Quantification of deadwood littered by Acacia spp. in semi-arid ecosystems of...
El Yunque and Guánica Forests Adaptations Report
1. lolUniversity of Puerto Rico at Cayey
Rise Program
Dr. Edwin Vazquez
Report on El Yunque National Rainforest and The Guánica Dry Forest
Group #2
BIOL 3009
Session 1300
July 10, 2011
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2. Index
Introduction 3
Discussion of adaptations of flora
- El Yunque National Rainforest 4
- Guánica Dry Forest 7
Methodology
- El Yunque National Rainforest 9
- Guánica Dry Forest 9
Results
- Individual results for El Yunque National 11
Rainforest
- Grouped results for El Yunque National 12
Rainforest
- Individual results for Guánica Dry Forest 14
- Grouped results for Guánica Dry Forest 16
Results analysis (graphics)
- Individual graphics for El Yunque National 23
Rainforest
- Grouped graphics for El Yunque National 26
Rainforest
- Individual graphics for Guánica Dry Forest 28
- Grouped graphics for Guánica Dry Forest 30
Conclusion 35
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3. Discussion 36
Appendix 38
Credits 40
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4. Introduction
Living in an island relatively small can have a different perspective about what are
distances. In Puerto Rico running from side to side, for example from Fajardo to Mayaguez,
can last about 4 hours driving a car. It might be raining in the north while in the south might
be warm. Because of this we have evidence that a small region can have a diversity of
ecosystems. To learn more about our natural resources, we entered two Puerto Rican
ecosystems that differ from many essential features: El Yunque National Rainforest and
Guanica Dry Forest. While visiting those places, several tests were made. In the Tropical
Rainforest, the soil was the matter studied, while in the dry forest Floral ecosystem. This
report discusses diferences between the adaptations of the plants in each bioma, exposes all
the data taken, and also offers several graphics.
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5. Discussion: Adaptations of flora in El Yunque National Rainforest
Since El Yunque is a tropical forest, there are many environmental factors that affect
the growth and development of flora in this area, such as the climate, the temperature, the
minerals in the soil, the fauna, the distribution of water, between others. Because of the
effect of these factors, plants have made several noticeable adaptations to survive in this
ecosystem.
Ever since we got on our first stop in El Yunque, we were able to see some of those
adaptations. One of them was the symbiotic relationship of the Cadam’s tree roots with the
fungal microorganism Myccorrhiza so that they would both help each other to survive by
interchanging food and protection by the means of resistance to toxicity. Other adaptations
were the Caoba’s tree resistance to mite, the ability of Yagrumo’s stem to float and
proliferate, the Bamboo’s ability to dominate a specific area by modifying the soil, capturing
all the sunlight and, therefore, keeping other plants species from growing beneath them. We
also saw an interesting adaptation of bromeliad, which was a type of epiphyte, and which had
a dimorphism adaptation, meaning that it had 2 ways of growing in the same tree according
to the stage of growth on which it was. These 2 ways of growth were the phototropic growth,
which is in direction to sunlight, and the geotropic growth, which is in direction to the soil. We
were also able to see the special adjustment of the big trees’ roots to the unstable and rocky-
bottomed soil of the forest by growing perpendicular to the soil. Also on the big trees, we
could see that their leaves were adapted to the weather by being big and wide, a trait that
allows them to eliminate excess water and to capture more sunlight for photosynthesis. In
terms of the Sierra Palms, they have a special stabilizing root system which allows them to
live in unstable and saturated soils. We were also able to observe one of the most amazing
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6. adaptations of plants in the forest: the adventitious roots, which are roots that do not form in
the radical of the embryo, but on any other part of the plant, mostly in the stems. This allows
the plant to climb or to extend on the soil’s surface, reproducing more easily and reaching for
sunlight to complete photosynthesis.
In conclusion, the flora of El Yunque has evolved very specifically to reach the survival
requirements of this ecosystem.
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7. Discussion: Adaptations of flora in Guánica Dry Forest
The extreme conditions in Guánica Dry Forest limit greatly the growth of flora in this
ecosystem. The scarceness of water, the high salt concentration, the action of strong winds,
the recurrent fires, and the presence of so few nutrients in the soil are some of the factors
that restrict the normal development of plants in this area and that promote the improvement
of adaptations in the plants.
