Dry Forests

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Dry Forests
The Puerto Rican dry forest eco-region is found
mainly along the southern and eastern coast. Much
of it is threatened today by burning practices
that allow an invasive African grass known as
jaragua to take over. More than 600 different
species of trees are adapted to live in this
eco-region. Common trees found in the dry forest
eco-region are ucar (OOH-KAR), gumbo-limbo, aleli
(AL-lay-LEE), and turpentine. Melon cactus and
other cacti are found in the region as
well. Hawks, hummingbirds, white-tailed deer,
cougars, and the unique amevia (uh-MAY-vah)
lizard with its iridescent tail all make their
home in the dry forest eco-region.
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Moist Forests
In Puerto Rico, the moist forest eco-region
covers more land area than any other type of
forest. Almost all has been cleared at one time
or another, but since the decline of the cattle
industry, many areas are recovering, although
increasing human populations are bringing people
back into these areas. Tall trees such as mango,
and other trees such as prickly and royal palms,
white and Spanish cedars, mangroves, and figs are
common. Other plants include epiphytes and
vines. Animals of the Puerto Rican moist forest
include spider monkeys, ground lizards, and the
Jamaican fruit bat. It is also a haven for birds
such as the resplendent quetzals, trogons, and
white-throated robins.
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Wet Forests
The wet forest eco-region is mainly found in
inland areas of Puerto Rico. Within the wet
forest region you can also find patches of high
and low rainforest. Like most other forest types,
wet forests are threatened by increasing
population, illegal hunting, and demand for
agricultural land. Plants of the wet forest
include tabanuco (TAB-uh-NEW-ko), candlewood,
balsa, and sierra palms. Ferns, red-flowered
bromeliads, and the gnarled colorado tree are
other moist forest plants. Animals of the moist
forest region include the Puerto Rican tanagers,
hawks, owls, the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.
There are fewer birds here than in the dry forest
regions due to the large lizard and frog
population - which compete for the same food - of
the wet forest. Puerto Rico is famous for its
coquis (KO-key), a tree frog that lives in the
wet forests.
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Puerto Rico
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Dry Forests Of Puerto Rico
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Wet Forests of Puerto Rico
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Moist Forests Of Puerto Rico
Moist Forest Areas
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Caching In On Forestry
A geo-cache activity to learn about the types of
forests found in Puerto Rico Group Name
________________ Members
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Wet Forests of Puerto Rico Geographical
Location Animal Species Plant Species
Threats Mark the area on the map where wet
forests are found in blue.
Dry Forests Forests of Puerto Rico Geographical
Location Animal Species Plant Species
Threats Mark the area on the map where dry
forests are found in orange.
Moist Forests of Puerto Rico Geographical
Location Animal Species Plant Species
Threats Mark the area on the map where moist
forests are found in green.
Puerto Rico
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Elevation of Puerto Rico