Broadleaved forests

Mixed Broadleaf Forest

This community, typical of lowland zones in tropical areas, is usually a closed-canopied, low- to medium-statured forest that includes varying proportions from among Allophylus timoriensis, Cordia subcordata, Guettarda speciosa, Hernandia nymphaeifolia, Pandanus tectorius, Pisonia grandis, Thespesia populnea and Tournefortia argentea. One of the few remaining havens for this community is along windward coasts, where it is allowed to remain as a windbreak to protect coconut plantations from salt spray. Fronting the forest is a fringe of Scaevola taccada, Suriana maritima and Tournefortia argentea. Inland, Intsia bijuga and Neisosperma oppositifolium may join the forest mix.

Monodominant Tree Communities

Because of the harsh atoll environment and the paucity of species in atoll floras, pure stands of single tree species occur locally. Neisosperma oppositifolium stands are fairly frequent on the interiors of islets, and consist of a tall, dense, rounded canopy, with a dense understory of Neisosperma seedlings. Where the canopy is broken, shrubs such as Allophylus timoriensis can be found. Pure stands of large Pisonia grandis up to 30 m tall were formerly much more common in the Marshalls, but because these soft-wooded trees are easily cleared and grow on more fertile soils, they have largely been replaced by coconut plantations. The dense canopy of this forest allows very little to grow in the understory; instead, fallen branches and trunks take root and develop sprouts. Pure stands of Tournefortia argentea can dominate on narrower islets in the drier northern atolls, especially in pioneer situations, but are quickly replaced by a mixed broadleaf forest. Dense, low-statured forests of Pemphis acidula can line hard limestone platforms and rocky shores. Other trees that can form small stands include Barringtonia asiatica and Cordia subcordata.

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last updated: Monday, January 12, 2004