Cuban cactus scrub


The Cuban cactus scrub is a xeric shrubland ecoregion that occupies on the leeward coast of Cuba. Most of it occurs in the southeastern part of the island in the provinces of Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba. The ecoregion receives less than of rainfall annually. The principal soils are coastal rendzinas that were derived from coralline limestone. Cuban cactus scrub contains four vegetation zones: xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrubland, coastal thorny semidesert, coastal sclerophyllous scrubland, and rocky coastal scrublands.

Xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrubland

Vegetation in the xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrublands reaches a height of and is dominated by palms and succulents, especially cacti. Common evergreen plants include cafecillo, mostacilla, guairaje, Bursera glauca, B. cubana, Croton spp., Cordia spp., Calliandra colletioides, Caesalpinia spp., Acacia spp., Phyllostylon brasiliense, Pseudosamanea cubana and guayacán negro. Tuna, O. militaris, pitahaya, jijira, miramar, aguacate cimarrón, maguey, erizo and Leptocereus spp. are typical succulents.

Coastal thorny semidesert

Coastal thorny semidesert is similar to xerophytic coastal and subcoastal scrubland in that they both have the same succulent composition and reach a height of. However, succulents represent a smaller proportion of the plant life in this zone. Other plant species include vomitel colorado , manzanillo and lirio de costa.

Coastal sclerophyllous scrubland

The vegetation in this zone is sclerophyllous, meaning that their leaves are hard. It reaches a height of with emergent trees up to. This zone represents the transition between xeric shrublands and moister dry forests. Plant life includes yana, carne de doncella, yamaguey de loma, granadillo and ébano.

Rocky coastal scrublands

The most sparse and stunted vegetation is found in this zone, which occurs adjacent to the ocean on karstic soil. The flora is tolerant of wind and salt spray, and includes romero de playa, incienso de playa, and verdolaga de playa.

Fauna

s of the cactus scrub include the Zapata sparrow, Cuban vireo, Cuban gnatcatcher, and Oriente warbler. The yellow-striped pygmy eleuth is a species of frog endemic to this ecoregion, while several anole species and the Cuban rock iguana are endemic lizards.