Biodiversity Puerto Rico (PRI)
 
  FishBase Complete Literature Reference
Species Families Species Families
Marine 752 126 No
Freshwater 59 17 No
Total 811 136 No
Conservation The following information is to be sought: - Status of knowledge of the freshwater fauna; - Existence of conservation plans; - Information on major aquatic habitats or sites within the country; - Current major threats to species; - Future potential threats to species; - Contact(s) for further information.
Geography and Climate Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic. Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island. Climate is tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation. Terrain consists mostly of mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas. Elevation extreme has the lowest point in Caribbean Sea 0 m and highest point in Cerro de Punta 1,338 m. Natural resources are some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil. Land use: arable land: 4%, permanent crops: 5%, permanent pastures: 26%, forests and woodland: 16%, other: 49% (1993 est.). Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1993 est.). Natural hazards are periodic droughts. Environment—current issues: occasional drought has caused water levels in reservoirs to drop and has prompted water rationing. Geography—note: important location along the Mona Passage—a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north.

Ref.  Anonymous, 1999
Hydrography
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