Introduction

Many of the islands in the Caribbean were once covered in tropical forest. This is no longer the case and some, such as Haiti, have experienced large-scale deforestation. However, some islands contain remnants of forest. This is the case for Puerto Rico, located in the Greater Antilles in the northeastern Caribbean. Here, the International Institute of Tropical Forestry has maintained a long-term experimental forest, today known as the Luquillo Experimental Forest. A particular feature of this forest is the extent to which is repeatedly hit by hurricanes.

The long-term ecological research undertaken at Luquillo has enabled a detailed knowledge of the impacts of hurricanes on Caribbean forests to be developed. The ecology of the island as whole is also quite well-known, perhaps more so than most Caribbean islands. The island has been heavily impacted by humans, and 10% of the original flora is extinct. A further 38% is critically endangered. The fauna is depauperate, and there are no native mammals other than bats. 

A number of different forest types exist at Luquillo, reflecting its complex topography. These include tabonuco, colorado, elfin and palm brake forests. A range of minor forest types also occur. Tabonuco, colorado and elfin forests are defined by altitude, whereas palm brake forests are found on step slopes in the tabonuco and colorado forest zones.

Outcomes

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Describe the different types of forest found in the Luquillo Mountains
• Compare these forests with other tropical forests that you are familiar with
• Evaluate the role of hurricanes on the structure of island forests in the Caribbean
• Predict how a hurricane might affect ecosystem processes within a tropical moist forest

Readings

Optional Readings

• Brokaw, N., Crowl, T.A., Lugo, A.E., McDowell, W.H., Scatena, F.N., Waide, R.B. and Willig, M.R. (eds.) 2012. A Caribbean forest tapestry. The multidimensional nature of disturbance and response. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 460 pp. Chapters 3-6.
• Reagan, D.P. and Waide, R.B. 1996. The food web of a tropical rain forest. Chicago, Illinois, USA: University of Chicago Press. 616 pp.

Fundamental Concepts

PPT Presentations

This module contains one presentation:

5.1.14 Case study - The hurricane-dominated forests of the Caribbean.pptx Download 5.1.14 Case study - The hurricane-dominated forests of the Caribbean.pptx

Self-check Quiz (For certificate learning only)

After viewing topic presentations, take this self-check quiz to check your own progress. This quiz is designed to see how well you remember some of the issues presented in the topic. There are five questions, and each has a potential of 4 answers, only one of which is correct. When you are ready, click the link 'Self-check Quiz 5.1.14' to start taking the quiz.

Case Study Discussion (For certificate learning only)

Once you have have read the presentation, post a question about the ecology of hurricane-dominated Caribbean forests, and answer/respond to at least one other question on the discussion board Case Study 14 Discussion - Hurricane-Dominated Forests in the Caribbean.

Summary

Hurricanes occur frequently in some parts of the Tropics, causing extensive disturbance to forests. This is particularly evident in the Caribbean, where ecosystems that are already vulnerable due to anthropogenic disturbance and the presence of invasive species can be severely impacted by hurricanes. The storms play a major role in determining the structure of the forests, and most individual stands are at some stage of recovery from a previous, hurricane-induced, disturbance.

Hurricanes can cause obvious damage, in the form of the destruction of the canopy and the uprooting and snapping of trees. Less visible impacts are associated with changes to slope hydrology and changes to nutrient cycling. Effects on the fauna can be very visible, in the form of direct mortality, or more subtle, affecting the fauna through changes to food supply. All such effects can only be ascertained by detailed research, preferably undertaken over long time periods.

Self-review (For self learning)

To review what you have learned in the topic, you are encouraged to use the following reflection questions as a study guide to do a self-review for the topic:

• What different types of forest are found in the Luquillo Mountains, and what distinguishes them?
• How do these forests compare with other tropical forests that you are familiar with?
• What roles do hurricanes play in determining the structure and function of island forests in the Caribbean?
• How might a hurricane affect ecosystem processes within a tropical moist forest?