Resumen: Con vistas a conocer las características de las pluvisilvas sobre ofiolitas en la Sierra del Cristal y en la parte noroeste de las Alturas de Moa, el objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar las fitocenosis mediante el método de Braun Blanquet. Se describen por primera vez una alianza y dos asociaciones, así como sus condiciones fisionómicas, ecológicas y fitosociológicas, lo que tiene gran impacto para analizar el posterior uso de sus propiedades comunitarias.
Palabras clave:PluvisilvasPluvisilvas,fitosociologíafitosociología,Sagua-BaracoaSagua-Baracoa.
Abstract: In order to know the rainforest characteristics developed over Sierra de Cristal and northeastern part of Moaˈs highlands the objective was to study these phytocoenosis by using Braun Blanquet method. One alliance and two associations are descripted for the first time, as soon as physiognomical, ecological and phytosociological characteristics are described which is too important for analyze the latter use of their community property.
Keywords: Rainforests, phytosociology, Sagua-Baracoa.
SIERRA DEL CRISTAL AND ALTURAS DE MOA ITS OPHIOLITIC RAINFORESTS SYNTAXA
SIERRA DEL CRISTAL Y ALTURAS DE MOA, SUS FITOCENOSIS EN LAS PLUVISILVAS SUBMONTANAS SOBRE OFIOLITAS
Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid
Esta obra está bajo una Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
Recepción: 26 Mayo 2021
Aprobación: 20 Julio 2021
The rainforest has a wide distribution in tropical belts in planet even in Greater Antilles [4][5][6]. In Cuban Archipielago, where over this kind of forest important aspects are also described: protection [7][8], ecological functioning [9][10], lichens content [11][12][13], ferns and similar plants [14],hepatics and mossy [15][16], fungus [17] and plants with flowers [18][19].
Rainforest is fundamentally distributed in Eastern Cuba where the biggest extensions and superior diversity is developed as structural as floristic [20][21][22][23] as phytocenotic [20][24][25][26], in Central Cuba Mountains only existing small pieces of mountain rainforest.
The geographic area [27] where this rainforest developed is one of the more ancient in Cuba, part of which remain emerged continuosly since Superior Cretaceus half [28]. Therefore are shelters of the original mountain serpentinitic flora of Cuba [20][26][29].
Nevertheless, the low and submontane rainforest on ophiolites (sclerophyll rainforest) restricted in Sagua-Baracoa Subregion [27], were found in areas where the level of rainfalls are the heighest in Cuban archipielago [30], it has been less study from the phytocenological point of view [20][31], and for that the objective was to study these phytocoenoses and its characteristics to be able to know subsequently the propositions for it conservation and sustainable use.
Low and submontane rainforest on ophiolites have their maximum expression at Sierra del Cristal area and Moa’s altitudes. The highest points of these territories are Pico Cristal Peak with 1 231 m osl and El Toldo Peak by 1 175 m osl at Moa’s Mountain. Rocks are ophiolites and the developed soils are dark red ferritic.
Air average temperature on highest areas is between 20 to 220C and in lowest 24 to 260C, only in El Toldo Peak and Cristal Peak the variability is between 12 to 200C [32]. Inside territories rain in Cristal Mountain range and Moa’s mountain is for about 2 000 mm. Zonally evaporation between Moa’s and Cristal Mountains on highest areas is for about 900 mm [33].
Coordinate were took in the studied area and a 5 Km radio delimited in wich territory inventories were executed with the exposed characteristic.
For studied vegetal formation specific denomination criterion were followed [21][22]. The vegetation inventories (stants, samples, relevés) were done by using the Braun Blanquet [34] method, following the experience of various authors [26][31][35].
These inventories have a minimal area of 625 m2 [24] and the abundance-dominance in each specie was estimated in each layer and for each specie sociability was annotated and separated for a value point in the combined scale of abundance-dominance; the values have their means exposed in Mueller Dombois & Ellemberg [36].
