Dominican Republic - Centro de Biodiversidad Marina

Dominican Republic
Francisco X. Geraldes
Mónica B. Vega 2
1
ABSTRACT
The island of Hispaniola is the second largest in the Caribbean (78,000 Km2 ).
It is politically divided into two countries: Haiti to the west and the Dominican
Republic to the east. It has a land area of 48,484 Km2 , and a coastline of 1,389
Km, of these, 27% (376.7 Km) are mangroves, and 11% (166 Km) coral reefs
and associated sea grasses. The rest of the coastline is mostly characterized by
extensive sandy beaches and some coastal lagoons. Most of the coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds are located within established Marine Protected
Areas (MPA’s), which cover about 22% of the coastline. The main coastal features found along the coasts are emerged reef terraces and cliffs, especially on
the southeastern portion of the island. The continental shelf has a mean width
of 7.5 Km and covers an area of 8,130 Km2 . There are two submerged offshore
banks: La Navidad and La Plata, 70 and 150 Km2 respectively, located north
of Cabo Samaná, in the Atlantic Ocean (North Coast). The first marine reports
were done in the XVI and XVII centuries by Europeans. Studies by local scientists started in 1958. The marine biodiversity reports known for the country
include a total of 1,392 species of the major taxa. The collections are located
at the Centro de Investigaciones de Biologı́a Marina, Universidad Autónoma
de Santo Domingo and Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. Threats identified
along the coastal zone are due to the increase in urban, tourist and agricultural
developments, associated with watershed intervention, river translocations and
reservoir constructions for power and irrigation purposes. There is a need to
update the marine biodiversity inventories and to maintain existing collections.
1
Centro de Investigaciones de Biologı́a Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo,
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. mamma@verizon.net.do 2 Acuario Nacional, Avenida
España, Sans Souci, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
INTRODUCTION
The island of Hispaniola is the second largest in the Caribbean (78,000 Km2 ).
It is located at 17° 40’ and 19° 56’ N and 68° 20’ and 70° 40’ W, in the north
central boundary of the Caribbean Sea. It is separated from Cuba to the northnorthwest by the Windward Passage (average 4,000 m depth), from Jamaica to
the west-southwest by the Jamaica Passage, (average 3,000 m depth), and from
Puerto Rico to the east by the shallow Mona Passage (average 350-400 m depth)
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. Dominican Republic coastal features and Marine Protected Areas for 2004
Hispaniola is politically divided into two countries: Haiti to the west and
the Dominican Republic to the east (Figure 1). The Dominican Republic has
a land area of 48,484 Km2 , and a coastline of 1,389 Km, of these, 27% (376.7
Km) are mangroves, and 11% (166 Km) coral reefs and associated sea grasses.
The rest of the coastline is mostly characterized by extensive sandy beaches
and some coastal lagoons. The main coastal features found along the coasts are
emerged reef terraces and cliffs, especially on the southeastern portion of the
island. The continental shelf has a mean width of 7.5 Km and covers an area of
8,130 Km2 . There are two submerged offshore banks: La Navidad and La Plata,
with an area of 70 and 150 km2 respectively, located north of Cabo Samaná, in
the Atlantic Ocean (North Coast). These banks are important winter breeding
and mating territories for humpback whales. Many wrecks from colonial times
(1500s) are found there.
The circulatory pattern in the coastal waters is influenced by the Northern Equatorial Current, which flows westward towards the eastern shore, and
then divides into northern and southern branches at the Mona Passage [1]. The
northern branch of the current flows westward to Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba and
Jamaica (Antilles Current). The southern branch enters the Caribbean Sea,
and joins with the northernmost pulse of the Orinoco River at the Mona Passage and Saona Island. It creates rich environs suitable for shallow coastal
ecosystems development, and pelagic nursery grounds, considered hotspots for
conservation. The current continues to flow westward and joins the Caribbean
Current. Coastal counter currents are associated with diurnal tides. The spring
tidal range is 90 cm on the northern coast, and 20 cm on the southern coast.