Since the beginning of our tour in the dry forest, we started observing that the plants of
the area were very different from those of El Yunque or even from Cayey, so we inferred that
they had special adaptations to survive in this extreme weather. One of the first plants that
we found was the mangrove, which leaves were very little, as most of the other tree’s leaves
in the dry forest. This adaptation allows them to retain water by avoiding transpiration. The
mangrove also has a special adaptation to secrete the salt of his inside by means of his
leaves, as if it sweated, and therefore, this allows it to maintain a balance on salt
concentration and to not dehydrate. The most evident adapted plants of this area are the
succulents and cactus which make a water and nutrient reserve inside their leaves, their
thorns and their stems. This helps them to survive the drought times and to preserve their
energy sources safely. Due to the dryness, the salt concentration and the high temperature
of the area, another obvious adaptation arises on the height of most of the trees, which keep
a short to medium height in order to preserve their nutrients and energy.
In conclusion, all of these vegetation species vary in their adaptations, but they all use
them to survive in the hostile conditions of this extraordinaire environment.
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8. In this journey Yunque wanted to accomplish many things but the most
comprehensive besides going to take soil samples, pH, humidity, altitude, and etc. Was to
reach the top of this.
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9. Methodology
I. Methodology for Soil analysis of El Yunque National Rainforest:
1. Go to El Yunque National Rainforest .
2. Make eight stops and take the coordinates and altitude with the help of a GPS.
3. In those stops messure the:
a. Soil’s humedity
b. Soil’s pH
c. Temperature
d. Wind’s velocity
4. A sample of soil can be taken in each stop so then the presence of fages could be
analyzed. In the test tube write details like humidity, pH, temperature, and wind’s
velocity
II. Methodology for Guánica Dry Forest:
A. Line Transect Method:
1. Lay a measure tape along the ground in a straight line between two poles as a
guide to a sampling method used to measure the distribution of organisms (from 0
to 50 meters).
2. Record the organisms that are actually touching the line.
B. Belt transect:
1. Using a quadrant, measure the percents of abiotic and biotic factors inside the box.
2. Other group will examine the effect of salt spray on the plant community
progressing from the coast line to the forested areas
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10. 3. Also will determine the distribution and frequency of a specific plant ( Agave).
4. They will locate a population of their plants and then measure the distribution of
their plant in the area.
5. Later, will describe the dispersion pattern for their species.
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11. Results
I. Results of El Yunque National Rainforest
A. Individual results of El Yunque National Rainforest
Altitude Coordinates Temperature pH Wind’s velocity Humidity
49p N 18ᵒ 21.987' W 056ᵒ 46.223' 95.1ᵒ F 6 Min 80p/m 4
Max 346p/m
706p N 18ᵒ 18.1989' W 065ᵒ 47.394' 94.1ᵒF 4 Min 0p/m 2
Max 15p/m
165p N 18ᵒ 21.985' W 065ᵒ 46.225' 84.6ᵒ F 4 Min 0 p/m 4.5
Max 15p/m
1,630p N 18ᵒ 18.749' W 0.65ᵒ 42.219' 89.1ᵒ F 4 Min 0p/m 6
Max 202p/m
2,181p N 18ᵒ 186' W 065ᵒ 46.227' 80.9ᵒF 4.9 Min 0 p/m 5
Max 133p/m
2,405p N 18ᵒ 18.218' W 065ᵒ 47.361' 80.6ᵒF 4.9 Min 0 p/m Max 3
7p/m
2,571p N 18ᵒ 18.328' W 065ᵒ 42.356' 77.6ᵒF 4.2 Min 0p/m 4.5
Max 244p/m
2,878p N 18ᵒ 18.257' W 065ᵒ 47.539' 76.0ᵒF 5 Min 0p/m 2
Max 53p/m
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12. B. Grouped results of El Yunque National Rainforest
Results from Group #1
Velocity of the
Altitude Coordinates Humidity pH Temperature wind
18 20.298'N 065
706 45.732'W 5 80 F
18 18.1989'N 065
2,483 47.394'W 84% 73F
18 21.985'N 065
56 46.225'W 80F 206 F/M
18 298'N 065
26,622 47.394'W 71F
18 18.65'N 065
1,605 46.227'W 25% 6.5 78F
18 18.633'N 065
3,425 47.546'W 7%
18 18.136'N 065
2,153 47.047'W 70%
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13. Results from Group #3
Velocity of
Coordinates Altitude Temperature pH the wind Humidity
N 18˚ 21.985 W 065˚
