The Annotated Ramsar List: Dominican Republic
The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC / RÉPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE / REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA
The Convention on Wetlands came into force for the Dominican Republic on 15 September 2002. The Dominican Republic presently has 2 sites designated as a Wetland of International Importance, with a surface area of 24,600 hectares.
site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas
Lago Enriquillo. 15/05/02; Suroeste; ~ 20,000 ha; 18°28'N 071°39'W. Parque Nacional. A hypersaline lake formed by an ancient channel of the sea, at 35km in length the largest lake in the Caribbean, as well as the surrounding swamps, wet meadows, and irrigated cropland, with one large and two small islands. The site is significant for the biodiversity of the region, supporting three of the largest reptiles found on the island, all of them threatened. It also provides habitat for at least 65 species of domestic and migratory birds, of which five are considered threatened. Cave decorations with pictographs and petroglyphs from pre-hispanic Taínos people can be seen, of which the best example of taíno art can be found on an ancient coral reef called Las Caritas, an archaeological site frequently visited by tourists. Diversion of inflowing water for agricultural purposes is perceived as a potential threated to the ecological character of the site. A visitors' centre on the Isla Cabritos, the original core of the present National Park, has developed numerous educational activities. Ramsar site no. 1179. 
Most recent RIS information: 2002.
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Laguna Cabral o Rincón. 02/02/2011. Barahona e Independencia; 4,600 ha; 18°16’N 071°15’W. Comprises a freshwater lagoon, permanent and stationary rivers and inundated agricultural areas within the Laguna Cabral o Rincon Wildlife Refuge. The site provides habitat for species listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List such as the West Indian Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) and the Southern crested toad (Bufo guentheri). It has an important population of endemic plants (Solanum microphyllum), fish (Hispaniolan Gambusia) and birds such as the Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis), and is also important as a winter stop for migratory ducks where they have registered over 100,000 individuals of different species like Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), White cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis) among others. Main threats for this site include the hydrological changes caused by the water extraction and deviation for irrigation purposes, the introduction of invasive species, and the overexploitation of fisheries. There is an annual operational plan for management activities and a management plan is currently being developed. Ramsar Site no. 1936. Most recent RIS information: 2011.
