WATER AS A FOCUS FOR ECOTOURISM IN THE KARST OF NORTHERN PUERTO RICO

Karst landscapes are fundamentally characterized by underground drainage systems that ultimately create many of the landforms that make karst unique, and which generally result in a scarcity of surface water. Where surface water does exist in karst, it represents an important resource for wildlife and human populations, particularly in the burgeoning realms of recreation and tourism. On the highly urbanized Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, karst landscape covers approximately one-third of the land area, especially adjacent to the north coast, and much of the island’s nature-oriented tourism is focused here because it is the least fragmented remaining habitat. The northern karst region is traversed by several major allogenic rivers, which effectively dissect the karst into distinct karst blocks with little surface drainage and virtually all water underground. The rivers themselves are a primary focus of ecotourism in the karst belt because they provide accessibility and represent a resource for transportation, entertainment and education, which are used by individuals and tour operators to maximize their use and enjoyment of the karst landscape. Without water, levels of ecotourism within the karst would be considerably reduced, so water, although limited, provides a critical recreational and economic resource in the karst landscape.