Massif de la Hotte

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Massif de la Hotte
Tete Boeuf mountain chain.jpg
Part of the Central Massif de la Hotte , the Tête Bœuf mountain chain seen from Bonnet Carre Haiti.
Highest point
Peak Pic Macaya
Elevation [1]
Prominence 2,097 m (6,880 ft) [1]
Coordinates 18°22′57″N74°01′30″W / 18.38250°N 74.02500°W / 18.38250; -74.02500 [1]
Dimensions
Length200 km (120 mi)
Geography
Haiti relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Massif de la Hotte
Country Haiti
Continent North America

The Massif de la Hotte is a mountain range in southwestern Haiti, on the Tiburon Peninsula. [2] About 2.5 million years ago, Massif de la Hotte was separated from the Massif de la Selle by a deep, wide sea channel, and formed a separate island. This resulted in a hotbed of endemism in la Hottes bird, plant, and reptile communities. [3] The Massif de la Hotte is subdivided into the Oriental la Hotte in the East, the central la Hotte and the Occidental la Hotte on the Western tip of the Tiburon peninsula. The Occidental la Hotte is relatively remote and is one of the most biologically diverse and significant areas of all of Hispaniola. It also supports some of the last stands of Haiti's dense cloud forest on its peaks.

Contents

Biodiversity and conservation

Occidental la Hottes is the highest and biologically most diverse part of Massif de la Hotte. Rising to a peak level of approximately 7700 ft (2347 m) in Pic Macaya; Haiti's second highest peak, the Massif's high and fluctuating elevations supports some of Hispaniola's highest levels of biological diversity and endemism.

Plants endemic to the massif include Samuelssonia verrucosa, Cinnamodendron angustifolium, Miconia revolutifolia, Miconia ayisyena, Miconia tetrazygioides, Pleurothallis atrohiata, Wercklea hottensis, Clavija domingensis, Magnolia ekmanii, Sapium haitiense, Psidium hotteanum, Phyllanthus abditus, Phyllanthus urbanianus, Myrcianthes esnardiana, Alsophila confinis, Eugenia albimarginata, Eugenia crispula, Eugenia goavensis, Eugenia miragoanae, Eugenia perriniana, Tapura haitiensis, Sapium haitiense, Dussia sanguinea, Nectandra caudatoacuminata, Pavonia hotteana, Myrcia calophylla, Myrcia chrysophylloides, Myrcia densifolia, Myrcia neohotteana, Myrcia neoinvolucrata, Myrcia tiburoniana , and Mosiera tiburona .

Endemic orchids include Cranichis galatea, Lepanthes furcatipetala, Lepanthes hotteana, Lepanthes magnipetala, Lepanthes pteroglossa, Lepanthes quadrispatulata, Lepanthes semperflorens, Lepanthopsis aristata, Lepanthopsis micheliae, Lepanthopsis ornipteridion, Malaxis dodii, Pleurothallis atrohiata, Specklinia formondii, Specklinia mitchellii, Specklinia stillsonii, Stelis choriantha, Stelis glacensis, Stelis magnicava , and Tomzanonia filicina .

Conservation International recognizes the region as one of the most conservation-urgent in the world in which 13 of Hispaniola's most critically endangered species (all amphibians) occur. [4] Among the most critically endangered frog species are Eleutherodactylus chlorophenax and Eleutherodactylus parapelates , two frog species endemic to Haiti. The Hispaniolan trogon, Haiti's national bird, has a recognized presence in the region, as well as wintering Bicknell's thrushes. [5]

Notable conservation areas in the Massif de la Hotte include five national parks, five habitat/species management areas, two protected area with sustainable use of natural resources and the largest cave on the Caribbean islands Grotte Marie Jeanne. The national parks are: Pic Macaya National Park, Grande Colline National Park, Deux Mamelles National Park, Grand Bois National Park, and Ile a Vache National Park. The habitat/species management areas are: Grosse Caye / Zone humide d'Aquin, Olivier / Zanglais, Pointe Abacou, Fond de Cayes, la Cahouane. The two protected areas with sustainable use of natural resources are: Jeremie - Abricot and Barcaderes Caymites.

La Hotte Biosphere Reserve

The La Hotte Biosphere Reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2016. The reserve covers an area of 435,193.5 ha (terrestrial and marine), with a core area of 117,119 ha (terrestrial 52,781.5 ha, marine 64,337.5 ha), a buffer zone of 185,027.5 ha (terrestrial 130,074.5 ha, marine: 54,953 ha), and a transition area of 133,047 ha (terrestrial 82,423 ha, marine: 50,624 ha). [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pic Macaya National Park</span>

Pic Macaya National Park is one of two largest national parks of the Republic of Haiti. It is located in the country's southern peninsula, within the Massif de la Hotte. Featuring the country's last stand of virgin cloud forest, it encompasses more than 8,000 hectares. Elevations in the rugged park reach a maximum height of 2,347 meters above sea level at Pic Macaya, the second highest point in Haiti behind Pic la Selle. A majority of the park is composed of two tall peaks: Pic Macaya and Pic Formon.

Pic Macaya is the second-highest mountain in Haiti, rising to an elevation of 2,347 metres above sea level. It is located in the Massif de la Hotte, 36 kilometres northwest of Les Cayes and 195 km (121 mi) west of Port-au-Prince. The mountain is located in the Pic Macaya National Park.

Eleutherodactylus amadeus, also known as Mozart's frog or Haitian robber frog, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, southwestern Haiti. After not having been seen after 1991, the species was reported again in 2011.

Eleutherodactylus apostates is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, southwestern Haiti. It is sometimes referred to as the apostates robber frog The specific name is an allusion to its closest relatives being from northern Hispaniola, its southern distribution being an apostasy of sorts.

