Cambalache Forest Reserve


Cambalache State Forest and Reserve is a nature reserve and one of the 20 state forests in Puerto Rico|state forests] in the territory of Puerto Rico. The Cambalache State Forest is located in the municipalities of Arecibo and Barceloneta in northern Puerto Rico.

History

The Cambalache State Forest was proclaimed in 1943 through a deal between the United States Forest Service and the Land Authority of Puerto Rico as part of a research program dedicated to the ecological and geological study of the island's Northern karst. The forest was first known as the Cambalache Experimental Forest. It was proclaimed a state forest in 1973.

Description

The forest reserve protects steep limestone hills known as mogotes, which are covered in patches of moist forests. The elevation ranges from above mean sea level. Average rainfall is per year, with the temperature varying from. Mogotes oriented northeast to southeast have humid northern and southwestern slopes but xeric tops. It has an area of 1,050 cuerdas.
The forest is divided into various forest units located throughout the municipalities of Arecibo and Barceloneta.

Ecology and conservation

Flora

More than 150 trees and large shrubs have been identified in the forest. Common trees include Cecropia, ''Schefflera, and Tabebuia heterophylla. The endemic Puerto Rican royal palm and Palma de Sierra are also found in the forest. Zanthoxylum martinicense inhabits xeric areas. Eugenia biflora and Eugenia ligustrina'' are found in the forest. The hillsides and valleys are home to distinct vegetation zones. The valleys have lost most of their original vegetation and instead feature scrubby secondary forests and planted teak groves.

Fauna

The forest is home to at least two endangered species: the Puerto Rican boa and the red fruit bat. Some other animals found in the forest are the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo, the Puerto Rican tody, the green mango, the Puerto Rican bullfinch, the Puerto Rican oriole, and Adelaide's warbler. There is also a large variety of butterfly species some of which are rare.

Recreation

Parts of the forest are open to visitors with opportunities for hiking, camping and biking. The visitors' area is located by highway PR-22.