The climate of Hispaniola is mainly tropical dry, with an average annual
temperature ranging from 18-27 °C. Cooler temperatures occur at the higher
elevations (to -3 °C during winter months). There are considerable variations in
the climate and the rainfall, which tends to decrease from east to west. Precipitation is greatest during the warm summer (May - November), and less during
the cold winter (December - April). The mean annual rainfall is 1,395 mm.
Predominant winds are the northeasterly trade winds during the winter and the
east-southeast winds during the rest of the year [2].
MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS OF THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
The Montecristi Barrier Reef, a Marine Protected Area (MPA), is located
on the northern coast and near Haiti. It includes reefs and associated seagrass,
mangrove and swamp ecosystems. At the western end of this barrier the coast
changes due to the presence of the largest drainage of the island, the Yaque del
Norte River, characterized by a mangrove-estuarine setting (39 Km2 ). To the
north, in territorial waters some 167 Km from Puerto Plata, are the Silver and
Navidad Banks (MPA), where during the winter months, the largest concentration of humpback whales, Megaptera novangleae can be found. They gather
around the coral reef barrier at the northernmost section, facing the oncoming
northeasterly winds from the Atlantic Ocean.
On the northern coast and to the east of the Montecristi barrier reef, rocky
shores and small bays surrounded by mangrove swamps are typical features up
to Puerto Plata. From there and towards the east, sandy beaches, mostly of
terrigenous origin, separated by mountains and cliffs are common. In some
areas away from the near shore, coral formations appear. There is the large
Bahı́a Escocesa, where recent fisheries studies have found deep-water squids
and where sperm whales gather seasonally near Cabo Cabrón at the Samaná
Peninsula. On the southern side of this peninsula are large watershed-basin
drains, large mangrove forests (22 Km2 ), as well as an MPA. Following this
easterly route along the coastline of the Dominican Republic, the sediments
of the coast become terrigenous lime-sand. The Redonda and Limón coastal
lagoons, both also MPAs, and the marshes are associated with them. Reaching
Macao a large, 35 Km in length reef formation appears: the Bávaro - Macao
reef. In this area, the largest tourism development in the island is found. The
ecosystems are in constant stress and perpetually degrading due to the pressure
they receive from the 1.3 - 2 million annual visitors. The features of this reef
formation are similar to those found at the Silver Banks and other sites along
the north coast.
Around the eastern tip of the island is Cabo Engaño and the Punta Cana Juanillo reef, which faces the southeast (Caribbean Sea). The Bávaro - Macao
reef and the Punta Cana - Juanillo reefs are located near the Mona Passage
and borders two oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This creates unique conditions since two different biogeographic provinces are found in
one locality. On its southernmost area the reef becomes more distinct from its
northern portion, which faces the Atlantic Ocean.
The MPA Parque Nacional del Este is located on the southern coast, starting
at Boca de Yuna and including the Catuano Passage and Saona Island. This
park is characterized by fringing and patch reefs associated with large areas of
seagrasses and fringing mangroves. Features associated with the typical marine
habitat setting turns this area into an ideal breeding ground for many species,
especially conchs of the genus Strombus, Panulirus lobsters, other invertebrates,
and a myriad of fish species including groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), grunts (Pomadasyidae), swordfish (Xiphiidae), marlin (Istiophoridae),
and other pelagic fishes.
Following the coastline towards the west, Pleistocene-Recent reef terraces and
rocky shores dominate the landscape, interrupted by river discharges where most
of the urban and industrial development of the island occurs. This includes Santo
Domingo, the capital. Continuing west, the climate is dry and the coast changes
into terrigenous sand-rubble and a narrow continental shelf. This includes four
important coastal features: Bahı́a de las Calderas, Bahı́a de Ocoa, Puerto Viejo
and Bahı́a de Neyba. All of them are fauna shelters in the northern Caribbean.
