Hispaniolan moist forests
Encyclopedia
The Hispaniolan moist forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest
ecoregion
on the island of Hispaniola
. They cover 46000 km² (17,760.7 sq mi), around 60% of the island's area.
, stretching from the coast all the way to high elevations in the mountains. In Haiti
, they are found in the Tiburon Peninsula in the southern part of the country as well as the Massif du Nord. The drainage basin
s for the island's main rivers, the Yaque del Norte
and Yaque del Sur
, Yuna
, and Artibonite
, occur in this ecoregion. The forests cover diverse topography, including flatands, valleys, plateaus, slopes and foothills up to an altitude of about 2100 m (6,889.8 ft). Soils are either calcareous
(neutral or somewhat alkaline) or acidic.
). Puerto Rican Royal Palm (Roystonea borinquena
) is common where soil is calcareous
. Paradise Tree (Simarouba glauca
), Anón de Majagua (Lonchocarpus heptaphyllus), Jagua (Genipa americana
), Black Olive (Bucida buceras), West Indian Lancewood (Oxandra lanceolata) and Amacey (Tetragastris balsamifera) are found in small secondary
stands. Isolated trees are home to Fustic (Maclura tinctoria), Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum), Iris (Hippeastrum puniceum
), Caracolí (Abarema glauca
), Córbano (Albizia berteriana
), West Indian Elm (Guazuma ulmifolia
), Palo de Leche (Rauvolfia nitida), and Spiny Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum
). Areas where soils are superficial or savanna
s have formed from degraded forest are indicated by trees such as the Sandpaper Tree (Curatella americana), Grandleaf Seagrape (Coccoloba pubescens), Jamaican Nettletree (Trema micrantha) and Tabebuia
species. Cashew
s (Anacardium occidentale) are present in zones that have marginal earth and precipitation closer to that of the dry forests. Yellow Olivier (Buchenavia capitata), Sablito (Schefflera morototoni
), Maricao (Byrsonima spicata) Aguacatillo (Alchornea latifolia), West Indian Cherry (Prunus myrtifolia), Árbol de Santa Maria (Calophyllum brasiliense
), Cocuyo (Hirtella triandra), American Muskwood (Guarea guidonia), Palo de Yagua (Casearia arborea), locust (Hymenaea courbaril), Balatá (Manilkara domingensis) and Sierra Palm (Prestoea montana) grow in mesic forests. Hispaniolan Pine
(Pinus occidentalis) is common on lateritic
soils. Wet forests consist of trees covered by parasitic plant
s and epiphyte
s. The principal indicator species include tree ferns (Cyathea
spp.) and Chionanthus
species. At higher elevations, characteristic species are the Trembling Schefflera (Schefflera tremula), Black Sapote (Diospyros digyna), Almendrón (Prunus occidentalis), Fadyen's Silktassel (Garrya fadyenii
), Weinmannia pinnata, Oreopanax capitatus, Brunellia comocladifolia, Hispaniolan Pines, and Cyathea
species.
(Amazona ventralis), Hispaniolan Parakeet
(Aratinga chloroptera), Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo
(Coccyzus longirostris), Palm Crow
(Corvus palmarum), American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius), Vervain Hummingbird
(Mellisuga minima), Narrow-billed Tody
(Todus angustirostris), Stolid Flycatcher
(Myiarchus stolidus), Hispaniolan Pewee
(Contopus hispaniolensis), Rufous-throated Solitaire
(Myadestes genibarbis), Hispaniolan Woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus), White-necked Crow
(Corvus leucognaphalus), Palmchat
(Dulus dominicus), Hispaniolan Trogon
(Priotelus roseigaster), Ruddy Quail-Dove
(Geotrygon montana), Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis), White-winged Warbler
(Xenoligea montana), Green-tailed Warbler
(Microligea palustris), Antillean Siskin
(Carduelis dominicensis), La Selle Thrush
(Turdus swalesi), Eastern Chat-tanager
(Calyptophilus frugivorus), and Hispaniolan Crossbill
(Loxia megaplaga). Native mammals include the Hispaniolan Hutia
(Plagiodontia aedium), Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), and 18 bat
species such as the Cuban Flower Bat
(Phyllonycteris poeyi).
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests , also known as tropical moist forests, are a tropical and subtropical forest biome....
ecoregion
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
on the island of Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
. They cover 46000 km² (17,760.7 sq mi), around 60% of the island's area.
