NORTHERN CARIBBEAN

The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. The Dominican Republic comprises the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Greater Antilles, with the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Geologically, the Dominican Republic is part of the broader geology of Hispaniola with rocks formed from multiple island arcs, colliding with North America. Within the Dominican Republic, the central Cordillera Septentrional spans the strike-slip fault boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates. Faults and folds from the Paleocene to the Pliocene in marine sedimentary rocks indicate its history of uplift, beginning in Eocene pelagic carbonates.

The Dominican Republic has a tropical rainforest climate in the coastal and lowland areas. Due to its diverse topography, Dominican Republic's climate shows considerable variation over short distances and is the most varied of all the Antilles. Dr. Alshuth explored the Dominican Republic’s marine environments and anthropogenic marine impacts along the northern shores. Increased development of the cities and deforestation of upland regions have resulted in increased urban and sediment runoffs into the bay, impacting the health of the coral reefs. Overfishing of the coral reefs during the 1980s has also contributed to a decline in ecosystem function.


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Exploring the marine ecosystems surrounding the Dominican Republic.
Exploring the marine ecosystems surrounding the Dominican Republic.
Cordillera Central - the highest mountain range in the Dominican Republic and in all of the Caribbean region.
Cordillera Central - the highest mountain range in the Dominican Republic and in all of the Caribbean region.
Coconut palm fringed northeastern shores at Playa Rincón.
Coconut palm fringed northeastern shores at Playa Rincón.
Cabarete Bay - on the northern coastline of Dominican Republic - formed and protected by a barrier coral reef.
Cabarete Bay - on the northern coastline of Dominican Republic - formed and protected by a barrier coral reef.
Dr. Alshuth examining an uprooted tree and its new habitat of marine sessile organisms - at Cabarete Bay beach.
Dr. Alshuth examining an uprooted tree and its new habitat of marine sessile organisms - at Cabarete Bay beach.
Increased development of the city of Cabarete has resulted in increased urban and sediment runoffs into Cabarete Bay,
Increased development of the city of Cabarete has resulted in increased urban and sediment runoffs into Cabarete Bay,
Exploring coral reefs - dominated by fire coral. Overfishing has contributed to a decline in ecosystem function.
Exploring coral reefs - dominated by fire coral. Overfishing has contributed to a decline in ecosystem function.
Yellowtail snapper - key commercial fisheries species - continue to decline due to anthropogenic marine impacts.
Yellowtail snapper - key commercial fisheries species - continue to decline due to anthropogenic marine impacts.
Many key commercial species—including Spiny Lobster - have been overexploited.
Many key commercial species—including Spiny Lobster - have been overexploited.
Cabarete, a former fishing village - is one of Dominican Republic's poorest communities.
Cabarete, a former fishing village - is one of Dominican Republic's poorest communities.
Dr. Alshuth in Cabarete City, Dominican Republic.
Dr. Alshuth in Cabarete City, Dominican Republic.
Tourism decreasing fishing pressure on the coral reefs. Many fishermen and locals now work in tourist related businesses.
Tourism decreasing fishing pressure on the coral reefs. Many fishermen and locals now work in tourist related businesses.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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