The coastal and marine ecosystems and their extension along the 1,575 Km
Dominican Republic coastline, are summarized in Table I. Ecosystems in these
regions are characterized by a high tropical biodiversity.
The most important marine biodiversity refuges are located in the MPA´s:
Parque Nacional Montecristi (north), Parque Nacional del Este (east), Parque
Nacional Submarino La Caleta (center), and Parque Nacional Jaragua (west).
The types of coastal ecosystems found in these protected areas are mangroves,
seagrass beds and coral reefs, which may cover large areas at Montecristi and
Parque del Este (mangroves and seagrasses) and Jaragua (coral reefs). A summarized description of these parks is provided in the next section.
Table I. Geomorphological characteristics of the coastline of the Dominican Republic.
Region
North Coast
Lowlands and swamps
Sandy beaches
Cliffs and rocky shores
East Coast
Lowlands and swamps
Sandy beaches
Cliffs and rocky shores
South Coast
Lowlands and swamps
Sandy beaches
Cliffs and rocky shores
Length (Km)
526
96
284
146
374
13
57
304
675
14
472
189
% of total
33.0
24.0
43.0
Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s)
PARQUE NACIONAL MONTECRISTI
At the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Parque Nacional Montecristi has the largest reef formation in the country, with a length of 64.2 Km
on the nearshore of the Montecristi Shoals (1,181 km2 ). The reef system is a
barrier reef in accretion. High relief features and large living coral colonies with
sizes exceeding 10 m in diameter are common. The deep reef has different characteristics, depending on location and position relative to currents, waves, wind
direction, and tidal channels. The lagoon varies from 20 m to 2 Km wide and
in some places is up to 20 m deep. Here, large areas of seagrasses and coral
patches can be found, as well as skeletal remains of Acroporids. Although today a few young Acropora palmata are found, Millepora spp. are the dominant
species. This change in dominance patterns could be attributed to the acroporid
disease, and Millepora has replaced the previously dominant Acropora palmata
and Porites spp. In most of the reef area, the crest is narrow and crossed by
tidal channels. Here, waves from oceanic swells hardly reach this area, possibly
due to the effect of the barrier shoal that reduces their force. The energy here is
represented mainly by wind-generated waves with short periods (choppy seas),
producing a low energy environment. On its oceanic side the crest abruptly
drops vertically to 6 - 10 m in less than 30 m of horizontal distance. This allows
a clear view of its basal structure, which is composed of large skeletons of A.
palmata, A. cervicornis, Porites spp, and Montastraea spp. Some skeletons have
broken loose and lie at the base of the crest. They are suitable substrates for
future colonization and for refuge for other reef inhabitants.
In exposed areas, there is evidence of a lower Acropora palmata zone consisting mostly of dead large colonies. Seaward, low relief spur and groove formations
are found, with large colonies of the dominant Montastraea complex. There are
variations to this zonation pattern. A portion of the break zone that faces away
from the predominant forces of the wind and the waves is usually found when
tidal channels divide the reef crest. This creates a very calm and protected portion on the reef. Here, the reef crest usually drops abruptly, sometimes down to
30 m, to a sandy channel with seagrasses. As this portion receives some ocean
energy, the coral growth can form patches 10 to 5,000 m2 in area.
PARQUE NACIONAL DEL ESTE (PNE)
This park is the most studied marine site in the Dominican Republic [3–7].
Six categories of hard bottom substrate have been identified: (1) low relief spur
and groove formations, (2) reef flats, (3) transitional reef communities, (4) patch
reefs, (5) low relief rocky shoals, and (6) rocky coasts. The basal substrate for
these formations is consolidated carbonate reef as well as sediments and rubble.
The reefs of Parque Nacional del Este are basically low relief systems, found
either as fringing, small deep (20-30 m deep) patches, or banks. Most are on the
leeward side, protected by a land mass of Pleistocene and Recent reef terraces.
