Caribbean Montane Communities

We are going to be looking at:

• Montane rainforest
• Elfin woodland 
• Palm brake

Montane Forest

This forms the transition between the rainforest of mid-elevations and the elfin woodland of the summit. The main canopy is 20-30 m high and trunks are mossy but often free of epiphytes. Dominant trees include bois bandé (Richeria grandis) and the gymnosperm, Podocarpus coriaceus.

Environmental conditions

Typically > 750 m. This forest occurs in the montane zone where there is no dry season and there is always excess water.

Caribbean Vegetation Mapping Project Equivalent

I.A.1.N.c. Montane tropical or subtropical rain forest Cordia elliptica – Chimarrhis cymosa – Tovomita plumieri – Pouteria chrysophylloides Forest Alliance

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Elfin woodland

A low, impenetrable thicket of dwarfed, gnarled trees found on wind-swept, cloud-shrouded, mountain summits. As the picture taken at Morne Diablotin, Dominica shows, the path is in the trees  and one must climb along the dwarfed trunks of kaklen (Clusia mangle).  Trunks and branches are covered with festoons of mosses and liverworts. Epiphytes and small climbers abound and a luxuriant herbaceous ground layer may be present. Leaves may be scorched by the constant wind. Several endemic species may be found in this community. Typical trees include Clusia and Miconia spp. Also known as Mossy Forest as well as cloud forest although the latter may not be stunted and can refer to any woodland community enshrouded in mist.

The Plants…

Those exposed to the wind often have thick leathery leaves (above) while those in shelter simply take advantage of the very wet conditions (below).

More (in French) on the plants of Mt. Pelée

There are four other Lesser Antillean endemic Miconia spp. (family Melastomataceae) found in elfin woodland on other islands.  

A poster on the St Vincent endemic Chaetogastra cistoides (formerlyTibouchina cistoides) found on mountain tops.

Elfin woodland communities with their special environmental conditions on mountain tops are like islands surrounded by mainly rainforest. It is not surprising that this isolation has lead to the evolution of many endemic species. As well as the Melastomataceae examples given, various endemics especially in the Families Bromeliaceae, and Campanulaceae are present.

Click here for a botanical hike up La Soufrière (1,467 m high), Guadeloupe.

Environmental factors

Constant wind, air dripping with moisture, excess water, low light intensities, often high UV irradiation, cool temperatures.

Caribbean Vegetation Mapping Project Equivalent

II.A.1.N.d. Montane tropical or subtropical cloud forest
Clusia plukenetii Forest Alliance

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Palm brake

This subclimax developing on steep mountain slopes up to 1000 m, subject to landslip. This is recognised as a stand dominated by two Caribbean endemic palms, Euterpe broadwayi or Prestoea montana, both known as mountain cabbage. While there is no shrub layer, there is typically luxuriant waist high herbaceous vegetation inlcuding balasier (Heliconia bihai), fern allies and anthuriums.

Environmental factors

Caribbean Vegetation Mapping Project Equivalent

I.A.1.N.c. Prestoea montana Forest Alliance

Constant wind and moisture. Steep slopes with land slippage.