Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Syzygium jambos in an exotic tree which occurs in montane forests of Puerto Rico, especially in riparian areas, but it is spreading into other montane sites. In the Luquillo Mountains of northeastern Puerto Rico, Syzygium jambos does not appear to be limited by topographic, soil nutrient, or elevational conditions (Brown et al. 2006). Guarea guidonia, Dendropanax arboreus, Coffea arabica, Inga vera, and Mangifera indica occur in areas which were formerly in coffee production (Aide et al. 2000). The native palm Prestoea acuminata var. montana is a dominant tree species in areas formerly small clearings and in small regenerating patches of mature forest, especially on slopes. Other common trees include the secondary forest species Casearia arborea, Casearia sylvestris, Psidium guajava, Inga laurina, Tabebuia heterophylla, Alchornea latifolia, and the pioneer or secondary forest species Cecropia schreberiana, Citrus x sinensis, Ochroma pyramidale, and Schefflera morototoni (Brandeis et al. 2009b, Comita et al. 2010).

Dynamics:  Hurricane disturbance tends to promote secondary forest tree species, both on sites with a history of high-intensity land use (agriculture, agroforestry or grazing), and on sites with more natural forest (Comita et al. 2010). In montane areas Coffea arabica was commonly grown with both native and exotic shade trees. Since the 1970s Coffea arabica production has declined and former Coffea arabica plantations with shade trees have become ruderal forests, dominated by the shade trees.

Guarea guidonia is a native tree species that was maintained for coffee shade along with native Inga laurina, Inga vera, and Erythrina poeppigiana. Guarea guidonia has increased in importance to become the second most important tree species in Puerto Rico; it has the ability to successfully regenerate in abandoned coffee shade and out-compete other species (Birdsey and Weaver 1982, Pascarella et al. 2000, Brandeis et al. 2007). Guarea guidonia is a native tree species which has responded to the regeneration opportunities provided by human forest management and disturbance that might have otherwise been taken by introduced species (Brandeis et al. 2009b). The importance of Guarea guidonia is a possible indication of how much the forests of Puerto Rico have been modified by former land uses, such as coffee cultivation (Brandeis et al. 2009b). Syzygium jambos has invaded riparian areas and old-growth forest stands and appears to inhibit the regeneration of native forest species. To recover native forest in areas that are dominated by Syzygium jambos, it will be necessary to reduce the abundance of this species (Aide et al. 2000).