46.228 49 ft 83˚ F 30˚ C 6.8
N 18˚ 18.335 W 065˚
47.347 2664 ft 70˚ F 24˚ C 5 60
N 18˚ 18.284 W 065˚
47.587 2888 ft 71˚ F 24˚C 5 20
N 18˚ 20.273 W 065˚ 45.734 83˚ F 30˚ C 6.8 40.9
N 18˚ 18.297 W 065˚
47.721 2513 Ft 80* F 4.2 30
N 18˚ 18.144 W 065˚
47.003 2571 Ft 81.5* F 4.2 40.5
N 18˚ 18.568 W 065˚
47.664 3394 ft 76* F 5 20
N 18˚ 18.38 W 065˚ 47.26 3352 ft
N 18˚ 19.121 W
065˚46.288 1579 ft 4.5 70%
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14. II. Results of Guánica Dry Forest
A. Individual results
Individual results of Guánica Dry Forest of Line transect
Meters Object found in specific centimeter
Limestone Bushes Grass
1m 10.20 10.20 -
5m - 0- 100 -
10m - 20.10 -
15m - 0-100 -
20m - 20.10 -
25m 25.1 25.106 -
30m 40.10 - -
35m 35.02 35.201 -
40m 40.02 - 20.10
45m 10.70 - 70.10
50m 10.80 - 50.110
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15. Individual results of Guánica Dry Forest of Belt transect
Objects in quadrant (percent)
Meters
Limestone Bushes Grass
1m 0% 100% (White Mangrove) 0%
5m 99% 1% 0%
10m 0% 100% 0%
15m 0% 100% 0%
20m 40% 60% 0%
25m 0% 100% 0%
30m 0% 100% 0%
35m 75% 20% 5%
40m 35% 65% 0%
45m 40% 60% 0%
50m 80% 20% 0%
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16. B. Results of other groups Guánica Dry Forest
Results of Line transect of Group #3
Meter Percent Objects
1m - -
5m - -
83% grass
10m
17% plant
67% grass
15m
33% cotton
57% grass
13% rock
20m
7% plant( orange)
3% seashell
25m 100% grass
92% grass
30m
8% rock
15% Rock
35m 68% burnt grass
17% plant (red)
63% dry
40m 28% grass
9% plant rock(white)
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17. 40% grass
12% seashells
45m
24% soil(red)
24% rock
40% grass
27% plant
50m 14% dead vegetation
7% ants
12% seashells
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18. Results of Belt Transect of Group 3
Meter Percent and object
98% grey dirt (quicksand)
5m
2% spider
50% rock
10m
50% quicksand
5% cotton
75% rock
15m
19% plants (small)
1% sea shell
80% black rock
20m 3% sea shell
17% plant(orange)
25m 100% grass
85% grass
30m
15% rock
50% grass
35m
50% rock
95% rock
40m
5% ants
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19. 75% grass
45m 5% ants
20% red soil
97% rock
50m
3% leaf
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20. Results of Belt transect of “Group 1”
Meter Percent Objects
1m - -
5m a) 100% a) Lime stone
a) 80% a)Button Mangrove
10m
b) 20% b)Lime stone
a) 30% a)Acacia
15m
b) 70% b)lime stone
20m a)100% a)Grass
a) 85% a)Grass
25m
b)15% b) Lime stone
30m a) 100% a)Grass
a) 40% a)Grass
35m
b)60% b)Lime stone
a)90% a)Lime Stone
40m
b)10% b) Grass
a)10% a)Cactus
45m b) 5% b) Grass
c) 75% c) Lime stone
a)20% a)Lime Stone
50m
b)80% b) grass
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26. B. Graphics for other groups’ data
Comparison
between
the
groups
average
temperature
data
recolected
in
El
Yunque
Rainforest
78
77.5
Temperature
(ᵒF)
77
76.5
76
Temperature2
75.5
75
Group
1
Group
2
Group
3
Data
per
group
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28. II. Graphicsfor Guánica Dry Forest
A. Graphics for individual results
Graphic
of
ConMnuous
Sampling
Line
Transect
Method
in
Bosque
Seco
of
Guánica,
Puerto
Rico
in
July
27,
2011
120
100
Specific
locaMon
(cm)
80
60
Lime
stone
Bushes
40
Grass
20
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
EsMmated
locaMon
(m)
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29. Graphic
of
AbioMc
and
BioMc
Components
in
Bosque
Seco
of
Guánica,
Puerto
Rico
using
Belt
Transect
Method
messured
by
Quadrants
on
July
27,
1011
120
100
80
Abundance
(%)
60
Soil
VegetaAon
40
Lime
stone
20
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
LocaMon
(m)
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30. B. Graphics for other groups’ data
Graphic
from
the
data
of
the
Line
transect
of
“Guánica
G3”
at
Guánica
Dry
Forest
150%
grass
Percent
(%)
coEon
100%
rock
50%
plant
seashell
0%
dead
vegetaAon
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
animal
Meters
(m)
gray
dirt
Graphic
of
the
data
from
Line
transect
of
“Group
1”
at
Guánica
Dry
Forest
120%
100%
Percent
(%)
80%
Lime
stone
60%
VegetaAon
40%
Grass
20%
Cactus
C. Graphics0%
Melocactus Analysis
for the
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Meters
(m)
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31.
