José Armando Bermúdez National Park facts for kids
José Armando Bermúdez National Park is a special protected area in the Dominican Republic. It covers the northern and central parts of the Central Mountain Range. This park is a home for many unique plants and animals.
It was created in February 1956, at the same time as the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park. Even though the Dominican Republic is a tropical country, this park is very high up. Because of its elevation, it often has cool or cold temperatures. Temperatures can range from about -9°C (16°F) to 15°C (59°F) for most of the year.
Nature and Wildlife in the Park
This amazing park is part of the Hispaniolan pine forests ecoregion. This means it has a special type of forest found only on the island of Hispaniola. These forests are part of a larger group called Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests. Coniferous forests are full of trees that have needles and cones, like pine trees.
Unique Plants of the Park
The forests in José Armando Bermúdez National Park are home to many different kinds of plants. They have a rich biodiversity, meaning lots of different living things. Many of these plants are native to the area. Some are even endemic, which means they grow naturally only in Hispaniola and nowhere else in the world!
Here are some important trees, shrubs, and ferns you can find:
- Hispaniolan pine (Pinus occidentalis) — This pine tree is found only on the island of Hispaniola. It's a very important tree in these forests.
- Pale magnolia (Magnolia pallescens) — This beautiful tree is also endemic to Hispaniola. Sadly, it is an IUCN Red List endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
- West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) — This tree is native to the Caribbean islands and southern Florida. It's known for its strong, beautiful wood.
- Dominican butterfly bush (Buddleja domingensis) — Also known as Buddleja calcicola, this shrub is endemic to Hispaniola. It's likely a favorite for butterflies!
