Rainforests without as much rain, tropical dry forests once covered Pacific coastal lowlands stretching from Panama to Mexico, comprising an area the size of France.

Explore Puerto Rico The Definitive Guide!

Today, they have shrunk to a mere two percent of the total area and only part of this is under protection; one of the world˙s best examples of tropical dry forest is found in the reserve at Gu‡nica, Puerto Rico. This description of the island˙s only tropical dry forest reserve (and neighboring town of the same name) comes from the third edition of Explore Puerto Rico by Harry S. Pariser. Copyright 2002,Harry S. Pariser. All rights reserved.

Adjoining the forest is 164 acres fronting the Bahia Ballena which was purchased by the Conservation Trust and the Department of Natural Resources for $1.7 million in 1992. It had originally been slated for a $12 million Club Med resort. Local resident Miguel Canales, a local resident, pasrk ranger, and leader of the fight, discovered that the sapo concho, a toad thought to have been extinct, resided in the area, and the planned resort would have restricted its movements and endangered its well being. Plans are to develop tours and a variety of nature exhibits here.

getting there: Take Carr. 335 to the end of the road in Sector Jabonillo where there˙s a ranger station with information and restrooms. From the NE of the town of Guanica, Carr. 334 leads to the reserve and ranger station. Several dirt roads (no vehicles allowed) are the best place to hike along from there. Carr. 333 runs along the reserve's perimiter; an unmarked trail along it leads to the ranger station. At the ranger station be sure to pick up literature including the superb A Guide to Trails of Guánica by Beth Farnsworth.

fauna: The guabairo (Puerto Rican whippoorwill) survives on the island only in this reserve. Some of the other 40 species of birds found here include the troupial, the orange-cheeked waxbill (an introduced W African native), the Caribbean elaenia, the Puerto Rican bullfinch, the Puerto Rican nightjar (once thought to be extinct), and the Puerto Rican tody. The crested toad is born in pools but lives in limestone crevices. The green and leatherback turtles still lay their eggs along the coast, but mongooses are posing a threat to the eggs and hatchlings. The Ameiva wetmorei is a black-bodied lizard which has racing stripes on its back and a blue iridescent tail. Also be sure to watch out for the "crazy ants" which are common. arboreal ecosystems: Comprising nearly two thirds of the reserve's area, the deciduous forest contains largely young trees. During the dry season (Dec. to April), almost half of the trees here shed their leaves which release nutrients into the soil. During the end of the dry season, many of its trees flower and fruit. Check the trees for orchids and termite nests as well as the tiny green Puerto Rican tody and the brown lizard cuckoo (which can be spotted by its black and white tail). Covering about a fifth of the reserve's area and largely confined to moist ravines, valleys, and sinkholes, the semi-evergreen forest contains plants which are more commonly found at higher and damper altitudes. The dry scrub forest contains stunted trees and cacti. Many of its shrubs are members of the Rubiaccae, the coffee family; they may be recognized by their thorns, small opposing leaves, and tiny white tubular flowers. The coastal forest faces low rainfall and salty wind spray. Its shrunken and twisted trees attest to the harshness of its environment. In this area you can spot buttonwood mangroves, sea grapes, and milkweed. Other parts of the reserve have been used as plantations and are in recovery.