Pine Woodlands (PW) are systems with an emergent tree layer dominated by Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis (Bahamian Pine) with an open canopy. Pine Woodlands occur in the northern Bahamas (Abaco, Andros, Grand Bahama, and New Providence) with a disjunct population occurring on Middle Caicos (Turks and Caicos Islands).
It is classified as a Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis Woodland Alliance.
PW is a fire-dependent system in that fire is required to open up the shrub layer to increase light at the ground level and release nutrients. Fire is not required for cones to open and disperse seeds. Fires typically burn through Pine Woodlands every 3 -5 years. If an area of Pine Woodlands has been fire suppressed for a long enough period of time, there will be no recruitment of Pine seedlings, and the area will convert to a Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation—forest/Shrubland.
This plant community occurs on limestone in areas with extensive freshwater lenses. It has an open canopy with a shrub layer that can vary in its dominant species. The shrub layer is generally 1-4 meters in height, depending on the time that has passed since the last fire.
There are three major understory types:
In many areas, PW occurs along the edges and into Freshwater Wetlands if there is a slight elevation gain. Ephemeral freshwater wetlands can also occur throughout PW areas in low-lying areas.
The PW of the Bahamas were heavily logged during the 1950s-70s. The logging was conducted by Owens-Illinois to produce pulp for cardboard shipping containers. They left approximately one tree per acre as seed trees. There are no old-growth Pine Woodlands in the Bahamas, with the closest to old-growth located in Little Abaco. There have been no current active forestry measures being taken in the PWs, and they have regrown unchecked, unthinned, or managed.
Common species:
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Henry, P. W. T. 1974. Land Resource Study, No. 16: The Pine Forest of the Bahamas. Land Resource Division, Tolworth Tower, Surbiton, Surrey, England KT6 7DY. 178 pp.
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A physiognomically uniform group of Associations sharing one or more diagnostic (dominant, differential, indicator, or character) species which, as a rule, are found in the uppermost stratum of the vegetation. It is within a Formation.
The finest level of the classification standard. The Association is a physiognomically uniform group of vegetation stands that share one or more diagnostic (dominant, differential, indicator, or character) overstory and understory species. These elements occur as repeatable patterns of assemblages across the landscape and are generally found under similar habitat conditions. The Association refers to existing vegetation, not a potential vegetation type.
Diameter at Breast Height. Typically measured at 130 or 135 cm above ground.
An organism, group of organisms, or taxon that by its size, abundance, or coverage exerts considerable influence upon an association’s biotic (such as structure and function) and abiotic (such as shade and relative humidity) conditions.
A class of vegetation dominated by a life form of shrubs and/or trees under 0.5 m tall. These types generally have greater than 25% cover of dwarf shrubs and less than 25% cover of trees and shrubs. Herbs and non-vascular plants may be present at any cover value. In rare cases (e.g., alpine and polar regions), dwarf shrub cover may exceed the cover of trees, shrubs, herbs, and non-vascular plants and be less than 25% of the total cover.
Multi-stemmed woody plants with a life form at a height of less than 0.5 m due either to genetic or environmental constraints.
Vascular plant that grows by germinating and rooting on other plants or other perched structures; sometimes called “air plants.”
A level in the classification based on ecological groupings of vegetation units with broadly defined environmental and additional physiognomic factors in common. This level is subject to revision as the vegetation Alliances and Associations are organized under the upper levels of the hierarchy. Different variables are applied to this hierarchical level in the sparsely vegetated class.
Overall structure or physical appearance – what the community and its dominant species look like, their height and spacing (height and canopy cover), and shape. It is descriptive of the life forms of the dominant species; for example, their size, leaf traits, and phenology (deciduous, evergreen).
In the broad sense
A class of vegetation defined by areas dominated by shrubs generally greater than 0.5 m tall with individuals or clumps not touching to interlocking. Shrub canopy cover is generally greater than 25% while tree cover is generally less than 25%. In rare cases, shrub cover exceeds the tree, dwarf shrub, herb, and non-vascular plant cover and is less than 25% cover.
Woody plants greater than 0.5 m in height that generally exhibit several erect, spreading, or prostrate stems; and have a bushy appearance. In instances where life form cannot be determined, woody plants greater than 0.5 m in height but less than 5 m in height will be considered shrubs.
Pertains to areas within tropical regions with variable (seasonal) temperature and moisture regimes; climatically, it has seasonal variation marked by dry/wet seasons rather than cold/hot seasons. Parts of this region are subject to sub-0º C (32º F) temperatures but rarely have freezing periods of 24 hours or longer; in the United States this term includes southern Florida and the southern tip of Texas.
Woody plants equal to or greater than 5 m in height and at least one main stem that is 2.5 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) are considered trees. Trees in the Bahamas may have more than one main stem/trunk.
A class of vegetation defined by areas dominated by emergent trees generally greater than 5.0 m tall without a closed canopy cover with tree cover generally less than 70 %. There is a shrub layer with various dominant species.