# Main structural and functional features of vegetation in the Lesser Antilles: The example of low altitude vegetation of Martinique

Philippe Joseph, Yelji Abati, Jean-Philippe Claude

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Philippe Joseph, Yelji Abati, Jean-Philippe Claude. Main structural and functional features of vegetation in the Lesser Antilles: The example of low altitude vegetation of Martinique. Scientific Reports in Life Sciences, 2025, 6 (1), pp.17-48. 10.5281/zenodo.14947452. hal-05310496

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# Main structural and functional features of vegetation in the Lesser Antilles: The example of low altitude vegetation of Martinique

Philippe Joseph*, Yelji Abati, Jean-Philippe Claude

Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology, University of the French West Indies, Martinique

*Email: joseph.phil@wanadoo.fr

Received: 13 October 2024 / Revised: 01 December 2024 / Accepted: 06 December 2024 / Published online: 02 March 2025.

**How to cite:** Joseph, P., Abati, y. Claude, J. P. (2025). Main structural and functional features of vegetation in the Lesser Antilles: The example of low altitude vegetation of Martinique, Scientific Reports in Life Sciences 6(2), 17-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14947452

## Abstract

The Lesser Antilles are very diverse regarding species and plant units. The latter constitute a dense mosaic presenting surface differences. The contrasting geomorphology, which modifies the structure and dynamics of the climate in covariance with human activities, are the main elements that constitute determining ecological factors. This results in a bioclimatic gradient of which rainfall is the most discriminating parameter initiating vegetation layering from the coast to the mountain peaks. For the study of phytocenotic organization, the anthropized lower level of Martinique is a good example. From transects, it was possible to collect data, making it possible to decipher the main structural and phytocenotic aspects of this bioclimatic stage and to single out stages of temporal evolution.

**Keywords:** Lesser Antilles, Martinique, bioclimate, low altitude vegetation, species, phytocenoses, physiognomies, dynamics

## Introduction

Like most of the mountainous islands of the Lesser Antilles, Martinique is the result of intra-oceanic subduction (Feuillet et al., 2011; Stein et al., 1982). Which results in a contrasting geomorphology (Boudon & Balcone-Boissard, 2021). Indeed, topographic facies modify the spatiotemporal structure of climatic factors (Weil-Accardo et al., 2016). This results in diverse biotopes. Within different habitats, among these climatic factors, rainfall is the one that most influences the establishment and development of populations of plant species (Jury, 2017). Thus, the gradient of precipitation from the lower areas to the highest peaks delimits the dry subhumid, humid subhumid, humid, and hyper-humid bioclimates, which influence
the development of evergreen seasonal vegetation (lower horizon and upper horizon) and ombrophilous vegetation (sub-montane and montane). Naturally, within each bioclimatic stage, the ecological parameters operate spatiotemporal variations that condition differentiated biotopes welcoming combinations of species, equally differentiated (Kiptoo et al., 2023; Kassa & Nigussie, 2022; Eckardt et al., 2022). A bioclimate could be compared to a network of biotopes or habitats whose differences are insufficient to belong to another bioclimate (Liu et al., 2022). Biotopes result from the distribution of topographical facets that modify the structure of physical factors: windy or not windy ridges, slopes exposed to the wind or protected from the wind, valleys of variable dimensions, flat areas, plateaus, and rocky ledges. The floristic mosaic observed constitutes a phytocenotic response (Gratani, 2014; Gelles et al., 2022). Human activities, which have varied in intensity and frequency from the takeover of the island by the French until today, have accentuated the diversity of biotopes (Baillard, 2016; Fitzpatrick and Keegan, 2007). Whatever the spatial scale, we can therefore consider anthropization as an important factor in plant diversity both at the structural and dynamic level (de Araújo et al., 2021; Martin et al., 2021). These are, in large part, the elements indicated above which make Martinique belong to a global biodiversity hot spot: that of the Caribbean (Helmer et al., 2002; Maunder et al., 2011; Francisco-Ortega et al., 2007). In this context, Martinique's lower plant floor, which is very humanized, is a real laboratory of plant dynamics. What are the different phases of temporal evolution of the lower plant floor? What species are associated with it? What is the nature of interspecies relationships? In this article, globally, we will attempt to decipher the main structural and dynamic features of the species of the lower plant floor of the island of Martinique.

## Martial and methods

### Location of study sites

The very contrasted geomorphology of Martinique modifies the structure of the general climate factors which influence the establishment and development of phytocenoses (Germa et al., 2010; Dibacto et al., 2020; Joseph, 2013). Overall, the bioclimatic altitudinal gradient from low areas to the summits of mountain ranges corresponds to a tiering of vegetation types. Concerning other factors with small spatiotemporal differences, precipitation ranging between 1250 mm (or even less in certain places) and more than 4000 mm constitutes the determining factor in the installation and development of plant communities. Moreover, this is at all stages of biocenotic evolution. Generally speaking, the ecosystem potential of Martinique, like that of the other Lesser Antilles, is sylvatic, at least up to an average altitude
of 800-900 m. In other words, apart from the windy ridges and the steeply sloping slopes as well as the rocky ledges, all the surfaces removed from anthropization achieve, after a specific time and through biological self-organization, the implementation establishment of forestry groups. Thus, from the sylvas of the Amerindian era, a large number of which had remained primitive, the activities of Martinican societies, varying in intensity and frequency, have conditioned the current floristic and physiognomic mosaic of the lower plant floor. The different physiognomic types correspond to stages of plant succession. (İrem Tüfekcioğlu & Tavşanoğlu, 2022). There are 73 study stations to which added a reference from the island of Saint-Vincent (Table 1, Fig. 1). In terms of structures and functional units, these stations are as multiple as they are diverse. Their great heterogeneity testifies to the complexity of the underlying factorial determinisms, in particular, the topographic facies and the rainfall gradient (Table 1). In order of importance, they are (these stations) composed of tree formations, shrub formations, and mixed formations corresponding to soils of varying depths. These three physiognomic types are references for the study however all possible intermediaries exist in the inventoried spaces. It will be essential to prioritize these stations along the time scale subdivided into phases and to define the place and function of the species or groups of species associated with them. The minimum survey areas vary depending on the stations. The multiplicity of topographic features and the more or less selective activity of man in the environment lead to spatial variation and overlapping of dynamic stages, which introduce a bias.
<table><caption>Table 1. General characteristics of the Survey stations</caption><thead><tr><th>Stations</th><th>Communes</th><th>Exposures</th><th>Soil types/Depths (m)</th><th>Precipitation (mm/year)</th><th>Slopes (°)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aca1</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / 1,5</td><td>1600</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>Aca2</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / > 1,5</td><td>1600</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Aca3</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol /1,5</td><td>1600</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Aca4</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / 1,5</td><td>1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca5</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <1</td><td>1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca6</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Aca7</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Aca8</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Aca9</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca10</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca11</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca12</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca13</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1400</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>Aca14</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1400</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca15</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1400</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca16</td><td>Rivière-Pilote</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,3</td><td>1400</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Aca17</td><td>Marin</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1400</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Aca18</td><td>Marin</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1400</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca19</td><td>Marin</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1400</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Aca20</td><td>Marin</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1400</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca21</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1400</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca22</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,5</td><td>1250</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Aca23</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1250</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Aca24</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1250</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Aca25</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1500</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Banane (ba)</td><td>Robert</td><td>Flat area</td><td>Vertisol / <1</td><td>1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Brumel (br)</td><td>Trinité</td><td>Flat area</td><td>Ferrisol / 0,3</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Amérique (am)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Caritan 1 (ct1)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Caritan 2 (ct2)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>Crete</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Caritan 3 (ct3)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>East slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Piton Crève Cœur 1 (cc1)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Piton Crève Cœur 2 (cc2)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gardier 1 (g1)</td><td>Diamant</td><td>West slope</td><td>Inconnu / <0,8</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gardier 2 (g2)</td><td>Diamant</td><td>Flat area</td><td>Inconnu / >1</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gardier 3 (g3)</td><td>Diamant</td><td>East side</td><td>Inconnu / <0,8</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Genty (ge)</td><td>Anses d'Arlets</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Jean Claude 1 (j1)</td><td>Trinité</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <1</td><td>1500/1600</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Jean Claude 2 (j2)</td><td>Trinité</td><td>West slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1500/1600</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Jean Claude 3 (j3)</td><td>Trinité</td><td>South slope</td><td>Ferrisol / >1</td><td>1500/1600</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Joli Cœur 1 (jo1)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Joli Cœur 2 (jo2)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Manioc 1 (mn1)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>South slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Manioc 2 (mn2)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Manioc 3 (mn3)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Morne marguerite 1 (mg1)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>Flat area</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Morne marguerite 2 (mg2)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Morne marguerite 3 (mg3)</td><td>Sainte-Anne</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Berry 1 (mr1)</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Berry 2 (mr2)</td><td>Marin</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <1</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Berry 3 (mr3)</td><td>Marin</td><td>Crete</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Larcher 1 (la1)</td><td>Diamant</td><td>Plateau</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Larcher 2 (la2)</td><td>Diamant</td><td>East side</td><td>Vertisol / <0,3</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Valentin (val)</td><td>François</td><td>West slope</td><td>Vertisol / 0,7</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>Montagne du Vauclin (mv)</td><td>Vauclin</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Ferrisol / <0,8</td><td>1500/1600</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe la Rose 1 (lr1)</td><td>François</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Ferrisol / 1,5</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe la Rose 2 (lr2)</td><td>François</td><td>Flat area</td><td>Vertisol / 0,8</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Bois Pothau (po)</td><td>Robert</td><td>East side</td><td>Ferrisol / >1</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Préfontaine 1 (pr1)</td><td>Sainte-Luce</td><td>Plateau</td><td>Vertisol / >1</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Préfontaine 2 (pr2)</td><td>Sainte-Luce</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Vertisol / 0,8</td><td>1500/2000</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Rocher Leclerc 1 (lc1)</td><td>François</td><td>Summit</td><td>Vertisol / <0,6</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Rocher Leclerc 2 (lc2)</td><td>François</td><td>Flat area at the base of the rock</td><td>Vertisol / <1,5</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Ravine Saint-Pierre 1 (rs1)</td><td>Sainte-Luce</td><td>Flat area</td><td>Vertisol / >1</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Ravine Saint-Pierre 2 (rs2)</td><td>Sainte-Luce</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Ravine Saint-Pierre 3 (rs3)</td><td>Sainte-Luce</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Vertisol / <0,8</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Ravine Saint-Pierre 4 (rs4)</td><td>Sainte-Luce</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Vertisol / >0,6</td><td>1300/1500</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Caravelle 1 (cv1)</td><td>Trinité</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Ferrisol / 0,9</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Caravelle 2 (cv2)</td><td>Trinité</td><td>Interior slope</td><td>Ferrisol / >1,5</td><td>1250/1500</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1a.** Martinique within the Caribbean</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1b.** The survey areas (Martinique)</figcaption></figure>

## Data analysis

The objective is to decipher the structural and functional dimensions of vegetation. Using transects (stations) subdivided into quadrats and depending on the minimum survey area, we generated data which are all ecological and floristic descriptors: species, numbers of individuals of populations of plant species (of regenerations to mature specimens:
biodemographic aspects), diameter classes, total height classes. These elements made it
possible:

- to appreciate the distribution of sections of individuals, the architecture of the formations by
the distribution of heights, the characteristics of the canopies,

-to evaluate the phytomasses or biovolumes using the Basal Surface Area (St) which corresponds to the sum of the surfaces of the circles that constitute the sections measured at 1.33 meters from the ground by international standards.

