Susua State Forest

                                                                                                                                                                          

 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources

Forest Resources Services

                                                                                                              

Susua State Forest

Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico 00637

 

 

 

Welcome to Susúa State Forest in Sabana Grande, PR.  Located in the foothills of Cordillera Central, between the municipalities of Sabana Grande and Yauco to the southwest of the island. The forest is administered by Mrs. Wetsy Cordero, Manager Officer II, of the Office of Forest Resources of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DRNA).

 

How to get there?

From San Juan: Take toll road PR-52(south). In the city of Ponce, take PR-2 highway (west)  until Exit 181. Use PR-121 until you reach the town; then take route PR-368 to  kilometer 2.1. At your left  you can find a sign that will take you to the Forest.

Operation Hours:

Monday thru Fridays 7:00am-3:30 pm

Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays 9:00am to 5:00 pm

Susua State Forest Rules:

**No pets allowed; Campfires or littering are prohibited; Feed, disturb, capture or hurt any wildlife species is strictly prohibited. **

 

GEOGRAPHY

The Susúa Forest consists of 3,341 cuerdas (3,244 acres). The elevations varies from 262 to 1,552 feet above sea level.  The Forest is found in the subtropic humid forest life zone.  Inside their limits there are born four rivers or their tributaries:   Coco River, Grande Creek, Cañas River and Loco River.  A large area (90%) of the   Susúa’s Forest lies down in a formation of serpentine material. Serpentine is a major rock forming mineral and is found as a constituent in many metamorphic and weather ingeneous rocks. It often colors many of these rocks to a green color and most rocks that have a green color probably have serpentine in some amount.  It is a fragile black rock to pale green or blue green, with an oily consistency.

 

 

ECOLOGY

Among the State Forests of Puerto Rico, the Susúa Forest  is located in a zone of climatic transition between the dry forests and the humid, transition that is done evident upon descending the sun, which is unique among the other State Forests; besides showing a combination of volcanic floors and of serpentinita.  The vegetation is comprised of 157 species of trees, of which 18 are rare or they are found in danger of extinction.  Although Susúa is a place little studied it, has been attributed with a high diversity of species.

 

 

CLIMATE

From January to March is the driest period in Sabana Grande and from July to November the most humid one.  The haste annual average is of 1,413mm (55.6 inches) of rain and the temperature average is of 75 degrees Farenheit (23.9 degrees Celsius). 

 

 

FAUNA

A total of 44 species of birds have been reported in Susúa’s Forest, 39 are residents and 5 are migratories.  Seven (7) of the 12 endemic species in Puerto Rico occur in Susúa’s Forest. Only the “Guabairo” (Caprimulgus noctitherus) is listed as a specie in danger of extinction in the Federal list.  We observed:

Pajaro Bobo  (Saurothera wielloti)

Pajaro Carpintero (Melanerpes portoricences)

Mucaro (Otus nudipes)

Aura tiñosa  (Carthates aura)

Paloma turca (Columba squamosa

 

 

REPTILIAN & AMPHIBIOUS

7 species of reptiles and 7 species of amphibians have been reported in Susúa’s Forest.  Among these, the Ameiva wetmorei, is found a kind of lizard called “iguana” or “ciguana” which is in menace of extinction.

 

 

FLORA

The native vegetation of the Forest is represented by 157 arboreal species in 51 families.  The largest families are Rubiaceae (17 species), and Leguminosae (12 species); 36 species are  considered as deciduas; 21 are endemic species in Puerto Rico and 7 have been introduced.  18 species have been reported as rare or in danger of extinction.  6 are classified as endemic in danger; 1 like endemic rare; 6 as not endemic in danger; and 5 as rare, but not endemic.  They are included 9 trees, 4 bushes, 2 grasses, 1 epifita, 1 reed, and 1 herbaceous plant.  Among the numerous species of trees that are found in the Forest we can observe: 

 

Arbol de violeta (Purple Tree) (Polygala cowelli)

Rosewood (Ottoschulzia rhodoxylon)

Black Cobana  (Stahlia monosperma)

Arbol de María (Maria Tree) (Calophyllum pene   trated)

Mat palm (Thrinaxx morrisii) known as”PETATE”

 

 

VISITORS CENTER

Besides serving as a link center with the community, in the center you will find educational information on different available resources in the Forest, exhibitions done in crafts with weaving of mat’s palm, autochthon of the Forest area and made by artisans, there is a conference room for educational purposes

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

 

Susúa forest counts on recreational areas, 17 firesides, a half basketball court, showers and bathrooms.

CAMP AREA

 

 

                                   

                                           NEW wood cabins with bunks beds available for 8 people. Actual Cost per night is $40.00.

                                                     Besides it has several areas for camping with water, firesides, showers and baths. 

**  Only battery operated lanterns are permitted  **

For camp reservations please call main office at 787-999-2200

 Extensions: 5156, 5120, 5158.

 

                   This web page was made by:                        

   Natalie Marie Mercado-Lugo 

 Troop 168   Sabana Grande

   Community Service Project for

   Girl Scout Gold Medal 2008-2009