Leeward Islands xeric scrub
The Leeward Islands xeric scrub ecoregion covers the dry, non-forested areas of the Leeward Islands on the northeastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, stretching from the Virgin Islands in the west to Guadeloupe to the southeast. The non-forested areas are generally low scrub shrub, on the low elevations around the peripheries of the islands. Non-forested lower elevations in the region receive less rainfall and are typically semi-arid. A notable feature of the ecoregion is its position in the main hurricane track. The frequent damage to trees allows more pre-climax shrubs and trees to grow. There are a number of endemic species, as in common with islands.
Location and description
The largest island groups with dry shrub areas making up this ecoregion are:- United States Virgin Islands - eastern portions of the islands
- British Virgin Islands - eastern portions of the islands
- Saint Kitts and Nevis - low-lying coastal areas
- Antigua and Barbuda - northern Antigua and all of Barbuda
- Montserrat - low, coastal areas
- Guadeloupe - 15% of Basse Terre, the western island, and most of Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and smaller islands
Climate
The ecoregion has a Tropical climate overall, with individual islands having different levels of precipitation that classify them into either Tropical rainforest climate, Tropical savanna climate - dry winter, or Tropical monsoon climate.Flora and fauna
The ecoregion features dry seral floral communities. These range from herbaceous strand vegetation, shrubland, savanna, and littoral woodlands.Plant communities in the region are often associated with the former agricultural use of the land. In areas that were formerly cotton or sugar cane fields, for example, the characteristic species are often gum arabic tree,, twisted acacia, or sweet acacia. Areas associated with charcoal production now feature Bursera and Pisonia fragrans. Savanna areas feature acacias,, and common guava.