The Blackland Coppice Forest
A coppice forest is one that does not have a single dominant plant. Therefore, the types of plants found in Coppice forests can be different based on its location and its history. Here will will talk about the Bahamian Blackland Coppice forests.
The Blackland Coppice forests is a terrestrial [land based] ecosystem that can be found on all populated islands in The Bahamas. This ecosystem has the most diverse flora and fauna [Plants and animals] of all the is terrestrial ecosystems in the country. Some researchers have estimated that there can be as many as 100 species of plants in one square mile of Bahamian Coppice forests.
Blackland Coppice forests are thick, dense and have a dark appearance. These traits set them apart from the Whiteland Coppice forests [another Bahamian ecosystem]. The trees in this forest grow tall and create large shady canopies. The leaves from these trees create leaf litter, which breaks down to create a rich looking black soil [thus the name]. Similar to Caribbean Pine Forests, Blackland Coppice forests thrive in the presence of freshwater. Therefore, they are found inland and away from coastal areas.
Native Plants found in this forest include, Mahogany, Red Cedar, Pot-belly Air Plant, Maidenhair fern, Wild Tamarind and The Night Scented Orchid. In urbanized areas, some non-native plants such as Mango, Papaya and Banyan trees have been introduced.
Primeval Forest National Park, The Bahamas
Photo Credits: Google PhotosEcological and Historical Importance
The Blackland Coppice is a very important ecosystem for native birds, migratory birds, snakes, lizards and of course humans. Many fruiting trees like the poisonwood tree and the gumbo limbo tree can be found in these forests and these trees attract many different birds like the Bahama Parrot, which is only found on Abaco, Inagua and New Providence. Other birds like The Great Lizard Cuckoo can be found perched on tree branches waiting to catch a lizard like the brown anole or a cuban tree frog. Native Snakes like the Brown Racer and Bahamian Boa Constrictor may be found in some of the banana holes the form in the limestone and collect rain water. Blackland Coppice forests are also home to caves like The Cathedral in Eleuthera.
Early inhabitants and settlers of The Bahamas used trees from the Blackland Coppice to build canoes and larger boats. Wood from these forests were traded to other countries for other goods for example, in 1648 when the Eleutheran Adventurers got stranded in North Eleuthera, they cut Mahogany wood and used it to trade with persons in Boston to help them thrive on Eleuthera. Plants like Strongback, Lignum Vitae and Cascarilla [all found in the Blackland Coppice Forest] were even used as medicine.
Current Status
Two of the largest threats to the Blackland Coppice Forests are damage via hurricanes and deforestation due to the increase in human population throughout the Bahamian islands. Because of urbanization over the years, many of the Blackland forests throughout the country are made up of secondary or tertiary growth. However, in a few special places, the Blackland Coppice is dominated by primary growth [the original trees] and these trees have been growing undisturbed for hundreds of years. If you ever want to experience an untouched Blackland Coppice Forest, you can visit the Primeval Forest National Park on New Providence and the Little Inagua National Park, which encompasses the entire island of Little Inagua. It is important that persons are made aware of the ecological and historical values that the Blackland Coppice has to offer.
Primeval Forest National Park
Photo Credits: Amsee Photography