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32. Graphic for Melocactus #1
data analysis by Group #4
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35. Conclusion
After visiting El Yunque National Pluvial Forest and the Guánica Dry Forest we can determine that the
differences between these two ecosystems are drastically evident. According to our inquire and as
shown by the soil’s condition as well as by the organisms’ adaptations, while El Yunque receives
about 200 inches of water per year, the Guánica Dry Forest remains with less than 30 inches.We can
conclude that this is caused by their different geographical locations and altitude. By our experience
on both ecosystems, we can determine that the humidity in El Yunque is a lot higher than in Guánica,
while the temperature is lower in the Pluvial Forest; unfortunately we didn’t have quantitative data
from Guánicaon these topics to compare. Because of the qualitative evidence shown by the
adaptations of plants on both forests, we can also deliberate that evolutionary variations result from
adjustments of the organisms to their environmental requirements. We could observe the evident
differences between the variations of the vegetation that have resulted from natural selection: in El
Yunque, most of the plants were taller, leafier and had bigger leaves, while in Guánica Dry Forest the
plants had smaller, fewer leaves and were lower. As we can see, the survival conditions of the
organisms are directly related to the conditions of their habitat. According to our observations, some
other factors, such as the pH, the wind velocity, the competition of other organisms in the area, the
different reproduction cycles, between others also seem to affect the organisms’ variations according.
While comparing the data collecting methods used on both expeditions we can conclude that they are
very different from each other, but that they both reached their inquire objectives very well. As a
group, we would recommend to use the same research techniques on both forests because that way
it would be easier and more effective to compare the obtained facts. In conclusion, we would say that
this trips were enriching experiences because they allowed us to see some of the natural resources
of our Island form both a tourist and a scientific perspective.
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36. Discussion
Our trip to El Yunque was a meaningful experienced to our lives. Just the fact that we
walked so much to go to the top of the mountain and once we arrived the view in the rock on
the top of the mountain was something outstanding. Mostly what we did was to take samples
of soil to later see if we could find and see if we can find some kind of new bacteria or virus.
We learned new techniques on how to take the ph of the soil where we extracted the soil and
the humidity, the wind in that area and many other things. Our objective was to experiment
the feeling of going to a tropical forest and taking samples of soil and other tests. We also
saw how within that forest are many animals and the majority of them are endangered
species. Some images to the trip can be seen in Figure 1 in the Appendix.
In our trip to Bosque Seco in Guánica was an outstanding experience. First of all we
learned a lot about that forest peculiar things. When we were there our main focus was on
two plants the mellow cactus and Agave. The cactus reproduces sexually and the Agave
reproduces asexually. One of the many interesting fact learned in this trip was how the trees
adapt to the forest by dropping their leaves, this process is called disguise. In this trip we did
to different experiments. One was quadrant lines that was to measure from the beach up to
fifty meters into the forest and see what was in the surroundings and the quadrant to more
specific in the way be made a possible percentage of how much rocks and vegetation was
there. This experiment increased our knowledge and was a wonderful and great experience.
A collage of the pictures taken in this trip appears in the Figure 2 in the Appendix.
One irony that we all saw was when we went to El Yunque, it did not rain but when we
went to Bosque Seco in Guánica it rain a lot, it was horrible. We found it weird knowing that
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37. El Yunque is a tropical forest and it rains almost every day, but in Guánica is a hot forest
where the cactus lives and hardly doesn’t rain. Now we know that these things happen.
These two fieldtrips were amazing and unforgettable; acknowledging that all these things that
we did and learned will be useful and constructive for a near future. Also the techniques
learned will be very helpful for future studies. The beauty of our island and the wonders are
unexplainable and it’s so miserable how people are damaging it and destroying our nature.
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38. Appendix
Figure 1 Pictures taken by Group 2 at El Yunque National Rainforest in June 20, 2011
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39. Guánica
Dry
Forest
Figure 2: Pictures taken by Group 2 at Guánica Dry Forest on June 27, 2011.
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40. Credits
Work Done by
1. Title Page Nicholson Silva
2. Introduction Grethel Montañez
3. Discussion of adaptations of Flora Angélica González
in El Yunque National Rainforest
and Guanica Dry Forest
4. Methodology of Soil Analysis in El Adrián Rojas
Yunque National Rainforest
5. Methodology of Line Transect and Luis Alvelo
Belt transect in Guánica Dry
Forest
6. Recopilation of data tables Celizbets Colón
7. Individual Graphics of El Yunque Gustavo Pérez
National Rainforest
8. Individual Graphics of Guánica Dry Celizbets Colón
Forest
9. Groupal Grahics of Guánica Dry Gustavo Pérez and Celizbets Colón
Forest
10. Conclusion Grethel Montañez and Angélica González
11. Discussion Eduardo Rivera
12. Collage Nicholson Silva
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