Geography
Moist forests occur on most of the eastern half the Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, stretching from the coast all the way to high elevations in the mountains. In Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, they are found in the Tiburon Peninsula in the southern part of the country as well as the Massif du Nord. The drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
s for the island's main rivers, the Yaque del Norte
Yaque del Norte River
The Yaque Del Norte River is the longest river in the Dominican Republic. The river rises in the centre of the country to the south of Santiago city in Santiago province. The river runs roughly due north, through Santiago, before turning west-north-west through the Cibao Valley. It enters the...
and Yaque del Sur
Yaque del Sur River
The Yaque del Sur River is a river in the southwestern Dominican Republic. It is approximately 183 km in length....
, Yuna
Yuna River
The Yuna River is in the Dominican Republic. The river flooded in 2000 and 2004 causing loss of life and livelihood. The river is the second longest river in the Dominican Republic measuring at 209 km long....
, and Artibonite
Artibonite River
The Artibonite River is a 320 km long river in Haiti . It is the longest as well as the most important river in Haiti and the longest on the island of Hispaniola. Forming part of the international border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the river's sources are in the Cordillera Central in...
, occur in this ecoregion. The forests cover diverse topography, including flatands, valleys, plateaus, slopes and foothills up to an altitude of about 2100 m (6,889.8 ft). Soils are either calcareous
Calcareous
Calcareous is an adjective meaning mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate, in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.-In zoology:...
(neutral or somewhat alkaline) or acidic.
Climate
Mesic forests receive 1000 to 2000 mm (39.4 to 78.7 in) of annual rainfall, while more than 4000 mm (157.5 in) falls in wet forests. The rainy season lasts from April to December. Temperature varies from 23 to 24 °C (73.4 to 75.2 F) in open areas near the coast and averages around 20 °C (68 °F) in higher areas. Freezing temperatures occur in the highest zones at certain times of the year.Flora
Moist forests are classified as being either lowland mesic, montane mesic, lowland wet, or montane wet. Characteristic lowland species are Haitian Catalpa (Catalpa longissima), particularly in well-drained soils, and West Indian Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoniSwietenia mahagoni
Swietenia mahagoni, commonly known as the West Indies Mahogany, is a species of Swietenia native to southern Florida, USA, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. It is the species from which the original mahogany wood was produced....
). Puerto Rican Royal Palm (Roystonea borinquena
Roystonea borinquena
Roystonea borinquena, sometimes known as the Puerto Rico royal palm, is a species of palm which is native to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.-Description:...
) is common where soil is calcareous
Calcareous
Calcareous is an adjective meaning mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate, in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.-In zoology:...
. Paradise Tree (Simarouba glauca
Simarouba glauca
Simarouba glauca is a species of flowering tree that is native to Florida in the United States, southern Mexico, Central America, and the Greater Antilles. Common names include Paradise Tree, Aceituno, and Bitterwood. Its seeds produce an edible oil. The tree is well suited for warm, humid,...
), Anón de Majagua (Lonchocarpus heptaphyllus), Jagua (Genipa americana
Genipa americana
Genipa americana is a species of Genipa, native to northern South America , the Caribbean and southern Mexico, growing in rainforests. It is commonly called Genipapo or Huito; the alternate name Jagua may refer to other species of Genipa as well. To the Inca, it was known as hawa or wituq...
), Black Olive (Bucida buceras), West Indian Lancewood (Oxandra lanceolata) and Amacey (Tetragastris balsamifera) are found in small secondary
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
stands. Isolated trees are home to Fustic (Maclura tinctoria), Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum), Iris (Hippeastrum puniceum
Hippeastrum puniceum
Hippeastrum puniceum is a bulbous perennial native to tropical regions of South America although it has become naturalized elsewhere. Common names include Barbados lily, Easter lily, and amaryllis lily, although it is neither a lily nor a species of Amaryllis.Plants have 4–6 leaves, each of which...
), Caracolí (Abarema glauca
Abarema glauca
Abarema glauca is a tree species in the legume family . It is found in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela...
), Córbano (Albizia berteriana
Albizia berteriana
Albizia berteriana is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family. It is found in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica.Junior synonyms are:* Acacia berteriana DC.* Acacia littoralis A...
), West Indian Elm (Guazuma ulmifolia
Guazuma ulmifolia
Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. is also commonly known as guácima, guácimo , tablote, majagua de toro tapaculo, cualote, cambá-acá, as well as many other names. It is a small to medium sized tree normally found in pastures and disturbed forests. This flowering plant from the Malvaceae family grows up to...