- to know the distribution of species between the stations using the Distribution Index which corresponds to the following formula: $Id= fr \times d$ (fr being the relative frequency about the study stations and d (nb/ Sr) the density corresponding to the number of individuals of the species (nb) divided by the survey surface (Sr)

-to appreciate the minimum floristic inventory area which perfectly transcribes all the
properties of a phytocenosis considered homogeneous from an ecological point of view. The
minimum areas depend on the formation's degree of organization and evolution. Thus, the
position of floristic entities on the dynamic gradient is essential data. Too large differences in
development levels between the eco-units of a station can cause erroneous estimates of the
minimum surface area.

- to know the relative dominance of epigeal woody plant species about each other using the
Dominance Index (ID). $ID= Id \times St$ (Basal surface area).

-to indicate the richness of the stations by the Shannon index [H', (Kumar et al., 2010; Tadeo-Noble et al., 2019)] and by the Piélou equitability index (J), or equidistribution index (E), its formula corresponds to the ratio between H' and Hmax: $E = H'/Hmax$.

## Results

### Minimum areas, basal areas, plant physiognomies of stations, and openings of plant cover

To reduce the possibility of errors in estimating minimum areas, tests were carried out on
around twenty stations corresponding to shrub formations and tree formations. The latter,
easily perceptible during plant succession, indicates notable dynamic changes. These
preliminary tests made it possible to specify the minimum area of the different physiognomic
types of the study stations (Table 2). For shrub communities, it is between 150 and 200 m²,
while for tree units, it seems to be effective from 500 or even 600 m². Consequently, the
choice of minimum areas between 500 and 800 m² for shrub and sylvatic formations confers
a certain relevance to the sampling. Each station's basal area or basal area shows quite
tangible differences (Table 2). These differences appear to be associated with specific
degrees of openness of plant units: low (+), medium (++), and high (+++) openness (Table 2).
The biological spectra reflect the degree of organization and, therefore, the dynamic level of
the stations. But also allows us to understand the diversity of floristic combinations.
Microphanerophytes, by their importance, confirm the previous conclusions. Namely, the
preponderance of small-diameter classes is the direct translation of the youth of plant groups.
Mesophanerophytes are more poorly represented: between 0% and 33%. Theoretically, the
increase in Mesophanerophytes would indicate a more structured sylvatic phase. It is
necessary, however, to consider the types of Mesophanerophytes and their place in forest
architecture related to their ecology. Although they are quantitatively superior to
Mesophanerophytes, Microphanerophytes have variable populations from one station to
another (Fig. 2 a, b & c). The King's Hill (sv) station on the Island of Saint Vincent generally
presents a similar profile.
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2 a, b & c.** Physiognomic types, basal areas, and associated densities of individuals (see Table 1)/ MS: Mesophanerophytes /CMS: Deciduous Mesophanerophytes /MICR: Microphanerophytes /CMIRCR: Deciduous Microphanerophytes</figcaption></figure>
<table><caption>**Table 2.** Physiognomic affiliation of the stations (ST: Basal Surface or Basal Area, see Table 1)</caption><thead><tr><th>Increasing xericity</th><th>Stations</th><th>S.T.(m²) / 800m²</th><th>High opening</th><th>Stations: Presilvatic/ Shrub</th><th>S.T(m²)/800m²</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Small opening</td><td>Structured forests</td><td>Basal area</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Gentyl</td><td>3,46</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Morne-Gardier1</td><td>4,3</td><td>+++</td><td>Marin3(Morne-Berry)</td><td>6,95</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Morne-Gardier2</td><td>3,22</td><td>+++</td><td>Marin1(Morne-Berry)</td><td>4,57</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Morne-Gardier3</td><td>3,9</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Marguerite1</td><td>4,38</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Pointe-Jean-claude1</td><td>5,23</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Marguerite2</td><td>4,12</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Pointe-Jean-claude2</td><td>5,65</td><td>+++</td><td>Piton-Crève-coeur1</td><td>2,19</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Pointe-Jean-claude3</td><td>4,89</td><td>+++</td><td>Piton-Crève-coeur2</td><td>2,37</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Morne-manioc1</td><td>4,45</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Caritan2</td><td>4,54</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Morne-manioc2</td><td>3,81</td><td>+++</td><td>Pointe-Brunel</td><td>1,7</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Morne-manioc3</td><td>3,65</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Amérique</td><td>3,76</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Bois-Pothau</td><td>5,72</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Joli-Coeur1</td><td>3,8</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Saint-Vincent1</td><td>4,85</td><td>+++</td><td>Morne-Joli-Coeur2</td><td>4,15</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Saint-Vincent2</td><td>5,21</td><td>++++</td><td>Rocher-leclerc2</td><td>1,48</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Rocher-Zombi2</td><td>4,3</td><td>++++</td><td>Ravine-Saint-Pierre1</td><td>2,56</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Ravine-Saint-Pierre3</td><td>3,23</td><td>++++</td><td>Ravine-Saint-Pierre2</td><td>4,14</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca2(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,94</td><td>++++</td><td>Ravine-Saint-Pierre4</td><td>2,25</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca3(Morne-Aca)</td><td>4,65</td><td>++++</td><td>Morne larcher2</td><td>3,4</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca25(Morne-Aca)</td><td>8,81</td><td>++++</td><td>Morne-Réduit1</td><td>2,12</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca9(Morne-Aca)</td><td>3,55</td><td>++++</td><td>Morne-Réduit2</td><td>1,49</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca4(Morne-Aca)</td><td>4,43</td><td>++++</td><td>Tête-De-Singe</td><td>8,5</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca11(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,56</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca7(Morne-Aca)</td><td>3,41</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca13(Morne-Aca)</td><td>1,85</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca10(Morne-Aca)</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>+</td><td>Aca1(Morne-Aca)</td><td>3,15</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca15(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,78</td></tr><tr><td>Medium opening</td><td>Stations</td><td>S.T(m²)/800m²</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca16(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,17</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Sylvatic Young</td><td></td><td>++++</td><td>Aca17(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,66</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Marin2(Morne-Berry)</td><td>3,5</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca18(Morne-Aca)</td><td>3,4</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Marguerite3</td><td>3,2</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca19(Morne-Aca)</td><td>3,7</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Caritan1</td><td>4,22</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca20(Morne-Aca)</td><td>4,8</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Caritan3</td><td>3,36</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca21(Morne-Aca)</td><td>4,34</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Pointe-Banane</td><td>4,37</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca22(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,42</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Caravelle1</td><td>4,1</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca23(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,72</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Caravelle2</td><td>2,24</td><td>++++</td><td>Aca24(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,08</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Larcher1</td><td>3,25</td><td>++++</td><td>Rocher-Zombi1</td><td>3,5</td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Valentin</td><td>5,77</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Montagne du Vauclin</td><td>3,44</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Pointe-La-Rose1</td><td>3,4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Pointe-La-Rose2</td><td>3,27</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Rocher-Leclerc1</td><td>4,07</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Préfontaine1</td><td>3,07</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Morne-Préfontaine2</td><td>3,72</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Aca5(Morne-Aca)</td><td>4,38</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Aca6(Morne-Aca)</td><td>7,1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Aca8(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,64</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Aca12(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,67</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>++</td><td>Aca14(Morne-Aca)</td><td>2,2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Population aspects

The number of individuals counted, all diameters and all taxa combined, is 57,721 for a total survey area of 55,050 m². However, the density varies from one station to another. Tables 3 a, b, and c allow us to observe this variation. Most of the population is made up of woody tree and shrub species. The distribution of sections shows a rapid decrease in the population sizes of the 2.5 cm class to 1.33 m in height (international standard) towards those which coincide with increasingly higher diameters. Of the entire count, 63% of the stems (number of individuals: 54,800) correspond to the 2.5 and 5 cm diameter classes. Medium and large diameters are very little represented. For the “Morne Aca” stations (Table 3a), the
predominant diameter classes are in order of importance: 0.5 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.5 cm, and 5 cm. In comparison, for the other stations the most represented sections are in order of importance 2.5 cm, 5 cm and 10 cm (Tables 3 b & c). 20 cm in diameter and beyond, the number of individuals decreases very significantly.

<table><caption>**Table 3a.** Number of species by diameter class [Morne Aca stations (1 to 25)]</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th><th>16</th><th>17</th><th>18</th><th>19</th><th>20</th><th>21</th><th>22</th><th>23</th><th>24</th><th>25</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>0.5</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>109</td><td>8</td><td>11</td><td>157</td><td>46</td><td>38</td><td>60</td><td>66</td><td>83</td><td>86</td><td>82</td><td>85</td><td>16</td><td>80</td><td>151</td><td>206</td><td>135</td><td>59</td><td>170</td><td>204</td><td>522</td><td>117</td></tr><tr><td>1.5</td><td>6</td><td>27</td><td>20</td><td>106</td><td>68</td><td>71</td><td>351</td><td>166</td><td>92</td><td>173</td><td>127</td><td>174</td><td>236</td><td>162</td><td>173</td><td>58</td><td>293</td><td>574</td><td>550</td><td>389</td><td>233</td><td>566</td><td>152</td><td>487</td><td>207</td></tr><tr><td>2.5</td><td>95</td><td>105</td><td>71</td><td>149</td><td>109</td><td>57</td><td>420</td><td>343</td><td>165</td><td>265</td><td>275</td><td>341</td><td>181</td><td>221</td><td>256</td><td>173</td><td>345</td><td>554</td><td>409</td><td>346</td><td>274</td><td>486</td><td>84</td><td>414</td><td>210</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>231</td><td>132</td><td>142</td><td>141</td><td>268</td><td>282</td><td>102</td><td>114</td><td>49</td><td>72</td><td>95</td><td>113</td><td>46</td><td>68</td><td>80</td><td>87</td><td>99</td><td>140</td><td>63</td><td>43</td><td>52</td><td>70</td><td>45</td><td>125</td><td>37</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>81</td><td>49</td><td>40</td><td>59</td><td>54</td><td>85</td><td>70</td><td>65</td><td>27</td><td>59</td><td>46</td><td>62</td><td>34</td><td>62</td><td>39</td><td>36</td><td>65</td><td>81</td><td>50</td><td>40</td><td>64</td><td>55</td><td>48</td><td>64</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>49</td><td>22</td><td>19</td><td>28</td><td>39</td><td>26</td><td>29</td><td>30</td><td>20</td><td>21</td><td>30</td><td>26</td><td>10</td><td>18</td><td>35</td><td>9</td><td>21</td><td>24</td><td>17</td><td>11</td><td>13</td><td>6</td><td>17</td><td>23</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>16</td><td>12</td><td>15</td><td>18</td><td>15</td><td>13</td><td>12</td><td>10</td><td>8</td><td>12</td><td>13</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>12</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>11</td><td>13</td><td>20</td><td>7</td><td>11</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>9</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>2</td><td>7</td><td>14</td><td>8</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>8</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>40</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>55</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>60</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>65</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>70</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>85</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>90</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>

