Vega State Forest

Vega State Forest is a state forest of Puerto Rico located in the municipalities of Vega Alta and Vega Baja. The subtropical moist forest is located in the northern coast of Puerto Rico in the middle of the karst zone known as the Carso Norteño, and it contains features typical of such geography such as sinkholes, caves and mogotes. It was designated a nature reserve in 1952 and it is fully protected by the Puerto Rico Forest laws of 1975. The forest has a total area of 1,150 acres, divided into six forest units throughout the municipalities of Vega Alta and Vega Baja.

Ecology

The Vega Forest plays an important role in the protection of many underground water supplies as it contains sinkholes and areas of natural recharge for the northern aquifers of Puerto Rico. The limestone geology is important for numerous species of plants and animals.

Flora

The forest is home to at least 72 species of trees, with the best represented families being Leguminosae and Myrtaceae. The Sierra palm, the cock's-spur and palo de rosa grow on limestone mogotes; the latter two are highly endangered due to habitat loss.

Fauna

Thirty-seven species of birds have been documented in the forest area, three of which are endemic to Puerto Rico: the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo, the Puerto Rican bullfinch and the Puerto Rican vireo. The forest is also home to a number of endemic reptile and amphibian species.

Recreation

The forest contains sections which are open to visitors, located in Vega Alta. Its administrative office also contains a plant nursery.