Environmental
Location
Montaña La Humeadora National Park
Date
July 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024
Total Budget
USD 215,224.18
Total Contribution
USD 215,224.18
Thematic
1) The update of the management plan with the emphasis on establishing a solid and sustainable governance mechanism.
2) Threat reduction and conservation actions for trigger species.
3) Training and participation as key tools for good management.
4) Promote local social benefits through agroforestry and tourism.
Funded by
Montaña La Humeadora National Park
Montaña La Humeadora National Park in the Dominican Republic is a protected natural area, protected by the General Environmental Law 64-00 and the Protected Areas Sector Law No. 202 of 2004. Previously, part of its territory had been under different legal frameworks and protection regimes since the 1930s, and through decrees 199 of 1992 and 233 of 1996. The area defined in Law 202-04 is 290 Km2, and is located north of Santo Domingo, occupying territories of the municipalities of Los Cacaos and Villa Altagracia, in San Cristóbal Province, Piedra Blanca and Bonao, in Monseñor Nouel Province, and Rancho Arriba, in San José de Ocoa Province.
Surface area: 290 Km2. It stands out for its biodiversity and water services derived from the streams that originate in its territory
The PNMLH, in addition to the biodiversity it contains, makes a significant contribution of water through the watersheds of the Haina, Nizao, Yuna and Nigua rivers.
Studies for the 2014-2019 Management Plan identified 16 rivers and 71 named streams and creeks.
Ecosystems
In the mountainous life system of La Humeadora there is a zone of Latifoliated Cloud Forests (Palo de Viento-Schefflera tremula (Krug & Urb.) Alain and Manacla-Prestoea montana).
Humid Broadleaf Forests (of Cola-Mora abottii and diverse broadleafs). Riparian Broadleaf Forests and Wetlands.
Flora
The vegetation of Montaña La Humeadora National Park has an interesting scientific and botanical attraction. The flora in the protected area is very varied. The main plant species found are the manacla (Prestoea montana); the palo del viento (Schefflera tremula or Didymopanax tremulus); whose longevity varies between 500 and 800 years; the maroon bean (Alchornea latifolia); the cabbage tail (Mora abbottii); the canelilla (Ocotea wrightii); the wool (Ochroma pyramidale); the male pine or tit pine (Zanthoxylum martinicense) and the nisperillo (Matayba domingensis). The park's flora includes an abundance of orchid species.
The park has 705 species of vascular plants, distributed in 423 genera and 114 families, 119 species endemic to Española Island, 479 native and 75 exotic species, and 117 endangered species on the National Red List or CITES.
Fauna
The fauna of the protected area is represented by birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and mammals characteristic of this zone of the Cordillera Central. The most common birds are: chua-chua (Turdus plumbeus), Selle's thrush (Turdus swalesi), cigua del pinal (Dendroica pinus), goldfinch (Myadestes genibarbis), cao (Corvus palmarum), woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus), parrot (Priotelus roseigaster) and parakeet (Amazona ventralis).
Classified AICA: 69 bird species, out of 306 for the country.
For Cordillera Central, 90% of the country's endemic amphibians and reptiles are reported. In PNMLH, 21% of the amphibians, five genera and nine species. Likewise, 34% of the reptiles, six genera and eight species.
Background
Montaña la Humeadora National Park had a five-year management plan approved in 2014. This plan established the strategies and guidelines for the conservation and sustainable use of the park's natural and cultural resources. However, since its validity period has expired, it was necessary to update it to reflect the new challenges and opportunities for the conservation of this protected area.
Among the main threats to the park's conservation targets are the pressure on the forest cover, whose higher density characterizes the park's best-conserved natural ecosystems. The reduction of forest cover determined in the support studies carried out during the preparation of the 2014-2019 Management Plan sponsored by CEPF during this period indicated that the main causes of this reduction were the expansion of agriculture and cattle ranching, and fires caused by slash-and-burn practices generally carried out to change the use of forested land to short-cycle crop lands. The extraction of parakeets and parrots (vulnerable species, although not prioritized), which according to verbal information has decreased, but still requires more work in mitigation actions, as well as the illegal fishing or capture of crabs (crayfish) that persists in a remarkable way.
Project objective
Establish an inclusive governance mechanism through the updating of the PNMLH Management Plan, in which local stakeholders have an impact on decision-making for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, playing an important role in the better use of ecosystem services and the sustainability of this protected area.
Trigger species
Turdus swalesi
Podocarpus hispaniolensis
Eleutherodactylus minutus
Eleutherodactylus auriculatoides
Implementation strategy
It focuses on reducing pressure on the forest cover through actions that not only strengthen the capacities of decision makers, but also involve the communities located within the buffer zones to help care for the species and manage the risks and threats to the KBA conservation targets.
Technical team
Francisco Arnemann
Coordinator
Maximino Herrera
Forestry Specialist
Teres Morrobel
Social Specialist
Arelis Fermin
Financial Specialist
Santa Soranyi Feliz
Biologist
Technical Committee
Arcadia Francisco
Director of Physical Works
Maria Cornelio
Gender Specialist
Charmery Graciano
Planning and Monitoring
Rosemary Prisma
Awards
End poverty: Eradicate poverty in all its forms and in all places.
Zero hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Life of terrestrial ecosystems: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Piedra Blanca, Monseñor Nouel. Dominican Republic
In early February, the coordinating team held two workshops, one in Piedra Blanca and the other in Los Cacaos, to establish a governance model for Montaña La Humeadora National Park for local community members, park collaborators and other stakeholders. During these sessions, dialogue and collaboration among participants was encouraged to reach consensus and present a governance approach that reflects shared needs and visions for the sustainable and equitable management of the park.
Considering the presence of stakeholders in these workshops, the participation of the attendees was encouraged with questions and comments to complement their understanding and use of the Safeguards and the Complaints/Suggestions Mechanism.
Los Cacaos, San Cristobal. Dominican Republic.
Guananito, San Cristobal. D.R.
This workshop was organized with the objective of raising awareness of the impact of agriculture in La Humeadora Mountain National Park (PNMLH) and highlighting the crucial role of farmers in the conservation of the KBA.
The training included a session specifically aimed at the community members and park rangers, with the objective of identifying the species present in the PNMLH and emphasizing the importance of their protection and conservation.
Los Cacaos, San Cristobal. Dominican Republic.
Visit to Los Negros de Haina-Duey
Exchange of experiences in environmental conservation between the communities of Calderón and Los Guineos, with the purpose of learning about the experience of resilience and conservation of water resources and biodiversity implemented in Los Negros de Haina-Duey.
During the visit to Los Negros de Haina-Duey, the representatives of Calderón and Los Guineos were able to learn about the achievements in environmental conservation and resilience obtained in this micro-basin.
In addition, the community hosts provided new ideas and approaches to implement improvements in the visitors' own communities and in the buffer and core zones of the PNMLH.
Calderon, San Cristobal. Dominican Republic
Two workshops were held using the field school methodology, one in Calderón and the other in El Guineo, to strengthen the participants' skills in sustainable natural resource management techniques and promote environmental conservation in the community.
In both workshops, a theoretical session was given to explain in detail what analog forestry is, its main characteristics, its benefits and its practical application in the management of forest resources. In addition, a practical session was held where participants learned how to produce organic manure and biols as alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
El Guineo, San Cristobal. Dominican Republic
Documents
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