Southeasterly trade winds are dominant. The reef on the leeward side has two
distinct areas, one along the southern coast of Saona Island and influenced by
oceanic currents, and the more protected one along the western side of the
Catuano Passage. The bottoms of the Saona reefs are consolidated hard bottoms
and octocorals. Sponges dominate the benthic communities. Hard corals are
abundant only at specific places where they are concentrated, forming small
and dispersed coral patches. Here the waves and currents are strong and in
part are responsible for sculpturing these reefs. The reefs west of Catuano are
basically sandy bottoms with patch reefs. Large amounts of sediments and
biogenic sands are transported from the Catuano Passage and deposited along
this coastline towards the west. Large seagrass meadows cover most of the very
nearshore areas. Corals grow mostly in patches at a depth of 12 to 30 m. Further
west, away from the influences of the Catuano Passage, coral patches increase
in frequency and grow as deep-water fringing reefs. These are the most common
reef structures of the southern coast of the Dominican Republic.
PARQUE NACIONAL SUBMARINO LA CALETA
This park is located in the center of the southern coast and to the leeward side
of the Caucedo Peninsula. The area is surrounded by rocky shores. Nearshore
there are sandy bottoms with patchy corals, as well as patchy seagrasses. Spurs
and grooves appear at a depth of 10 m. At a depth of about 18 m, there is
an abrupt drop to 25 - 40 m, where there are low and medium relief spur and
groove formations. Here, there are reef-flat carbonate platforms, reef walls, and
artificial reefs designed for fish aggregation. The main benthic organisms in this
area are 32 species of corals, 20 species of octocorals, 50 species of sponges, and
45 species of algae. Due to the prevailing high-energy conditions of the sea, the
benthic coverage by taxonomic group is 41% of algae, 13% of sponges, 13% of
octocorals, and 28% of corals [8, 9].
This type of reef structure is commonly found along the south coast, which
faces the Caribbean Sea, in places where the marine platform widens and depth
is less than 40 m. In places where shallows and sandy beaches appear, fringing
reefs with breakers are found (e.g. Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, Guayacanes and
Najayo). From Rio Nizao to the west, terrigenous deposits from large rivers
prevent reef formations all the way to Puerto Viejo (Bahia de Ocoa), where
reefs develop again.
PARQUE NACIONAL JARAGUA
This park is located at the southwestern end of the Dominican Republic. No
rivers or surface runoff are found on these Pleistocene carbonate reef terraces.
On its windward side strong seas and high-energy pebble and pocket beaches
with fringing reefs are found. On its leeward coast, protected by high cliffs,
sheltered, long and white sandy beaches are common inshore and consolidated
hard carbonate offshore with high coral cover and density. There is not a welldeveloped fringing or bank reef in most of the zone, except near Cabo Rojo [10].
At the southern tip, Beata Island is found. Further out is Alto Velo Island.
Towards the southwest, at the edge of the continental shelf, is an elevation of
the seafloor called Los Frailes Shoals [11, 12].
On the windward side of Beata island, at its northeastern end, coral reefs
are located offshore forming bank reefs [10]. On the leeward side are seagrass
beds, followed by a hard carbonate bottom with sparse corals, sponges, and
octocorals, and a high cover of algae. An interesting formation is the Los Frailes
Shoals, located 12 miles southwest of Cabo Rojo. This formation consists of a
seafloor rise that receives clean oceanic waters. This allows establishment of a
diverse community. There are boulders and submerged walls 10 m high covered
by Tubastrea aurea on one side and large Montastraea, Diploria and Colpophyllia
colonies, as well as sponges, on the other [10].
Starting at the Beata Canal, there is a platform that reaches up to 18 m
depth, that goes from Cabo Falso to Bahı́a de Las Aguilas. It is covered with
algae, hydrozoans, gorgonians, sponges, and has sparse coral colonies along its
bottom. In deeper areas, there are diverse communities associated with large
boulders. These are dominated by octocorals, zoanthids and sponges. In this
area, sponge diversity and abundance are also significant, but corals are sparse.
