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G447 Caribbean Wet Montane Serpentine Forest & Scrub Group
Type Concept Sentence: Sclerophyllous, evergreen forests and scrub that occur in hyperhumid areas between 400 and 1000 m elevation on ferritic soils derived from serpentine bedrock of the Crystal and Moa mountains of eastern Cuba and in western Puerto Rico.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Caribbean Wet Montane Serpentine Forest & Scrub Group
Colloquial Name: Caribbean Wet Montane Serpentine Forest & Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group includes sclerophyllous, evergreen forests and scrub that occur between 400 and 1000 m elevation on ferritic soils derived from serpentine bedrock of the Crystal and Moa mountains of eastern Cuba and in western Puerto Rico, where annual precipitation can reach 3200 mm and there is no dry season. Forests are characterized by two canopy layers, mostly sclerophyllous and lauraceous trees up to 20 m tall and a lower stratum of shrubs. Lianas are abundant but the density and diversity of epiphytes decrease. The scrub type in the Moa Mountains consists of a dense bush of shrubs and stunted trees up to about 6 m tall with some emergents up to 10 m. It is very rich in endemics.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: ~Caribbean Seasonal Evergreen Lowland Rainforest Group (G455)$$ includes types growing on substrates derived from serpentine bedrock at lower elevation and drier, more seasonal climate, in which case succulents are common members of the plant communities. Serpentine communities growing at higher elevation and with high precipitation represent this group (G447) which includes two physiognomically different plant communities, the woodland or forest one with taller trees and a more uniform canopy present in Puerto Rico and Cuba, and a scrub or sclerophyllous shrubland type of shorter and more irregular canopy. The latter has only been described from mountains in eastern Cuba.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The forests within this group have an open canopy, 15-22 m high. The lower stratum, 5-12 m tall, is dense. Most of the trees and shrubs are sclerophyllous, and lianas are common. Due to the relative openness of these forests, the epiphytic flora is poorly developed, but includes a number of small orchids, while shade-tolerant species are largely absent. In the wet montane serpentine forest, the density of the herb layer varies and in the more humid areas a ground layer of herbs and mosses may be present. In the scrub type the herb layer is poorly developed but may include several endemic species such as the endemic grass Ekmanochloa aristata.
Floristics: Typical species of the upper canopy of the wet serpentine forest in Cuba include Bonnetia cubensis, Byrsonima biflora, Byrsonima orientensis, Byrsonima spicata (= Byrsonima coriacea), Calophyllum utile, Chionanthus domingensis, Dipholis jubilla, Hyeronima nipensis, Ilex berteroi, Magnolia cubensis, Magnolia minor (= Talauma minor), Matayba domingensis, Ocotea leucoxylon, Ocotea spp., Pinus cubensis, Podocarpus ekmanii, Spathelia pinetorum, Tabebuia dubia, Tapura cubensis, and Tetrazygia cristalensis. In addition, endemic species Moacroton ekmanii, Psychotria moaensis, and Rauvolfia salicifolia are typical in the shrub layer together with species of Myrica, Eugenia, Baccharis, Ossaea, Eupatorium, and Vernonia. In Puerto Rico, the following species are typical: Alsophila brooksii, Calyptranthes peduncularis, Calyptranthes triflora, Cnemidaria horrida, Cordia bellonis, Crescentia portoricensis, Croton impressus, Croton poecilanthus, Cyathea arborea, Diospyros revoluta, Eugenia glabrata, Gesneria pauciflora, Gleichenia nervosa (= Dicanopteris nervosa), Lunania ekmanii, Magnolia portoricensis, Magnolia splendens, Micropholis guyanensis (= Micropholis chrysophylloides), Mikania stevensiana, Myrcia maricaensis, Phialanthus grandifolius, Phialanthus myrtilloides, Schefflera gleasonii (= Didymopanax gleasonii), Sticherus bifidus, Thelypteris hastata var. heterodoxa, Xylosma pachyphyllum, and Xylosma sp. In the scrub type in the Moa Formation in Cuba, the vast majority of species is endemic and typically includes Acrosynanthus trachyphyllus, Clusia moaensis, Clusia callosa, Clusia monocarpa, Clusia nipens, Ilex berteroi, Ilex alainii (= Ilex victorini), Ilex hypaneura, Ilex shaferi, Illicium cubense, Jacaranda arborea, and Laplacea moaensis. Feddea cubensis and Morinda moaensis are among the endemic sclerophyllous lianas.
Dynamics: Landslides and hurricanes are the key triggers of dynamic processes of these forests. Substrate and topography and their interaction with the vegetation are the most important factors for the survival of these forests during hurricanes - probably the single most important natural trigger of the successional dynamic. Surviving trees have their roots securely anchored in the substrate. These factors are also critical for regulating surface runoff and maintaining the water balance under very humid conditions on exposed ridges and steep slopes. Forest recovery after disturbance is slow.
Environmental Description: This system occurs between 600 and 1000 m elevation, on poor acidic ferrallitic soils in the serpentine areas of the Crystal and Moa mountains of eastern Cuba and in western Puerto Rico. Fog condensation provides additional moisture to these plant communities. Climate: Annual total precipitation range is 1800-3200 mm and mean annual temperature range from 18° to 24°C. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Forests and scrubs of this group occur on poor, ferrallitic soils derived from serpentine bedrock.
Geographic Range: This group is found above 400 m elevation in wet mountains with ferrallitic soils derived from serpentine bedrock in the Moa and Cristal mountains of eastern Cuba and in western Puerto Rico.
Nations: CU,PR
States/Provinces: No Data Available
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860735
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass | S17 | 1.A |
| Formation | 1.A.3 Tropical Montane Humid Forest Formation | F004 | 1.A.3 |
| Division | 1.A.3.Eg Caribbean-Mesoamerican Montane Humid Forest Division | D228 | 1.A.3.Eg |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.3.Eg.1 Caribbean Montane Humid Forest Macrogroup | M598 | 1.A.3.Eg.1 |
| Group | 1.A.3.Eg.1.e Caribbean Wet Montane Serpentine Forest & Scrub Group | G447 | 1.A.3.Eg.1.e |
Concept Lineage: G453 concept covered by G447 (CJ 5-14-13)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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