Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Caribbean Serpentine Dry Scrub Group | NatureServe Biotics 2019
  click to update datacart
Name: Caribbean Serpentine Dry Scrub Group
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This group occurs in gently rolling flatlands or hills up to 450 m elevation. Despite the great variation in substrate, climate, and species composition, the physiognomy of the serpentine scrub is very constant throughout its distribution. It occurs on ferrallitic soils, which are derived from serpentine in isolated locations in the case of Cuba's Cajalbana hills and Holguin area. In Cuba, 5% of the soils are serpentine, and these sites support a third of Cuba's endemic flora. It also occurs in Puerto Rico, especially in the southwest of the island. Examples are dominated by stands of dense, thorny 2- to 4-m high shrubland with emergent palms and evergreen microphyllous trees. The proportion of microphylls and spiny elements is very high, with the exception of cacti which are not common in this type of vegetation. Many plants hyperaccumulate nickel. Stands of serpentine scrubs that alternate with small grassy clearings also occur, except for the more humid, higher elevation communities which are dominated by microphylls and do not present grassy clearings. These often develop into dwarf-grass savannas after grazing or human interference. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40178-{4D06FFE7-EDE5-46CC-8592-4F6FBB27823A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 04-Feb-2016 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860800 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: G463
  Scientific: Caribbean Serpentine Dry Scrub Group