<caption>**Table 3b.** Number of species by diameter class</caption>

Stations (1: Morne America, 2: Pointe Banane, 3: Pointe Brumel, 4: Caravelle Alluvial Basin, 5: Caravelle Sapeur Mineur, 6: Morne Caritan 1, 7: Morne Caritan 2, 8: Morne Caritan 3, 9: Crève -heart 1, 10: Heartbreak 2, 11: Morne Gardier 1, 12: Morne Gardier 2, 13: Morne Gardier 3, 14: Morne Gentyl, 15: Pointe Jean-Claude1, 16: Pointe Jean-Claude2, 17: Pointe Jean-Claude3, 18: Morne Joli-Cœur1, 19: Morne Joli-Cœur2, 20: Morne Manioc1, 21: Morne Manioc2, 22: Morne Manioc3, 2 3: Morne Marguerite1)

<table><thead><tr><th>Sections (cm)</th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th><th>16</th><th>17</th><th>18</th><th>19</th><th>20</th><th>21</th><th>22</th><th>23</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>0.5</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>12</td><td>39</td><td>5</td><td>13</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>33</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>1.5</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>9</td><td>13</td><td>32</td><td>60</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13</td><td>22</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2.5</td><td>462</td><td>173</td><td>356</td><td>354</td><td>269</td><td>127</td><td>171</td><td>127</td><td>196</td><td>386</td><td>294</td><td>300</td><td>256</td><td>349</td><td>176</td><td>189</td><td>188</td><td>335</td><td>316</td><td>337</td><td>257</td><td>423</td><td>199</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>68</td><td>79</td><td>27</td><td>91</td><td>46</td><td>82</td><td>86</td><td>65</td><td>59</td><td>107</td><td>47</td><td>134</td><td>127</td><td>72</td><td>108</td><td>126</td><td>141</td><td>70</td><td>32</td><td>52</td><td>56</td><td>64</td><td>119</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>51</td><td>54</td><td>24</td><td>54</td><td>34</td><td>54</td><td>109</td><td>65</td><td>49</td><td>53</td><td>41</td><td>89</td><td>55</td><td>54</td><td>75</td><td>122</td><td>107</td><td>42</td><td>24</td><td>63</td><td>36</td><td>27</td><td>71</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>12</td><td>26</td><td>11</td><td>33</td><td>9</td><td>36</td><td>61</td><td>28</td><td>13</td><td>23</td><td>20</td><td>11</td><td>21</td><td>20</td><td>15</td><td>45</td><td>32</td><td>14</td><td>16</td><td>23</td><td>23</td><td>7</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>10</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>18</td><td>5</td><td>20</td><td>24</td><td>17</td><td>7</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>16</td><td>10</td><td>12</td><td>19</td><td>15</td><td>9</td><td>11</td><td>13</td><td>13</td><td>9</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>15</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>10</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>7</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>13</td><td>17</td><td>9</td><td>3</td><td>8</td><td>9</td><td>6</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>15</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>10</td><td>7</td><td>12</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>40</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>55</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>60</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>65</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>70</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>85</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>90</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>
<caption>**Table 3c.** Number of species by diameter class</caption>

Stations (1: Morne Marguerite2, 2: Morne Marguerite3, 3: Morne Berry1, 4: Morne Berry2, 5: Morne Berry3, 6: Morne Larcher1, 7: Morne Larcher2, 8: Morne Réduit1, 9: Morne Réduit2, 10: Morne Valentin, 11: Montagne du Vauclin, 12: Pointe Larose1, 13: Pointe Larose2, 14: Bois Pothau, 15: Morne Préfontaine1, 16: Morne Préfontaine2, 17: Rocher Leclerc1, 18: Rocher Leclerc2, 19: Ravine Saint-Pierre1, 20: Ravine Saint-Pierre2, 21: Ravine Saint-Pierre3, 22: Ravine Saint-Pierre4, 23: Rocher Zombi1, 24: Rocher Zombi2, 25: Tête de Singe)

<table><thead><tr><th>Sections(cm)</th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th><th>16</th><th>17</th><th>18</th><th>19</th><th>20</th><th>21</th><th>22</th><th>23</th><th>24</th><th>25</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>0.5</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>177</td><td>47</td><td>24</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>29</td><td>1</td><td>64</td><td>116</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>162</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>92</td><td>37</td><td>22</td><td>112</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>1.5</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>34</td><td>24</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>24</td><td>3</td><td>13</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>249</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>27</td><td>36</td><td>44</td><td>116</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>2.5</td><td>218</td><td>285</td><td>603</td><td>462</td><td>268</td><td>301</td><td>181</td><td>350</td><td>134</td><td>262</td><td>282</td><td>427</td><td>423</td><td>186</td><td>174</td><td>576</td><td>375</td><td>370</td><td>446</td><td>677</td><td>331</td><td>683</td><td>242</td><td>224</td><td>370</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>52</td><td>57</td><td>117</td><td>96</td><td>200</td><td>131</td><td>76</td><td>34</td><td>50</td><td>130</td><td>88</td><td>153</td><td>90</td><td>78</td><td>52</td><td>76</td><td>124</td><td>41</td><td>123</td><td>106</td><td>53</td><td>135</td><td>108</td><td>100</td><td>28</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>41</td><td>20</td><td>60</td><td>46</td><td>144</td><td>94</td><td>37</td><td>13</td><td>22</td><td>143</td><td>72</td><td>84</td><td>33</td><td>33</td><td>27</td><td>48</td><td>89</td><td>32</td><td>93</td><td>93</td><td>37</td><td>93</td><td>69</td><td>61</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>11</td><td>18</td><td>16</td><td>11</td><td>19</td><td>31</td><td>23</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>69</td><td>37</td><td>24</td><td>21</td><td>20</td><td>30</td><td>34</td><td>38</td><td>7</td><td>40</td><td>53</td><td>11</td><td>19</td><td>17</td><td>30</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>7</td><td>9</td><td>14</td><td>15</td><td>14</td><td>13</td><td>8</td><td>10</td><td>1</td><td>29</td><td>21</td><td>13</td><td>8</td><td>12</td><td>14</td><td>18</td><td>30</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>23</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>10</td><td>13</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>7</td><td>9</td><td>7</td><td>9</td><td>16</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>12</td><td>9</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>9</td><td>5</td><td>9</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>8</td><td>9</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>9</td><td>5</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>40</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>55</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>60</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>65</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>70</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>85</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>90</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Specific diversity of stations**

Comparison of stations using the Shannon-Wiener index (H') between 2.6 and 7.34 reveals quite notable differences in floristic collection (Table 4). Indeed, stations with higher Shannon-Wiener index values are richer in plant species. With values between 5.09 and 7.34, the stations of "Morne Aca" as well as the stations of "Morne Gardier3, réduit2, rsp1, and zombi1 (Table 4) are the richest from a floristic point of view. These plant units corresponding to these stations can be composed of rare or singular species and belong to a fairly large diversity of stages of plant succession because of modes of anthropization that are as varied as they are. In table 4 the variability of the equidistribution index (Piélou's equitability index) indicates the level of population balance. When the equidistribution index is between 0.7 and 0.9, the phytocenoses of the different stations have almost identical species populations. Below 0.9 (between 0.6 and 0.4), stationary imbalances with regard to species populations are increasingly marked.
<table><caption>**Table 4.** Diversity (H') and Equity (E) index</caption><thead><tr><th>Stations</th><th>H' (Diversity)</th><th>H'Max</th><th>Equitability (E)</th><th>Stations</th><th>H' (Diversity)</th><th>H'Max</th><th>Equitability (E)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Morne Amérique</td><td>3,55</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,452</td><td>aca1</td><td>6,26</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,797</td></tr><tr><td>Caravelle 1</td><td>4,7</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,598</td><td>aca2</td><td>6,2</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,789</td></tr><tr><td>Caravelle 2</td><td>3,75</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,477</td><td>aca3</td><td>6,3</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,802</td></tr><tr><td>Tête de singe</td><td>3,41</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,434</td><td>aca4</td><td>6,26</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,797</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Brumel</td><td>2,67</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,34</td><td>aca5</td><td>6,29</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,8</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe banane</td><td>5</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,636</td><td>aca6</td><td>5,06</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,644</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Caritan1</td><td>4,21</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,536</td><td>aca7</td><td>6,13</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,78</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Caritan2</td><td>4,5</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,573</td><td>aca8</td><td>5,9</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,751</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Caritan3</td><td>3,2</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,407</td><td>aca9</td><td>4,98</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,634</td></tr><tr><td>Piton Crève-cœur 1</td><td>5,34</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,68</td><td>aca10</td><td>6,94</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,883</td></tr><tr><td>Piton Crève-cœur 2</td><td>5,5</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,7</td><td>aca11</td><td>5,72</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,728</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gardier1</td><td>4,98</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,634</td><td>aca12</td><td>6,33</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,806</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gardier2</td><td>4,12</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,524</td><td>aca13</td><td>5,66</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,72</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gardier3</td><td>5,26</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,669</td><td>aca14</td><td>7,23</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,92</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Gentyl</td><td>4,34</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,552</td><td>aca15</td><td>6,42</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,817</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Jean-Claude1</td><td>3,5</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,445</td><td>aca16</td><td>4,46</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,568</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Jean-Claude2</td><td>3,37</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,429</td><td>aca17</td><td>6,13</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,78</td></tr><tr><td>Pointe Jean-Claude3</td><td>3,04</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,387</td><td>aca18</td><td>5,36</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,682</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Joli-Cœur 1</td><td>3,5</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,445</td><td>aca19</td><td>5,13</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,653</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Joli-Cœur 2</td><td>4,7</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,598</td><td>aca20</td><td>5,17</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,658</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Manioc 1</td><td>4,5</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,573</td><td>aca21</td><td>6,75</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,859</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Manioc 2</td><td>2,68</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,341</td><td>aca22</td><td>5,23</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,666</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Manioc 3</td><td>2,68</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,341</td><td>aca23</td><td>7,34</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,934</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Marguerite 1</td><td>4,98</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,634</td><td>aca24</td><td>6,47</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,823</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Marguerite 2</td><td>4,43</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,564</td><td>aca25</td><td>5,62</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,715</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Marguerite 3</td><td>4,05</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,515</td><td>s/vincent1</td><td>3,78</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,481</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Berry 1</td><td>4,39</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,559</td><td>pothiau</td><td>3,99</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,508</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Berry 2</td><td>4,2</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,534</td><td>préfont1</td><td>5,92</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,753</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Berry 3</td><td>4,31</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,548</td><td>préfont2</td><td>4,24</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,54</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Larcher 1</td><td>3,88</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,494</td><td>leclerc1</td><td>4,82</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,613</td></tr><tr><td>Morne Larcher 2</td><td>4,67</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,594</td><td>leclerc2</td><td>2,6</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,331</td></tr><tr><td>réduit1</td><td>4,33</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,551</td><td>rsp1</td><td>5,98</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,761</td></tr><tr><td>réduit2</td><td>5,6</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,713</td><td>rsp2</td><td>4,45</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,566</td></tr><tr><td>valentin</td><td>3,58</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,456</td><td>rsp3</td><td>5,07</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,645</td></tr><tr><td>vaucin</td><td>4,18</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,532</td><td>rsp4</td><td>5,37</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,683</td></tr><tr><td>larose1</td><td>4,52</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,575</td><td>zombi1</td><td>6,26</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,797</td></tr><tr><td>larose2</td><td>4,47</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,569</td><td>zombi2</td><td>5,37</td><td>7,86</td><td>0,683</td></tr></tbody></table>