At Bahı́a de Las Aguilas, the reef has a higher coral diversity and coverage,
and rare species such as Mycethophyllia reesi are uncharacteristically abundant
[10]. Another different reef structure found at Jaragua is the reef at Cabo Rojo.
Here the continental shelf forms a submarine canyon. The reef begins at 18 m
depth on a wide platform covered by seagrasses. The reef then drops to 45 m
to a sandy bottom. There is a high cover of plate-like species, which can be
found in association with blue-green algae between 13 and 18 m. Octocorals
are scarce and scattered along the slopes. Sponges are abundant and diverse.
Millepora species and Acropora cervicornis patches are common in the shallow
areas. Montastraea franksi and Agaricia lamarcki are the dominant coral species
in the deep area of the reef [10].
MARINE RESEARCH IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Since 1958, several authors have published information regarding the marine
environment of the Dominican Republic and its related biological diversity. Most
of these studies, as well as the reference collections, have been deposited in
the Museo de Referencia Costero Marina of the Centro de Investigaciones de
Biologı́a Marina of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (CIBIMAUASD), and in the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. Several NGO´s have
also carried out marine research and accumulated instructional and scientific
materials. CIBIMA published a preliminary study of the coastal and marine
biodiversity of the Dominican Republic and reported 224 species [13]. In 2003,
Geraldes and a group of local scientists at CIBIMA updated the previous report
to 1,391 marine and coastal species for the Dominican Republic (Table II) [14].
Table II. Summary results of preliminary revision of marine and coastal biodiversity
for the Dominican Republic. July 2004.
Taxonomic group
Algae
Seagrass
Porifera
Celenterata-hidrozoa
Celenterata-madreporaria
Gorgonidae
Hidroideae
Anelidae
Chitonidae
Molusca gasteropoda
Molusca bivalvia
Cephalopoda
Crustacea Decapoda
Crustacea Anomura
Equinodermata
Tunicata
Pices
Reptilia
Mamifera
Mangroves/ Flora
Total
Species
262
4
39
3
64
25
19
(no reports)
10
188
103
2
144
25
67
8
403
4
16
6
1392
Dominican contributors to coastal marine research include: C. GonzálezNuñez from 1954 until 1974 [15]; I. Bonnelly de Calventi from 1962 until 1999
[16], and more recently F.X. Geraldes from 1973 until present [7–9, 14, 17–28].
Research efforts in fishery studies have been carried out by E. Pugibet and N.
Terrero [2–6, 9, 14, 22, 24, 27]. Researchers in other specific groups are G.
Rosado (algae), H. Ramı́rez (plankton), C. Rodrı́guez (freshwater fishes), C.
Dı́az and J. Gómez (mollusks), M. Garcı́a and C. Mateo (crustaceans), and L.
Rathe (sponges) [29]. Most of these investigations were published at CIBIMA
or at the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. Researchers since 1995 include
M. Vega, F. Geraldes and Y. Leon. They have produced several publications
on marine environments and biodiversity [2–6, 8, 9, 23, 24, 26, 27], R. Torres
[2–6, 9, 14, 22, 24, 27]. Since the inauguration of the Acuario Nacional in 1990,
and through its efforts, much research and new studies have been produced.
Table II summarizes the major biodiversity reports for the Dominican Republic.
INITITATIVES FOR PRESERVING MARINE LIFE: LAWS AND
REGULATIONS, MPA´S AND OTHERS
In the year 2000 a new Environmental Law (64-00) was passed. This law
created the institutional and legal framework for sustainable development and
conservation of nature in the country. In charge of implementing this law is
the Secretarı́a de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Secretary
of State of Environment and Natural Resources), with 4 executive branches
(Subsecretarı́as). These are: Areas Protegidas y Biodiversidad (Protected Areas and Biodiversity), Recursos Costeros Marinos (Coastal Marine Resources),
Recursos Forestales (Forest Resources) and Gestión Ambiental (Environmental
Administration). They deal with the administration of the environment and of
natural resources. The Dominican Republic has signed and ratified international
treaties, such as MARPOL, CITES, the Convention of Biological Diversity, Climate Change, the SPAW Protocol, the Cartagena Convention, and the Basilea
Convention, and has enhanced compliance with local environmental, fishery and
development regulations.