For the vertical structure, the distributions of species in layers were considered by Samek [37]. Consider as sublayers when inside a layer exist a group of elements with good defined altitudes and are different in between. In layer and synucia description the following categories for present species were stablished in Reyes & Acosta Cantillo [38].
In addition oecotope observations were made in stants and its surronders; in inventories place inclination of slope, exposition, altitude (masl), general relief and nano and micro relief were measured or estimated.
The ordination of vegetation inventories and separation of syntaxa was carrying out by phytocoenological methods [39][36]. For the association characteristic combinations the used species are those with degree of presence IV and V [39] and for subassociations the differential combinations. The syntaxa denomination was carrying out according to Internacional Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature [40].
In the character species designation of the alliance recommendations of Braun Blanquet [34] were used as: absolutely restricted (fidel, true), strongly associated and favorably associated.
In the humus layers stratification was measuring (cm), the existence of roots and rootlets were registered and roots mat characteristics [41]. Completed scientific names (genus, species and author) could be observed in Tables and Acevedo-Rodriguez & Strong [42] sometime amended by other authors [43][44][45][46]. Collected plants determinations were made by herbarium comparison of specimen existing in the Centro Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad (Herbarium BSC).
Also intrinsic characteristics of communities were studied by using the not parametric indexes Chao2 and Jacknife 1 [47], and so on beta diversity using classic formulations of Jaccard (c / a+b+c x 100) and Sorensen (2c / A+B x 100) founded in Mueller Dombois & Ellemberg [36].
Sintaxonomy
In this work one alliance and two associations were descripted, developing at the same time the following phytosociological arrangement:
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Class Tabebuio dubiae - Calophylletea utilis Reyes class. nov. In this contribution.
Holotypus: Tabebuio dubiae - Calophylletalia utilis ord. nov.
Two rainforests types were found, the low and submontane rainforests on ophiolites (sclerophyll rainforest) and submontane rainforest on bad drainage soils. Canopy layer have about 20 to 25 m tall and 80 to 100 % cover. Rainfall is between 1 500 to 3 500 mm, with a regular distribution. Rocks are ophiolites and soils are ferritic dark red and ferrític yellowish leach. They are present since Nipe`s plateau (20033ʹNorth, 75047ʹWest – west locality) until Miel’s river basin (20013ʹNorth, 74031ʹWest – east locality).
Composition & character species. Strongly associated: Calophyllum utile, Tabebuia dubia, Sloanea curatellifolia, Alsophylla minor, Terminalia aroldoi (T. nipensis), Coccoloba wrightii, Cyrilla coriacea, Buxus rotundifolia, Pimenta odiolens, Podocarpus ekmanii, Bonnetia cubensis, Ravenia ekmanii, Protium fragans, Byrsonima biflora (B. cuneata), Antirhea shaferi, Laplacea moensis, Lyonia lippoldii, Calycogonium grisebachii, Euphorbia munizii, Votomita monantha, Spathelia wrightii, Miconia jashaferi, Miconia moensis, favorably associated: Byrsonima spicata, Hieronyma nipensis, Magnolia cubensis ssp. cubensis, Guapira rufescens, Guatteria blainii, Sideroxylon jubilla, Matayba domingensis, Coccoloba shaferi, Guettarda valenzuelana.
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Order Tabebuio dubiae-Calophylletalia utilis Reyes ord. nov.
Holotypus: Pimento odiolentis-Calophyllion utilis Reyes 2017.
With the characteristics of the class.
Sintaxonomy. When Tabebuio dubiae - Calophylletea utilis class nova is compared with Ocoteo - Cyrilletea racemiflorae Borhidi 1996 it has a 90,7 and 88,5 % respectively of difference between their characteristics combinationʹs species. At the same time when confront the new order Tabebuio dubiae - Calophylletalia utilis with Podocarpo ekmanii - Sloanetalia curatellifoliae Borhidi and Muñiz 1996 they had a 75 and 67 % respectively of dissimilarity. I transfer in this paper Pimento odiolentis-Calophyllion utilis Reyes 2017 from Borhidiʹs class and order to Tabebuio dubiae - Calophylletea utilis Reyes.