Dominance of species by physiognomic types

Using the dominance index (ID) calculated for the different stations, it was possible to extract from the floristic potential of species associations having very significant ecological importance within the shrub formations (group A, Table 5), mixed shrub/tree formations, pre-sylvatic formations (Group B, Table 5) and structured tree formations (sylvatic state, group C, Table 5). These three groups correspond to three phases of phytocenotic evolution over time with species belonging to different levels of vertical stratification. For stations made up of structured tree formations (group C), it is appropriate to divide them into two categories, considering species of proven ecological importance. The latter, depending on their morphogenetic profiles, structure the vertical organization of forest groups into three distinct strata. Firstly the species that structure the upper and middle strata S3 and S2 respectively (Table 5: *Pisonia fragrans*, *Bursera simaruba*, *Lonchocarpus violaceus*, *Pimenta racemosa*,
Tabebuia heterophylla, Coccoloba swatzii, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, Byrsonima spicata, Maytenus laevigata, Chionanthus compacta, Krugiodendron ferreum, Coccoloba pubescens, Inga laurina, Amyris elemifera, Eugenia confusea, Myrcia fallax, Chrysophyllum argenteum, Tabernaemontana citrifolia, Guettarda scabra, Eugenia pseudopsidium. Secondly, those of the lower strata (S1, Table 5): Bourreria succulenta, Ocotea coriacea, Eugenia monticola, Myrcia citrifolia, Erythroxylum havanense. For the other plant communities (groups A and B, Tables 6 & 7) the species of the middle stratum and sometimes those of the lower stratum of group C previously indicated can act as structuring or building elements of first magnitude. We, therefore, distinguish taxa that preferentially belong either to intra-sylvatic cycles and which are in morphogenetic development or to extra-sylvatic cycles. Generally speaking, species from extra-sylvatic successional cycles are frequently present in large wind throws in structured forest units, in unstructured sylvatic units, and shrubby and pre-sylvatic communities due to natural climatic and telluric hazards and human activities.

**The main species of the intrasylvatic succession are strongly represented by group C**

(Table 5): *Maytenus laevigata, Pimenta racemosa, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, Inga laurina, Myrcia fallax, Tabernaemontana citrifolia, Ocotea coriacea, Eugenia pseudopsidium, Chrysophyllum argenteum*
<table><caption>Table 5. Importance of species in the sylvatic type (group C)</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>Morphological types and SA at maturity stage</th><th>Dominance index (D.I.)</th><th>Species</th><th>Morphological types and SA at maturity stage</th><th>Dominance index (D.)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pimenta racemosa</td><td>A/S3</td><td>28,4</td><td>Lonchocarpus vioalaceus</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,517</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td>A/S1</td><td>27,99</td><td>Croton corylifolius</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,429</td></tr><tr><td>Maytenus laevigata</td><td>A/S2</td><td>27,2</td><td>Capparis baduca</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,425</td></tr><tr><td>Sideroxylon foetidissimum</td><td>A/S3</td><td>17,97</td><td>Byrsonima spicata</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,4</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia fallax</td><td>A/S3</td><td>13,77</td><td>Ormosia monosperma</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,377</td></tr><tr><td>Inga laurina</td><td>A/S3</td><td>11,1</td><td>Bourreria succulenta</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,372</td></tr><tr><td>Pisonia fragrans</td><td>A/S3</td><td>10,2</td><td>Hymenaea courbaril</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,347</td></tr><tr><td>Bursera simaruba</td><td>A/S2</td><td>6,916</td><td>Coccoloba pubescens</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,308</td></tr><tr><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>5,47</td><td>Ficus nymphaeifolia</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,305</td></tr><tr><td>Manilkara bidentata</td><td>A/S3</td><td>4,925</td><td>Eugenia axilaris</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,304</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia pseudopsidium</td><td>A/S2</td><td>4,372</td><td>Buchenavia tetraphylla</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,222</td></tr><tr><td>Pilocarpus racemosus</td><td>A/S1</td><td>4,29</td><td>Tabebuia heterophylla</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,205</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba swartzii</td><td>A/S2</td><td>3,5</td><td>Daphnopsis americana</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,186</td></tr><tr><td>Mangifera indica</td><td>A/S2</td><td>3,12</td><td>Exothea paniculata</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,184</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea eggersiana</td><td>A/S2</td><td>2,96</td><td>Pouteria semecarpifolia</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,171</td></tr><tr><td>Chionanthus compacta</td><td>A/S2</td><td>2,89</td><td>Eugenia oerstedeana</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,161</td></tr><tr><td>Guarea glabra</td><td>A/S2</td><td>2,74</td><td>Simaruba amara</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,157</td></tr><tr><td>Pouteria multifolia</td><td>A/S3</td><td>2,514</td><td>Capparis indica</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,154</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea patens</td><td>A/S2</td><td>2,22</td><td>Ocotea cernua</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,145</td></tr><tr><td>Faramea occidentalis</td><td>A/S1</td><td>2,18</td><td>Haematoxylon campechianum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,1</td></tr><tr><td>Plinia pinnata</td><td>A/S2</td><td>2,086</td><td>Ilex nitida</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,095</td></tr><tr><td>Spondias monbin</td><td>A/S3</td><td>1,892</td><td>Antirhea coriacea</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,094</td></tr><tr><td>Cassipourea guianensis</td><td>A/S2</td><td>1,8</td><td>Ficus citrifolia</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,093</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia monticola</td><td>A/S2</td><td>1,46</td><td>Brosimum alicastrum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,069</td></tr><tr><td>Guarea macrophylla</td><td>A/S3</td><td>1,32</td><td>Guazuma ulmifolia</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,067</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia ligustrina</td><td>A/S2</td><td>1,23</td><td>Casearia decandra</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,057</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia confusa</td><td>A/S2</td><td>1,161</td><td>Persea americana</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,042</td></tr><tr><td>Quararibaea turbinata</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,996</td><td>Sideroxylon obovatum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,041</td></tr><tr><td>Rhyticocos amara</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,757</td><td>Exostema sanctae-luciae</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,04</td></tr><tr><td>Guettarda scabra</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,684</td><td>Sterculia caribaea</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,015</td></tr><tr><td>Tabernaemontan citrifolia</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,64</td><td>Andira inermis</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,009</td></tr><tr><td>Licaria sericea</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,556</td><td>Artocarpus altilis</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,001</td></tr><tr><td>Myrciaria floribunda</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,545</td><td>Zanthoxylum flavum</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,001</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia tapacumensis</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,533</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

SA: Stratum of Belonging - A: Tree - S3: Upper Stratum – S2: Middle Stratum – S1: Lower Stratum

## The main species of extra-sylvatic succession:

Group B (Table 6): *Pisonia fragrans*, *Bursera simaruba*, *Lonchocarpus violaceus*, *Bourreria succulenta*, *Coccoloba swartzii*, *Chionanthus compacta*, *Krugiodendron ferreum*, *Sideroxylon foetidissimum*, *Guettarda scabra*, *Coccoloba pubescens*, *Byrsonima spicata*, *Amyris elemifera*.
<table><caption>**Table 6. Importance of species in the pre-sylvatic type (group B)**</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>Morphological types and SA at maturity stage</th><th>Dominance index (D.I.)</th><th>Species</th><th>Morphological types and SA at maturity stage</th><th>Dominance index (D.I.)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lonchocarpus violaceus</td><td>A/S2</td><td>72,24</td><td>Rochefortia spinosa</td><td></td><td>1,214</td></tr><tr><td>Maytenus laevigata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>57,92</td><td>Eugenia ligustrina</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,855</td></tr><tr><td>Pisonia fragrans</td><td>A/S2</td><td>49,64</td><td>capparis indica</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,795</td></tr><tr><td>Sideroxylon foetidissimum</td><td>A/S3</td><td>41,39</td><td>pithecellobium inguis-cati</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,675</td></tr><tr><td>Bursera simaruba</td><td>A/S2</td><td>37,73</td><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,509</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td>A/S1</td><td>36,25</td><td>Crateva tapia</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,434</td></tr><tr><td>Krugiodendron ferreum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>32,94</td><td>Forestiera rhamifolia</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,418</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba swartzii</td><td>A/S2</td><td>18,84</td><td>Daphnopsis americana</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,416</td></tr><tr><td>Pimenta racemosa</td><td>A/S3</td><td>17,73</td><td>Zanthoxylum punctatum</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,383</td></tr><tr><td>Hymenaea courbaril</td><td>A/S3</td><td>15,7</td><td>Myrciaria floribunda</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,35</td></tr><tr><td>Tabernaemontana citrifolia</td><td>A/S2</td><td>13,97</td><td>Capparis hastata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,336</td></tr><tr><td>Chionanthus compactus</td><td>A/S2</td><td>11,77</td><td>Zanthoxylum caribaeum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,292</td></tr><tr><td>Bourreria succulenta</td><td>A/S2</td><td>11,39</td><td>Annona reticulata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,279</td></tr><tr><td>Haematoxylon campechianum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>10,5</td><td>Zanthoxylum spinifex</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,214</td></tr><tr><td>Guettarda scabra</td><td>A/S2</td><td>7,96</td><td>Guaiacum officinale</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,207</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia confusa</td><td>A/S1</td><td>7,43</td><td>Picramnia pentandra</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,156</td></tr><tr><td>Amyris elemifera</td><td>A/S1</td><td>7,367</td><td>Ouratea guildingii</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,154</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba pubescens</td><td>A/S2</td><td>7,29</td><td>Pisonia suborbiculata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,148</td></tr><tr><td>Manilkara bidentata</td><td>A/S3</td><td>7,24</td><td>Conostegia calyptrata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,146</td></tr><tr><td>Tabebuia heterophylla</td><td>A/S3</td><td>7,151</td><td>coccothrinax barbadensis</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,122</td></tr><tr><td>Pilocarpus racemosus</td><td>A/S1</td><td>7,07</td><td>Ficus citrifolia</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,118</td></tr><tr><td>Cassine xylocarpa</td><td>A/S2</td><td>6,985</td><td>Zanthoxylum flavum</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,1</td></tr><tr><td>Gyminda latifolia</td><td>A/S2</td><td>5,65</td><td>Zanthoxylum monophyllum</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,093</td></tr><tr><td>Ardisia obovata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>5,065</td><td>Inga laurina</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,091</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia monticola</td><td>A/S1</td><td>4,77</td><td>Cedrela odorata</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,087</td></tr><tr><td>Byrsonima spicata</td><td>A/S3</td><td>4,27</td><td>Buchenavia tetraphylla</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,086</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia citrifolia</td><td>A/S1</td><td>3,4</td><td>Citharexylum spinosum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,078</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia fallax</td><td>A/S2</td><td>3,367</td><td>Garcinia humilis</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,076</td></tr><tr><td>Erythroxylon havanense</td><td>A/S1</td><td>2,95</td><td>Croton corylifolius</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,074</td></tr><tr><td>Cordia alliodora</td><td>A/S3</td><td>2,7</td><td>Cordia collococca</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,06</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia tapacumensis</td><td>A/S1</td><td>2,64</td><td>Randia aculeata</td><td>A/S1</td><td>0,027</td></tr><tr><td>Calliandra tergemina</td><td>A/S1</td><td>2,54</td><td>Guazuma ulmifolia</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,025</td></tr><tr><td>Morisonia americana</td><td>A/S1</td><td>2,25</td><td>Ocotea eggersiana</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,021</td></tr><tr><td>Bunchosia glandulosa</td><td>A/S1</td><td>2</td><td>Ceiba pentandra</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,008</td></tr><tr><td>Sideroxylon obovatum</td><td>A/S2</td><td>1,944</td><td>Lonchocarpus cericeus</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,007</td></tr><tr><td>Schaefferia frutescens</td><td>A/S1</td><td>1,881</td><td>Simaruba amara</td><td>A/S3</td><td>0,005</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia pseudopsidium</td><td>A/S2</td><td>1,42</td><td>Maclura tinctoria</td><td>A/S2</td><td>0,002</td></tr><tr><td>Swietenia macrophylla</td><td>A/S3</td><td>1,236</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

