Land Development and Degradation
Land development and degradation has played a large part in the way the El Yunque is today. Because of this, two days of the service tour will be dedicated to learning about the land development and degradation and working towards solving this issue.
General Info:
Is land development and degradation a problem in El Yunque?
Yes! The main problem that the rainforest has struggled with over the years is deforestation. In fact, approximately 85% of the island was deforested.
When was the land developed/degraded?
The El Yunque rainforest was destroyed mosting in the early 1900s by natives, and then settlers. There is, however, some deforestation occuring today.
Why was the land being destroyed?
During the 1900s timber became very valuable. By 1944, timber was a very valuable resource. So valuable, that deforestation raised considerably. By 1945, 1750 timber sales were recorded. The forest was also commonly deforested for ship-building.
In more modern times, the forest destroyed to make space for residential areas like the one pictured below.
Yes! The main problem that the rainforest has struggled with over the years is deforestation. In fact, approximately 85% of the island was deforested.
When was the land developed/degraded?
The El Yunque rainforest was destroyed mosting in the early 1900s by natives, and then settlers. There is, however, some deforestation occuring today.
Why was the land being destroyed?
During the 1900s timber became very valuable. By 1944, timber was a very valuable resource. So valuable, that deforestation raised considerably. By 1945, 1750 timber sales were recorded. The forest was also commonly deforested for ship-building.
In more modern times, the forest destroyed to make space for residential areas like the one pictured below.
About Trees and El Yunque
This is a picture of a sierra palm. This is one of the many trees in El Yunque that used to be deforested. They are so common in El Yunque that a part of the forest is even called the 'Sierra Palms Forest'. While sierra palms are very common in El Yunque, there is a lot of diversity in the trees.There are about 240 trees species total in this Puerto Rican rainforest. 88 of these tree species are rare, and 23 are found only in El Yunque. Since trees are so important to El Yunque, the main focus of the land development/degradation section of the tour will be deforestation.
Why are trees so important to El Yunque's? What happens when deforestation occurs?
Trees play a huge part in El Yunque's ecosystem! Trees provide much needed shade from the strong sun for the life beneath it. The animals in the El Yunque rainforest, many of which you can read about here, rely on these trees as part of their habitat. An animal especially affected by deforestation is the Puerto Rican parrot. 99% of its habitat was destroyed, leaving the species in extreme danger of going extinct. Other effects of deforestation on the environment are high light intensity because of the lack of shade. Another effect of deforestation is an increase in water temperature (caused by the greater amounts of sunlight). This could harm many species in the rainforest, like the Coqui tree frogs (pictured to the left), that are very commonly found in the waters of the rainforest. There are also found, of course, in the trees which shows that without the trees in the rainforest many species also lose their shelters. Without the trees many animals, including the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Coqui tree frogs, would lose their habitats and likely go extinct. This would lead to less biodiversity, and, therefore, a less stable ecosystem.The animals of El Yunque are also affected because of temperature changes in the air. There have already been reports of the Coqui tree frogs decreasing in population. Trees retain moisture, helping lower the temperature of the forest. When deforestation occurs, the can be arupt changes in temperature. This may throw off the balance of the ecosystem since the animals are not used to the drastic change.
What will we do to help?
The first thing to do when faced with a problem is get educated. So the first thing we will do is tour to forest and learn more about El Yunque and its history. We will even interview the forest supervisor, Pablo Cruz, to make sure we know enough about to problem to know how to help.
One of the main ways to reverse the damaging affects of deforestation is to, of course, plant more trees. There are several parts of El Yunque that have been replanted by various organizations.This has helped the ecosystem become more inbalance since it has created many more homes for animals like the Coqui tree frogs and the Puerto Rican parrot. Because this is so beneficial to the rainforest, it is one of the main activities that we will be doing on this eco tour.
The second thing we will do to help to forest is write letters to the El Yunque forest officials asking them to work to pass more laws protecting the forest against deforestation. This will help the forest longterm to protect it against loggers and house builders who have motive to cut the trees down.
You can read more about what we will do specifically to help El Yunque in the trip itinerary which you can find here.
One of the main ways to reverse the damaging affects of deforestation is to, of course, plant more trees. There are several parts of El Yunque that have been replanted by various organizations.This has helped the ecosystem become more inbalance since it has created many more homes for animals like the Coqui tree frogs and the Puerto Rican parrot. Because this is so beneficial to the rainforest, it is one of the main activities that we will be doing on this eco tour.
The second thing we will do to help to forest is write letters to the El Yunque forest officials asking them to work to pass more laws protecting the forest against deforestation. This will help the forest longterm to protect it against loggers and house builders who have motive to cut the trees down.
You can read more about what we will do specifically to help El Yunque in the trip itinerary which you can find here.