Aruba–Curaçao–Bonaire cactus scrub

Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire cactus scrub
Hooiberg Mountain on Aruba
Ecoregion territory (islands in inset boxes)
Ecology
Realm	Neotropic
Biome	Deserts and xeric shrublands
Geography
Area	518 km2 (200 sq mi)
Country	Netherlands
Coordinates	12°08′13″N 68°53′35″W / 12.137°N 68.893°W / 12.137; -68.893Coordinates: 12°08′13″N 68°53′35″W / 12.137°N 68.893°W / 12.137; -68.893

The Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire cactus scrub ecoregion (WWF ID:NT1302) covers the dry land on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire in the southern Caribbean Sea, about 80 km from the mainland of Venezuela. In low-lying coastal areas the islands also support mangrove wetlands. The landscape features a range of cactus species and acacia trees.^{[1][2] [3]}

Location and description[]

The three islands are on the coastal shelf of South America, with bedrock of limestone and quartz diorite. Aruba has an area of 179 km2, and is the most populated island with over 100,000 people. Curaçao, the middle island, has its highest point at Mt Christoffel of 372 metres (1,220 ft). Bonaire, the farthest island to the east, features a ringing coral reef and numerous inlets, lagoons, and mangrove forests. Some parts of the islands transition into the Guajira–Barranquilla xeric scrub ecoregion.^[3]

Climate[]

The climate of the ecoregion is Semi-arid_climate#Hot_semi-arid_climates (Köppen climate classification (BSh)). This climate is characteristic of steppes, and in these islands supports a relatively even warm temperature of near 26.7 degrees C year-round. The trade winds from the Atlantic are a notable feature of the climate.^[4][5] Precipitation averages 350-550 mm/year, with a wet season from October to December.^[1]

Flora and fauna[]

Most of the terrain is sparsely vegetated with cactus scrub. Common species of cactus are dagger cactus (Stenocereus griseus), (a Ceroid cactus), () (which is endemic to this ecoregion), melon cactus (Melocactus), and prickly pear (Opuntia). The columnar cactus can reach heights of 6 meters.^[3] Aloe vera is an important commercial plant. The national tree of Curaçao is the distinctive divi divi tree (Libidibia coriaria), which is often contorted by the trade winds on the coast. Interspersed with the cactus are scrub or small trees such as twisted acacia (Vachellia tortuosa).

Washington Slagbaai National Park on Bonaire

Protected areas[]

Officially protected areas on the islands include:

• Arikok National Park, on Aruba
• Christoffelpark, on Curaçao
• Washington Slagbaai National Park, on Bonaire

References[]