Cuban pine forests
23°07′48″N 82°22′59″W / 23.13°N 82.383°W
Ecology | |
---|---|
Realm | Neotropical |
Biome | Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests |
Bird species | 249[1] |
Mammal species | 34[1] |
Geography | |
Area | 6,400 km2 (2,500 sq mi) |
Country | Cuba |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Critical/endangered |
Habitat loss | 52.883%[1] |
Protected | 7.66%[1] |
The Cuban pine forests are a tropical coniferous forest ecoregion on the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. They cover an area of 6,400 km2 (2,500 sq mi), occurring in separate sections in eastern Cuba and western Cuba and Isla de la Juventud.[2]
Description
Pine forests are found primarily in well-drained, nutrient-poor, acidic soils such as quartziferous sands, pseudo-spodosols in the west, and lateritic soils. Pine trees and encino (Quercus sagrana) obtain nutrients through an ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with fungi, allowing them to attain tree size. The forests feature a dense xerophytic brushy story of mainly Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Melastomataceae along with a herbaceous story of a few epiphytes, primarily from the genus Tillandsia, and lianas. Secondary forests formed by deforestation have a more open canopy with an understory dominated by Comocladia dentata; grasses, lianas and epiphytes are poorly represented.[2]
Western pine forests
Western pine forests are found in the northern and southern plains surrounding the
Eastern pine forests
Small patches of pine forest occur around the
Fauna
Endemic birds include the olive-capped warbler (Dendroica pityophila), Cuban kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii), Cuban trogon (Priotelus temnurus), Cuban amazon, (Amazona leucocephala) and Cuban tody (Todus multicolor).[2] The Cuban ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis bairdii) may remain in eastern pine forests, but is probably extinct.[3][4]
References
- ^ a b c d
Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L. (ed.). The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
- ^ a b c d e "Cuban pine forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ "Greater Antillean Pine Forests". World Wide Fund for Nature. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Cuban pine forests". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08. Retrieved 2010-11-21.