El Yunque Secondary Succession

Investigate how ecosystems respond to severe disturbances, such as major hurricanes in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest. When a storm strips the mature canopy, sunlight reaches the forest floor, triggering the dormant seeds of the pioneer Yagrumo tree (Cecropia schreberiana) to germinate rapidly. While Yagrumos quickly rebuild the canopy, they are short-lived. Beneath their shade, slower-growing climax species like the Tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa) eventually outgrow and replace them, restoring the mature forest over decades.

Forest Composition

Yagrumo (Pioneer): 0
Tabonuco (Climax): 20
Sunlight at Floor:
10%