Countries

Broadleaved

Broadleaved forests in moist and very moist climates are found on medium slopes (between 500 and 900 m) and in low montane areas (between 1 000 and 2 200 m) in the three mountainous regions. Relatively common species of commercial interest are Prunus occidentalis, Didymopanax tremulum and Guarea grandiflora, as well as Magnolia domingensis in a few areas.

Broadleaved forests in low-lying (up to 500 m) wet climates are found above all on the Haitian karstic platform( inaccessible areas). Vestigial vegetation is still found in the northern and western mountain ranges, with relatively tall, thick trunks (up to 15 or 20 m tall and with a DBH of 30 to 70 cm) and large crowns. The main species are Guarea grandiflora, West Indian or Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), West Indian or Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahogany), paradise tree (Simaruba glauca) and catalpa (Catalpa longisiliqua).

Forests in low-lying moist climates used to be the largest in the country, is found in theeast. Common species are the Jamaica birch (Bursera simaruba), hog plum (Spondias mombin), Sideroxylon foetidissimum, fig (Ficus trigonata) and Buchenavia capitata. Trees are about 15 m tall, with trunks 4 to 8 m in height and diameters usually between 10 and 30 cm.

Mangroves

Cover the coast of Sumaná Bay, but the mangrove forest near Oviedo in the south was destroyed by a hurricane. The three species of mangrove present are red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), white button wood (Laguncularia racemosa) and white mangrove (Avicennia nitida), which are generally found mixed, but in some places as pure stands. On slightly higher ground that is flooded only at high tide, palms are found mixed with other species such as Buchenavia capitata.

Dry forests 

Divided into three storeys, the tallest being fairly open and between 7 and 10 m. Density depends solely on how easily the trees and shrubs can send out roots among the rocks. The most common species are lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale), Sideroxylon foetidissimum and Jamaica birch. Crowns are small.

Jamaica birch forests ­ those where this species is predominant ­ cover vast areas in the peninsula south of the Baoruco mountains and on the slopes of the Neiba mountains.

Coniferous

Pine forests and mixed pine (Pinus occidentalis) and broadleaved forests are found only in the west of the country, accounting for about a third of the forests in that part above an altitude of 180 m and with an annual rainfall of over 1 000mm. Most of these forests are found in the central mountain range.