Forest Zones
In El Yunque there are four kinds or types of forests. These forests are The Tabonuco Forest, The Palo Colorado Forest, The Sierra Palm Forest, and En Las Nubes Forest. En Las Nubes Forest means in the clouds forest, it is called like this because it is located at the top of the rainforest, this layer also is very windy. The Sierra Palm Forest is found in slopes and this part of the rainforest has trees where other tree species would die. Palo Colorado Forest is found in gentle slopes and valleys, this forest contains about 50 tree species. The Tabonuco Forest is found foothills and slopes, this part of El Yunque is the richest in flora because it contains about 175 tree species.
How much rain falls in El Yunque?
The amount of rain that falls in El Yunque every year is about 240 inches.
How much water runs off El Yunque in a year?
The amount of water that runs off El Yunque in a year is about 100 billion gallons of rainwater.
Why are Puerto Rican Parrots endangered?
The Puerto Rican Parrots are endangered because of three main reasons:
1) Development
2) Agriculture
3) Habitats being destroyed for roads, land, and apartments.
What does El Yunque mean?
El Yunque means in Taino, "Yuquiye", which means "Forest of Clouds"
El Yunque History
When the Spanish Conquistadores arrived to Puerto Rico the inhabitants of Puerto Rico were the Taino Indians. In the early 1500s the Spanish invasion in search for gold took all the gold from mountains, rivers, and streams with the enslaved Tainos. When there was no more gold the King of Spain claimed El Yunque a nature reserve. In 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States of America. Soon after El Yunque was declared a federal reserve.
