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Beach and dune communities |
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Rock pavement vegetation | |
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Littoral woodland/forest | |
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Coastal scrub |
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Beach and dune communities |
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Rock pavement vegetation | |
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Littoral woodland/forest | |
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Coastal scrub |
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| The vegetation on windward beaches typically constitutes
a sere where the vegetation changes along an environmental gradient.
Nearest the sea, in a pioneer zone, plants like the succulents, seaside
samphire (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
and Blutaparon vermiculare, as well as the two crab
grasses, Sporobolus
virginicus and Paspalum distichum, survive in sparse patches.
Further inwards, the fleshy vine, Goat's foot Ipomoea ( Ipomoea
pes-capre ssp. brasiliensis) dominates, trapping sand to form small dunes.
This merges with a shrubby zone where soil has a higher organic content
and where seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) and fat pork (Chrysobalanus
icaco) typically dominate. This is the zone of the high dunes and
in their shelter scrub and scattered trees such as manchineel are found. Leeward beaches tend to be narrower and lack the dunes which may be present on windward coasts. On leeward beaches, pioneer plants are less common and strand (above high tide mark) vegetation of Goat'-foot Ipomoea often abruptly gives rise to scrub and littoral woodland (if this has not been cleared for beach-front properties!) |
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| Historical print of Ipomoea pes-capre |
Dune formation at Lakes, Barbados. Photo © Sean Carrington |
Aerial photo showing the extensive dune community at Lakes on the east coast of Barbados.
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| Beach in Grand Cayman showing littoral hedge at
rear. Photo © Sean Carrington |
Strand vegetation, Pico Tenerife, Barbados |
Environmental features High salinity, high irradiation, lack of water, (wind) Animal members VII.C.2.N.b. Intermittently flooded sand beaches and shores (STRAND VEGETATION) VII.C.1.N.a. Dunes with sparse herbaceous vegetation (DUNES WITH SPARSE VEGETATION) VII.C.2.N.b. Intermittently flooded sand beaches and shores (STRAND VEGETATION) VII.C.1.N.a. Dunes with sparse herbaceous vegetation (DUNES WITH SPARSE VEGETATION) |
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Rock pavement/ sea cliff |
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| Often sheer cliffs emerge from the
sea with little or no beach below. Within reach of sea spray the
succulent seaside samphire (Sesuvium
portulacastrum) and Blutaparon vermiculare are found rooted in
pockets of soil in the bare rock in the platforms of uplifted coral reefs.
Sometimes severely dwarfed trees (whitewood, manchineel) and shrubs
survive, rooted in fissures in the rock. Further back, low-lying succulent
herbs carpet soil-filled depressions in the rock pavement to form a
mat-like vegetation. Such associations give way further inland to coastal
scrub and littoral forest. |
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| Turk's head cactus (Melocactus intortus) a Caribbean-wide endemic common on coastal cliffs. Photo © Sean Carrington |
Sea cliff vegetation
(Strumpfia maritima) in Barbados |
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| Major environmental features High salinity, high irradiation, lack of water, lack of soil, (wind) |
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| Animal members Birds, lizards to name a few |
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| Caribbean Vegetation Mapping Project Equivalent VII.A.1.N.a. Cliffs with sparse vascular vegetation (CLIFF VEGETATION) VII.A.2.N.a. Pavement with sparse vascular vegetation (PAVEMENT VEGETATION) |
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Littoral or coastal woodland
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| Windswept coastal woodland at Chubb Bay, St John, Barbados. Photo © Sean Carrington 
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| The Caribbean has over 20 endemic species of Coccothrinax, the
thatch palm, which were common in the littoral forests of various islands. This photo shows such a remnant forest in Grand Cayman with birchgum (Bursera simaruba) and the Cayman thatch palm (Coccothrinax proctorii). Photo © Sean Carrington |
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| Major environmental features low rainfall, shallow soil, (salt spray and wind) |
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Animal members |
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| Caribbean Vegetation Mapping Project Equivalent II.A.1.N.a. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland Hippomane mancinella - Coccoloba uvifera Woodland Alliance Coccothrinax barbadensis Woodland Alliance I.C.1.N.a. Lowland tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous forest Tabebuia pallida - Coccoloba swartzii - Bursera simaruba Forest Alliance |
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| Coastal scrub / thorn scrub Vegetation dominated by shrubs like seaside sage (Croton flavens), fat pork (Chrysobalanus icaco), bread 'n cheese (Pithecellobium unguis-cati) and white sage (Lantana involucrata). Spiny shrubs like horse nicker (Caesalpinnia bonduc) are often present as well as cacti, Agave spp. and vines. If this is totally impenetrable and over head height it would be termed coastal thicket. Intergrades with coastal woodland. Calliandra purpurea, coastal scrub, Grenadines |
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 Cactus thorn scrub with pipe organ cactus (Pilosocereus royeni) at the rear. Photo © Sean Carrington |
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| Major environmental features low rainfall, shallow soil, salt spray and wind |
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Animal members |
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| Caribbean Vegetation Mapping Project Equivalent III.A.1.N.a. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland Pithecellobium unguis-cati Shrubland Alliance III.A.1.N.b. Hemisclerophyllous tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland Coccoloba uvifera Shrubland Alliance |
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