Cuban cactus scrub
{{Short description|Xeric shrubland ecoregion}}
{{Infobox ecoregion
| name = Cuban cactus scrub
| image = A view from Guantanamo.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Near Caimanera, Guantánamo Province
| map = File:Ecoregion NT1306.png
| map_caption = Ecoregion territory (in purple)
| country = Cuba
| region_type = States/Provinces
{{cite book |last1 = Hoekstra |first1 = J. M. |last2 = Molnar |first2 = J. L. |last3 = Jennings |first3 = M. |last4 = Revenga |first4 = C. |last5 = Spalding |first5 = M. D. |last6 = Boucher |first6 = T. M. |last7 = Robertson |first7 = J. C. |last8 = Heibel |first8 = T. J. |last9 = Ellison |first9 = K. |title = The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference |publisher = University of California Press |editor1-last = Molnar |editor1-first = J. L. |year = 2010 |isbn = 978-0-520-26256-0 |url = https://archive.org/details/atlasofglobalcon0000unse |url-access = registration }}
| habitat_loss = 23
| protected = 28.31
| area = 3300
| biome = Deserts and xeric shrublands
| conservation = Vulnerable
}}
The Cuban cactus scrub is a xeric shrubland ecoregion that occupies {{convert|3300|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} on the leeward coast of Cuba. Most of it occurs in the southeastern part of the island in the provinces of Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba. The ecoregion receives less than {{convert|800|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall annually. The principal soils are coastal rendzinas that were derived from coralline limestone. Cuban cactus scrub contains four vegetation zones: xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrubland, coastal thorny semidesert, coastal sclerophyllous scrubland, and rocky coastal scrublands.{{WWF ecoregion |id=nt1306 |name=Cuban cactus scrub|accessdate=2009-04-19}}
Xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrubland
Vegetation in the xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrublands reaches a height of {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}} and is dominated by palms and succulents, especially cacti. Common evergreen plants include {{lang|es|cafecillo}} (Bourreria virgata), {{lang|es|mostacilla}} (Capparis cynophallophora), {{lang|es|guairaje}} (Eugenia foetida), Bursera glauca, B. cubana, Croton spp., Cordia spp., Calliandra colletioides, Caesalpinia spp., Acacia spp., Phyllostylon brasiliense, Pseudosamanea cubana and {{lang|es|guayacán negro}} (Guaiacum officinale). {{lang|es|Tuna}} (Opuntia stricta), O. militaris, {{lang|es|pitahaya}} (Harrisia eriophora), {{lang|es|jijira}} (H. taetra), {{lang|es|miramar}} (Pilosocereus polygonus), {{lang|es|aguacate cimarrón}} (Dendrocereus nudiflorus), {{lang|es|maguey}} (Agave spp.), {{lang|es|erizo}} (Melocactus spp.) and Leptocereus spp. are typical succulents.
Coastal thorny semidesert
Coastal thorny semidesert is similar to xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrubland in that they both have the same succulent composition and reach a height of {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}}. However, succulents represent a smaller proportion of the plant life in this zone. Other plant species include {{lang|es|vomitel colorado}} (Cordia sebestena), {{lang|es|manzanillo}} (Hippomane mancinella) and {{lang|es|lirio de costa}} (Plumeria filifolia).
Coastal sclerophyllous scrubland
The vegetation in this zone is sclerophyllous, meaning that their leaves are hard. It reaches a height of {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} with emergent trees up to {{convert|5|-|6|m|ft|abbr=on}}. This zone represents the transition between xeric shrublands and moister dry forests. Plant life includes {{lang|es|yana}} (Picrodendron baccatum), {{lang|es|carne de doncella}} (Maytenus buxifolia), {{lang|es|yamaguey de loma}} (Pictetia spinosa), {{lang|es|granadillo}} (Brya ebenus) and {{lang|es|ébano}} (Diospyros grisebachii).
Rocky coastal scrublands
The most sparse and stunted vegetation is found in this zone, which occurs adjacent to the ocean on karstic soil. The flora is tolerant of wind and salt spray, and includes {{lang|es|romero de playa}} (Borrichia arborescens), {{lang|es|incienso de playa}} (Tournefortia gnaphalodes), and {{lang|es|verdolaga de playa}} (Sesuvium maritimum).
Fauna
Birds of the cactus scrub include the Zapata sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata sigmani), Cuban vireo (Vireo gundlachii), Cuban gnatcatcher (Polioptila lembeyei), and Oriente warbler (Teretistris fornsi). The yellow-striped pygmy eleuth (Eleutherodactylus limbatus) is a species of frog endemic to this ecoregion, while several anole species and the Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila nubila) are endemic lizards.{{NatGeo ecoregion|id=nt1306|name=Cuban cactus scrub|accessdate=2009-04-19}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commons-inline||Cuban cactus scrub}}
Category:Deserts and xeric shrublands
Category:Ecoregions of the Caribbean