El Yunque Tropical Rainforest of Puerto Rico Dr

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 Nicole S. Rivera-Espinal Michelle C. Pérez-Ayala Ingrid M. Meléndez-Nieves José David Centeno-Pagán Paola Morales-Muñiz Jariel Yamil Ramírez-Virella Alejandra Martínez-Rivera Valeria María Nieves-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 El bosque de palma de sierra (Prestoea montana) Palo colorado (Xylosma schwaneckeanum) El bosque de tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa) Bosque Enano o Bosque de Nubes

Purposes Measure and observe: Flora and fauna Endemic species Native 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 mi 2 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 p. H meter Soil thermometer Water thermometer Wind speed meter GPS

Bamboo Area Soil temperature: 23 °C, 73 °F Soil p. H: 6 (acid) Location: North (N) 18° 20. 272’, West (W) 065° 45. 730’ Elevation: 689 FT Wind speed: 7 miles N

Cascada La Coca Soil p. H: 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 p. H: 5 (acid) #2 soil p. H: 3. 7 (acid) Some plant species: Dianas, Tabonuco, and Palo Colorado #3 soil p. H: 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 p. H: 6 (acid) Plant species: Helecho de Montaña with thorns (“espinas”)

First Bridge Soil p. H: 3. 5 (acid) Water temperatura: 20°C, 70°F Soil temperature: 55°F

Second Bridge (rocky) Soil p. H: 5 (acid) Water temperature: 19°C, 66°F Location: N 18° 18. 305’, W 065° 47. 383’ Elevation: 2, 608 ft

“The Rock” Soil p. H: 5. 5 (acid) Soil Temprature 54°F

Conclusions Height is inversely proportional to temperature. Temperature is proportional to p. H.

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