The Guánica Dry Forest, Elfin Forest and Tamarindo Lagoon

THE GUÁNICA DRY FOREST, ELFIN FOREST AND TAMARINDO LAGOON

Stephanie C. Rodríguez

Valeria Laboy

Adriana Vera

Andrea C. Vicenti

Laura V. Díaz

Carlos J. Cabello

José E. Ríos

Cristina M. Rivera

Joanly Rivera

Gabriela Reyes

Claudia Colón

Camila P. Santiago

RISE BRIDGE SUMMER PROGRAM 2015

GUÁNICA DRY FOREST

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Guánica State Dry Forest is a subtropical dry forest located in the southwest of Puerto Rico.

Appointed as a forest reserve in 1919 and a UN Biosphere Reserve in 1981.

SCIENTIFICALLY IMPORTANT

The forest is important due to its complexity, nature and scientific diversity.

Some 119 investigations (1990-present) have been made there, studying various topics:

Flora Fauna Archeology Ecology Fisheries and more...

GEOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY

It covers the counties of Guánica, Guayanilla, andYauco; also having islets in Ponce and Peñuelas.

Considered as a undulant zone; mostly flat land, while having a variety in the terrain level.

LOCATION AND CLIMATE

Located in the most arid area of Puerto Rico, with an annual rainfall of 30 inches a year.

Temperatures vary from 75°F to 85°F, reaching up to 110°F in the most exposed areas.

MONTHLY PRECIPITATION IN GUÁNICA

SOIL PROPERTIES

Soil ranges from sandy to limestone, showing a difference of these:

Floor composed of limestone and fine-grained surface. Abundant in fine and soft lime with small areas of sand and clay.

Floor of sand and clay with a depth of 6” or more.

AS AN ECOSYSTEM

It is a xerophytic forest; driest place in Puerto Rico.

Also considered as an inhospitable ecosystem because of: Lack of rainfall High temperatures Soils with little accumulation of organic material Absence of permanent rivers

FLORA

The are around 550 species of plant; representing 85 families.

Around 180 are trees; 45 of which are endangered.

The flora is adapted to extreme conditions: Wind Saltpeter Lack of water

Eucalyptus Tree Mahogany TreeMelon Cactus

“GUAYACÁN CENTENARIO”

The symbol of the Guánica Dry Forest.

Predicted to be from 700-1000 years old.

The age can be estimated by the width of the trunk since the diameter increases a millimeter per year.

The extract of its trunk posses medicinal properties.

FAUNA

Some136 species of birds had been recorded; 12 of them being native.

Some 21 species of reptiles and6 of amphibians have been found; 8 species of lizards are exclusive to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

Insects are an important community and exert various functions from pollinating to decomposing.

REPTILES

Anolis poncensis Anolis cooki

ENDANGERED FAUNA

The federal agencies had denominated 16 endangered species.

Some of this species are:

Falco peregrinus Agelaius xanthomus Caparimulgus vociferous noctitherus

TAMARINDO LAGOON

GENERAL INFORMATION

Found in the southern part of Puerto Rico in the Refuge of the Guánica Dry Forest.

It only fills with the passage of heavy rains. In times of heat and drought the lagoon dries up completely.

It has served as stoppage between the coast and firm land for migratory birds.

DryFull

FLORA

The plant and tree diversity of the Lagoon has adapted itself to be able to survive both drought and flooding of the lagoon

These species can also be found in the Elfin forest and the Tamarindo Bay.

Espesia populnea

FAUNA

Composed of aquatic and amphibious life.

Reproductive place of Sapo Concho (Pelthophryne lemur), an endangered species.

In 1984 a population was recorded in the area of Tamarindo within the forest.

During dry weather they remain refuge. They reproduce when the temporary lagoon emerge.

Pelthophryne lemur

ELFIN FOREST OF GUÁNICA

GENERAL INFORMATION

It extends from Tamarindo Lagoon to Punta Ventana.

It is known as the “Elfin Forest” due to the limited altitude and

growth of its vegetation.

The ground has a formation of sedimentary rocks.

FLORA’S PROBLEM

Same species as in the Dry Forest, yet slightly miniature and limited.

Factors that limit vegetation growth: Wind Water limitation Salt concentrations

Canavalia maritime

Coccoloba uvifera

Melon Cactus population

FAUNA

They obtain water from pray and vegetation.

They hide in cavities, underground, in bushes or ground.

Todus mexicanus Caprimulgus noctitherus

AVIFAUNA

Mayor population consists of bird (132 )species. There are 40 resident species and 9 endemic species of birds.

Setophaga angelae Coccyzus vieilloti Myiarchus antillarum

REFERENCES

Estado LibreAsociado de Puerto Rico.1981.

Documentation re-proposing Guanica Forest as UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve. Area of Scientific Research, Department of natural Resources San Juan P.R. 13 p.

CerameVivas, M.2001,Ecologíade Puerto Rico. PublicacionesPuertorriqueñas

Murphy P.G.1990.Dry Forest of the Tropics and Subtropics Guanica Forest in Context4(1-3):15-24

Ortíz, C. G. Bosque Estatalde Guánica.PrFrogui. http://www.prfrogui.com/geocities/guanicabosq

ue.htm

RicartPh.D, C. M. (Narrador). (2014).Bosque Seco[Video enlínea]. Obtained from:Youtube.

Ramírez, Jennie (2009). Bosque Secode Guánica. http://ponce.inter.edu/acad/cursos/ciencia/pages/guanica.htm

Anonymus. (2007). Sapo concho puertorriqueño. 28 de junio de 2015, de CoaliciónProBosque Seco Ventanas Verraco Website: http://www.coalicionventanaverraco.org/index.php?q=gallery&g2_view=slideshow.Slideshow&g2_itemId=882