Bahamian pine forests, located on the northern islands of the Bahamas, are vital ecosystems supporting diverse wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and insects. Characterized by Caribbean pine, known for its fire resistance and fast growth, these forests have a long history of commercial exploitation, beginning in the early 1900s, which has led to environmental threats such as urban development and climate change. They provide significant ecological, recreational, and economic benefits, making their preservation crucial.

1. Bahamian Pine
Forests

2. OBJECTIVES:
Explain what is a Bahamian Pine Forest.
State characteristics of the Caribbean Pine.
Outline the history of the Pine Forest Ecosystem.
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State the importance, the dangers, and organisms of the
Pine Forest.

3. Bahamian Pine
Forests
Pine forests are important ecosystems in which many birds, reptiles and
insects live. This ecosystem only occurs on the northern islands of the
Bahamas: Grand Bahama, Andros, Abaco and New Providence (reports
suggest they grew in the Berry Islands as well). Areas of pine forest
which are protected are the Rand Nature Centre and the Lucayan
National Park, Grand Bahama and the Abaco National Park in southern
Abaco.

5. The Caribbean Pine/Yellow Pine - Pinus
caribaea var. bahamensis
The Caribbean Pine is a light-demanding species that requires open areas with no
competition from shading broad-leafed plants. Extremely well adapted to fire, the
Caribbean Pine adults are rarely killed by the flames. Their fire resistance is due
to volatile resins in the bark which explode when heated, putting out any small
fires which start at the bark. Juvenile pines are not as resistant as the adults and
are generally killed, but reseeding takes place around the base of the adult trees
rapidly.

6. Fire Climax
Communities
Caribbean pinelands are called "fire climax communities" by botanists, for
if periodic fires do not occur to remove the shading broad-leafed
understory (the plants closer to the ground, juvenile pines cannot get
sufficient light to take hold and replace the adult trees as they die off.
Without fires the pinelands would be succeeded by the broad
leaved coppice, a hardwood forest.

7. History of the Pine Forest
Ecosystem

8. History of the Pine Forest
Ecosystem
The Caribbean Pine has been used by Bahamians for hundreds of years.
Large-scale commercial exploitation of the resource did not begin until
the early 1900's. In 1905, a sawmill was constructed near Wilson City,
Abaco where it ran for twelve years. As local pinelands were utilized, the
mill was moved to other areas. By 1943, all of the virgin pine of Abaco
had been cut except for an area north of Crossing Rocks and a forest
between Norman's Castle and Marsh Harbour.

9. History of the Pine Forest Ecosystem
Cont.
In 1944 the Abaco mill was moved to Grand Bahama, where large scale
logging operations continued until the 1970's. Meanwhile, commercial
harvesting of pine started in Andros in 1906 and in New Providence in
1923. In New Providence, few people can remember the sawmill that was
constructed near Jack Pond, south of Gambier. As trees of suffi cient
diameter for lumber-making became scarce, the industry turned its
attention to harvesting immature secondary trees which were ground into
pulp for paper making.

10. Importance of the Pine
Forests

11. Importance of Pine
Forests
The Bahamian Pine Forests are important for many different reasons:
● Commercial - The pine trees can be used as lumber because they
are fast growing and the wood they produce is reasonably strong.
Many ecotourists come into the country to bird watch.
● Recreation - The hunting of the Bahamian wild boar is a very popular
recreational activity in the family islands. Other species such as
ducks and migratory birds may be hunted as well.
● Environment for Wildlife - Many animals live in the pine forests.
The ecosystem is a very diverse area. The ecosystem is rich with
many different organisms.

12. Dangers to The Pine
Forests

13. Dangers to the Bahamian Pine
Forests
● Urban Development
● Pollution
● Climate Change
● Natural Disasters

14. Organisms found in the Pine
Forest

15. Plants of the Pine
Forest
The Caribbean Pine/Yellow Pine - Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis
Pineyard Pink Orchid - Bletia purpurea
Bushy Beard Grass - Andorpogon glomeratus
Southern Bracken Fern - Pteridium
aquilinum Wild guava - Tetrazygia bicolor
Five-finger/Chicken's foot - Tabebuia bahamense
Scale leafed love vine - Cassytha filiformis
Poisonwood - Metopium toxiferum
The Sabal palmetto - Cocothrinax argenta

24. Animals of the Bahamian Pine
Forest
Turkey Vulture - (Cathartes aura)
Bahama Woodstar hummingbird
Cuban emerald hummingbird
Red Legged Thrush
Bahama Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis rostrata)
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
Bahamian Boa Constrictor