Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda are islands in the Caribbean Sea of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly composed of low-lying limestone, coral islands, and higher volcanic areas. Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large, western natural harbor. Most of the country is used for human activities, in its majority by rainfed agriculture. Antigua and Barbuda have high biodiversity rarity of terrestrial land vertebrates at a global scale. When analysed as single taxons, the rarity of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles is also high. The rarity of marine fish and mammals is also high. Challenges to biodiversity include management of limited natural freshwater resources. Forest lands cleared for crop production also increase rainfall runoff and its risks.