Ecosystem

Ecosystem In San Juan

Puerto Rico’s strategic locations provides for ample rains and sunlight needed for the propagation of various species of plants and animals. The country has numerous rain forests, jungles, dry forest and savannas. In the city of San Juan, there is the Piñones Reserve which is a sub-tropical moist forest which features mangroves, sea turtle nesting sites and breathtaking-beaches. Piñones Natural Reserve is considered the largest extensions of mangrove forest in the Puerto Rico. It is located just east of Isla Verde, San Juan.

Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow in the saline coastal areas. Mangroves play an important part in the ecosystem of Puerto Rico. It acts as sediment traps retard water, inhibits water movement and trap suspended materials. It also raises the area’s land level and produce organic soil. Elevated land level is important especially to countering the tsunami waves and flooding. Mangroves also serve as a habitat for a wide variety of organisms, which under the ecological cycle provides for food base for marine animals. The Piñones Natural Reserve is the nesting site of the leatherback sea turtles, the largest sea turtles in the world.

Some of the shellfish, fish and plants found in the mangroves feature high commercial value, so it help the natives earn a living. Mangroves also serve as nesting sites for native and migratory birds. Thus there is a lot of scientific research conducted in these areas because of its attraction to various kinds of species.

There are four species of mangroves found in the Piñones Reserve namely: Buttonwood Mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), White Mangrove (Laguncularia Racemosa), Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans).

Thus for those interested to admire nature’s beauty and grandiosity, then they should visit San Juan, Puerto Rico.