The Caribbean, a biodiversity stronghold that can turn into a zoonosis emergence hotspot

The Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot is one of 36 such areas worldwide. Shaped by the region’s geography and climate, it is a global center of endemic biodiversity. The ecosystem is severely at threat. According to experts, only about 10% of its original habitat remains. Ongoing population growth and shifting land-use patterns continue to endanger the remaining habitat, alongside natural disasters.

The Caribbean Islands Hotspot harbors rich biodiversity across varied ecosystems, with high levels of endemism. It hosts approximately 11,000 plant species, 72% of which are endemic (Acevedo-Rodriguez & Strong 2007). Among vertebrates, endemism is particularly high in amphibians (96% of 200 species) and reptiles (82% of 602 species), likely due to their low dispersal rates. In contrast, birds (26% of 565 species) and mammals (49% of 104 species, mostly bats) show lower levels of endemism (BirdLife International 2017; IUCN 2017a). Species unique to the hotspot account for 2.5% of the world’s 310,442 described plant species and 1.4% of the 68,574 described vertebrate species (IUCN 2017a). Data on marine biodiversity remain incomplete, but the approximately 12,000 marine species recorded in the Caribbean are likely a significant underestimate. Mass deaths of coral reefs could have catastrophic implications for marine life and the people who depend on it.

*Sources: Caribvet, CEPF, CANARI, Conservation International, BirdLife International, IUCN and NYBG.

Photo: Martinique ©Anton