Carlos J. Cabello Valeria LaboyAdriana Vera Andrea C. VicentiLaura V. Díaz Stephanie C RodriguezJosé E. Ríos Cristina M. RiveraJoanly Rivera Gabriela ReyesClaudia Colón Camila P. Santiago

The Guánica Dry Forest, Elfin Forest and Tamarindo

Lagoon

General informationThe 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 importantDue 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…

Location and ClimateLocated 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

Geography and TopographyIt covers the counties of Guánica,

Guayanilla, and Yauco; also having islets in Ponce and Peñuelas.

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

Soil propertiesSoil ranges from sandy to limestone, showing

a difference of these:1. Floor composed of limestone and fine-grained

surface.2. Abundant in fine and soft lime with small areas

of sand and clay.3. Floor of sand and clay with a depth of 6” or

more.

As an EcosystemIt is a xerophytic forest; driest place in Puerto

Rico.Also considered as an inhospitable

ecosystem: Lack of rainfall High temperatures Soils with little accumulation of organic material Absence of permanent rivers

FloraAround 550 species of plant; representing 85

families. Around 180 are trees (45 are endangered).The flora is adapted to extreme conditions:

Wind Saltpeter Lack of water

Flora examples

• Eucalyptus• Caoba (Mahogany)• Chery Cactus

Guajacán CentenarioThe 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.

FaunaSome136 species of birds have been

recorded; 12 of them being native. Some 21 species of reptiles and 6 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 and Anolis cooki (exclusive to the forest)

Endangered FaunaThe federal agencies has denominated 16

endangered species: Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) The bird (Agelaius xanthomus) Guabairo (Caparimulgus vociferus noctitherus)

Tamarindo LagoonFound 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.

Tamarindo Lagoon

• When filled, shown in the sign, and when dry

FloraThe 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.

Flora

Espesia populnea

FaunaComposed 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.

Sapo Concho (Pelthophryne lemur)

Elfin Forest of GuánicaIt 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.

Fauna’s problemSame species as in the Dry Forest, yet slightly

miniature and limited.Factors that limit vegetation growth:

Wind Water limitation Salt concentrations

Fauna

Ipomea pres- caprae (Canavalia maritime)Coccoloba uvifera

Elfin Forest

Cherry Cactus population on sedimentary soil.

FaunaThey obtain water from pray and vegetation.They hide in cavities, underground, in bushes or in

the ground.

Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus)Puerto Rican Nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus)

AvifaunaMayor population consists of bird (132 )species(40 resident and 9 endemic species of birds)

Elfin-woods Warbler (Setophaga angelae)Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti)Puerto Rican Flycatcher (Myiarchus antillarum)

ReferencesEstado Libre Asociado 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.Cerame Vivas, M. 2001, Ecología de Puerto Rico. Publicaciones PuertorriqueñasMurphy P.G. 1990. Dry Forest of the Tropics and Subtropics Guanica Forest in Context4(1-3):15-24

ReferencesOrtíz, C. G. Bosque Estatal de Guánica. PrFrogui. Obtained from:http://www.prfrogui.com/geocities/guanicabosque.htmRicart Ph.D, C. M. (Narrador). (2014). Bosque Seco [Video

en línea]. Obtained from: Youtube.Ramírez, Jennie (2009). Bosque Seco de Guánica. Obtained from: http://ponce.inter.edu/acad/cursos/ciencia/pa ges/guanica.htm on June 28, 2015

References

Anonymus. (2007). Sapo concho puertorriqueño. 28 de junio de 2015, de CoaliciónPro Bosque Seco Ventanas Verraco Website: http://

www.coalicionventanaverraco.org/index.php?q=gallery&g2_view=slideshow.Slideshow&g2_itemId=882

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