SA: Stratum of Belonging - A: Tree S3: Upper stratum – S2: Middle stratum – S1: Lower stratum

**Group A (Table 7):** *Tabebuia heterophylla*, *Eugenia monticola*, *Eugenia confusa*, *Myrcia citrifolia*, *Erythroxylon havanense*, *Guettarda scabra*, *Calliandra tergemina*, *Coccoloba pubescens*, *Amyris elemifera*.
<table><caption>Table 7. Importance of species in the shrub type (group A)</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>Morphological types and SA at maturity stage</th><th>Dominance index (D.I.)</th><th>Species</th><th>Morphological types and SA at maturity stage</th><th>Dominance index (D.I.)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Eugenia confusa</td><td>Ap</td><td>75,25</td><td>Acacia tamarindifolia</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,963</td></tr><tr><td>Calliandra tergemina</td><td>Ab</td><td>74,51</td><td>Myrcia fallax</td><td>A</td><td>0,893</td></tr><tr><td>Acacia muricata</td><td>A</td><td>46,25</td><td>Morisonia americana</td><td>Ap</td><td>0,65</td></tr><tr><td>Tabebuia heterophylla</td><td>A</td><td>40,55</td><td>Guettarda odorata</td><td>Ap</td><td>0,614</td></tr><tr><td>Pilocarpus racemosus</td><td>Ab</td><td>22,51</td><td>Cassine xylocarpa</td><td>A</td><td>0,5</td></tr><tr><td>Lonchocarpus violaceus</td><td>A</td><td>18,36</td><td>Cordia marticensis</td><td>Ap</td><td>0,492</td></tr><tr><td>Pisonia fragrans</td><td>A</td><td>16,96</td><td>Citharexylum spinosum</td><td>Am</td><td>0,472</td></tr><tr><td>Erythroxylon havanense</td><td>Ap</td><td>15,37</td><td>Picramnia pentandra</td><td>Ap</td><td>0,469</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia citrifolia</td><td>Ap</td><td>14,89</td><td>Acacia sp</td><td>Am</td><td>0,379</td></tr><tr><td>Bourreria succulenta</td><td>Ab</td><td>13,32</td><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td>A</td><td>0,365</td></tr><tr><td>Pithecellobium inguis-cati</td><td>Ap</td><td>13,3</td><td>Conostegia calyptrata</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,36</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia monticola</td><td>A</td><td>12,77</td><td>Cordia alliodora</td><td>A</td><td>0,346</td></tr><tr><td>Maytenus laevigata</td><td>A</td><td>11,92</td><td>Manilkara bidentata</td><td>A</td><td>0,343</td></tr><tr><td>Krugiodendron fereum</td><td>A</td><td>11,54</td><td>Bunchosia glandulosa</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,279</td></tr><tr><td>Croton bixoides</td><td>Ab</td><td>11,25</td><td>Croton flavens</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,235</td></tr><tr><td>Bursera simaruba</td><td>A</td><td>10,14</td><td>Eugenia ligustrina</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,22</td></tr><tr><td>Erithalis fruticosa</td><td>Ap</td><td>9,756</td><td>Swietenia macrophylla</td><td>A</td><td>0,218</td></tr><tr><td>Haematoxylon campechianum</td><td>Am</td><td>9,3</td><td>Buchenavia tetraphylla</td><td>A</td><td>0,178</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia cordata</td><td>Ap</td><td>9,22</td><td>Zanthoxylum monophyllum</td><td>Am</td><td>0,16</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba pubescens</td><td>A</td><td>8,5</td><td>Capparis cynophalophora</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,154</td></tr><tr><td>Amyris elemifera</td><td>Ap</td><td>8,235</td><td>Cornutia pyramidata</td><td>Am</td><td>0,113</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba swartzii</td><td>A</td><td>8</td><td>Capparis hastata</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,106</td></tr><tr><td>Guettarda scabra</td><td>Am</td><td>7,7</td><td>Exothea paniculata</td><td>A</td><td>0,051</td></tr><tr><td>Pisonia suborbiculata</td><td>Ap</td><td>5,661</td><td>Ilex nitida</td><td>A</td><td>0,045</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia pseudopsidium</td><td>A</td><td>5,2</td><td>Ocotea eggersiana</td><td>A</td><td>0,044</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td>Am</td><td>5,082</td><td>Inga laurina</td><td>A</td><td>0,039</td></tr><tr><td>Canella winterana</td><td>Am</td><td>4,96</td><td>Randia aculeata</td><td>Ab</td><td>0,02</td></tr><tr><td>Capparis indica</td><td>Ab</td><td>2,74</td><td>Ocotea patens</td><td>Am</td><td>0,018</td></tr><tr><td>Croton corylifolius</td><td>Ab</td><td>2,43</td><td>Ficus citrifolia</td><td>A</td><td>0,015</td></tr><tr><td>Mangifera indica</td><td>A</td><td>1,86</td><td>Sideroxylon foetidissimum</td><td>A</td><td>0,015</td></tr><tr><td>Daphnopsis americana</td><td>Am</td><td>1,688</td><td>Ceiba pentandra</td><td>A</td><td>0,009</td></tr><tr><td>Forestiera rhamnifolia</td><td>Am</td><td>1,679</td><td>Zanthoxylum caribaeum</td><td>A</td><td>0,008</td></tr><tr><td>Chionanthus compacta</td><td>Am</td><td>1,579</td><td>Cordia collococca</td><td>A</td><td>0,003</td></tr><tr><td>Byrsonima spicata</td><td>A</td><td>1,43</td><td>Guazuma ulmifolia</td><td>A</td><td>0,003</td></tr><tr><td>Schaefferia frutescens</td><td>Ab</td><td>1,33</td><td>Simaruba amara</td><td>A</td><td>0,002</td></tr><tr><td>Casearia decandra</td><td>Am</td><td>1,2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

A: Tree/Ab: Shrub/Ap: Small tree/Am: Tree medium height

## Distribution and dominance of species for all stations

From the twenty-six species of great ecological importance (Table 8) for all stations and their predominant associations and using the distribution index (Id) and the dominance index (ID), the main synecological and auto-ecological characteristics were decrypted. It is now possible to propose the main characteristics of plant succession. From physiognomic group C to group
A, via group B, the taxa are found in an increasingly open, more and more regressive, more and more xeric environment and belong to increasingly heliophilic families. Group A cannot be assimilated to the first chrono-sequence of plant dynamics, because the methodology used does not make it possible to obtain reliable information on the physiognomic components which precede the shrub stage: this stage corresponds to the beginning of expansion of the shrub morphotypes. All species of group A (regressive processes) do not appear at the same time in the internal dynamics of this stage of succession. Therefore, although it seems simplified and schematic, it is necessary to identify several phases of evolution to understand the dynamic process of plants. Generally speaking, the small successive internal cycles at a dynamic stage considered take place on an extremely small-time scale. We then propose three phases of evolution to reach the shrub stage (group A):

1) Initiation of shrub structure

2) development of shrub structure

3) the shrub structure has reached its maximum degree of organization. It is dotted with a small number of trees which are the precursors of the pre-sylvatic plant entity.

Most species of this group pass through the physiognomic types of small shrubs and shrubs during their morphogenetic development.

For this phase 1, we distinguish the following taxa:

* Eugenia confusea/ Calliandra tergemina/ Acacia muricata/ Pilocarpus racemosus/ Erythroxylon havnense/ Myrcia citrifolia/ Bourreria succulenta/ Pithecellobium unguis-cati/ Eugenia monticola/ Croton bixoids/ Erithalis fruticosa/ Haemotoxylon campechianum/ Eugenia cordata/ Pisonia suborbiculata/Bursera simaruba/ tamarindifolia/ Guettarda odorata/ Cordia martinicensis/ Croton flavens/ Eugenia ligustrina/ Acacia sp/ Randia aculeata/.