Studied alliance: Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuion dubiae Reyes.
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Alliance Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuion dubiae Reyes all. nov. In this contribution.
Holotypus: Terminalio aroldoi-Tabebuietum dubiae Reyes & Acosta ass. nov.
Composition & character species. Strongly associated: Terminalia aroldoi (Terminalia orientensis), Chaetocarpus globosus subsp oblongatus, Coccoloba wrightii, C. diversifolia, Calycogonium grisebachii, Callicarpa oblanceolata; favorably associated: Tabebuia dubia, Macrocarpae pinetorum, Mazaea shaferi, Varronia nipensis and Cyrilla coriacea.
Vegetal formation is submountain rainforest on ophiolites. The canopy layer has about 20 m high with 80 to 90 % cover. Rocks are ultramafics and soils are ferritic dark red, from shallow to moderately deep, good drainage and fresh. In the general sense the edafotope is poor and acidic. Rainfalls vary in about 2 000 mm and temperature average is 210C. This alliance is limited to Sierra del Cristal, it was study between 680 and 840 m above sea level.
When Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuion dubiae is compared with Pimento odiolentis - Calophyllion utilis Reyes 2017 it has a 80 and 90 % of difference between their species, and with Podocarpo ekmanii-Byrsonimion orientensis Borhidi & Muñiz 1996 of 94 to 80 % of dissimilarity.
Found association: Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuietum dubiae Reyes & Acosta.
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Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuietum dubiae Reyes & Acosta ass. nov. In this contribution.
Holotypus: Table 1, rel. 8.
Vegetal formation is submountain rainforest on ophiolites. The canopy layer shows a discontinuity (continental), with trees heigth between seven and 20 m and a cover of 80 to 90 %. The constant and abundant species are Tabebuia dubia (Wr. ex Sauv.) Britt. ex Seibert., Calophyllum utile Bisse, Cyrilla coriacea Berazaín and Podocarpus ekmanii Urb.; also constant are Sideroxylon jubilla (Ekm. ex Urb.) Gaertn. and Hieronyma nipensis Urb. and as frequent Pera sp. (abundant sometimes), the rest of species are found in Table 1.
Shrub layer is relatively dense, with a variable cover between 50 and 90 %, constant and abundant species are Miconia baracoensis Urb. and Cyathea parvula (Jenm.) Domin; while Coccoloba wrightii Lindau is constant.
Herbaceous layer cover is between 40 and 95 %, but frequently between 50 and 90 %. Constant species are Tabernaemontana amblyocarpa Urb., Callicarpa oblanceolata Urb., Cyathea parvula (abundant), Piper sp., Bactris cubensis Burret and Antirhea shaferi Urb., etc (Table 1).
Between lianas constant are Platygyna hexandra (Jacq.) Muell. Arg. and Mikania hioramii Britton & B. L. Rob. and as frequent Smilax havanensis Jacq. and Vanilla bicolor Lindl.
As epiphytal synucia Guzmania monostachia (L.) Rusby ex Mez (abundant) and Elaphoglossum chartaceum (Bak. ex Jenm.) C. Christ. are constants Marcgravia evenia Krug & Urb. subsp. and evenia as frequent.
Species which contribute 75 % or more of fallen leaves are Calophyllum utile, Tabebuia dubia, Matayba oppositifolia (A. Rich.) Britton, Cyrilla coriacea, Clusia tetrastigma Vesque and locally Sideroxylon jubilla, Hieronyma nipensis, Guettarda monocarpa Urb. and Miconia baracoensis. Commonly in this phytocoenosis is found a big quantity of fallen and rotten trees which generally are covered by lichens and moss.
