Discussion 



The native tree species of Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

 Islands are perhaps as well known as those of any com- 

 parable area in tropical America. General distribution 

 and abundance of each species are documented. Maps 

 have been prepared for only 100 common species and 

 would be useful for watching the others. Thus, an evalua- 

 tion of the rare and local species, including endemics, can 

 be made. Also, any needed measures for protection of en- 

 dangered species against possible extinction can be 

 recommended. 



The endemic tree species of Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

 Islands, about 142, have survived and persisted under in- 

 tensive land use and widespread destruction and disturb- 

 ance of some natural habitats. No endemic tree species 

 is known to have become extinct. Many species are rare, 

 partly because of habitat destruction, while others are 

 scarce because of the limited area of their habitat. A rare 

 species in a natural or virgin mountain forest can survive 

 indefinitely, as long as its habitat remains undisturbed. 

 Fortunately, relatively few native tree species of Puerto 

 Rico and the Virgin Islands appear to be endangered 

 (about 13) or threatened with extinction (about 21) and to 

 need additional protection. 



The list of species proposed as endangered should be 

 kept small. A short list is relatively easy to learn, to ad- 

 minister, to support, and to gain acceptance by the 

 public. Species of wide or scattered distribution may not 

 require protection throughout their ranges. Also, under 

 multiple use, other land values may be considered. A 



species of broad range perhaps could be classed both to 

 be watched and proposed as threatened. 



Limited distribution alone is insufficient justification 

 for proposal of a species as endangered. Many tree 

 species of Puerto Rico have a very local range, several 

 within a few thousand acres (or hectares) in Luquillo 

 Mountains. So long as their habitat remains undisturbed, 

 these species would not be regarded as endangered. 



The public forests of Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

 Islands are the foundation of land management and 

 forest conservation for the protection and preservation of 

 rare plants and animals. Great credit is due the early 

 foresters of the Forest Service for their foresight in ac- 

 quiring public forests under a Federal program for pur- 

 chase of marginal lands. 



The 15 public forests in Puerto Rico and the 4 National 

 Parks in the Virgin Islands (2 U.S. and 2 British) preserve 

 representative areas of natural and near natural vegeta- 

 tion or ecosystems. These public lands contain natural 

 habitats of most species of native trees and smaller 

 plants. Within the Caribbean National Forest, the Bano 

 de Oro Research Natural Area of 1 ,800 acres (728 ha) has 

 been established. Additional natural areas could be 

 designated within the other public forests to provide fur- 

 ther protection of rare species. 



The recommendations of the previously cited commit- 

 tee report, "Rare and Endangered Plants of Puerto 

 Rico" (25), merit further consideration. 



23 



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