Date of preparation of the technical sheet: The technical sheet of this Management Plan is prepared during the month of June 2006.
Period of validity of the management plan: The PNJBPR Management Plan will be valid for five years, beginning in 2006 and ending in 2010.
Name of protected area and management category:
Officially, the protected area has been recognized as “Juan Bautista Pérez Rancier National Park” since 1996. The assigned 'national park' category was confirmed by the Environment Law 64-00 and the Protected Areas Sector Law 202/2004.
Location and / or address of the administrative headquarters of the area:
The Juan Bautista Pérez Rancier National Park, formerly known as «Valle Nuevo», is located in the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic and forms part of the most important mountain system on the Española Island. This area has attracted attention since in 1888 Baron de Eggers ventured into the area and deposited botanical collections at research centers in Europe. The collected plants made European researchers of great scientific renown, such as Schomburgk, Ekman and Chardón, show interest in these lands and years later made several expeditions to this remote region.
The park is located between the provinces Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Azua and San José de Ocoa, at parallels 18 ° 36'10 »and 18 ° 57'52» north latitude and 70º26'56 »and 70º51'44» longitude. West. (EEI, FMP-TNC, 2001)
Managing institution:
The institution in charge of the conservation, management and protection of the National Park is the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA), through the Undersecretary of Protected Areas and Biodiversity and the Directorate of Protected Areas (DAP), having to date permanent administration within the protected area. The protected area has an administrative office located in the central valley with the minimum necessary equipment for the development of activities related to the protection of the protected area and attention to visitation.
Extension and legal framework:
According to the limits established by Decree 233/96, the Juan Bautista Pérez Rancier National Park occupies an approximate area of 910.00 km². Environmental Law 64/2000 and Sectoral Law on Protected Areas 202/2004 recognize the limits previously established in Law 4389-58.
PNJBPR overview
1.1) Ecological Relevance
Different environmental components (topography, geology, elevation and climate) have made it possible for various types of vegetation to be present within the park. The flora studies carried out in the Integrated Ecological Evaluation (IEE) have reported 531 plant species, distributed in 401 spermatophytes and 130 ferns. Of these plants, 138 endemic species of the island are present in the place, which means an endemism of 30%, excluding the introduced species. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
1.2) Flora
Some of the species, such as Juniperus gracilliors (sabina), Magnolia pallescens, (ebony), Podocarpus aristulatus (palo de cruz), Vegaea pungens (species restricted to only some areas of this park), find the possibility of escape possible extinction. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
1.3) Fauna
In relation to fauna, it is represented by 66 bird species, of which 16 are endemic to the Dominican Republic, among which are: Loxia megaplaga (crossbill) , Calyptophillus frugivorus (chirrí), Miadestes genibarbis (goldfinch), Priotelus roseigaster (parrot), Nesotictes migromegas (woodpecker bolus) and Asio stygius noctipetens (barn owl).
One of the most conspicuous and highly endemic groups is amphibians. Of this group, 17 species have been reported in the park, representing 85% of the amphibians present in the central mountain range and 26% with respect to the total number of species reported for Hispaniola Island. Among these are Eleutherodactylus auriculatoides, E. audanti (pine forest), E. abbotti, E. inoptatus (broadleaf forest), as well as E. Montanus and E. patriciae, which are more widely distributed.
The reptiles reported total 23, of these 3 species are pending identification, and like the amphibians all are endemic, Anolis aliniger, Celestus costatus, C. darlingtoni, Leiocephalus personatus and Anphisbaena manni are the reptiles with the highest presence in the area.
The presence of 33 butterfly species has been confirmed, turning out to be the Juan B. Pérez Rancier park, along with other areas of the central mountain range, the only habitat for the development of some species, such as the cases of Greta diaphana charadra and Calisto chrysaoros. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
1.4) Coverage and land use
Integrated Ecological Assessment studies, analysis and interpretation of LANDSAT TM 1988, 1992 and 1996 satellite images, as well as photos from 1984, have classified the vegetation cover and land use of this area as follows: a forest cover of approximately 390 km², of which pine forests covers the largest area with 244.45 km², followed by cloud forests with an area of 124.46 km², patches of broadleaf forest covering an area of 16.34 km² and finally small patches covered by Manaclas.