It developed in Sierra del Cristal and was studied between June 18 to 23 2000 (20032′North, 75042′West and 20032′North, 75028′West), mainly in the south slope, between 680 and 840 m above sea level, the conservation is good. Rainfall level is about 2 000 mm and average of temperature is nearly 200C. The presence of fog and low clouth in this area is important for the preponderant economy of water in this ecosystem. Soils are red ferritic poor and acidic over ophiolite complex rocks, sometimes rocky outcrops are found in surface. The humus layers are well developed; L layer is uniform distributed in surface with a 5 to 10 cm variation. Layers F and H generally are mixed and constituted a root mat between 8 and 15 cm, more frequently between 10 and 15 cm.
Characteristic combination reach 36 species (see Table 1). Two subassociations are present:
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Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuietum dubiae tabernaemontanetosum ambliocarpae Reyes subass. nov.
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Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuietum dubiae typicum Reyes subass. nov.
Differences in between depend of soil deep.
The subassociation tabernaemontanetosum ambliocarpae (Typus: Table 1, rel. 4) developed over shallow soils and generally with rocky outcrops in surface (differential combination can be observed in Table 1).
While typicum subassociation (Typus: Table 1, rel. 8) present in moderately deep soils with no surface rocky outcrops, and is characterized mainly for absence of species that compound differential combination of the other subassociation, the only positive difference is Magnolia sp. and other species that conform differential combinations of the variants (Table 1).
Two variants are found Eugenia floribunda and Dicranopteris flexuosa. The first is observed in places where environmental moisture is big with a differential combination compound by Eugenia floribunda (Willd.) O. Berg, Homolepis glutinosa (Sw.) Zuloaga & Soderstr. and Tolumnia sp. Second is present in the greater heigh of the association and is defined by Machaerina filifolia Griseb., Dicranopteris flexuosa (Schrad.) Underw. and Byrsonima sp. and are absent Jacaranda arborea Urb., Platygyna hexandra e Ilex nitida (Vahl) Maxim. that are part of characteristic combination.
Terminalio aroldoi
Tabebuietum dubiae in the ophiolitic rainforests of Sierra del Cristal. Pp- shallow, Mp- moderate deep, SW – southwest, NE – northeast, SE – southeast, S – south.
In addition. Inv. 1. Tabebuia sp. r.1, Pteridium caudatum (L.) Maxon r.2, Tillandsia sp. +.1, T. bulbosa Hook. r.1, Erythrodes sp. r.1; Inv. 2. Ocotea leucoxylon (Sw.) Mez r.1, Ficus membranacea C. Wr. r.1, Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J.W. Moore r.1, Buchenavia tetraphylla (Aubl.) R.A. Howard 1.1, Gesneria sp. r.1, Phaius tankervilliae (Banks) Blume r.1, Spathelia sp. r.1, Blechnum occidentale L. +.2, Passiflora penduliflora Bert. r.1, Echites umbellata Jacq. r.1, Peperomia maculosa (L.) Hook. +.1, Philodendron lacerum (Jacq.) Schott r.1, Nephrolepis rivularis (Vahl) Mett. ex Krub +.2; Inv. 3. Tillandsia fasciculata Sw. r.1; Inv. 4. Coccothrinax orientalis (León) O. Muñiz & Borhidi r.1, Vernonia sp. r.1, Oeceoclades maculata (Ldl.) Ldl. r.2, Tillandsia pruinosa Sw. r.1; Inv. 6. Casearia sylvestris Sw. var. sylvestris r.1, Elaphoglossum herminieri (Bory & Fee) T. Moore r.2, Hymenophyllum polyanthos (Sw.) Sw. r.2, Inv. 7. Lyonia macrophylla (Britt.) Ekm. ex Urb. r.1; Inv. 9. Smilax lanceolata L. r.1, Koanophyllon polystictum (Urb.) King & Robins. r.1, Macrocarpae pinetorum Alain r.1, Sticherus remotus (Kaulf.) Spreng. 2.2, Galactia sp. r.1; Inv. 10. Erythroxylum sp. r.1, Adiantopsis paupercula (Kuntze) Fée r.2.