In phase 2 the shrubby physiognomic type is still dominant, however the same species from the previous phase are frequently found, but they have reached a higher level of architectural expansion:

* Eugenia confusea/ Calliandra tergemina/ Acacia muricata/ Tabebuia heterophylla/ Lonchocarpus violaceus/ Pisonia fragrans/ Maytenus laevigata/ Krugiodendron ferreum/ Bursera simaruba/ Erithalis fruticosa/ Haematoxylon campechianum/ Coccoloba pubescens/ Amyris elemifera/ Coccoloba swartzii/ Guettarda scabra/ sonia suborbiculata/Eugenia pseudopsidium/ Ocotea coriacea/ Canella winterana/ Croton corylifolius/ Daphnopsis americana/ Forestieria rhamnifolia/ Chionanthus compacta/ Byrsonima spicata/ Schaefferia frutescens/ Casearia decandra/ Acacia tamarindifolia/ Morisonia americana/ Guettarda
odorata/ Cassine xylocarpa/ Citharexylum spinosum/ Conostegia calyptrata/ Bunchosia glandulosa/ Swietenia mahagony/ Zanthoxylum monophyllum/ Cornutia pyramidata/ Capparis hastata/ Ceiba pentandra

Finally, phase 3 characterized by a mature shrub structure marks the end of this internal successional cycle and brings together the conditions for initiating tree morphotypes. Correlative to the progression of the latter, the regression of the shrubby physiognomic type gradually takes place. The formations that belong to this organization give the plant landscape a discontinuous architecture compared to the crowns of trees, which are not contiguous. At this level of structuring, the probability of establishing shrub species decreases sharply in favor of tree species. Often under the cover formed by shrub groups, we observe the regeneration of trees, which will later form the pre-sylvatic unit. The shrub species of this phase are little different from those of the previous one, only they reach their maximum morphological expansion and enter a process of senescence. We find, among the trees and regenerations which become abundant in the shrubby plant cover:

Eugenia confusea/ Acacia muricata/ Tabebuia heterophylla/ Lonchocarpus violaceus/ Pisonia fragrans/ Maytenus laevigata/ krugiodendron ferreum/ Bursera simaruba/ Cocoloba pubescens/ Coccoloba swartzii/ Canella winterana/ Eugenia pseudopsidium/ Dapnopsis americana/ Chionanthus compacta/ Byrsonima spicata/ Cassine xylocarpa / Picramnia pentandra / Chrysophyllum argenteum/ Cordia alliodora/ Bunchosia glandulosa/ Swietenia macrophylla/ Buchenavia tetraphylla/ Zanthoxylum monophyllum/ Capparis cynophallophora/ Cornutia pyramidata/ Capparis hastata/ Ceiba pentandra/ Cordia collococca/

Group B is made up of all pre-forest formations (mixed: shrubs-trees) in which the tree component is quantitatively significant and begins to significantly influence the intra-vegetation microclimate. The roof of the plant units is still discontinuous and their internal environment is still punctuated by the macroclimate. However, compared to the previous group, the spatial distribution of light has changed significantly, resulting in a lower degree of xericity. The influence of light energy is reduced correlatively with the closure of the canopy of the pre-forest entity. The leaf area index of tree species increases in parallel with their morphological development and conversely there is a regression of shrub species. The pre-sylvatic stage is a transitional phase which corresponds to the transition from extra-sylvatic successional cycles to intra-sylvatic successional cycles which announce the era of the quasi-dominance of the tree physiognomic type.
Ultimately, the forest pioneer stage can be broken down into three chrono-sequences. First of all, the “pre-sylvatic thicket” sequence during which the shrubby formation dominates and contains within it, in a scattered manner, the beginnings of first-rank sylvatic species.<fnref n="1" /> : Lonchocarpus violaceus/ Pisonia fragrans/ Bursera simaruba/ Ocotea coraicea/ Coccoloba swartzii/ Chionanthus compacta/ Bourreria succulenta/ Haematoxylon campechianum/ Guettarda scabra/ Eugenia confusea/ Amyris elemifera/ Coccoloba pubescens/ Tabebuia heterophylla/ Pilocarpus racemosus/ Ardisia obovata/ Eugenia mon ticola/ Byrsonima spicata/ Myrcia citrifolia/Erythroxylon havanense/ Calliandra tergemina/ Morisonia americana/Bunchosia glandulosa/ Schaefferia frutescens/ Sweitenia mahagoni/ Sweitenia macrophylla/ Eugenia ligustrina/ Capparis indica/ Pithecellobium unguis-cati/ Forestieria rhamnifolia/ Daphnopsis americana/ Zanthoxylum punct atum/ Myrciaria floribunda/ Capparis hastata/ Zanthoxylum spinifex/ Ouratea guidingui/ Pisonia suborbiculata/ Zanthoxylum monophyllum/ Citharexylum spinosum/ Croton corylifolius/ Randia aculeata/ Ceiaba pentandra.

This phytocenosis is mainly made up of mature shrubs resulting from extra-sylvatic cycles and often in the early stages of senescence. These shrubs are associated with trees presenting transitional shrub morphotypes which will form young forest formations at the end of the succession stage: these are the first elements of intra-sylvatic cycles. The “mature pre-sylvatic thicket” sequence is then the result of the expansion of trees installed in the mature shrub structure. When these trees reach their level of morphological inversion, they will create favorable conditions for the installation of other sylvatic taxa. The level of morphological inversion corresponds to the phase where the tree develops its ramifications. In the young pre-sylvatic thicket, a certain number of trees form the structural ensemble of the present and are dominant in the phytomass. We then distinguish : Lonchocarpus violaceus/ Maytenus laevigata/ Pisonia fragrans/ Bursera simaruba/ Ocotea coriacea/ Krugiodendron ferreum/ Coccoloba swartzii/ Pimenta racemosa/ Hymenaea courbaril/ Chionanthus compacta/ Eugenia confusea/ Amyris elemifera/ Coccoloba pubescens/ Tabebuia heterophylla/ Gyminda latifolia/ Byrsonima s p icata/ Cordia collococca/ Eugenia tapacumensis/ Morisonia americana/ Bunchosia glandulosa/ Sweitenia macrophylla/ Forestieria rhamifolia/ Daphnopsis americana/ Myrciaria floribunda/ Capparis hastata/ Zanthoxylum caribaeum/ Zanthoxylum spinifex/ Ouratea buildinguii/ Pisonia suborbiculata/

<footnote n="1">¹The first sylvan heliophiles.</footnote>
Coccothinax barbadensis/ Ficus citrifolia/ Cordia colloco cca/ Ceiba pentandra/ Crateva tappia/ Zanthoxylum monophyllum/ Citharexylum spinosum/ Croton corylifolius.

Finally, in the last sequence of this dynamic stage, the tree plant cover definitively supplants the shrubby entity resulting from the previous system. The sylvatic state is represented by a young sylva of first-rank trees (pioneer species). The leaf area index increases as they develop and under the still discontinuous plant cover that they form, species of more advanced dynamic stages settle in small numbers, such as: *Sideroxylon foetidissimum/* Manilkara bidentata / Cassina xylocarpa/ Myrcia fallax/ Cordia alliodora/ *Sideroxylon obovatum/* Eugenia speudosidium/ *Chrysophyllum argenteum/ Guaiacum officinale/ Picramnia pentandra/ Zanthoxylum flavum/ Inga laurina/ Cedrela odorata/ Buchenavia tetraphylla/ Garcinia humilis/ Guazuma ulmifolia/ Ocotea eggersiana/ Simaruba amara/ Maclura tinctoria.

Group C includes stations whose formations are dominated by associations of trees of varying maturity. In these, the vertical organization appears polystratified, but is truly made up of structural groups. Usually, the plant units belonging to this group are more evolved from the point of view of their structure. The interactional fabric is much more complex and offers very specialized ecological niches compared to those generated by the ecological conditions of the plant communities of previous dynamic groups. The plant species in the regeneration phase in the terminal sequence of group B, a large number of which do not have representatives in the dominant floristic procession of this group C, take on an important development here. Progressively, they will constitute the forest framework and although they are part of the most specialized associations of our reference stations, they are however not the most specialized of the dynamic gradient of this bioclimatic level (lower plant level).

In Group C, some stations are home to taxa that are relicts of former climax formations. These have reached their maximum complexity and they reiterated the most specialized species of the floristic potential: the so-called terminal species, in the plant matrix or in small chablis (small gaps in the vegetation): *Pimenta racemosa/ Maytenus laevigata/ Sideroxylon foetidissimum/ Manilkara bidentata/ Guarea glabra/ Pouteria multiflora/ Guarea macrophylla/ Myrciaria floribunda/ Eugenia tapacumensis/ Licaria sericea/ Ormosia monosperma/ Hymenaea courbaril/ Bunchosia tetraphylla/ Exothea paniculata/ Pouteria semecar pifolia/ Eugenia oerstedeana/ Sterculia caribaea/ Brosimum alicastrum/ Sideroxylon obovatum/ Andira inermis/ Zanthoxylum flavum/ Antirhea coriacea.*

At other stations in this group, the remaining taxa form predominant associations corresponding to the dynamic secondary structured and advanced secondary sylvatic stages.
Within these associations, environmental conditions initiate the final stages of plant succession.: *Ocotea coriacea/ Myrcia fallax/ Inga laurina/ Pisonia fragrans/ Eugenia pseudopsidium/ Coccoloba swartzii/ Ocotea eggersiana/ Chionanthus compacta/ Ocotea patens/ Cassipourea guianensis/ Eugenia axilaris/ Byrsonima spicata/ Rhyticocos amara.*

These results are global and do not claim to interpret all the particularities of the study stations due to topography, exposure and soil. Table 8 shows large ecological differences between stations in terms of biomass, biomography, individual densities and distributions. The variations in the Distribution Index (Id) and the Dominance Index (ID) of the species constitute significant witnesses. These species have specific membership probabilities with regard to the stages of plant succession (Table 9). The notion of temperament with regard to solar energy is relative, however the species mentioned above and adapted to relatively open environments can be compared to “heliophiles” or “hemi-heliophiles”. Their suitability for light depends on the bioclimatic region and the potential characteristics of the plant formations that develop there. The discriminating element is their photosynthetic behavior. Namely, their capacity to use the different levels of photic energy which are expressed in the vertical organization of vegetation (Table 10). Consequently, for an identical dynamic stage, a species considered as heliophile in one forest type can act as a hemi-heliophile or sciophile in another. Certain heliophilous species settling in gaps in the tropical seasonal evergreen sylva (middle floor), act as hemi-heliophiles, hemisciaphiles or simply sciaophiles in the matrices of the more xeric sylva of the lower floor. In relation to light all temperaments exist. This results in a plasticity of floristic potential which offers a wide range of combination possibilities. The latter are related to the processes of succession, guided by the conditions of the environment and the modalities of disturbances (Tables 9 and 10).

