Editing Caribbean Sea (section)

==Flora and fauna==
The region has a high level of [[biodiversity]] and many species are [[endemic]] to the Caribbean.

===Vegetation===
The vegetation of the region is mostly [[tropical]] but differences in [[topography]], soil and climatic conditions increase [[species diversity]]. Where there are porous limestone terraced islands these are generally poor in nutrients. It is estimated that 13,000 species of plants grow in the Caribbean of which 6,500 are [[endemic]]. For example, guaiac wood (''[[Guaiacum officinale]]''), the flower of which is the national flower of [[Jamaica]] and the Bayahibe rose (''[[Pereskia quisqueyana]]'') which is the national flower of the [[Dominican Republic]] and the [[ceiba]] which is the national tree of both [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guatemala]]. The [[mahogany]] is the national tree of the Dominican Republic and [[Belize]]. The caimito (''[[Chrysophyllum cainito]]'') grows throughout the Caribbean. In coastal zones there are [[coconut palms]] and in [[lagoons]] and [[estuaries]] are found thick areas of [[Avicennia germinans|black mangrove]] and red mangrove (''[[Rhizophora mangle]]'').

In shallow water [[flora]] and [[fauna]] is concentrated around [[coral reefs]] where there is little variation in water temperature, purity and salinity. Leeward sides of [[lagoons]] provide areas of growth for [[sea grass]]es. Turtle grass (''[[Thalassia testudinum]]'') is common in the Caribbean as is manatee grass (''[[Syringodium filiforme]]'') which can grow together as well as in fields of single species at depths up to {{cvt|20|m}}. Another type shoal grass (''[[Halodule wrightii]]'') grows on sand and mud surfaces at depths of up to {{cvt|5|m}}. In [[brackish water]] of harbours and estuaries at depths less than {{cvt|2.5|m}} widgeongrass (''[[Ruppia maritima]]'') grows. Representatives of three species belonging to the genus ''[[Halophila]]'', (''[[Halophila baillonii]]'', ''[[Halophila engelmannii]]'' and ''[[Halophila decipiens]]'') are found at depths of up to {{cvt|30|m}} except for ''Halophila engelmani'' which does not grow below {{cvt|5|m}} and is confined to the [[Bahamas]], [[Florida]], the [[Greater Antilles]] and the western part of the Caribbean. ''Halophila baillonii'' has been found only in the [[Lesser Antilles]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111215112552/http://www.seagrasswatch.org/Caribbean.html Caribbean seagrass]. Seagrass watch, retrieved April 23, 2009.</ref>

===Fauna===
[[File:Puerto Rican parrot.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Puerto Rican parrot]]]]
[[File:Green sea turtle cayman turtle farm.jpg|thumb|[[Green sea turtle]], [[Grand Cayman Island]]]]

Marine [[biota (ecology)|biota]] in the region have representatives of both the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]] and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] oceans which were caught in the Caribbean before the emergence of the [[Isthmus of Panama]] four million years ago.<ref>Robert James Menzies, John C Ogden. [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/95846/Caribbean-Sea "Caribbean Sea"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804043128/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/95846/Caribbean-Sea |date=2011-08-04 }}. Britannica Online Encyclopaedia.</ref> In the Caribbean Sea there are around 1,000 documented species of fish, including [[sharks]] ([[bull shark]], [[tiger shark]], [[silky shark]] and [[Caribbean reef shark]]), [[flying fish]], [[giant oceanic manta ray]], [[Pomacanthidae|angel fish]], [[spotfin butterflyfish]], [[parrotfish]], [[Atlantic Goliath grouper]], [[tarpon]] and [[moray eels]]. Throughout the Caribbean there is industrial catching of [[lobster]] and [[sardines]] (off the coast of [[Yucatán Peninsula]]).

There are 90 species of [[mammal]]s in the Caribbean including [[sperm whale]]s, [[humpback whale]]s and [[dolphin]]s. The island of [[Jamaica]] is home to [[Pinniped|seals]] and [[manatees]]. The [[Caribbean monk seal]] which lived in the Caribbean is considered extinct. [[Solenodon]]s and [[hutias]] are mammals found only in the [[Caribbean]]; only one extant species is not endangered.

There are 500 species of [[reptile]]s (94% of which are [[endemic]]). Islands are inhabited by some endemic species such as [[Cyclura|rock iguanas]] and [[American crocodile]]. The [[blue iguana]], endemic to the island of [[Grand Cayman]], is endangered. The [[green iguana]] is invasive to [[Grand Cayman]]. The [[Mona ground iguana]] which inhabits the island of [[Mona, Puerto Rico]], is endangered. The [[rhinoceros iguana]] from the island of [[Hispaniola]] which is shared between [[Haiti]] and the [[Dominican Republic]] is also endangered. The region has several types of [[sea turtle]] ([[Loggerhead sea turtle|loggerhead]], [[green turtle]], [[hawksbill]], [[leatherback turtle]], [[Atlantic ridley]] and [[olive ridley sea turtle|olive ridley]]). Some species are threatened with extinction.<ref>Severin Carrell, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090124134544/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/caribbean-sea-turtles-close-to-extinction-534854.html "Caribbean Sea Turtles Close to Extinction"], ''[[The Independent]]'', 28 November 2004.</ref> Their populations have been greatly reduced since the 17th century – the number of green turtles has declined from 91&nbsp;million to 300,000 and hawksbill turtles from 11&nbsp;million to less than 30,000 by 2006.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120711211016/http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0801-turtles.html Historic Caribbean Sea Turtle Population falls 99%. Plunge has significant ecological consequences]. Mongabay.com (August 1, 2006).</ref>

All 170 of the [[amphibian]] species that live in the region are endemic. The habitats of almost all members of the [[toad]] family, [[poison dart frogs]], [[tree frogs]] and [[leptodactylidae]] (a type of frog) are limited to only one island.<ref>[http://www.conservation.org/where/priority_areas/hotspots/north_central_america/Caribbean-Islands/Pages/default.aspx Conservation International Caribbean Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522082946/http://www.conservation.org/where/priority_areas/hotspots/north_central_america/Caribbean-Islands/Pages/default.aspx |date=2013-05-22 }}, Threatened Species.</ref> The [[Eleutherodactylus jasperi|golden coqui]] is in serious threat of extinction.

In the Caribbean, 600 species of birds have been recorded, of which 163 are [[endemic]] such as [[tody|todies]], [[Fernandina's flicker]] and [[palmchat]]. The [[American yellow warbler]] is found in many areas, as is the [[green heron]]. Of the endemic species 48 are threatened with extinction including the [[Puerto Rican amazon]], and the [[Zapata wren]]. According to [[BirdLife International]] in 2006 in [[Cuba]] 29 species of bird were in danger of extinction and two species officially extinct.<ref>[http://www.birdlife.org/americas/news/vertebrates-get-red-list-treatment-cuba "Birdlife International"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219005841/http://www.birdlife.org/americas/news/vertebrates-get-red-list-treatment-cuba |date=2020-12-19 }} – Red List Cuba.</ref> The [[black-fronted piping guan]] is endangered. [[The Antilles]] along with [[Central America]] lie in the flight path of [[migrating birds]] from North America so the size of populations is subject to seasonal fluctuations. [[Parrots]] and [[bananaquits]] are found in forests. Over the open sea can be seen [[frigatebirds]] and [[tropicbirds]].