Forest variations in the limits of an islandRain and Dry Forests in Puerto RicoBy:Paola CaballeroAlejandra M. De JesúsValerie FloresJessica Rodríguez

Introduction…

What is a forest? Forests are ecosystems. An ecosystem consists of all the living things

in a particular area, along with all the nonliving components of the environment with which living things interact (soil, water, temperature, atmospheric gases, light).

• Conserve soil and prevent erosion (wearing away of the land by wind and water)

• Habitat for our biodiversity. Are representations of our flora and fauna,

custodians of these.

• Provide wood products.

Introduction Importance of forests

• Provide a healthy environment for passive outdoor recreation.

• Its incredible diversity of species allows Education and Research experiences.

Introduction Importance of forests

There are 20 state forests and one federal forest in Puerto Rico.

Forests in Puerto Rico

Practically all climates present in Puerto Rico are represented in the forests, from tropical dry to very humid climate.

Guánica dry forest (high salinity, arid coasts)

“El Yunque” National forest (rainforest)

Forests in Puerto Rico

• Sierra de Luquillo (southeast of San Juan)• Crown lands (Spanish government),

identified as forest reserves.• Change of sovereignty came to be

administered by the Forest Service of the Agriculture Department of the United States (only tropical forest under United States jurisdiction)

“El Yunque” National Forest Caribbean National Forest

• 1976 - United Nations recognized the ecological value of “El Yunque” and joined it to the Reserves of the Man and the Biosphere

• In terms of study and management, it is one of the best rainforests.

“El Yunque” National forest Caribbean National Forest

• 1981 – United Nations recognized the ecological value of the forest and appointed him as the second International Biosphere Reserve in Puerto Rico

• World’s best preserved tropical forest and less disturbed by humans.

Guánica Dry Forest Southwest coast of Puerto Rico

•El Yunque• 500 inches of rain

in a year in the highest peaks.

• Daily temperatures are 25.5 ˚C.

•Guánica Dry Forest• The annual

precipitation is between 25 to 30 inches.

• Temperatures ranging between 75˚F in cold months and 95˚F in hot months.

Precipitation and Temperature

Rain Forest El Yunque (Flora)

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4

Cassia decian (deep roots with breaking effects)

Yagrumos (sexual reproduction, there’s various types)

Pino caribea (fast growing)

Bamboo (tall grass, dies fast)

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6

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8

Rábano (plague, exotic becomes dominant)

Guava (co-evolution, relation with abayarde)

Jacana (eatable fruit, tall and long leaves)

Mosses (stacked to the ground, lots of surface)

Cassia decian

Mosses

Yagrumo

Bamboo

Dry ForestGuánica (Flora)

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2

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Melocactus (stem photosynthetic and thorns)

Bursera (peeling tree, small, long lasting)

Agave (exotic, 20 ft, asexual reproduction, monocarpic and clumping distribution)

Vanilla Orchid (Vine in shrubs, CAM photosynthesis, stem succulent)

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8

Salicornia (grows in salt flats, leave succulent)

Consolea (opuntia, formed a trunk, avoid fire and grazing animals damage, tall)Mangrove (salt-loving plant, roots grow up in search for oxygen)

Grass (uniform and dispersed growth)

Agave

Melocactus

Bursera

Vanilla Orchid

Grass Salicornia

Mangrove

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Fluorescent Slug

Walking Stick

Caracolus caracola

Dry ForestGuánica (Fauna)

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Swallowtail (insect eating bird)

Lizards (brown, in the shadows)

Bees (pollinating factors)

Frogs (hatch in the presence of water)

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Jueyes (live underground)

Guaraguao (eats dead animals)

Wasps (pollinators)

Moths (the pollinator of certain plants)

• “El Yunque National Forest”

Palo Colorado Forest Hollows of this

tree are used for the Puerto Rican parrot nests.

• Guánica Dry Forest

Intermittent freshwater ponds that serve as reproduction area for the crested toad

Both forests are home to endangered species

In el Yunque, the structure of the rock walls and trails has been collapsing and one of the major causes is human disturbance.

• Frequent visiting of tourists• Heaviness and emissions of

cars and trucks

Consequences of ContaminationCollapsing structure

gabion

In Guánica, the dry forest is victim of constant fires. Some are naturally occurring, but most are the cause of human interaction with the environment. The emissions of a fire contaminate the air and fog so necessary for the plants.

• Many plants do not survive such harsh conditions.

Consequences of ContaminationFires

Fire’s rests

Global contamination affects one way or another the composition of water. Rain is no exception. The acidity of rain affects both forests:

• Yunque- heavy amounts of rain stripes the soil of its nutrients, leaving little to the plants and affecting their growth.

Consequences of ContaminationRain

Low pH soil

Global contamination affects one way or another the composition of water. Rain is no exception. The acidity of rain affects both forests:

• Guanica- rain erodes limestone, forming small to big cavities on the surface of the limestone.

Consequences of ContaminationRain

Economical Benefits

El YunqueTourist Agenda

•Visit El Yunque.•Climb to the top and/or go to the waterfalls

•Get something to eat after a long day of sightseeing and walking in the Luquillo’s kiosks.

•Stay in a hotel, rest and go to the beach

Dry Forest GuánicaTourist Agenda

•Visit the Dry Forest•Watch amazed how in the same island can there be two completely different forests.

•Get refreshed in the beach nearby after a long and hot day

•Stay in Copamarina hotel

“If you cut down a forest, it doesn't matter how many sawmills you have if there are no more trees.”

~ Susan George

“If you cut down a forest, it doesn't matter how many sawmills you have if there are no more trees.”

~ Susan George