These forested areas allow to host a rich biodiversity, contribute to the capture of water and maintain excellent water production. In this park there are around 472 rivers of order I, forming part of 5 hydrographic basins and in 4 of these infrastructures have been built for the generation of electrical energy, water supply for irrigation in support of the agricultural areas of the provinces of the southern region (San Cristóbal, Peravía and Azua), for the Central Cibao and contributing to the supply of drinking water for the City of Santo Domingo.
Around 221 km² are currently dedicated to the cultivation of minor products (potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions, pigeon peas, cabbage, beans, tomatoes). About 50 km² have been dedicated in recent years to expanding the agricultural frontier and approximately 45 km² have been affected by forest fires in the past two decades. The remaining 193 km², to cover the total area established in Decree 233/96, have historically been dedicated to short-cycle agricultural production, coffee cultivation and grazing areas. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
1.5) Geology
The Cordillera Central is a mountainous massif consisting of a metamorphic base intrusted with igneous rocks, and volcanic rocks surrounded by a blanket of tertiary sediments (Schubert A. 1984). Different geological ages have been recorded in the Juan B. Pérez Rancier National Park, and areas originating in the Cretaceous (part of the Yuna and Nizao basins) have been documented; areas of glacial origin specifically the Alto Bandera area, among the glacial geomorphological features that sustain such an assertion are: we cite "circuses, edges, glacial channels, abutted rocks, moors and depressions filled by mobs, at elevations above 1800 m" (Schubert 1984), and others of tertiary origin.
1.6) Climate
According to climatic diagrams prepared by the Undersecretariat of Natural Resources / Secretary of State for Agriculture (1983), in San José de Ocoa the average annual rainfall is 1,075.5 mm with a dry season that runs from December to March, a high peak of precipitation in May and another minor in the months corresponding to October-November. The annual average temperature is 23.5 o C for an observation period of 45 years.
In Bonao the average value of precipitation is 2139.1 mm, corresponding to May the highest rainfall; no dry seasons are observed, the annual average temperature is 25.8 o c, for an observation period of 43 years. Constanza presents an annual average of 1026.4 mm with maximum rainfall in May and an annual average temperature of 18.2 o C.
The climate conditions of the Juan B. Pérez Rancier National Park are governed by the general factors that determine the climate on Hispaniola Island. According to De la Fuente (1976) these are: its geographical location (on the edge of the northern tropical zone), the circulation of the northeast trade winds, which carry moisture along their journey through the Atlantic and when they meet our mountain systems they ascend and They produce abundant rains, the island condition and its small size allow the influence of sea breezes and influence the amount and distribution of rainfall.
The orographic conditions combined with the altitude and the influence of the trade winds, which in the area have their thermal inversion point at 2,150 masl (much of the plateau is above this point), contribute to the annual precipitation values, since low temperatures.
Based on the altitudinal gradient, an annual average temperature is estimated that oscillates between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius, with temperatures below zero degrees Celsius frequently (SEA / DVS, 1990). Unregistered observations (Andrés Ferrer, personal communication) establish that irradiation frosts occur above 2,000 m in places such as La Nevera, Valle La Lechuguilla, Rancho al Medio, Hoyo del toro and Alto de la Bandera. The first frost of the winter season usually occurs in late November and early December, lasting until the end of April. Late frosts have also occurred in late June.
According to Llinás & Ortíz (in press), the pluviometric regime of this national park presents in its average values a tendency to increase in the northeast-southeast direction, corresponding to the Yuna river basin (polygon A), being the area with the highest reception of rains, as a consequence of the trade winds. An annual average of 2000 mm of rain per year is estimated, presenting two rainfall regimes defined by the translational meteorological phenomena. For the polygon, these authors report a rainy season in the autumn and winter climate and a dry season in the spring and summer, corresponding to September being the rainiest month and March being the driest month. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
1.7) Hydrology
This national park has been recognized for its water production capacity: 472 rivers of order I, 196 of order II and 101 of order III. Some of the main rivers in the country start their basins in this part of the national geography, such as:
Río Yuna Basin: with an occupational area within the park of 225.8 km 2 with a length to its mouth of 206.6 km. This basin has a water production according to the rainfall of 2000-3000 l / s / km², reported in the data from the EEI.