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Pimento odiolentis - Calophyllion utilis Reyes 2017
Found association: Buxo rotundifoliae-Calophylletum utilis ass. nov.
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Buxo rotundifoliae-Calophylletum utilis Reyes & Acosta ass. nov. In this contribution.
Holotypus: Table 2, rel. 2.
This submountain rainforest on ophiolites was intensely exploted, although it’s locally structure and floristic composition is conserved, choosing for the relevés the more conserved areas. The arboreal layer is between 10 and 20 m high, occasionaly are observed predominants even 25 m and cover between 70 and 90 %. In this layer constant and abundant species are Calophyllum utile, Jacaranda arborea, Bactris cubensis, Tabebuia dubia, Hieronyma nipensis and Antirhea shaferi, abundant in occasions Sideroxylon jubilla and Matayba oppositifolia (Table 2).
Shrub layer is relatively dense with a cover between 40 and 80 %. Abundant species are Cyathea parvula, Spathelia vernicosa Planch., Palicourea crocea (Sw.) Roem. & Schult., Buxus rotundifolia (Britton) Mathou and Antirhea shaferi.
Herbaceous layer is generally very dense, with a cover of 80 to 90 %. The abundant species are Cyathea parvula, Buxus rotundifolia, Arthrostylidium urbanii Pilg. and Miconia moensis (Britton) Alain. Frequently a moss layer is observed with Leucobrium giganteum Mull. reaching occasionally a high cover.
In liana synucia more abundant is Platygyna hexandra, that make difficult the field work in this formation, also are frequent although diffuse Vanilla bicolor, Dioscorea nipensis R.A. Howard, Mikania hioramii and Smilax havanensis Jacq. The epiphytic synucia found diffuse and in small quantity, more observed is Guzmania monostachia.
Two variants are found Byrsonima biflora and Gesneria nipensis. Both present a clear differential combination observed in Table 2.
In a great part of the area slope is moderate, between five and ten degrees and predominant exposition is north. Soil is ferritic dark red, generally deep. A root mat is observed between 4 and 12.5 cm. It was studied March 15 to 20 2010 in the basin of Revuelta de los Chinos creek (20036′North, 74056′West), south of Moa city and north-northwest of El Toldo, the highest point of Moa’s altitudes.
Buxo rotundifoliae - Calophylletum utilis in the ophiolitic rainforests of Alturas de Moa. N – north, E – east.
In addition. Inv. 1. Jacaranda coerulea Griseb. +.1, Lyonia sp. +.1, Illicium cubense A.C. Smith +.1, Magnolia sp. r.1, Pera bumeliifolia Griseb. 1.1, Chaetocarpus globosus subsp. oblongatus (Alain) Borhidi r.1, Rubiaceae +.1, Ossaea sp. 1.1, Eugenia sp. r.1, Vernonia sp. +.1, Casearia sp. r.1, Hedyosmum nutans Sw. +.1, Tillandsia fasciculata Sw. r.1, Aechmea nudicaulis (L.) Griseb. r.1; Inv. 2. Guettarda monocarpa Urb. r.1, Laplacea sp. +.1, Maytenus sp. r.1, Galactia sp. r.1, Phylodendron lacerum (Jacq.) Schott r.1; Inv. 3. Calyptronoma occidentalis (Sw.) H.E. Moore +.1, Miconia dodecandra (Desv.) Cogn. 1.1, Micropolis polita Pierre subsp. polita r.1, Linodendron aroniifolium Griseb. +.1, Guettarda valenzuelana A. Rich. r.1, Oplismenus sp. r.1; Inv. 4. Ocotea cuneata (Griseb.) Urb. 1.1, Coccoloba sp. r.1, Psychotria sp. r.1, Miconia jashaferi Majure & Judd +.1, Meriania albiflora Carmenate & Michelangeli r.1, Ocotea spathulata Mez r.1, Philodendron consanguineum Schott r.1, Triopteris jamaicensis L. var. ovata r.1, Lygodium cubensis Humb., Bonb. & Kanth +.1.