), Palo de Leche (Rauvolfia nitida), and Spiny Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum
Citharexylum spinosum
Citharexylum spinosum is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to southern Florida in the United States, the Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Common names include Florida Fiddlewood and Spiny Fiddlewood. It is a tree that reaches a height of up...
). Areas where soils are superficial or savanna
Savanna
A savanna, or savannah, is a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being sufficiently small or widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of C4 grasses.Some...
s have formed from degraded forest are indicated by trees such as the Sandpaper Tree (Curatella americana), Grandleaf Seagrape (Coccoloba pubescens), Jamaican Nettletree (Trema micrantha) and Tabebuia
Tabebuia
Tabebuia is a neotropical genus of about 100 species in the tribe Tecomeae of the family Bignoniaceae. The species range from northern Mexico and southern Florida south to northern Argentina, including the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Cuba...
species. Cashew
Cashew
The cashew is a tree in the family Anacardiaceae. Its English name derives from the Portuguese name for the fruit of the cashew tree, caju, which in turn derives from the indigenous Tupi name, acajú. It is now widely grown in tropical climates for its cashew nuts and cashew apples.-Etymology:The...
s (Anacardium occidentale) are present in zones that have marginal earth and precipitation closer to that of the dry forests. Yellow Olivier (Buchenavia capitata), Sablito (Schefflera morototoni
Schefflera morototoni
Schefflera morototoni is a timber tree native to southern Mexico, the Greater Antilles, Central America, and South America...
), Maricao (Byrsonima spicata) Aguacatillo (Alchornea latifolia), West Indian Cherry (Prunus myrtifolia), Árbol de Santa Maria (Calophyllum brasiliense
Calophyllum brasiliense
Calophyllum brasiliense is a species of Calophyllum native to subtropical and tropical regions of Central America, South America and Caribe.-Description:...
), Cocuyo (Hirtella triandra), American Muskwood (Guarea guidonia), Palo de Yagua (Casearia arborea), locust (Hymenaea courbaril), Balatá (Manilkara domingensis) and Sierra Palm (Prestoea montana) grow in mesic forests. Hispaniolan Pine
Hispaniolan Pine
The Hispaniolan Pine is a pine endemic to the island of Hispaniola, where it is the predominant species in the Hispaniolan pine forests of Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
(Pinus occidentalis) is common on lateritic
Laterite
Laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are rusty-red because of iron oxides. They develop by intensive and long-lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock...
soils. Wet forests consist of trees covered by parasitic plant
Parasitic plant
A parasitic plant is one that derives some or all of its sustenance from another plant. About 4,100 species in approximately 19 families of flowering plants are known. Parasitic plants have a modified root, the haustorium, that penetrates the host plant and connects to the xylem, phloem, or...
s and epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
s. The principal indicator species include tree ferns (Cyathea
Cyathea
Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical...
spp.) and Chionanthus
Chionanthus
Chionanthus is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae.The genus has a wide distribution primarily in the tropics and subtropics, but with two species extending north into temperate regions, one in eastern Asia and one in eastern North America...
species. At higher elevations, characteristic species are the Trembling Schefflera (Schefflera tremula), Black Sapote (Diospyros digyna), Almendrón (Prunus occidentalis), Fadyen's Silktassel (Garrya fadyenii
Garrya fadyenii
Garrya fadyenii is a species of flowering shrub known by the common name Fadyen's silktassel. It is native to the West Indies, specifically Jamaica, Hispaniola, and the former Cuban provinces of Oriente and Santa Clara...
), Weinmannia pinnata, Oreopanax capitatus, Brunellia comocladifolia, Hispaniolan Pines, and Cyathea
Cyathea
Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical...
species.
Fauna
Birds of the moist forests include the Hispaniolan AmazonHispaniolan Amazon
The Hispaniolan Amazon or Hispaniolan Parrot is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is found on Hispaniola , and has been introduced to Puerto Rico, and the U.S...
(Amazona ventralis), Hispaniolan Parakeet
Hispaniolan Parakeet
The Hispaniolan Parakeet, Conure Maîtresse, Aratinga De La Española, or Perico is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola...
(Aratinga chloroptera), Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo
Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo
The Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti....
