Haiti is close to a mass extinction of its rich biodiversity, with only one percent of its original forests remaining.

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Note: Forest cover estimates for Haiti have varied widely, from < 1% to 32% (see Table 1 of Source 3), with lower estimates concerning old growth (original, closed canopy) forest and higher estimates including secondary forest, plantations, and introduced species. For biodiversity, the old growth estimates are the most important.

Haiti's biodiversity is concentrated in rare 'hot spots' of original forest, mostly at the tops of mountains.

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The great loss of forests in Haiti has led to devastating floods and droughts, loss of drinking water, and loss of life.

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Scientists and conservationists have explored 12 of Haiti's hot spots of biodiversity in need of immediate protection.

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With 10 million people, Haiti is one of the most densely populated countries, placing high demands on the environment.

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Haiti has the highest percentage of threatened frog species (more than 90%) of any country according to the IUCN.

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There are 56 named species of frogs occurring in Haiti, but new species continue to be discovered at a high rate.

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Nearly all Haitians use forest products, wood and charcoal, for daily cooking, but this energy source is nearly gone.

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Haiti's biodiversity includes more than 25,000 species of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes.

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Roughly half of Haiti's species are found only in Haiti and not in neighboring Dominican Republic.

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Note: The proportion of Haiti endemics varies widely with taxonomic group, with amphibians and reptiles being two of the best-known groups, and there are other large groups of high endemicity (e.g., fungi, arthropods, snails).

Species of critically endangered Haitian frogs are being bred at the Philadelphia Zoo.

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Captive breeding and cryobanking of biodiversity, in addition to creating parks, help prevent future extinctions.

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The Haiti National Trust identifies biodiversity hotspots, acquires land for parks, and establishes long-term protection.

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Grand Bois, a Haitian biodiversity hot spot, has critically endangered species found nowhere else.

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Grand Colline, a Haitian biodiversity hot spot, has 2000-meter peaks and at least 56 species of birds, frogs, & reptiles.

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Macaya, a Haitian biodiversity hot spot, has an amazing 900 species of plants and 171 species of vertebrates.

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Bois Pangnol, a Haitian biodiversity hot spot, has four new species of frogs including one that lays green eggs.

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Morne La Selle, a Haitian biodiversity hot spot, is the highest mountain in Haiti and has critically endangered birds.

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La Gonâve, a Haitian biodiversity hot spot has unique threatened species that evolved in isolation for millions of years.

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