Nizao River Basin: occupying an area within the park of 159.8 km², a total extension of 143.2 km. The production of water in the basin according to rainfall is 1000 l / s / km², reported in the data from the ISS.
Las Cuevas River Basin: it covers a surface within the park of 269.3 km² and an extension to its confluence with the Yaque del Sur River in the 58.4 km Sabana Yegua dam.
Río Grande del Medio Basin : This basin covers 123.5 km² within the park, and runs 79.3 km before merging with the Yaque del Sur river in the Sabana Yegua Dam, with an average volumetric flow of 3.2 m³ / sec.
Rio Yaque del Norte Basin: The protection of the PNJBPR, also favors the conservation of the ecological flow of one of the "micro-basins" that make up the upper part of the Yaque del Norte River, it is the "Micro-basin The Discovery" located near the communities of La Castilla and la discovered, the area that occupies the North Yaque river basin covers 23 km² of the PNJBPR.
The economy of the region and even the national one depends on these rivers. The main dams in the country have been built on basins originating in this region: the Sabana Yegua Dam, the Hatillo Dam, the Río Blanco Dam and the Nizao River Hydroelectric Complex that includes the Jigüey, Aguacate, Valdesia and Counter-reservoir of Las Barías. All of them play an important role in the supply of drinking water, irrigation water and in the generation of electricity. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
1.8) Conservation objects
As a result of the Comprehensive Ecological Assessment (IEE) developed by the Moscoso Puello Foundation during 1998, eight conservation objects were identified, which are listed and described below:
Conservation Object 1 "Bosques de Coniferas": Forest that occupies heights between 1930 to 2550 meters above sea level, encompassing the highlands of the New Valley. It covers an area of 244.45 km², of the 20.02 km² they correspond to the best preserved area in areas belonging to Loma la Cuchara, Cerros de Calderon, Loma de los Chivos and Sabana no Provecho, the characteristic species is native pine (Pinus occidentalis) and It constitutes the type of vegetation that covers the largest extension within this protected area, dominating the tree cover.
Conservation Object 2 "Cloud Forests": In the protected area they are located at altitudes between 1,200 to 2,300 meters above sea level, they are distributed in four dispersed units, covering an extension of 124.46 km² including the best preserved area with a surface of 16.34 km² that It occupies the area of La Calentura and Loma de Masipedro. These units are isolated by areas that have been dedicated to agricultural activities.
Conservation objective 3 "Broadleaf Forest": There are four humid forest patches scattered in this protected unit, in an area of 900 to 1900 masl, covering an area of 16.34 km². This type of forest can be seen in the Loma El Pichón and Loma Monteada Nueva in the northeast slope (Cuenca del Rio Yuna) and in Loma de Jumunuco, as well as small patches between Loma la Correosa and Loma del Cajón (Cuenca del Rio Nice).
Conservation objective 4 “Manaclares”: The manaclares are located in the mountainous regions of the cloud condensation zones at an altitude of 600 to 1250 masl, they constitute a community within the broadleaf forest dominated by the Palm Manacla (Prestoea montana) in areas riverside and slopes, forming micro-basins. In the PNJBPR they are made up of four discontinuous patches located in the northeast area of this park in La Loma del Pichón, Loma de Monteada Nueva and El Mecherito, occupying heights between 700 to 1500 meters above sea level.
Conservation objective 5 "Headwaters of rivers over 1800 masl": This area covers some 324.11 km² and the rivers are classified as shown in the following table:
| Order | Number of rivers | Length (Km.) |
| one | 151 | 301.3 |
| two | 38 | 48.3 |
| 3 | 4 | 39.5 |
Conservation objective 6 "Headwaters of rivers below 1800 masl": 584 km² of the national park are below 1800 masl, and on this surface the rivers are classified as follows:
| Order | Number of rivers | Length (Km.) |
| one | 321 | 348.7 |
| two | 158 | 153.9 |
| 3 | 97 | 81.5 |
Conservation objective 7 "Amphibians": 17 amphibian species are reported for the protected area, representing 26% of the total amphibians reported for Hispaniola Island, with a regional endemism of 6%. Of these 17 species, 9 (52%) species were documented by the results of the Integral Ecological Evolution, occupying the different PNJBPR environments of 13% of the amphibian species reported for Hispaniola Island.