Concepts of integrated coastal management are just beginning to be applied.
The Global Environmental Fund (GEF) of the World Bank has funded projects
to assist in evaluating coastal resources and in designing national environmental
policies. Shoreline development is controlled by law and restricts all constructions on the beach dunes or 60 m away from the high tide mark. Turbidity
barriers, or some other method of sediment control, are required and are being
used at coastal construction sites.
The total coastal area protected as MPAs in the Dominican Republic is
30,015 Km2 . 4,775 Km2 occurs nearer to the mainland while the rest is the Silver
Banks Marine Mammals Sanctuary (25,240 Km2 ). This sanctuary encompasses
the territorial waters from Samaná Bay, including the Silver and Navidad Banks,
and portions of the Mouchoirs Banks. The marine parks in the north are Parque
Nacional Montecristi (1,309 Km2 ), Cabo Cabrón, in the Samaná Peninsula (552
Km2 ), and Los Haitı́ses in Samaná Bay with an important mangrove formation
associated with the Yuna River (285 Km2 ); on the east Parque Nacional del
Este (430 Km2 ). Those in the south are Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta
(10 km2 ), Boca Chica reef (5 km2 ), and Parque Nacional Jaragua (1,374 km2 )
near Haitı́. Other coastal ecosystems in the northwestern portion are swamps,
marshes, and the Redonda and Limón lagoons. They are also part of the MPAs
of the Dominican Republic.
Nonwithstanding this ample legal frame and areas set aside for conservation, there is a lack of short and middle term policies and plans for biodiversity conservation and research. There is also a need for trained personnel at
medium (technicians) and low (such as inspectors) levels in governmental offices with administrative duties for the marine and coastal zone. In the private
sector, environmental education, sustainable management practices, promotion
and propaganda are needed for the promotion of a change in attitude in regard
to marine and coastal conservation and sustainable uses.
THREATS TO MARINE BIODIVERSITY
Degradation is taking place in most marine and coastal areas (except those
included in the protected areas). Deforestation, irrigation projects, and overfishing, among others, have produced increased siltation and nutrient availability
in the marine and coastal systems. There has also been a noticeable increase
in human use of the coastal resources generated by population expansion, with
subsequent increases of waste disposal (solid and untreated sewers) in coastal
waters. Table III summarizes the percentage of ecosystems exploited by different socioeconomic activities (anthropogenic) and level of impact from those
actions. These activities have destroyed or modified natural settings and have
impacted areas by reducing or changing the biodiversity. The use of the coastal
zones has been escalating and is associated with the expansion of the human
population. The Dominican Republic has 9 million inhabitants and some 3.5
millions tourists visit the island each year. The territory has 48,484 Km2 , and a
density of 1,090 persons per Km2 . Of these, 65% reside or have activities near
the 1,389 Km coastline. Thus the actual calculated density of this territory is
of 198 persons per Km of coastline. However, this number is much higher in the
urban and tourist centers near the littoral zones.
Table III. Areas of main marine ecosystems in the Dominican Republic and percentage of the marine and coastal areas used by human activities [25].
