GEO Haiti 2010

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104 GEO HAITI • 2010 3.1.3 Fires and Forest Fires According to available reports, and based on an analysis of the causes of the degradation of forest areas, seemingly fires are not a significant factor. However, in the past and regularly in summertime, major fires have broken out in the few forest reserves in Haiti (Forêt des Pins, Park La Visite, or Park Macaya). These are generally wildfires. However, there have been cases of fires being deliberately set. This practice is the fastest way to clear an area for farming. Afterwards, with the slightest wind, almost all of the burnt trees collapse. Figure 51: Forest Fire in La Visite Park however the shortage of this material has meant that this is not yet widespread. Figure 52: Illegal Logging in a Pine Forest Source: Unknown 3.1.4 Demand for Wood in the Construction Sector Another important second reason for widespread deforestation and land-clearing in Haiti is the demand of wood for construction purposes. This has intensified in recent years due to demographic pressure. Wood is used mainly as struts and facings in construction. In 2000, construction needs in Haiti accounted for 14,000 m 3 of sawn timber (FAO, 2005). In recent decades, the use of metal struts has been introduced into the country (FAO / EC, 2000), Source: Unknown According to some reports, some political regimes could have contributed to deforestation and tree-cutting in the country. To combat rebel activities and guerrilla warfare, the state autocratic authorities between 1957 and 1986 could have contributed significantly to the reduction of the plant cover in Haiti (DOMINIQUE, 2005). This theory is still today a matter for debate: What was the degree of participation or involvement of some political regimes in the process of deforestation in Haiti? 3.2 Impacts 3.2.1 Weak production capacity The consequences of the situation described above are disturbing. Mountains form the bulk of the physical geography of Haiti, but such topography also predisposes the land to water erosion. Thus, the razing of the forest cover considerably increases this phenomenon, a situation which will be described in the next chapter. The loss of vegetation has significantly affected the country’s agricultural activities, and has changed its physical environment, i.e. the agro–biological environment.
State of the Environment Report 2010 It is a well-known fact that forest trees are important to soil improvement, to the biological control of pests and other diseases, to the promotion and establishment of microclimates favorable to cultivable rain-fed plants, and to the regulation of the water cycle and soil conservation. All these functions are affected by the destruction of a vegetation cover (SAFFACHE, 2001), as recognized by FAO (2001), which has declared that the degradation of natural resources threatens agricultural productivity. In addition, the virtual absence of forests is not without consequences to a country’s hydrologic ecosystems, and actually, the entire water cycle is affected. Despite the abundance of rainfall and fairly good spatial distribution, some springs and rivers which formerly had a constant flow in Haiti, now literally dry up during certain periods of the year (USSC, 1999). On the other hand, heavy rains cause the level of rivers to rise and floods have caused enormous loss of lives and of property. Several floods have been recorded over the last twenty years: in the south of the country in 1986, and in the capital in 1987 and 1988 (MAGNY, 1991). In the Southeastern region and in the Artibonite province, thousands of persons died as a result of floods in 2002, 2004 and 2008. 4. Biodiversity The concept of biodiversity encompasses three overlapping components. These cover the range of ecosystems (ecosystemic diversity), of all species of living things (specific diversity) and the full spectrum of the genetic heritage (genetic diversity). In this regard, Haiti is particularly noteworthy. The country abounds in various species of fauna, flora and microorganisms, which indicates a genetic heritage replete with varied ecosystems. However, as a result of overexploitation of the environment, the country’s biodiversity continues to be eroded – a situation that requires urgent protection measures and careful attention. The country is endowed with an enviable biodiversity which is an undeniable asset. (Erlich et al., 1986). In fact, its insularity and mountainous terrain give rise to a multiplicity of microclimates that some might call “biological or living jewels”. The main protected areas of Haiti represent approximately 0.5% of the territory. These are distributed throughout the country, as indicated in the following table: 105 Table 24: Main Protected Areas in Haiti Name Type of habitat Area (hectares) Year established Fort Jacques and Fort Alexandre Historical 9 1968 Fort Mercredi Historical 5 1968 La Citadelle, Sans Souci, Ramiers Historical and mountain site 2,200 1968 Sources Cerisier et Plaisance Hot springs 10 1968 Sources Chaudes Hot springs 20 1968 Sources Puantes Hot springs 10 1968 Lac de Péligre Artificial lake 100 1968 Parc La Visite Tropical rain forest and pine forests 3,000 1983 Parc Macaya Tropical rain forest and pine forests 2,000 1983 Forêt des Pins Pine forest and mixed forestry 5,500 1983 reserve, harvesting currently illegal TOTAL - 12,854 - Source: USAID, 2006
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GEO Haiti 2010

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