Puerto Rico Critical Wildlife Areas - Puerto DRNA - Gobierno de ...

53- Guánica State Forest and Adjacent Lands, Guayanilla-Yauco-Guánica, Puerto Rico
Area Description:
The Guánica State Forest (GSF) lies in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico. The area is
classified in the Subtropical Dry Forest Life Zone, a water-limited life zone (Ewel and
Whitmore 1973). The forest and is composed of two portions, which together total about 4,000
ha (Murphy and Lugo, 1990), and includes about 500 species of vascular plants in 85 families
(Quevedo et al. 1990). The point of the highest elevation is 228 m above sea level. Guánica Bay
separates the eastern and western parts of the forest. Steep cliffs like rocks guard the entrance to
the Bay. Rainfall is scarce, averaging 25 to 30 inches per year (DNR 1976).
GSF lies in the subtropical dry life zone and it is described as one of the best type of this
vegetation in the tropics. Different types of scientific research are conducted in this Forest due
to the presence of high diversity (Silander et al 1986).
The type of vegetation is varied and includes: mangroves; natural salt marsh; beaches;
rocks and cactus; spiny forest; dry forest; evergreen forest; plantations and grass (DRN 1981).
More recently, the DNER prepared a document to propose to the government the extension of
the limits of the forest to include Ballena Bay (Bahía Ballena) due to the ecological importance
of the area and to the presence of critical elements of the flora and fauna of Puerto Rico (DRNA
1996). The DNER is proposing the extension of the Forest since 1976 in the The Master Plan for
the Commonwealth Forests of Puerto Rico.
Ownership/Protection:
The GSF is a public land administered by the DNER. The adjacent lands are privately
owned.
Special Recognition:
The area was declared a Forest in 1919. In 1981 was declared as a Biosphere Reserve by
the UNESCO in recognition of its value as one of the best preserved dry forest in the world
(Silander et al 1986). The GSF is also considered a Natural Reserve (DRNA 1996). Cardona ad
Rivera (1988) included Bahía Ballena as part of the Puerto Rico Critical Coastal Wildlife Areas.
Bahía Ballena fulfills the requirements to be included in the National Register of places with
archeological values due to the Indian petroglyph find in the place (DRNA 1996). In 2004, Bird
Life International and SOPI recognized GSF as an Important Bird Area. The GSF is known to
support the only remaining breeding population of the endangered Puerto Rican Crested toad.
Today, the GSF and adjacent land are recognized as a primary wildlife area.
Wildlife:
Birds
Forty seven bird species have been reported in GSF: Turkey vulture Cathartes aura,
Red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis, American kestrel Falco sparverius, Zenaida dove Zenaida
aurita, Common ground dove Columbina passerina, Key west quail-dove Geotrygon chrysia,
Ruddy quail-dove G. montana, Mangrove cuckoo Coccyzus minor, Yellow-billed cuckoo C.
americanus, Puerto Rican Lizard cuckoo Saurothera vieilloti, Smooth-billed ani Crotophaga
ani, Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus, Common nighthawk Chordeiles minor,
Puerto Rican Emerald Chlorostilbon maugaeus, Antillean Mango Anthracothorax dominicus,
Puerto Rican Tody Todus mexicanus, Puerto Rican Woodpecker Melanerpes portoricensis,
Gray kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis, Loggerhead kingbird T. caudifasciatus, Puerto Rican
Flycatcher Myiarchus antillarum, Puerto Rican lesser Antillean Pewee Contopus portoricensis,
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