El YunqueNational Rain Forest

Group Memebers

Tiara Zoar Ramírez OjedaKarolina I. Pellot Ortiz

Angélica SantiagoEmanuel Santiago

Edmaritz Hernández PagánCarlos Villagrasa

Felix A. Zayas RodríguezRafael CummingsGabriel Pastrana

Nicole M. Cruz ReyesAmalia Martínez CórdovaJerielys R. García Sanchez

• El Yunque

• Bosque Nacional del

Caribe

• Bosque de la lluvia

• Olimpo Borinquen

• Sierra de Luquillo

Origin of the name

• Two possibilities:

1. Spanish adaptation of "Yuke" Taino

name of the forest (according to some

insiders meant "white high ground”).

2. The resemblance in form has Yunque

Peak to the part used by the blacksmith

to do their jobs.

Description

• El Yunque is a National Rainforest and it's the only rainforest that belongs to the U.S. Forest Service. The peak is 3,543 feet above sea level and it's located at La  Sierra de Luquillo. The National Forest encompasses 28,000 acres and it's characterized by the variation of vegetation, species of coquí, birds and other species.

Purpose of this trip:

• Learn and understand life at El Yunque

• Go beyond theory and lab experience

• Apply knowledge acquired in the lab to evaluate environment.• pH• Temperature• Wind direction• Humidity

• Evaluate and compare results

History

• In 1876 the Spanish crown declared "Area Montes" the highest part of the Sierra de Luquillo.

• At that time it had 12,399 acres of extension.

• For this reason it is understood that the "Yunque forest" should be considered as one of the oldest reserves in this hemisphere.

History

• Managed since 1903 by the US Forest Service.

• It is the smallest and more variety.

• In 1976 UNESCO declared the Yunque forest as a biosphere reserve for the Planet.

Unique Characteristics:

• One of the few forests where there is no risk of fire.

• From 180 to 200 inches of rain fall a year.

• Source of water for about 14 rivers, among these:• Espiritu Santo• Sonadora• Grande• Hicacos• Mameyes• Coca• Sabana

Unique Characteristics:

• Highest point is at 1080m above sea level

• A tropical monsoon climate and receives over 2.5m of rainfall a year

• Diversity of ecosystems within the forest

• Home to a wide variety of organisms

*some of them like the Amazona vittata are endangered*

Unique Characteristics:

• The highest peaks of the Sierra de Luquillo are:El toro: 3,523 pies• El Yunque: 3,493 pies• Pico del Este: 3,488 pies• Monte Britton: 3,087 pies• Los Picachos: 3,150 pies

Unique Characteristics:

• The Caribbean National Forest consists of four forest types are defined by:• elevation• precipitation• temperature• Life associations

Location:@ Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Information and picture taken from the USDA/Forest Service.

Flora• It has 240 species of trees

• 88 are endemic • 23 are only found in that forest.

• 150 species of Fern plants

• 50 species of Orchids.

• Divided into subforest depending on vegetation and organisims:

• Palm forest, full of different palm trees• Dwarf forest, all the plants and trees are peculiarly

small because of the wind speeds. • Red tree forest, used for the raising of the puertorican

parrot.

Flora

Fauna• 100 species of vertebrates and mammals

that are represented by eleven species of bats. • 6 species that feed of insects among them

the red bat. • 4 species of bat eat fruits • one specie feed exclusively of pollen.

Fauna• The general forest fauna is dominated by

A. reptiles and birds during the day and• find 14 species of lizards including green

lizard and the garden lizard• Snakes, like the Boa of Puerto Rico is

endangered.• In birds we can find up to 77 species, which

17 of them are unique to Puerto Rico,

B. Amphibians during the night• 13 species of the coqui, like the mountain

coqui and the coqui de campo.

Gathered Data:1st stop: Stream, before

reaching the forest • Ground pH: 7 • Ground temperature: 79°F• Humidity: 9 • Water temperature: 81°F• Wind: 0 mph

2nd stop: Bamboo zone • Air temperature: 87°F• Ground pH: 6.85• Ground temperature: 79°F• Humidity: 0• Wind: 0 mph

3th stop: Secondary forest • Air temperature: 82ºF • Ground pH: 7• Ground temperature: 71ºF• Humidity: 2• Water temperature: 70ºF• Wind: 0 mph

4th stop: Around Yokahu tower • Air temperature: 86°F• Ground pH: 6• Ground temperature: 72°F• Humidity: 1• Wind: 0 mph

5th stop: Giant trees zone• Air temperature: 80ºF

• Ground pH: 6.8

• Ground temperature: 70ºF

• Humidity: 1

• Water temperature: 70ºF

• Wind: 0 mph

6th stop: “Baño Grande” • Air temperature: 83°F

• Ground pH: 6.4

• Ground temperature: 69°F

• Humidity: 1

• Water temperature: 64°F

• Wind: 0 mph

7th stop: Palms forest• Air temperature: 77oF• Ground pH: 6.5• Ground temperature: 71oF• Humidity: 2• Water temperature: 69oF• Wind: 0 mph

8th stop: puente de piedras • Air temperature: 72oF• Ground pH: 5.9• Ground temperature: 66oF• Humidity: 1• Water temperature: 68oF• Wind: 0 mph

9th stop: Stream• Air temperature: 73oF

• Ground pH: 6.5

• Ground temperature: 71oF

• Humidity: 1

• Water temperature: 67oF

• Wind: 0 mph

10th stop: “Los picachos”• Ground pH: 6.5

• Humidity: 1

• Wind: 10 mph

Data Analysis:

• As we were going deeper, temperatures of the air, water and ground were degrading.

• The pH ranged approximately 6-7

• Forest humidity variation reflected 0-2

Restrictions:• There are laws that protect El Yunque:

• Forestry Law- Declares forests as a natural resource to be protected, preserved and expanded. Promotes passive recreation in forests.

• Law of Conservation of Wildlife- It was created to regulate and conserve wildlife. Regulates hunting and the use of hunting weapons.

Importance and value of “El Yunque”

• El Yunque is of great importance and value because of the variety of ecosystems (4) and many species that inhabit it.

• It also gives to the Island values in the following areas:- Aesthetic - Historical

- Ecological - Spiritual

- Moral/Ethical - Economic

- Cultural - Recreational

- Therapeutic - Educational

- Scientific

What called our attention:

• The ecological value of the forest

• Learn how the organisms interact with each other.

• The beauty of “El Yunque” called our attention inspiring us to admire the nature of our island.

• Characteristics in environment vary among locations.

References

• Sánchez, H. (2007). Puerto Rico ¡Que Grande! Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas.

• Maricelis Rivera. (2010). Bosque nacional del Caribe El Yunque. Junio, 2015, de El Vocero Sitio web: http://www.prfrogui.com/home/yunquebos.htm

• Jennie Ramirez. (2009). El bosque nacional del Caribe El Yunque. junio 2015, de UIPR Sitio web: http://ponce.inter.edu/acad/cursos/ciencia/pages/yunque.htm