Coastal salt ponds arc quite common that arc orientated parallel to the coastline but arc often not hydraulically connected to the sea in part because of the lower tidal amplitudes (-25 em) in this portion of the Caribbean. Much of the eastern Caribbean is influenced by the discharge of massive amounts of ii'cshwatcr from several large South American rivers such as the Orinoco. This produces salinities well below oceanic conditions for several months each year. Coral reefs tend to occur as fringing torms around the islands and the northern more exposed portions of the eastern Caribbean also has unique coral algal ridges which tonn in response to high wave energy. Marine species in the eastern Caribbean arc similar to elsewhere in the Caribbean but is somewhat lower diversity than found along the larger islands or continental coasts. Species such as manatees and saltwater crocodiles are rare (although historically Manatees were tound in Guadeloupe) as arc species associated with larger estuaries. Sea turtle nesting tor both Leatherback and Hawks bills is common on many of the islands and the area is important for Green tmtlc foraging. Seabirds arc also very abundant in this area of the Caribbean possibly because of easy access to deeper water productive fishing grounds. Whales, including Humpback and Sperm, frequently usc this area during the winter possibly because the easy access through numerous deep water channels that bisect the islands. This ccorcgion spans more than 17 distinct political units, with a population of just 2.5 million inhabitants. The small island size and developing economics and their isolation make these islands more vulnerable to environmental degradation and more dependent on tourism than the other regions. Terrestrial The large geographic expanse of the Caribbean contains at least fourteen Holdridge Life Zones and a complex geology (Lugo et a/., 2000). The Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) arc located on a partially elevated platform that supports a mature volcanic range. The Lesser Antilles (the islands from Anguilla to Grenada), arc of more recent origin, consisting of an outer chain of islands composed of low coral and limestone and an inner chain of steep volcanic islands. The Bahamas bank assemblage (including Turks and Caicos), located southeast of the Florida peninsula, rises tl·om a rock submarine plateau (Lugo eta/., 2000; Arcccs-Mallca eta!., 1999). The Caribbean is one of the world's centers of terrestrial biodiversity and endemism. It harbors about 12,000 plant species and 1,518 vcttcbratc species (668 bird, 164 mammal, 497 reptile, and 189 amphibian species). Of this diverse tlora and fauna, 7,000 vascular plant species and 779 vertebrate species (148 bird, 49 manm1al, 418 reptile, and 164 amphibian species) arc endemic to the Caribbean. This accounts for 2.3% of the world's 300,000 plant species, and 2.9% of the world's 27,298 vertebrate species. Total land surface of the Caribbean islands is only 263,500 km2 with only 11.3% of the original primary vegetation remaining, an aggregated area of only 29,840 km 2• Many species arc endemic not only to the region, but to individual islands, or to isolated places within specific islands. Among the faunal groups, very high endemism is found in fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals (Myers, e/ a/., 2000; Davis et al., 1997; Woods & Scrgilc, 2001; Global Amphibian Assessment, 2004; Raftaclc el a/., 1998; Nowak, 1994; Nature Serve). Caribbean species richness is supported by diverse habitats; there arc 4 major habitat types, 16 WWF ccorcgions, and 14 Holdridge life zones. The distribution and biodiversity characteristics of the major habitat types (Adams 1972; Arcccs-Mallca ct a!., 1999; Borhidi 1991; CotTcll and Correll, 1982; Howard 1973; Lugo ct al., 2000; Ncotropical Ecosystems Integrity Assessment 2001) arc described below: Tropical/ Subtropical Moist Br()(ul/eaf Forests are characterized by the large number of tree species occurring together with a closed canopy. Gregarious dominants arc uncommon. The forest in general has smooth, wind-sculptured canopies without emergent trees. Understory vegetation, especially herbaceous plants, is often sparse. Cylindrical bole, pinnate !cat: large leaf blade, buttress, Iiana, and caulit1ory are 5 -8-