotte. These two mountain ranges form the southern peninsula of the island of Hispaniola, known for its high level of endemism. Most of the endemic species are flowering plants of which 16% are endemic to this region.The Dominican side includes three biogeographic regions in the Caribbean: the ‘Hoya del Lago Enriquillo’, the ‘Sierra de Bahoruco’ and the ‘Procurrente de Barahona’. It comprises a great variety of natural ecosystems, from tropical highlands to karstic terraces with coastal, marine, islands and cays with a rich biodiversity and an important regional endemism.The area has a rich faunal diversity including species of pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and manatee (Trichechus manatus). The ‘Isla Beata’ and ‘ los cayos Los Frailes’ have an enormous variety of marine birds, some 107 bird species, and 67 reptiles are reported all over the reserve.From a geological point of view, the area has a wide variety of igneous and sedimentary rocks dating to the late Jurassic (140 million years).
Socio-Economics Characteristics
Communities living within or near the area of the reserve, practice several economic activities related to agro-forestry, fisheries, tourism, recreation and leisure, and crafts. The reserve has important cultural, historical, political, social and religious values.
