全球智库信息集成服务系统

• Although conducting comprehensive assessments was not always possible for a variety of reasons (such as the lack of sufficient prestorm baseline information and some species' life cycles being longer than the assessment period), the completed assessments provided, when combined with local expertise, a good indication of the damage. Remote sensing capabilities and information provided valuable early Puerto Rico–wide clues on the extent of hurricane damage and needs.
• Damage to natural resources and parks was substantial in many places in Puerto Rico. For example, 11 percent of coral sites surveyed had experienced damage, some of it severe. Forests, on the other hand, experienced widespread damage. Similarly, the tremendous volume of mixed waste and debris that the storms generated only worsened landfill capacity issues.
• Working groups of experts and stakeholders developed 25 courses of action (COAs) for restoring coastal resources, forests, and wildlife species; controlling sedimentation and water quality; managing solid waste; renewing parks; and improving economic opportunities, such as alternative tourism. These COAs are grounded in known damage resulting from the hurricanes, informed by previous planning efforts, and derived from accepted ecological science and best management practices. They include potential funding mechanisms for the recommended actions.
• The collaboration within these working groups and the use of a structured goal-determination process was essential to timely and effective information gathering and overall recovery planning.

Natural resources influence every aspect of life in Puerto Rico. Natural resources and parks are important to public health and well-being and to the economy. They are so integrated into daily life that their criticality to the functioning of society is not always apparent.

Puerto Rico's coastal resources, forests, and species are rich in biodiversity and international significance and generate economic value for tourism, agriculture, education, and the ocean economy. Ecosystem services, such as coastal protection from storms, air and water purification, stormwater control, and soil stabilization, provide substantial benefits to residents and visitors.

The hurricanes stressed and destroyed significant areas on land and at sea, many of which were already strained from human interference and weak enforcement of environmental laws. The hurricanes' full effects will not be known for years. Parks experienced substantial damage, large amounts of debris were generated, and landfills and are nearing capacity.

This report presents a socioecological system framework for recovery planning, information on observed damage, and 25 courses of action (COAs) for restoring coastal resources, forests, and species; controlling sedimentation and water quality; managing solid waste; renewing parks; and improving the economic opportunities such as alternative tourism. The COAs are grounded in known hurricane-caused damage to natural resources, landfills, and parks; informed by previous plans and natural resource management activities in Puerto Rico; and derived from accepted ecological and best management practices. These COAs focus on restoring sites that have high ecological and economic value and building networks of stakeholder and foundational capacity to create a more resilient Puerto Rico.

• Chapter One

  Natural Resources in Puerto Rico and Their Significance

• Chapter Two

  Principles for the Development of Strategies for the Posthurricane Recovery of Puerto Rico's Natural Resources

• Chapter Three

  Recovery of Coastal Resources

• Chapter Four

  Recovery of Terrestrial Resources

• Chapter Five

  Other Natural Resource Issues

• Chapter Six

  Recovery of Parks and Crosscutting Courses of Action

• Chapter Seven

  Concluding Remarks and Research Needs

• Appendix A

  Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered, and At-Risk Species in Puerto Rico

• Appendix B

  Terrestrial Natural Resource Land Managers and Other Key Stakeholders

• Appendix C

  Extended Descriptions of Natural and Cultural Resource Courses of Action