Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

III. SHRUBLAND
Shrubland types are usually characterized by a high density of small trees or shrubs with
heights ranging from 0.5-5m.
III.A.1.N.b. Tropical/subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (Caribbean
Formation)
1. Coastal Evergreen Shrubland (Virgin Islands Sub-formation) – Shrubland
dominated by evergreen tree and shrub species located near the coast. This community
may exhibit more than one stratum with the overstory consisting of salt adapted species
such as Coccoloba uvifera, Conocarpus erectus, Sideroxylon obovatum, and
Pithecellobium unguis-cati. Understory species include Acacia tortuosa and Oplonia
spinosa. This community is found near the coast on sandy substrates of south-central
Buck Island.
Conocarpus erectus Shrubland Association
Name, translated: Buttonwood Shrubland Association
Vegetation (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
Shrubland dominated by Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood). Other characteristic
species include emergent trees Coccoloba uvifera and Sideroxylon obovatum,
with understory consisting of Oplonia spinosa. Canopy height is 3-4m with
canopy cover 45-100%.
Environment (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
This community is found in coastal areas south-central Buck Island.
Plots: 033_3_2009-01-14
III.A.1.N.e. Seasonally flooded/saturated tropical/subtropical broad-leaved evergreen
shrubland (Caribbean Formation)
1. Mangrove Shrubland (Virgin Islands Sub-formation) – “Non-tidal shrublands or
scrub mangrove thickets. Occurs in more stressed sites than mangrove forests and has
shorter individuals (less than 5m and usually only 1.5-2m tall) and often sparser as well”
(Gibney et al. 2000).
Laguncularia racemosa Shrubland Association
Name, translated: White Mangrove Shrubland Association
Vegetation (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
Shrubland community dominated by Laguncularia racemosa (White Mangrove).
Other characteristic overstory species include Coccoloba uvifera. May have an
understory of Chloris barbata.
Environment (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
On Buck Island, this community appears as a recovering habitat where the tree
species are less than two meters in height and immediately grades into the
adjacent Hippomane mancinella Forest Alliance.
Plots: 030_3_2009-01-14
Appendix A: Vegetation Classification A-7