Beta diversity (β)
In the floristic comparation between Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuietum dubiae (Sierra del Cristal) and Buxo rotundifoliae-Calophylletum utilis (Moa’s altitude); values contrast (0.44 dissimilarity), at the same time both reach a high common species percentaje (c) (Table 3).
When exposed community are studied, in the non parametric indexes Chao2 and Jackknife 1 small differences are observed, in Sierra del Cristal, with 96 species, found values are 122 and 118.5 and in north of Moa’s altitude, with 70, 78.2 and 85.7 respectively.
Comparation of Beta diversity (β) between syntaxa of Sierra del Cristal and north part of Moa’s altitude.
Low and submontane rainforest on ophiolites have their maximum expression at Sierra de Cristal area and Moa’s altitudes. This forest have some characterictics about conservation and nutrients recycling [10] and some kind are similar to amazonic vegetation [1][3] although they are floral different.
When compare the average number of species between the two studied associations in this paper and Pimento odiolentis-Calophylletum utilis [31], is observed that Terminalio aroldoi - Tabebuietum dubiae of Sierra del Cristal has the less average number of species with 50,1, while the biggest is present in the before mentioned [31] with 68,0, showing that in this kind of rainforest in Alturas de Moa and Cuchillas del Toa are floral more rich than Sierra del Cristal. Likewise behavior species number of the characteristic combination and the number of wooded species.
Borhidi [20] had recognized the phytogeographic flora of Sierras de Moa and Toa district (Moaënse) as one of the ancient of Cuban archipielago. At the same time López et al. [48] confirmed that in this territory the major number of endemic taxa has been origined. Equally Reyes & Acosta [26]) confirm that Nipe’s and Moa-Baracoa-Asunción-Sierra del Purial remain to biodiversity disposition at least since half of Superior Cretaceous period and that Sierra del Cristal had ocuppy its actual position Maastrichtian or in the early Paleocene, which could have influences about the floral poverty of their phytocoenoses.
Borhidi [49] explains that due of the toxic elements of serpentinites its flora is very specific and for that is considered that these rainforest are very ancient and keep remain cenologically separated of other kind of surrounded vegetation.
The great floral similarity and comparts percentage of species between Sierra del Cristal and the north Moa`s (Table 3) indicate that they have a superior diáspora interchange; this is facilited because of vegetation in intermediate zone between both areas is of broadleaf, closer to the rainforest.
An alliance and two associations are exposed in a new and not studied areas since the phytocenotic point of view this description, with the structural and ecological conditions exposed can be used in the typology and sustainable use of this vegetal formation.
The strongest relationships between both areas suggest conditions that made easy species dispersion although with enough differences even at alliances levels.
How to cited the articule: O.J. Reyes, F. Acosta Cantillo and P. Bergues Garrido. “Sierra del Cristal and Alturas de Moa its ophiolitic rainforests syntaxa”. Revista Politécnica, vol. 17, no. 34, pp. 181-195. 2021. DOI 10.33571/rpolitec.v17n34a12
joel@bioeco.cu
Terminalio aroldoi
Tabebuietum dubiae in the ophiolitic rainforests of Sierra del Cristal. Pp- shallow, Mp- moderate deep, SW – southwest, NE – northeast, SE – southeast, S – south.
Buxo rotundifoliae - Calophylletum utilis in the ophiolitic rainforests of Alturas de Moa. N – north, E – east.
Comparation of Beta diversity (β) between syntaxa of Sierra del Cristal and north part of Moa’s altitude.