The short-nosed green frog or shortsnout robber frog is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Its natural habitat is dwarf cloud forest, although it can also be found in clearings. It is found under ground cover, and the eggs are laid on the ground. It is threatened by habitat loss; while the species occurs in the Pic Macaya National Park, there is no active management for conservation, and the habitat loss continues in the park.

The false green robber frog is a species of frogs in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, southwestern Haiti.

Eleutherodactylus counouspeus, also known as Counou robber frog and yellow cave frog, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, southwestern Haiti. The specific name counouspeus refers to its type locality, Counou Bois Cave, with speus being Greek for "cave". Hedges and colleagues suggested in 2008 that it should be placed in its own monotypic subgenus, Schwartzius, reflecting its distinctiveness and honoring Albert Schwartz for "his contributions to the herpetology of the West Indies."

Eleutherodactylus dolomedes is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti.

Eleutherodactylus eunaster is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Its natural habitat is mesic hardwood closed-canopy forest at elevations of 575–1,300 m (1,886–4,265 ft) asl. It is an arboreal species that is moderately common in suitable habitat. It is threatened by habitat loss primarily caused by logging for charcoaling and slash-and-burn agriculture. While the species occurs in the Pic Macaya National Park, there is no active management for conservation, and habitat loss continues also in the park.

<i>Eleutherodactylus glandulifer</i> Species of amphibian

Eleutherodactylus glandulifer is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Its natural habitat is closed-canopy forest, usually near streams. Its most distinctive feature are its striking blue sapphire-colored eyes—a highly unusual trait among amphibians.

Eleutherodactylus lamprotes is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Its common name is Castillon robber frog. The specific name refers to its contrasting colour patterns.

<i>Eleutherodactylus oxyrhyncus</i> Species of frog

Eleutherodactylus oxyrhyncus is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Hispaniola and known from the Massif de la Hotte and Massif de la Selle, occurring in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The common name is rednose robber frog.

Eleutherodactylus parapelates is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to the Massif de la Hotte in southwestern Haiti. Common names Casillon robber frog and Macaya burrowing frog have been proposed for it.

<i>Eleutherodactylus semipalmatus</i> Species of frog

Eleutherodactylus semipalmatus is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Haiti and known from the Massif de la Hotte and Massif de la Selle. Its common name is foothill robber frog. Its natural habitat is streams and their vicinity in mesic hardwood forest at elevations of 303–1,697 m (994–5,568 ft) asl.

<i>Eleutherodactylus thorectes</i> Species of amphibian

Eleutherodactylus thorectes is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Haiti and known from the Massif de la Hotte at high elevations. Specifically, it is known from Pic Macaya and Pic Formon at elevations of 1,700–2,340 m (5,580–7,680 ft) asl. Its natural habitats are closed pine montane forest and cloud forest with shrubs, tree ferns, bromeliads, and climbing bamboo. With a snout-vent length of 12–15 mm, this slightly arboreal species is one of the smallest of the world's frogs. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by charcoal logging and agriculture. It is known from the Pic Macaya National Park, but habitat degradation is occurring in the park too.

Eleutherodactylus ventrilineatus is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Haiti and only known from the Pic Macaya and Pic Formon at elevations of 1,700–2,340 m (5,580–7,680 ft) asl. Its natural habitats are open areas in montane closed pine and cloud forests. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging and agriculture. It is known from the Pic Macaya National Park, but habitat degradation is occurring in the park too.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Haiti</span>

The wildlife of Haiti is important to the country because of its biodiversity. According to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Haiti is considered to be "one of the most biologically significant countries of the West Indies". With an estimated 5,600 plant species on the island of Hispaniola, some of which only occur in Haiti, 36% are considered as endemic to the island. A mountainous area country, it is situated in the western three-eighths of Hispaniola and shares a border with the Dominican Republic. There are nine life zones, from low desert to high cloud forests, as well as four mountain ranges, and hundreds of rivers and streams and the coral reefs in the seas that surround the islands. Issues of environmental damage, expanding population, deforesting and erosion are of concern; less than 2% of the original forest remains on account of deforestation. This degradation is traced from the 17th century to 19th century starting with the French colonization of the Haiti and population explosion during the 20th century and for the purpose of forestry and sugar-related industries, degraded the forests. and the environment.

Miconia revolutifolia is a rare tree from Haiti, specifically in Sud. It is endemic to the Morne Formon-Pic Macaya region of the Massif de la Hotte mountain range. Along with the other species of Miconia from the area it is called "macrio", or "bwa pijon" in Haitian Creole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grande Colline National Park</span> National park in Haiti

Grande Colline National Park is a national park in Haiti established on July 23, 2014 with an area of 1,510 hectares. The park contains the Grande Colline mountain range at the core of the Occidental La Hotte Massif in southwestern Haiti, west of Pic Macaya. There are five named peaks: Morne Desbarrières, Morne Grande Colline, Morne Petite Colline, Morne Grenouille, and Morne Lézard.

<i>Wercklea hottensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Wercklea hottensis is a species of Malvaceae endemic to the mountains of the Massif de la Hotte in South-Western Haiti.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Central America and Caribbean Ultra-Prominence Page". peaklist.org. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  2. ↑ Woodring,Brown,Burbank. "Geology of the Republic of Haiti" . Retrieved 2021-10-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ Andrea Townsend. "Endangered Areas" . Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  4. ↑ "Expedition to Pic Macaya uncovers Haitian treasures". Hotspots E-News. Conservation International. 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  5. ↑ BirdLife International (2020). "Catharus bicknelli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T22728467A180783383. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22728467A180783383.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  6. ↑ "La Hotte". UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme, June 2016. Accessed 30 December 2020.
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