How many rain forest zones are there in El Yunque?
The Tabonuco Forest:
This is the lowest level. It is full with tall trees and low light intensities. The trees have very straight trunks and their branches high above the ground.Here you can find the richest flora on El Yunque with about 175 tree species.This forest is on the slopes below 2,000 feet in elevation which covers 13,417 acres.
The Palo Colorado Forest:
This zone is like an upland swamp with short-saturated trees with shallow root systems. It has an elevation of 2,000 feet on slopes and valleys. There are 50 tree species and the area covers about 8,401 acres.
The Sierra Palm Forest:
Flora in this part is not very common but it happens in dense places where the elevation ranges between the Tabonuco zone and Palo Colorado. Sierra palms are succesful here even though this type of forest is found in streambeds, slopes, and unstable soils. It covers 5,065 acres of the forest.
The Dwarf Forest:
This type is found on the edges of Palo Colorado and Sierra Palm Forest it is also known as "elfin woodlands". This area has shorter trees and water-saturated soils. The minerals for plants dissolve in rain and fog. This forest zone covers 1,111 acres and is full of Sierra Palms and epiphytes.
How much rain falls at El Yunque?
El Yunque recieves 3,400 mm of rain each year.
How much water runs off El Yunque in a year?
100 billion gallons of water runs off El Yunque each year.
Why are Puerto Rican Parrots Endangered?
Puerto Rican Parrots are endangered because deforestation, which is the main reason, hunting, natural predation, and pet trade.
Briefly describe the history of El Yunque.
In1876,was when the Spanish Conquistadors claimed El Yunque and the other parts of the island. They used the Taino indians as slaves to get the gold from the streams. But in 1898 the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico became a territory in the Treaty of Paris.Then El Yunque became a federal reserve. In 1903 President Roosevelt designates "The Luquillo Forest Reserve". In 1935 it's name changed to Caribbean National Forest. In 1946 the forest was designated as a wildlife refuge. In 1968 conservation projects began for the Puerto Rican Parrot.
What does El Yunque mean?
The tainos called it Yu-ke thought to mean "white lands".
