Why go
The wooded slopes around Pic Paradis tell a different story from an untouched tropical forest. Much of Saint Martin’s vegetation grew back after land clearance, and changes in exposure and height create different kinds of cover. Recognizing sea grape on the coast and dry scrub inland makes the landscape easier to read.
The full story
European colonization brought extensive changes to Saint Martin’s vegetation. Agriculture, burning to create pasture, and cutting trees for buildings and charcoal reduced the original woodland. Away from built-up areas, the resulting cover includes secondary forest, thorny acacia scrub and remnants of grassland. This history helps explain why a green hillside can still be a landscape shaped by people. Woodland composition varies with altitude and exposure. Gum trees, mahogany and lignum vitae are among the trees described on the island, while sea grape belongs to the coastal landscape. The contrast between shoreline plants and drier inland growth is more useful to notice than expecting continuous lush forest. Birds occupy marine, coastal and inland habitats. Bats are part of the island’s mammal life, and lizards, geckos and iguanas are among its reptiles. Butterflies are conspicuous insects; mosquitoes and wasps also merit attention during outdoor visits.
Useful to know
- Carry mosquito protection for outdoor visits and watch for wasps when walking in the hills.