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Biological Diversity of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean
Introduction
Biological diversity is defined as the
“the full array of life on Earth.” It
includes all natural communities,
ecosystems, landscapes, and the
individual species of plants, animals
and microorganisms that inhabit
these environments. Biological
diversity on many scales creates an
ecological web of life that is stable
and resilient. As a result of human
impact through habitat loss, habitat
fragmentation, and pollution, the
world is losing valuable
biodiversity at an alarming
rate, a rate never before
seen on Earth. Many thou-
sands of species––including
birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, fishes, corals,
and other invertebrates––
are being threatened with
extinction. Some we have
never seen or classified;
and others, like sea turtles,
are well known. For this
reason, identifying conser-
vation priorities is crucial
to targeting species and 
communities at risk.
Long Point Salt Pond, St. John  
Hawksnest Bay, St. John  
Manglar islands work their way
out to deeper water.
Black mangrove habitat
at Brown Bay, St. John