Ecosystems
Mangroves
Sea grass bed
Coral reefs
Beaches
Other coastal
ecosystems
Country Area
(Km2 )
Fisheries
Tourism
Urban /
Industries
Rural agro
development
98.4
186.0
133.0
244.2
75
70
90
70
5
20
30
35
10
5
10
10
10
20
20
30
50,000.0
80
10
8
20
THE UNKNOWN: TAXONOMY, UNEXPLORED REGIONS, AND
OTHERS
The need for more research and explorations regarding the marine and coastal
ecosystems of the Dominican Republic is obvious. From 1954 until 2004, local
scientists have studied specific areas mainly in the southern and eastern coasts,
dedicating efforts on ecological processes and fisheries. In this latter field, major
efforts have been achieved in fisheries explorations [30]. Very few attempts have
been accomplished in actual biodiversity collections targeted to specific habitats or ecosystems. Regarding ecological assessments, the field efforts have been
more directed towards identifying, characterizing and determining the status of
the ecosystems. Other works have been dedicated to determine environmental
conditions. Since research has concentrated primarily in the MPAs, there are
regions along the coastline (maybe even 60% of it, or 950 Km) that remain relatively unstudied. Little effort has been dedicated to biodiversity inventories in
habitats other than coral reefs, and in taxa besides those of corals, octocorals,
fishes, sponges, and other conspicuous benthic forms. Trained personnel with a
high degree of knowledge in crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms, and other less
known groups such as plankton, worms, mud dwellers (swamps and marshes)
and small sized creatures are needed to complete the local understanding and
diversity richness of the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Dominican Republic.
Finally, the level of the museums is poor to bad. There is no political or
financial support for them, and collections have been lost by lack of maintenance.
Some of the data (records) in them have partially been lost.
REFERENCES
1. Metcalf, W. G., M. C. Stalcup, and D. K. Atwood, 1977. “Mona passage drift
bottle study.” Bull. Mar. Sci., 27(3):586–591.
2. Chiappone, M., 2001. “Water Quality Conservation in Marine Protected Areas. A
Case Study of Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic.” Technical report,
The Nature Conservancy.
3. Vega, M., 1994. “Evaluación ecológica rápida del área marina del Parque Nacional
del Este, República Dominicana.” Informe final, Acuario Nacional.
4. Vega, M., G. A. Delgado, and K. M. Sullivan, 1994. “Rapid Ecological Assessment.
Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic.” Technical report.
5. Vega, M., M. Chiappone, G. Delgado, R. Wright, and K. Sullivan, 1997. “Evaluacion Ecologica Integral del Parque Nacional del Este, República Dominicana 2:
Recursos Marinos.” Technical report, The Nature Conservancy, Bahamas.
6. Chiappone, M., 2001. “Coral Reef Conservation in Marine Protected Areas. A
Case Study of Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic.” Technical report,
The Nature Conservancy.
7. Geraldes, F. X., 2003. The Coral Reefs of Dominican Republic. Elsevier Publisher.
8. Geraldes, F. X., 1994. “Inventario y elaboración del plan de manejo del Parque
Nacional Submarino La Caleta. Primer informe parcial.” Documento de proyecto.
pronatura/fman/pnud, Fundación Dominicana Pro-Investigación y Conservación
de los Recursos Marinos, Inc. (MAMMA).
9. Geraldes, F. X. and M. Vega, 1995. “Evaluación Ecológica, Pesquera y Socioeconómica. Plan de Manejo del Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta.” Informe
final proyecto fman/pnud/pronatura, Fundación Dominicana Pro-Investigación y
Conservación de los Recursos Marinos (MAMMA).
10. Weil, E., 1997. “Coral, Octocoral and Sponge Diversity on Reefs of the Jaragua
National Park, Dominican Republic.” Project marine biodiversity of the dominican republic gef-pnud/onaplan, Manuscript report to Grupo Jaragua.
11. Borrell, P., 1981. La Isla Beata, pp. 111–123. Museo del Hombre Dominicano y
Marina de Guerra. Editora Amigo del Hogar, República Dominicana.
12. Vega, B., 1981. Aspectos Históricos de las Islas Beata y Alto Velo, pp. 13–16.
Museo del Hombre Dominicano y Marina de Guerra. Editora Amigo del Hogar,
República Dominicana.
13. CIBIMA, ed., 1992. Estudio Preliminar sobre la Biodiversidad Costera y Marina
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