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 Génesis Thays Santos-Cotto Michelle C. Pérez-Ayala Michelle C. Pérez-Ayala José David Centeno-Pagán José David Centeno-Pagán Jariel Yamil Ramírez-Virella Jariel Yamil Ramírez-Virella Valeria María Nieves-Rivera Valeria María Nieves-Rivera Nicole S. Rivera-Espinal Nicole S. Rivera-Espinal Ingrid M. Meléndez-Nieves Ingrid M. Meléndez-Nieves Paola Morales-Muñiz Paola Morales-Muñiz Alejandra Martínez-Rivera Alejandra Martínez-Rivera Alexander Colón-Romero Alexander Colón-Romero

El Yunque The first habitants of El Yunque were Indian people, later Spanish, “j í baros”, and North Americans The first habitants of El Yunque were Indian people, later Spanish, “j í baros”, and North Americans Acoording to acient Indian legends, there was a good spirit called 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 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 Indians used it for canoes and Spanish used it for building homes and boats

Served as an investigation center for the orange agent 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 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 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: Measure and observe: Flora and fauna Flora and fauna Endemic species Endemic species Native species Native species Environmental conditions of different locations Environmental conditions of different locations Geographical diversity within an ecosystem Geographical diversity within an ecosystem

Tour guidance Dr. Enríquez Rodríguez- Borrero and Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto were guides of the El Yunque trip. Dr. Enríquez Rodríguez- Borrero and Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto were guides of the El Yunque trip. Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto experience includes: Dr. Félix Velázquez-Soto experience includes: Different habitats, Different habitats, Plant species Plant species Animal life Animal life Natural substances and resources 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 Soil thermometer pH meter GPS Water thermometerWind speed meter

Bamboo Area Soil temperature: 23 °C, 73 °F Soil temperature: 23 °C, 73 °F Soil pH: 6 (acid) Soil pH: 6 (acid) Location: North (N) 18° ’, West (W) 065° ’ Location: North (N) 18° ’, West (W) 065° ’ Elevation: 689FT Elevation: 689FT Wind speed: 7 miles N Wind speed: 7 miles N

Cascada La Coca Soil pH: 4 (acid) Soil pH: 4 (acid) Wind speed: 7 miles South East (SE) Wind speed: 7 miles South East (SE) Location: N 18° ’, W 065° ’ Location: N 18° ’, W 065° ’

Big Tree Trailhead: La Mina Falls Soil pH: 5 (acid) Soil pH: 5 (acid) #2 soil pH: 3.7 (acid) #2 soil pH: 3.7 (acid) Some plant species: Dianas, Tabonuco, and Palo Colorado Some plant species: Dianas, Tabonuco, and Palo Colorado #3 soil pH: 4 (acid) #3 soil pH: 4 (acid) Soil temperature: 59°F Soil temperature: 59°F Plant species: Palma de sierra Plant species: Palma de sierra

Railroad leading to “The Rock” Location: N 18° ’, W 065° ’ Location: N 18° ’, W 065° ’ Elevation: 2,164 FT Elevation: 2,164 FT Soil Temperature: 56°F Soil Temperature: 56°F Animal species: Polluelos and Cotorras de Puerto Rico Animal species: Polluelos and Cotorras de Puerto Rico #2 Soil temperature: 88°F #2 Soil temperature: 88°F #2 pH: 6 (acid) #2 pH: 6 (acid) Plant species: Helecho de Montaña with thorns (“espinas”) Plant species: Helecho de Montaña with thorns (“espinas”)

First Bridge Soil pH: 3.5 (acid) Soil pH: 3.5 (acid) Water temperatura: 20°C, 70°F Water temperatura: 20°C, 70°F Soil temperature: 55°F Soil temperature: 55°F

Second Bridge (rocky) Soil pH: 5 (acid) Soil pH: 5 (acid) Water temperature: 19°C, 66°F Water temperature: 19°C, 66°F Location: N 18° ’, W 065° ’ Location: N 18° ’, W 065° ’ Elevation: 2,608 ft Elevation: 2,608 ft

“The Rock” Soil pH: 5.5 (acid) Soil pH: 5.5 (acid) Soil Temprature 54°F Soil Temprature 54°F

Conclusions Height is inversely proportional to temperature. Height is inversely proportional to temperature. Temperature is proportional to pH. Temperature is proportional to pH.

Tips Hydration Hydration Do not interact with species Do not interact with species Use of raincoat Use of raincoat Do not travel alone Do not travel alone Bring food Bring food Dispose of trash in backpack or designated areas Dispose of trash in backpack or designated areas Use protective and safe clothing Use protective and safe clothing Taking pictures and videos is permitted Taking pictures and videos is permitted