Conservation Object 8 "Mammals": Plagiodontia aedioum (Hutia) and Solenodon paradoxus (Solenodon), are land mammals endemic to Hispaniola Island, of highly fragmented populations and considered critically endangered and endangered, respectively according to categories of IUCN threat. The first of the species belongs to the Caprymidae family and is of nocturnal habits and the second species belongs to the Solenodontidae family. The habitats where they have been reported occupy different environments: mangroves, dry forests, broadleaf forests, confieras. Both species have been reported for the Cordillera Central and its intramontane valleys. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001).
8) Demographic characteristics
In accordance with the limits indicated by Decree 233-96 and ratified by the Sectoral Law on Protected Areas 202-04, the existence of 33 communities has been established, of which 20 communities are within the limits and 13 communities in the proximity of the limits with direct (and indirect) actions on the natural resources and biodiversity of the PNJBPR. The following table shows the communities identified by province and their location within or outside the PNJBPR boundary.
| Province | Community | Internal | External |
| Azua | 1. The Farm | X | |
| 2. Palmar Cana | X | ||
| 3. Arroyo del Pino | X | ||
| 4. Guayabal | X | ||
| 5. The Sowing | X | ||
| 6. The Cafeces | X | ||
| 7. Kill Carlito | X | ||
| Monsignor Nouel | 8. The Pigeon | X | |
| 9. The Mechecito | X | ||
| 10. Candongo | X | ||
| 11. El Botao | X | ||
| San José de Ocoa | 12.Ranch Up | X | |
| 13. The Walnut | X | ||
| 14. The Thorns | X | ||
| 15. Calderón | X | ||
| 16. Take away grief | X | ||
| 17. Hato Viejo | X | ||
| 18. Monteadito | X | ||
| 19.Los Limoncillos | X | ||
| 20.La Cienaguita | X | ||
| The Vega | 21. Siberia | X | |
| 22. The Castle | X | ||
| 23. The Convent | X | ||
| 24. Pinar Parejo | X | ||
| 25. Rio Grande | X | ||
| 26. The Auyamas | X | ||
| 27. Pinalito | X | ||
| 28. Maco's ass | X | ||
| 29. Monte Llano | X | ||
| 30. The Cows | X | ||
| 31. Palero | X | ||
| 32. Pull Down | X | ||
| 33. The Discovered | X |
Source: CSR, Melgar, M. 2005
In general, a population in the 33 communities of 13,902 inhabitants is estimated to be 2,264 beneficiary families for the socio-productive actions carried out within the PNJBPR. The majority of the population is concentrated in the communities located in the Province of La Vega with 6,584 inhabitants, in the Province of Azua with 4,883 inhabitants, in the Province of San José de Ocoa with 2,315 inhabitants and the population of smaller proportions is located in the Province of Monseñor Nouel (Bonao) with 120 inhabitants. (CSR, Melgar, M. 2005)
As has happened in other protected areas, the PNJBPR was established in areas with its lands occupied long before its declaration. In the particular case of Valle Nuevo, its occupation dates back to the mid-19th century, when various social, economic, and political factors were combined, in addition to road development that favored the displacement of peasants who worked on flat land to high mountainous areas. (Conservation Plan, FMP-TNC, 2001)
Historically, the incorporation of communities into the lands of what is now the PNJBPR has been documented, beginning with forest exploitation, as well as in the peripheries. The extraction of pine and precious woods (ebony, cedar, oak), although today it is reduced to a minimum, was favored in the 1940s and late 1960s, when by provisions families benefited from families who were allowed to install at least 19 sawmills in the area. Each sawmill located a housing area for workers, which in turn complemented their income with the opening of areas for the so-called “conucos”Seeing the agro-productive success, many of these workers transferred their interests to the cultivation of agricultural products, taking advantage of the opening of land by the forestry companies to establish agricultural crops, this time for commercial purposes and not for self-consumption as originally occurred.
Six types of existing producers have been identified which are:
- Short cycle agricultureMiddle cycle agriculturePermanent farmerConuqueroFlower producerLivestock
Being the main actions and critical threats, developed by the permanent, temporary inhabitants, in order of importance the following:
- Agricultural practices Agricultural expansion Wood extraction Caused fires Introduction of species of flora and fauna Livestock Pollution of chemical wastes Fishing; Road construction.
Bibliography
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