Common / unique plants

Cocuyo de Noble, or also known under the scientific name of Auerodendron Northropianum, is a plant species that is native to the Caribbean as well as the Bahamas in coastal rainforest. It is a perennial plant, meaning that it survives from year to year even under hard conditions.

 

As it’s known commonly, Ocus wood or by it’s scientific name, Rya ebenus is a type of flower informations tree, and is a members of the les family. This tree is native to the caribbean islands of Cuba and Jamaica. The tree can grow up to up to 30 feet tall, and is resistent to drouts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rascabarriga, also known as Espadaea Amoena, it’s a tree with a flowering plant and is part of it’s own unique species, and is originally from Cuba. The tree can reach a height of 6 meters and has a grey bark. The flower of the tree is a pale yellow or orange.

 

Succession

Succession in the tropical caribbean rainforest starts with bare ground and rock, which eventually erode into soil. The first species to arrive are called the pionner species. These can be ferns, or herbs or different kinds of grassland. Specific to the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest are Cecropia, Prestoea Acuminata, and Dacryodes Excelsa. These will grow into shrubland and eventually a young forest. Finally the succession reaches  climax rainforest, or mature rainforest. An example of a mature rainforest is in Yunque National Forest, a dwarf forest. There are high levels of acidity, and plants have adapted to live in this habitat such as Ocotea spathula, Tabebuia rigida, Calyptranthes krugii and Eugenia borinquensis.

 

Invasive Species

The Leatherleaf is an Invasive species not native to the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest. It is a vine that forms impenetrable thickets. It is originally from China, however it has been planted in in the united states and has found home in southern Florida. The thickets of the Leatherleaf block sun from reaching other plants and is invading the united states.

 

The Australian Pine is a non-native species to the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest, and is invading southern and central Florida. It is native to Australia as the name would suggest, and can grow up to 150 feet tall. It is a threat to the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest because when the fallen stems fall from the tree, they release chemicals which prevents other plants from germinating. It’s shallow root system also prevents endangered species such as sea turtles and crocodiles to constuct their nests.

 

Adaptations

Trees in the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest have a thin, smooth bark, which makes it difficult for other plants to grow on. An example of a tree with such a bark is the Tropical Turpentine, which has a very distinct red coloured bark. Thin bark is common in moister climates, such as the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest, because they shed it regularly. The reason for this is that trees in moist climates are exposed to moss and lichen infestations, and shedding their bark allows them to rid themselves of these parasites.

 

Many trees in the Caribbean have huge ridges called buttreses which are located near the base of  the trunk, which can rise 30 fort high before blending into the trunk. Their used for providing more stability and increasing the surface area of a tree so it can “breathe in” more Carbon dioxide and “breath out” more oxygen. This breathing system is also known as photosynthesis where it inhales Carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen.

 

Flow of energy

The Heliconia is the producer, and is found on the first trophic level. Next we have the caracolus tree snail which is a primary consumer, and on the second trophic level, because it consumes the producer. The secondary producer is next, which in this case is the common coqui, whose diet can consist of tree snails, such as the caracolus. It is the third trophic level. Finally we have the tertiary consumer, and the fourth trophic level, which is the small asian mongoose, who can consume our common coqui. Energy that started from the Heliconia is passed through the trophic levels, and in this case ends with the small asian mon goose.

Symbiotic relationship

The harpy eagles eats many of the berries commonly found in the Caribbean Tropical Rainforest, and consequently spreads it’s seems when it eats them and flies away. The eagle gets food, and the tree’s seeds are spread. Both species benefit from this relationship.