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Susúa Forest Reserve
DNRE, Oct. 1976 The Susúa Forest Reserve (3341 cuerdas) is located in the municipalities of Yauco and Sabana Grande. The highest elevation (473 m) is found in the northeast corner of the forest, near the Jose J. Acosta School, and the lowest elevation (80 m) is found in the southern extreme of the forest. The Susúa forest lies between the humid Central Cordillera and the dry coastal plains typical of the south coast. Mean annual precipitation is 1413 mm and mean annual temperature is 23.9 degrees. Much of the rainfall is orographic and is produced by the lifting of moist trade winds over interior ridges. Most of the rainfall falls as brief showers. Rainfall is generally heaviest in August, September and October and is lightest during February and March. The forest of Susúa represents not only the influence of a climatic
transition zone (dry to moist), but also a combination of volcanic and
serpentine soils. Two vegetation associations (dry slope forest and gallery
forest) have been deliniated in the sub-tropical moist life zone. The
serpentine-derived soil (Nipe and Rosario series) supports a unique
vegetation, which contains a number of endemics, but does not support any
significant agriculture or forestry. The trees are slender, open crowned, and
usually less than 12 m tall. The forest floor is open, for the excessively
drained soil supports little herbaceous growth. Due to increased soil
moisture, the gallery forest along the banks of Río Loco supports taller
vegetation as compared to the dry upper slopes. Common species found in the
Susua forest include: Bursera simaraba, Exostema caribaeum, Linociera
axillaris, Coccoloba microstachia and Neolaguaria resinosa. To view checklist Click Here |
