El Yunque:Tropical Rainforest of Puerto

Rico Dr. Enríquez Rodríguez- Borrero Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto, UPR-Cayey RISE program

Group Members

Génesis Thays Santos-Cotto

Michelle C. Pérez-Ayala

José David Centeno-Pagán

Jariel Yamil Ramírez-Virella

Valeria María Nieves-Rivera

Nicole S. Rivera-Espinal

Ingrid M. Meléndez-Nieves

Paola Morales-Muñiz

Alejandra Martínez-Rivera

Alexander Colón-Romero

El Yunque

• The first habitants of El Yunque were Indian people, later Spanish, “jíbaros”, and North Americans

• Acoording to acient Indian legends, there was a good spirit called 'Yuquiyu' ( or 'Yokahu ) that protected them

• El Yunque served as wood source for both Indian and Spanish people

• Indians used it for canoes and Spanish used it for building homes and boats

• Served as an investigation center for the orange agent

• Largest nature reserve in Puerto Rico and the only tropical rainforest under the protection of the US Forest Service

• The Puerto Rican parrot is one of the ten most endangered species of birds in the world with only 30 alive in the wild

Four Forests within El Yunque

Palo colorado(Xylosma schwaneckeanum)

El bosque de palma de sierra

(Prestoea montana)

El bosque de tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa)

Bosque Enano o Bosque de Nubes

Purposes

Measure and observe:Flora and fauna

Endemic speciesNative species

Environmental conditions of different locations

Geographical diversity within an ecosystem

Tour guidance

Dr. Enríquez Rodríguez- Borrero and Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto were guides of the El Yunque trip.

Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto experience includes:Different habitats, Plant species Animal life Natural substances and resources

Environmental Study

Río Mameyes

This River travels 15.6 mi2 from El Yunque (Rio Grande, origin) and Luquillo.

One of the ravines (quebradas) that is connected and nourishes this water body Cascada La Coca, which we will mention later on as one of our stops. But is main water current comes from el Río La Mina.

Río Mameyes

• Our main focus was to find organisms in the rocky river, in order to know if it has habitable conditions. Two students, Abneill Alicea and Aníbal Tornés, were able to find snails that were alive, sleeping, or dead. From the three snails that were obtained one was moving and two were not.

Scientific instruments and use

Soil thermometerpH meter GPS

Water thermometer Wind speed meter

Bamboo Area

Soil temperature: 23 °C, 73 °F

Soil pH: 6 (acid)

Location: North (N) 18° 20.272’, West (W) 065° 45.730’

Elevation: 689FT

Wind speed: 7 miles N

Cascada La Coca

Soil pH: 4 (acid)

Wind speed: 7 miles South East (SE)

Location: N 18° 19.118’, W 065° 46.276’

Big Tree Trailhead: La Mina Falls

Soil pH: 5 (acid)

#2 soil pH: 3.7 (acid)

Some plant species: Dianas, Tabonuco, and Palo Colorado

#3 soil pH: 4 (acid)

Soil temperature: 59°F

Plant species: Palma de sierra

Railroad leading to “The Rock”

Location: N 18° 18.173’, W 065° 47.076’

Elevation: 2,164 FT

Soil Temperature: 56°F

Animal species: Polluelos and Cotorras de Puerto Rico

#2 Soil temperature: 88°F

#2 pH: 6 (acid)

Plant species: Helecho de Montaña with thorns (“espinas”)

First Bridge

Soil pH: 3.5 (acid)

Water temperatura: 20°C, 70°F

Soil temperature: 55°F

Second Bridge (rocky)

Soil pH: 5 (acid)

Water temperature: 19°C, 66°F

Location: N 18° 18.305’, W 065° 47.383’

Elevation: 2,608 ft

“The Rock”

Soil pH: 5.5 (acid)

Soil Temprature 54°F

Conclusions

Height is inversely proportional to temperature.

Temperature is proportional to pH.

Tips

Hydration

Do not interact with species

Use of raincoat

Do not travel alone

Bring food

Dispose of trash in backpack or designated areas

Use protective and safe clothing

Taking pictures and videos is permitted