GEO Haiti 2010

GEO HAITI • 2010
100
Fecal Coliformes (/100 ml)
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Figure 45: Indicators of Faecal Contamination in the
Port-au-Prince Bay
Mouth of
Grise River
EPA : 400/100 ml
Fishing
Port
Commercial
Port
CEE : 2000/100 ml
Mouth of rivière
Bois-de-Chêne
Wharf
Jérémie
Source: LE BRUN. 2000. Component on “Research and Monitoring of the
coastal and marine environment of Haiti”. Final Report. Status of pilot
sites and recommendations
2.4.1 Decrease in the
Attractiveness of Beaches
Haiti has an enormous potential for marine and
under-water recreational activities. However, the
contamination of most of its coastal and marine
regions has seriously affected its potential. Many
beaches have proven to be unusable (MOE-MCPE,
2004), and to decide to carry-out activities such
as deep-sea diving and other nautical sports (ski,
surf ), or even a simple dip in the sea, could result
in exposure to serious health problems.
Figure 46: Accumulation of Waste on a Beach
Source: Antonio Perera, 2009
of the territory (UNDP/ECMU, 1998, Hilaire 2005).
Others state that it is more than 5% (FAO, 2001).
Generally, 16% of the national territory is thought
to be completely devoid of vegetation 36 .
Table 22: Types of Vegetation and their
Coverage in Percentage in Haiti
Types of
vegetation
Percentage of
Haitian territory
Agroforestry 18.3
Forests 2.6
Intensive cultures 44.1
Wetlands 1.4
Mangroves 0.7
Undergrowth 31.8
Pasture 1.1
Source: Hilaire, 2005
Figure 47 shows a predominance of mixed forests
and a mosaic of vegetation over a large portion of
the country. With respect to crop variation, these
are found mostly in the south. The remaining
broadleaf forests occupy only a small portion
of the country. The rain forests are following the
same trend as the broadleaf forests, making the
country’s situation in terms of forest coverage, a
matter of concern. The picture below provides a
clearer picture and depicts the harsh reality of a
large part of the territory in Haiti. The question to
be asked is: Was the country always like this?
Figure 48: Haitian Mountainside
Source: J V Hilaire 2005
3. Forest Cover
Over the recent last few decades, there has been
considerably reduction in the plant cover in Haiti.
The most reliable sources have estimated the
remaining cover to be between 1.5% and 2.6%
36
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