Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

This community has a wide distribution on Buck Island, and can be found on
south facing hills. This community grades into the Bursera simaruba-Pisonia
subcordata Woodland Association uphill and to the west.
Plots: 027_1_2008-10-21, 028_1_2008-10-21, 030_1_2008-10-21, 025_3_2009-01-13,
062_1_2008-10-22, 065_1_2008-10-22, 066-offset-1_NA_2008-10-22, 066offset-2_NA_2008-10-22,
074-offset-3_NA_2008-10-23, 071-offset_NA_2008-
10-23, 072-offset_NA_2008-10-23, 073-offset_NA_2008-10-23, 096-offset-
2_NA_2008-10-23
Erithalis fruticosa-Ernodea littoralis Shrubland Association
Name, translated: Black Torch-Beach Creeper Shrubland Association
Vegetation (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
Coastal shrubland dominated by Erithalis fruticosa (Black Torch) and Ernodea
littoralis (Beach Creeper). Other species typically found in this community
include Coccoloba uvifera, Scaevola plumieri, Hippomane mancinella, and
Malpighia infestissima. The canopy height is 2-3m with a canopy cover of 60-
80%.
Environment (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
This community occurs behind the beach dune system of south central Buck
Island.
Plots: 055_1_2008-10-22, 056_1_2008-10-22
Lantana involucrata Shrubland Association
Name, translated: Buttonsage Shrubland Association
Vegetation (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
A diverse shrubland dominated by low growing (1-3m tall) Lantana involucrata
(Buttonsage). Other characteristic overstory species include Bursera simaruba
(Gumbo Limbo), Pilosocereus royenii, Rochefortia acanthophora, Bourreria
succulenta, Pisonia subcordata, Sideroxylon obovatum and Acacia tortuosa.
Understory species are generally 1-3m in height and consist of Melocactus
intortus, Tillandsia utriculata, Psychilis macconnelliae, Corchorus hirsutus,
Opuntia repens, Croton rigidus and Tournefortia microphylla.
Environment (Buck Island Reef National Monument):
This community has a wide distribution on Buck Island, and can be found on
north and south facing hills. This community grades into the Bursera simaruba-
Pisonia subcordata Forest Association uphill and to the south.
Plots: 029_1_2008-10-21, 019_2_2009-01-14, 034_3_2009-01-14, 036-
poly01_NA_2008-10-23, 036-poly03_NA_2008-10-23, 101-poly14_NA_2009-
01-14
2. Thicket/scrub (Virgin Islands Sub-formation) – “This deciduous formation is quite
common on all three islands and cays. It is characterized by thorny scrub communities
which generally form a very dense, closed cover community. The height of the vegetation
averages approximately 3-4 meters with occasional emergent trees. These communities
may have uniform height as mono-specific stands or structural variety as a mixture of two
species. This community type may also exist in many locations as a transitional seral
Appendix A: Vegetation Classification A-9