Relationship between Environmental Variables and Arboreal Flora in Two Fragments of Submontane Rainforest (Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba) Relationship between environmental variables and tree flora in two fragments of submontane rainforest, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
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The submontane rainforests of Alejandro de Humboldt National Park in Cuba harbor extraordinary biodiversity and endemism, but little is known about the environmental and anthropogenic factors that influence their tree composition. The relationship between topographic, structural, edaphic, and anthropogenic environmental variables (such as logging and accessibility) and the tree flora was evaluated in two fragments: Mola, on ophiolite substrate, and Monte Fresco, on metamorphic rocks. Thirty-two 400 m² plots were established, 21 in Mola and 11 in Monte Fresco, where all tree individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 m were recorded. Shannon and Simpson diversity indices and beta diversity (based on Whittaker's index) were calculated. Canonical correlation analysis was applied to determine the relationships between environmental variables, species, and plots; cluster analysis was used to reveal similarities between plots; and an IndVal was used to identify indicator species. Mola exhibited lower species richness (36 species) but high evenness, dominated by Calophyllum utile and serpentinite-tolerant species. Monte Fresco showed twice the richness with 64 species, including numerous climax species such as Carapa guianensis and Manilkara zapotilla. Canonical correlation analysis explained 35.9% of the variability and identified altitude, accessibility, canopy density, and topography as significant predictors. IndVal analysis revealed nine indicator species for Mola and 33 for Monte Fresco. The results confirm that high floristic complementarity between the two fragments underscores the need to conserve the environmental heterogeneity of the National Park.
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