<table><caption>Table 8. Ecological dominance of the main species of the lower level (Martinique)</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>nb</th><th>fa</th><th>Fr (%)</th><th>density</th><th>Id</th><th>Basal area</th><th>ID</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pisonia fragrans</td><td>2578</td><td>75</td><td>100</td><td>0.04683015</td><td>4.68301544</td><td>17.362218</td><td>81.307535</td></tr><tr><td>Bursera simaruba</td><td>816</td><td>68</td><td>90.6666667</td><td>0.01482289</td><td>1.34394187</td><td>30.186213</td><td>40.5685156</td></tr><tr><td>Lonchocarpus violaceus</td><td>1250</td><td>60</td><td>80</td><td>0.02270663</td><td>1.81653043</td><td>16.470831</td><td>29.9197657</td></tr><tr><td>Maytenus laevigata</td><td>2558</td><td>56</td><td>74.6666667</td><td>0.04646685</td><td>3.46952468</td><td>6.9462584</td><td>24.1002149</td></tr><tr><td>Bourreria succulenta</td><td>2666</td><td>68</td><td>90.6666667</td><td>0.0484287</td><td>4.39086891</td><td>4.7602596</td><td>20.9016759</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td>3082</td><td>60</td><td>80</td><td>0.05598547</td><td>4.47883742</td><td>3.9315548</td><td>17.6087948</td></tr><tr><td>Pimenta racemosa</td><td>2173</td><td>37</td><td>49.3333333</td><td>0.03947321</td><td>1.94734484</td><td>8.6791759</td><td>16.9013484</td></tr><tr><td>Tabebuia heterophylla</td><td>513</td><td>42</td><td>56</td><td>0.0093188</td><td>0.52185286</td><td>19.738256</td><td>10.3004654</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba swartzii</td><td>1006</td><td>48</td><td>64</td><td>0.0182743</td><td>1.16955495</td><td>8.4171233</td><td>9.84428822</td></tr><tr><td>Chionanthus compacta</td><td>1092</td><td>58</td><td>77.3333333</td><td>0.01983651</td><td>1.53402362</td><td>4.4138391</td><td>6.77093341</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia monticola</td><td>2311</td><td>46</td><td>61.3333333</td><td>0.04198002</td><td>2.57477445</td><td>2.3457174</td><td>6.03969322</td></tr><tr><td>Sideroxylon foetidissimum</td><td>735</td><td>23</td><td>30.6666667</td><td>0.0133515</td><td>0.40944596</td><td>10.527929</td><td>4.31061798</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia cordata</td><td>1360</td><td>29</td><td>38.6666667</td><td>0.02470481</td><td>0.9552528</td><td>4.49177</td><td>4.29077587</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia citrifolia</td><td>2313</td><td>46</td><td>61.3333333</td><td>0.04201635</td><td>2.57700273</td><td>1.5360684</td><td>3.95845245</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><tr><td>Krugiodendron ferreum</td><td>982</td><td>37</td><td>49.3333333</td><td>0.01783833</td><td>0.88002422</td><td>3.9985153</td><td>3.51879031</td></tr><tr><td>Erythroxylum havanense</td><td>946</td><td>57</td><td>76</td><td>0.01718438</td><td>1.30601272</td><td>2.2336979</td><td>2.91723786</td></tr><tr><td>Guettarda scabra</td><td>801</td><td>39</td><td>52</td><td>0.01455041</td><td>0.75662125</td><td>3.5595433</td><td>2.69322611</td></tr><tr><td>Calliandra tergemina</td><td>2024</td><td>23</td><td>30.6666667</td><td>0.03676658</td><td>1.12750833</td><td>1.96</td><td>2.20991632</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia pseudopsidium</td><td>1080</td><td>36</td><td>48</td><td>0.01961853</td><td>0.94168937</td><td>2.3365329</td><td>2.2002882</td></tr><tr><td>Inga laurina</td><td>390</td><td>38</td><td>50.6666667</td><td>0.00708447</td><td>0.35894641</td><td>5.8409888</td><td>2.09660197</td></tr><tr><td>Byrsonima spicata</td><td>360</td><td>35</td><td>46.6666667</td><td>0.00653951</td><td>0.30517711</td><td>6.8034969</td><td>2.07627153</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba pubescens</td><td>599</td><td>32</td><td>42.6666667</td><td>0.01088102</td><td>0.46425674</td><td>3.933321</td><td>1.82607077</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia fallax</td><td>1215</td><td>27</td><td>36</td><td>0.02207085</td><td>0.79455041</td><td>1.9984334</td><td>1.58785608</td></tr><tr><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td>870</td><td>44</td><td>58.6666667</td><td>0.01580382</td><td>0.92715713</td><td>1.4942083</td><td>1.38536588</td></tr><tr><td>Tabernaemontana cirifolia</td><td>636</td><td>43</td><td>57.3333333</td><td>0.01155313</td><td>0.66237966</td><td>1.903468</td><td>1.26081848</td></tr><tr><td>Amyris elemifera</td><td>673</td><td>31</td><td>41.3333333</td><td>0.01222525</td><td>0.50531032</td><td>1.99</td><td>1.00556755</td></tr></table>

Nb: number of individuals/ fa: absolute frequency / fr =fa/75 stations (relative frequency) / Id= fr x density (Distribution Index)/ ID= Basal Area x Id (Dominance Index)/total surface area inventory: 55,050 m².

<table><caption>**Table 9.** Importance of dominant species in the different stages of plant dynamics of the lower level (Martinique)</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>FAB</th><th>FABM</th><th>FPS</th><th>FSJS</th><th>FSS</th><th>FSST</th><th>FSPC</th><th>FSC</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pisonia fragrans</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bursera simaruba</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lonchocarpus violaceus</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Maytenus laevigata</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td></tr><tr><td>Bourreria succulenta</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pimenta racemosa</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td>++</td></tr><tr><td>Tabebuia heterophylla</td><td>+++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba swartzii</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chionanthus compacta</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia monticola</td><td>+++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sideroxylon foetidissimum</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia cordata</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia citrifolia</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Krugiodendron ferreum</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td></tr><tr><td>Erythroxylum havanense</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Guettarda scabra</td><td>+</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Calliandra tergemina</td><td>++++</td><td>++++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia pseudopsidium</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Inga laurina</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Byrsonima spicata</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba pubescens</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>++++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia fallax</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>+++</td><td>++++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tabernaemontana cirifolia</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>++++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Amyris elemifera</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

(+): Importance of the descriptor/ (FAB): Shrub formation/ (FABM): Mature shrub formation/ (FPS): Pre-sylvatic formation/ (FSJS): Young sylvatic formation structured / (FSS): Secondary sylvatic formation / (FSST): Late secondary sylvatic formation / (FSPC): Preclimacic sylvatic formation / (FSC): Climacic sylvatic formation /
<table><caption>**Table 10.** Temperaments about light and modes of dispersal of dominant species (Lower-level Martinique)</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>HP</th><th>HS</th><th>HTS</th><th>HéSc</th><th>S</th><th>HémSc</th><th>VDP</th><th>PSEM</th><th>VS</th><th>D</th><th>OF</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pisonia fragrans</td><td></td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>ORNI</td><td>S1</td><td>NC</td><td>G</td><td>G</td></tr><tr><td>Bursera simaruba</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S2</td><td>T</td><td>M</td><td>G</td></tr><tr><td>Lonchocarpus violaceus</td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ANEMO</td><td>S1</td><td>T</td><td>M</td><td>M</td></tr><tr><td>Maytenus laevigata</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>+++</td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S1</td><td>NC</td><td>G</td><td>M</td></tr><tr><td>Bourreria succulenta</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S3</td><td>T</td><td>G</td><td>M</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>G</td><td>M</td></tr><tr><td>Pimenta racemosa</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S1</td><td>NC</td><td>M</td><td>M</td></tr><tr><td>Tabebuia heterophylla</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ANEMO</td><td>S1</td><td>T</td><td>F</td><td>M</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba swartzii</td><td></td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S1</td><td>P</td><td>M</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Chionanthus compacta</td><td></td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>M</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia monticola</td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>G</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Sideroxylon foetidissimum</td><td></td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S1</td><td>P</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia cordata</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S3</td><td>NC</td><td>EF</td><td>EF</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia citrifolia</td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S3</td><td>NC</td><td>G</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Krugiodendron ferreum</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Erythroxylum havanense</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S3</td><td>T</td><td>M</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Guettarda scabra</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI?</td><td>S2</td><td>T</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Calliandra tergemina</td><td>+++</td><td>+</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>BARO</td><td>S3</td><td>T</td><td>M</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Eugenia pseudopsidium</td><td></td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ORNI</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Inga laurina</td><td></td><td></td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S1</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Byrsonima spicata</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S1</td><td>P</td><td>TF</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Coccoloba pubescens</td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S2</td><td>P</td><td>TF</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia fallax</td><td></td><td>+++</td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td></td><td></td><td>+++</td><td></td><td>++</td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S3</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Tabernaemontana cirifolia</td><td></td><td>++</td><td></td><td></td><td>++</td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S3</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr><tr><td>Amyris elemifera</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>+++</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>ZOOCH</td><td>S2</td><td>NC</td><td>F</td><td>F</td></tr></tbody></table>

HP: Primary Heliophile / HS: Secondary Heliophile / HTS: Sylvatic Gap Heliophile / HéSc: HelioSciaphile / S: Sciaphile / HémSc: HemiSciaphile / (+): importance of the descriptor/ VDP: Potential Dissemination Vector (BARO: Barochory, ORNI: Ornithochoria, ZOOCH: Zoochoria, ANEMO: Anemochoria) / PSEM: Stratigraphic Position in Maximum Expansion (S1: Upper Stratum, S2: Middle Stratum, S3: Lower Stratum) / C: deciduousness (T: Total, NC: Not Deciduous, P: partial) / D: Distribution / DE: Ecological Dominance / G: Large, M: Medium, F: Low, TF: Very Low /

## Discussion

### Physiognomic types of stations

The variability of physiognomies is the direct consequence of the various degrees of evolution of the phytocenoses taken as a reference for this study. Floristic recruitment increases quantitatively and qualitatively during the progressive dynamic. Furthermore, stations belonging to the same successional stage do not necessarily have the same number of species: this must be related to the notion of ecological group (Wilson, 1999; Noreika et al., 2020). Area-species relationships reveal a whole set of structural intermediaries, from shrubby units to late or mature tree groups. In addition to estimating the minimum surface area, these area-species relationships specify the floristic richness. The latter depends both on the dynamic stage and the stationary ecological conditions. The multiplicity of topographical
features, climatic hazards, and the more or less selective activity of man in the environment
leads to a spatial variation of plant formations and an overlapping of successional cycles
 extra-sylvatic and intra-sylvatic): which introduce a bias in the floristic analysis (Magalhães
 et al., 2015; Orta-Pineda et al., 2021; de Jesus et al., 2022). The biological spectrum through
 the distribution of biological types provides information on the stage of maturity of the
 phytocenoses of the survey stations (Naydenova et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2022). The
 quantitative differences between Megaphanerophytes, Mesophanerophytes,
 Microphanerophytes, and Nanophanerophytes attest to the importance of each of these
 biological types in the overall framework of vegetation (Tiendrébeogo et al., 2022; Luna-
 Florin et al., 2022). Indeed, all things being equal, in the plant ecosystem, the establishment
 and expansion of a species will depend on its ability to use the light energy available along
 the vertical gradient (Kengne et al., 2022; Tynsong et al., 2022). The stratification of a forest
 formation becomes more complex throughout its progressive evolution. There appears to be a
 phenomenon of inter-stratum biomass transfer linked to the possibility of occupation of
 installation and expansion sites. In other words, during the stages leading to maturity, the
 biomass of the lower strata decreases in favor of the upper strata's. The progressive closure of
 the plant cover is characterized by an increasingly high degree of light interception and
 therefore by the existence in the lower layers of increasingly weak photic energy (Kamiyama
 et al., 2010; Feng et al., 2022). Plants deciduous are adapted to dry bioclimatic conditions and
 are typical of open environments in which light energy is not a limiting factor. Logically, the
 percentage of deciduous species in the different plant strata acts as an indicator of openness
 and of degree of evolution (maturity, Figure 2 a, b & c). In our field of study, in addition to
 physiological adaptations, other marginal adaptive strategies result from singularities linked
to the characteristics of the different stations: morphological and anatomical adaptations of
certain species of very dry environments, Cacti and Myrtaceae, for example During the
evolution of vegetation, the increase in the biomass of Mesophanerophytes has as a corollary
a decrease in that of Microphanerophytes, therefore, as a corollary, a decrease in that of
Microphanerophytes, therefore, a reduction in their possibility of installation and expansion.
The induced effect is a drop in stem density. Nanophanerophytes were not considered strong
indicators in this analysis. They are composed of regenerations of different ages, counting in
their ranks a large number of individuals capable only of ensuring a brief phase of their
biology: the plantular state. In other words, their germinative modalities allow them to find
installation sites however they are incapable of carrying out their development and expansion
processes. The Nanophanerophytes stratum is the site of great mortality, particularly among
the regenerations of species not belonging to the predominant matrix, which are considered unbalanced.

