Presenting Caribea — A Platform for the Caribbean Plant Conservation Community
Abstract
We are thrilled to introduce Caribea, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to promoting the conservation of plant diversity across the Caribbean region. The Caribbean hosts a rich and unique flora shaped by millennia of isolation, climatic variation, and ecological interactions. However, it is also a region facing significant challenges: habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change, and limited resources for conservation. In this context, there is an urgent need for focused research and collaboration to protect this biodiversity hotspot. Caribea was born from this necessity.
The journal aims to provide a platform for fundamental, yet often overlooked, scientific contributions essential for understanding and conserving Caribbean plant diversity. We accept papers in English, French and Spanish, the three mor spoken language in the region. Plant inventories, new floristic records, taxonomic treatments, field guides, habitat assessments, conservation status assessments, recovery strategies, germination protocols and seed storage techniques do not always find space in high-impact scientific journals. Yet, these contributions are the foundation of conservation action. Caribea seeks to fill this gap, offering a space where this type of research can be published, disseminated, and used by conservationists, scientists, protected area managers, policymakers, and local communities across the Caribbean. Notably, the journal also accepts well-documented negative results from germination and seed storage experiments, recognizing the value of these findings for informing conservation efforts.
What makes Caribea unique is its collaborative, community-driven focus. This journal is managed by and for the Caribbean conservation community. We believe that regional expertise and local knowledge are essential for achieving effective plant conservation outcomes. The journal is open-access, ensuring that vital information is accessible to all: researchers, students, practitioners, and anyone passionate about Caribbean plants and ecosystems. We envision Caribea as a resource that highlights regional challenges and shares solutions, advancing regional conservation efforts.
We invite researchers, conservationists, and practitioners from throughout the Caribbean and beyond to contribute to Caribea. Together, we can ensure that the Caribbean's unique and diverse flora is documented and actively protected for future generations.
