Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Guava species - Malabar Plum - Silk-oak Ruderal Lowland Rainforest Group

Colloquial Name: Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Rainforest

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This Polynesian lowland ruderal group contains all mesic and wet forests and woodlands that are strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by non-native trees in the tree canopy. Numerous species may dominate these disturbed stands, including Acacia confusa, Araucaria columnaris, Casuarina spp. (coastal areas), Coffea arabica, Eucalyptus spp., Grevillea robusta, Mangifera indica, Morella faya, Phyllostachys nigra, Phoenix dactylifera, Psidium cattleianum, Psidium guajava, Schefflera actinophylla, Schinus terebinthifolius, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium jambos, Thespesia populnea (common along coasts), and Trema orientale. Also included are stands with a tree canopy dominated or codominated native species, such as Acacia koa or Metrosideros polymorpha, with a severely degraded understory that is altered beyond the point that the natural plant community can be determined, and the community has converted to a ruderal or novel type (usually dominated by non-native species with>90% relative cover). There are numerous, invasive, exotic understory species, especially trees Psidium cattleianum and Morella faya, and herbaceous species Ageratum conyzoides, Andropogon virginicus, Axonopus fissifolius, Melinis minutiflora, Paspalum conjugatum, Sacciolepis indica, and Sphagneticola trilobata. Stands in this group occur in Hawai`i, Moloka`i, Maui, Kaua`i and O`ahu, and elsewhere in Polynesia. Sites occur along the coasts inland from 5 to 1500 m (15-4920 feet) elevation, but are generally found below 1000 m (3280 feet). Coastal forests also occur on windward sides where they intercept sufficient orographic rainfall to maintain a forest condition, yet may be influenced by coastal factors such as salt spray. The mesic forests have relatively even, moderate precipitation throughout the year or have a distinct, seasonally dry period and typically do not experience extended periods of drought like the dry forests and woodlands. Annual rainfall is 1200-2500 mm (47-98 inches) and falls largely from October to March. Rainforest are typically wet year round. Annual rainfall generally exceeds 2500 mm (98 inches). Substrates are highly variable but are generally well-drained and include steep, rocky talus, shallow to deep soils over weathered rock and gravelly alluvium, rocky shallow organic muck.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This ruderal group includes stands dominated by tree species that were introduced by Polynesians such as Aleurites moluccanus, Morinda citrifolia, Syzygium malaccense, and Thespesia populnea, recently (post-European contact) escaped ornamental and fruit trees Psidium spp., Melaleuca quinquenervia, and Morella faya, and non-native timber species that are invasive and naturalize in areas outside plantations. Although plantations may share some common timber species, the ruderal stands have often a multi-aged, mixed-species tree canopy rather than even-aged, near-monoculture of timber trees with clear stand plantation boundaries. Exotic timber species may include Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa, Acacia mangium, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia melanoxylon, Albizia chinensis, Albizia lebbeck, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus saligna, Falcataria moluccana (= Albizia moluccana), Grevillea robusta, Pithecellobium dulce, and Toona ciliata and are generally treated as ruderal, unless found in plantations.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available