## Number of individuals and densities

The distribution mode of age classes and heights reveals the affirmed youth of the populations and mainly reflects an overall structural aspect (Barreto et al., 2022; Quigley & Platt, 2003). However, although they have similar profiles, the distribution of diameter classes is not identical in all stations. Everything depends on the phase of succession in which the different inventory plots are located (Table 3 a, b, and c). Given the current organization of the plant cover in the lower level, it is logical that individuals with small sections are in the majority. Representatives of the 2.5 and 5 cm classes are globally co-dominant. These results confirm the mainly regressive character of the inventory stations, some of which are in a reconstitution dynamic: the great abundance of small-diameter stems is a very significant indicator. About the “opening-closing” ecosystem duality, the extremes of which are distinctly signified by the herbaceous cover and the climax sylva, it is easy to see that the phytocenoses of this attitudinal level, for the most part, and to varying degrees, are closer of the “open” state. The degree of openness is signified by the extent of the interweaving of aboveground biomasses (crowns or crowns of trees, aerial parts of shrubs). This reality has as a corollary positive (progressive) or negative (regressive) plural successional processes presiding over a great functional, physiognomic, and landscape diversity (Costa et al., 2022; Bogale et al., 2022).

It is possible to put forward two complementary explanations:

- the characteristics of the photic, nutritional, and water resources are dependent on the stage of maturity of the plant formation,

- the different topographic facies and their exposure to wind and insolation partly influence the dynamics of water in the edaphic system.

Within the populations of species of the phytocenoses of the survey stations, the Microphanerophytes by their importance confirm the previous results. Namely, the preponderance of low-dimensional diametric classes associated with low heights (Sanou et al., 2021). In many shrub and presylvatic sites, micophanerophytes form often dense matrices from which mesophanerophytes emerge here and there. Mesophanerophytes are very poorly represented: between 0% and 33%. Theoretically, the increase in the number of Mesophanerophytes would indicate a transition to a sylvatic phase. It is necessary, however, to take into account the types of Mesophanerophytes and their place in forest architecture, which is related to their ecology. Indeed, like microphanerophytes and nanophanerophytes,
depending on their height, mesophanerophytes are subdivided into higher or lower mesophanerophytes.

## Specific wealth

Diversity and equitability indices express the structural maturity and the dynamic phase of plant units (Nangndi et al., 2021; Ndotar et al., 2022). Regression results in the opening, to varying degrees, of the plant cover, thus creating the conditions for the installation of new, increasingly generalist species. This phenomenon is responsible for the increase in the diversity index of degraded formations. Conversely, the greater complexity due to the multiple interactions of mature or climax forest communities allows the existence of particular installation sites occupied by specialized species. As we progress towards the climax, species become more and more specialized and antagonistic about ecological resources. The diversity within our inventory stations is conditioned by anthropization and the structural characteristics of the phytocenoses. Indeed, for most of the sylvatic formations in our study, anthropization results in a selective levy of species for domestic work needs. These small disturbances mean that the vertical distribution of their crowns creates an interior environment that only selects forest flora species. The sylvan groups of the survey stations are, therefore, not balanced in their dynamic stages. These are eco-units belonging to various phases of intrasylvatic evolution. They are opposed in age, spatial dimension, and floristic composition. This great spatiotemporal heterogeneity between stations leads to the existence of a multitude of installation sites and results in high indices of diversity and equitability.

In this category we find the following stations: Morne ACA2 / Morne ACA3 / Morne ACA 25 / Morne ACA 4 / Morne ACA1/ Morne ACA 11/ Morne ACA 13 / Morne GARDIER 3 / Morne ACA 9/ Morne GARDIER 1/ ROCHER-ZOMBI 1/ RAVINE-SAINT-PIERRE 3/ Morne GARDIER 2 / BOIS POTHAU/ SAINT-VINCENT 1. Other stations in this physiognomic group present lower diversity indices and correspond to among the most structured forest formations, which seem to be more stable in their dynamic stage: at any point in space, these plant communities are in almost identical or very close processes. Here, diversity reflects much more at the organizational level and, therefore, the degree of maturity. These relatively lower diversity indices of these sylvan communities are mainly due to their high complexity and reflect advanced dynamic stages: POINTE JEAN-CLAUDE 1/POINTE JEAN-CLAUDE 2/ MORNE MANIOC 2/ MORNE MANIOC 3.

The regressive mixed tree-shrub phytocenoses are found in intermediate positions. The mechanisms that generate the great floristic diversity of these open environments are difficult to understand. If we consider that the ecological differences between stations are
insignificant, it is possible to explain the variations in observed diversity. Although having a
notable tree population, some high-diversity stations are dominated by shrub taxa. In
addition, they are subject to the regular effects of anthropogenic or zooanthropogenic factors.
This results in an interweaving of multiple successional cycles that are extra-sylvatic. In this
same group, whatever the qualitative and quantitative relationships of trees and shrubs, other
sites are more homogeneous and seem less subject to the effect of anthropization. Their
diversity can be assimilated to their capacity to accommodate plant species, testifying to
stationary ecological conditions: in other words, their diversity of installation and expansion
sites. Finally, the stations of the shrubby physiognomic type are composed of mainly shrubby
plant associations (group A) reflecting a profound regression of the original vegetation. All
the formations that comprise this group A are transitional representatives and belong to
progressive or regressive extra-sylvatic successional cycles. The argument used previously to
explain the differences in diversity and equitability between stations is applicable here.
Ultimately, a whole set of heterogeneities of a topographical and edaphic or even
microclimatic order is added to the structural heterogeneity of plant associations.

The difficulty in interpreting diversity and equitability indices is essentially due to the great
complexity of plant ecosystems. This complexity is not only synonymous with evolution and,
therefore, maturity; it expresses a strong heterogeneity of plant communities due to
variability in biotic and abiotic factors. Unlike primitive vegetation or vegetation only
slightly modified by natural disturbances, anthropized biosystems are not homogeneous. The
scale of anthropogenic processes being extremely small compared to ecosystem restructuring,
these biosystems are continually in a “progression-regression” mechanism. The constituent
phytocenoses of the lower level of Martinique differ both from a floristic point of view and
from the point of view of the density of individuals of the various diameter classes and their
numerical importance in the height classes. The majority of stations fall within this
summation of anthropogenic and, more rarely, natural events. Thus, the beginnings of
restoration of the secondary plant cover are destroyed by new anthropogenic disturbances,
which will be added to the previous ones. Under these conditions, vegetation regresses and
deviates inexorably from its initial complexity. Currently, this mechanism leads to ecosystem
collapse and explains the chaotic appearance of plant populations in low-lying areas. This
complexity of biological self-organization corresponds to a large variation in diversity and
equidistribution indices.
## Dominance of species by physiognomic types

The classification of species about distribution indices (Id) and dominance (ID) allows us to glimpse all the dynamic processes of the taxa that are the most predominant today. As a result, these indices have an undeniable ecological value and reflect the overall ecological characteristics of the survey plots. The results obtained for all the stations allowed the positioning of plant species on the dynamic gradient. It was not possible to identify the station specificities if at all, they could provide a higher element of analysis. It is possible to affirm in light of these results that the lower floor species have an excellent affinity for degraded environments whatever their biological types. The plant cover is open and presents complex dynamics driven by human activities. In addition, its plant units, of variable spatial dimension and organization, are mainly engaged in extra-sylvatic cycles. All this leads to a highly heterogeneous spatio-temporal mesh that is almost impossible to approach. Classic concepts such as those of Oldeman relating to French Guiana's lightly anthropized forest formations are inapplicable (Oldeman, 1989). There is no longer any question here of a balanced, stable plant matrix in which the eco-units are very close on the dynamic scale and of a turnover occurring at the level of the quantitatively small openings of the forest roof (the gaps or Chablis). Here, it is clear that the plant mosaic is very dense and is made up of small cells that do not fall under the concept of eco-units in the sense of Oldeman (Oldeman, 1974). The variations are not micro-systemic but at lower scales. Thus, those notables are not observed for a given region between plots of average size but are detectable on the scale of the "soil-plant" system. Some stations, however, go beyond this general framework and are part of intra-sylvatic successional cycles. In this case, the dominant species belong to families with a heliophilous temperament, even if their establishment requires much more specialized ecological niches. Despite the great difficulty linked to exploring plant succession processes and analysing data, the results collected are sufficient to understand the ecological functioning of species and formations. These derive from the combinatorial capacities of taxa and acquire an increasingly significant self-organizing power during their evolution.

## Distribution and dominance of species for all stations

Due to a lack of knowledge of the biology and ecology of specific taxa, this attempt to classify species or species associations has sometimes presented insurmountable difficulties. The preceding developments show a plurality of autoecological and synecological factorial determinisms. Therefore, under variable biocenotic conditions, a single descriptor can only partially reflect plant species' individual and community spatiotemporal dynamics. This is for example the case of the behavior of species about light which alone cannot explain their
ecological functioning. However, if the success of a species or a group of species depends on
the interaction of factors, they should be prioritized. Most of the plant species of our floristic
potential have a reasonably wide distribution [Id (Distribution index), Table 8]. However,
their demography and the biomasses of their variable age classes are modulated by stationary
biophysical conditions. Within the transects, depending on the stage of development of the
associated phytocenoses, factorial differences exist between the quadrats (soil depth,
temperature, insolation, evapotranspiration, physical evaporation, humidity). This is reflected
in Table 8 by dominance indices (ID) ranging by a factor of 80 between *Pisonia fragrans* and
*Amyris elemifera*. Consequently, the diversity of floristic units of the lower level of
Martinique results from the heterogeneous structure of ecological and anthropic factors.

Conclusion

The phytocenoses of the lower level of the present are regressive entities of the primitive
tropical seasonal evergreen sylva of the lower horizon which was characterized by a weak
physiognomic (chromatic) seasonality despite the undeniable conditions of seasonal climatic
drought which can last from 3 to 5 months according to the site. The complexity of the
vegetation of the lower level in its final stage probably made it possible to postpone the
appearance of the wilting point corresponding to physiological drought (Tng et al., 2022;
Oguz et al., 2022). To a lesser extent, plant units seem to derive from the regression of the
tropical seasonal evergreen forest of the upper horizon and auxiliary semi-deciduous sylvan
formations in the tropical dry season formerly little developed in areas of high xericity,
notably the slopes of steep slope at the skeletal soils and islets which are located not far from
the coast. Sometimes, ecological conditions do not allow the pre-forest and shrub stages to be
exceeded. Parameters such as the density of stems, the distribution of diameter and height
classes as well as distribution, dominance and richness indices all shed light on the structural,
functional and evolutionary processes of the vegetation of the lower level of Martinique.

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