Leeward Islands xeric scrub

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Leeward Islands xeric scrub
Guadeloupe (13).JPG
Ecoregion NT1310.png
Ecoregion territory (in blue hashed box)
Ecology
Realm Neotropic
Biome Deserts and xeric shrublands
Geography
Area1,554 km2 (600 sq mi)
Country United States, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda
Coordinates 16°24′25″N61°27′36″W / 16.407°N 61.460°W / 16.407; -61.460

The Leeward Islands xeric scrub ecoregion (WWF ID: NT1310) covers the dry ('xeric'), non-forested areas of the Leeward Islands on the northeastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, stretching from the Virgin Islands in the west to Guadeloupe to the southeast. The non-forested areas are generally low scrub shrub, on the low elevations around the peripheries of the islands. Non-forested lower elevations in the region receive less rainfall and are typically semi-arid. A notable feature of the ecoregion is its position in the main hurricane track. The frequent damage to trees allows more pre-climax shrubs and trees to grow. There are a number of endemic species, as in common with islands. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Location and description

The largest island groups with dry shrub areas making up this ecoregion are:

There are also smaller islands in the region. The Leeward Islands are formed on two arcs; the inner (western) arc features active volcanos and higher precipitation; the outer arc tend towards limestone-capped submerged volcanos and less precipitation. [1]

Climate

The ecoregion has a Tropical climate overall, with individual islands having different levels of precipitation that classify them into either Tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification (Af)), Tropical savanna climate - dry winter (Köppen climate classification (Aw)), or Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Am)). [5] [6]

Flora and fauna

The ecoregion features dry seral (intermediate stage of ecological succession) floral communities. These range from herbaceous strand vegetation (plants that grow on the sandy ground above the high-time line of the beach), shrubland (small woody plants), savanna (mixed woodland and grasslands), and littoral woodlands (transitional communities on the edge of full forest). [1]

Plant communities in the region are often associated with the former agricultural use of the land. In areas that were formerly cotton or sugar cane fields, for example, the characteristic species are often gum arabic tree ( Acacia nilotica ), ( Acacia lutea ), twisted acacia ( Acacia tortuosa ), or sweet acacia ( Vachellia farnesiana ). Areas associated with charcoal production now feature Bursera and Pisonia fragrans . Savanna areas feature acacias, ( Prosopis chilensis ), and common guava ( Psidium guajava ). [1]

Protected areas

Officially protected areas in the ecoregion include:

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal Venezuelan mangroves</span>

The Coastal Venezuelan mangroves ecoregion covers the salt-water mangrove forests along the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean coast of Venezuela, from Cocinetas Basin to the edge of the Caño Manamo River and the Orinoco Delta in the east. It is one of the largest mangrove ecoregions in South America, with an area of 5,698 km2, and stretching across over 400 km of Venezuelan coastline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magdalena–Santa Marta mangroves</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeward Islands moist forests</span> Forested ecoregion in the Caribbean Sea

The Leeward Islands moist forests ecoregion covers the forested areas of the Leeward Islands on the northeastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, stretching from the Virgin Islands in the west to Guadeloupe to the southeast. The forested areas are typically in the core interior of the islands, and at the higher elevations of the volcanic islands. Non-forested lower elevations in the region receive less rainfall and are typically semi-arid. A notable feature of the ecoregion is its position in the main hurricane track. The frequent damage to trees produces in many places an uneven forest canopy, and an opening of the canopy that allows more pre-climax trees to grow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windward Islands xeric scrub</span>

The Windward Islands xeric scrub ecoregion covers the relatively small areas of the Windward Islands that receive low levels of precipitation. The dry areas of these islands are the low coastal areas that receive less precipitation. Because the dry scrub land is generally flat, near the coast, and not as obviously in need of conservation as the upland forests of the interior, they are more vulnerable to human settlement and development for agriculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayman Islands xeric scrub</span>

The Cayman Islands xeric scrub ecoregion covers a portion of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea. The dry ('xeric') parts of the island are surrounded by mangroves, dry forest, or developed areas. Grand Cayman Island has been heavily cleared or degraded for human development; while the less populated islands have more intact shrub and wooded habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser Antillean dry forests</span>

The Lesser Antillean dry forests ecoregion covers the dry forests of the coastal lowlands of the Lesser Antilles, where the eastern Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. These forests generally form a band around the interior wet forests of higher elevations, and because they are often flat, they are under the most pressure for human settlement and agriculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aruba–Curaçao–Bonaire cactus scrub</span>

The Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire cactus scrub ecoregion covers the dry land on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire in the southern Caribbean Sea, about 80 km from the mainland of Venezuela. In low-lying coastal areas the islands also support mangrove wetlands. The landscape features a range of cactus species and acacia trees.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Leeward Islands xeric scrub". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  2. "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  3. "Leeward Islands xeric scrub". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  4. "Leeward Islands xeric scrub". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  5. Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  6. "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.