(Coccyzus longirostris), Palm Crow
Palm Crow
The Palm Crow is a relatively small black bird in the crow family that occurs mostly on the large Caribbean island of Hispaniola, itself divided into the two countries of Dominican Republic and Haiti. It was formerly quite frequent on Cuba but has become severely reduced in number and may be...
(Corvus palmarum), American Kestrel
American Kestrel
The American Kestrel , sometimes colloquially known as the Sparrow Hawk, is a small falcon, and the only kestrel found in the Americas. It is the most common falcon in North America, and is found in a wide variety of habitats. At long, it is also the smallest falcon in North America...
(Falco sparverius), Vervain Hummingbird
Vervain Hummingbird
The Vervain Hummingbird, Mellisuga minima, is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family.It is found in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, and is a vagrant to Puerto Rico....
(Mellisuga minima), Narrow-billed Tody
Narrow-billed Tody
The Narrow-billed Tody is a species of bird in the Todidae family.It is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest....
(Todus angustirostris), Stolid Flycatcher
Stolid Flycatcher
The Stolid Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found in Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica....
(Myiarchus stolidus), Hispaniolan Pewee
Hispaniolan Pewee
The Hispaniolan Pewee is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 25 July 2007....
(Contopus hispaniolensis), Rufous-throated Solitaire
Rufous-throated Solitaire
The Rufous-throated Solitaire is a species of bird placed in the Turdidae family. It is found on Dominica, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Martinique, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane...
(Myadestes genibarbis), Hispaniolan Woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus), White-necked Crow
White-necked Crow
The White-necked Crow is the largest of the four Caribbean crow species. Two other species, the Cuban Crow and the Jamaican Crow , appear to be very closely related to it sharing several key morphological features...
(Corvus leucognaphalus), Palmchat
Palmchat
The Palmchat is a small, long-tailed passerine bird, the only species in the genus Dulus and the family Dulidae. It is thought to be related to the waxwings, family Bombycillidae, and is sometimes classified with that group...
(Dulus dominicus), Hispaniolan Trogon
Hispaniolan Trogon
The Hispaniolan Trogon is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family. It is the national bird of Haiti. It is found on the island of Hispaniola shared by Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and what is now heavily...
(Priotelus roseigaster), Ruddy Quail-Dove
Ruddy Quail-Dove
The Ruddy Quail-Dove is a member of the bird family Columbidae, which includes doves and pigeons.It breeds throughout the West Indies, Central America, and tropical South America. It has appeared as a vagrant in Florida and southern Texas. It lays two buff colored eggs on a flimsy platform...
(Geotrygon montana), Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West...
(Buteo jamaicensis), White-winged Warbler
White-winged Warbler
The White-winged Warbler , also called Hispaniolan Highland-tanager, is a species of bird formerly classified in the Parulidae family. It is the only member of the genus Xenoligea, and is found solely in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which share the island of Hispaniola.The bird is...
(Xenoligea montana), Green-tailed Warbler
Green-tailed Warbler
The Green-tailed Warbler , also known as the Green-tailed Ground Warbler, is a species of songbird endemic to the island of Hispaniola and adjacent islets....
(Microligea palustris), Antillean Siskin
Antillean Siskin
The Antillean Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest. This bird is a North American one...
(Carduelis dominicensis), La Selle Thrush
La Selle Thrush
The La Selle Thrush is a species of bird in the Turdidae family.-Distribution:Turdus swalesi is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Hispaniola island in the Caribbean. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane habitats.The La Selle Thrush is threatened by habitat...
(Turdus swalesi), Eastern Chat-tanager
Eastern Chat-tanager
The Eastern Chat-tanager is a species of bird in the Thraupidae family.It is found on the island of Hispaniola where it is now restricted to central and southern parts of the Dominican Republic. It formerly also occurred on the Samaná Peninsula as well as on Gonâve Island in Haiti...
(Calyptophilus frugivorus), and Hispaniolan Crossbill
Hispaniolan Crossbill
The Hispaniolan Crossbill is a crossbill that is endemic to the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean and therefore only found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic....
(Loxia megaplaga). Native mammals include the Hispaniolan Hutia
Hispaniolan Hutia
The Hispaniolan Hutia is one of several hutia species to have inhabited at some time the island of Hispaniola . The P...
(Plagiodontia aedium), Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), and 18 bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
species such as the Cuban Flower Bat
Cuban Flower Bat
The Cuban Flower Bat , also called Poey's Flower Bat, is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.-Description:...
(Phyllonycteris poeyi).