All
of the islands fall in the tropical zone, but West Indian vegetation technically
is classified as neo-tropical, meaning it grows in the New World tropical
zone.
(Pan-tropical
refers to species found in tropical zones throughout the world; paleo-tropical
to species confined exclusively to the Old World.)
On
most islands the growing conditions seem ideal. Temperatures
vary little regardless of season. In summer, it's often hotter in
New York than the Caribbean, where it rarely goes
above 90 degrees.
Like
the temperature, the length of days and nights are a constant.
Each lasts about 12 hours throughout the year.
Seasonal
rainfall can vary dramatically.
However,
it's not the amount of rain an area receives but whether
it falls consistently and in enough quantity over all 12
months that determines whether the vegetation is that of a true rain
forest or that of a humid green forest or a dry
forest.
The
rain forest
The
cloud forest/elfin woodland
Humid
green & dry forests
The
coastal mangrove jungle
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