Cuban moist forests

Montane forest, Pico Turquino
Ecology
Biome	Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Bird species	251
Mammal species	33
Geography
Area	21,400 km2 (8,300 sq mi)
Country	Cuba
Conservation
Conservation status	Vulnerable
Habitat loss	64.544%
Protected	20.32%

The Cuban moist forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion that occupies 21,400 km² (8,300 sq mi) on Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. The ecoregion receives more than 2,000 mm (79 in) of rainfall annually, and does not have a dry season. Soils are usually derived from quartz, limestone, or serpentinites. Cuban moist forests can be differentiated into lowland forests (sea level to 400 m or 1,300 ft), sub-montane forests (400–800 m or 1,300–2,600 ft), and montane forests (800–1,900 m or 2,600–6,200 ft).

Lowland forests are found at elevations from sea level to 400 m (1,300 ft) and reach heights of 40 m (130 ft). They consist of three tree stories. The upper story includes achiotillo (Alchornea latifolia), najesí (Carapa guianensis) and acana (Manilkara valenzuelana); the middle story has tagua-tagua (Diospyros caribaea), Ocotea floribunda, Oxandra laurifolia, Talauma minor, Terminalia spp. and Ficus spp.; and the lower story has a number of species of tree ferns, Myrtaceae and Melastomataceae. Epiphytes are abundant and varied, including the endemic Hymenodium crinitum, Oleandra articulata, Columnea tincta, and Psychotria pendula. Typical palms are Calyptronoma plumeriana, Prestoea acuminata var. montana and Bactris cubensis. Heliconia species, mosses, and liverworts are also important plants.