El Yunque is composed of four main forest zones. The first one is the Tabonuco Forest which is found from100-2,000 feet above sea level. This layer is named after the tabonuco trees that is commonly found in this forest zone.The trees in this zone grow from 100-125 feet. The second forest zone is Palo Colorado Forest, named after the colorado tree. This forest zone can found between valleys and slopes. It is located between 1,970-2,950 above sea level. The third forest zone is Sierra Palm Forest. This layer is found in high elevations around 1,958 feet within where the forest begins. The fourth forest zone is the Cloud Forest which is also called The Dwarf Forest. It is located in the mountain peaks, and it is around 2,500 feet above sea level. Usually trees in this forest stands about 112 feet or higher. This forest zone has constant winds and wet soil. It also has many clouds.
El Yunque also has four layers which are: the forest floor, the understory, the canopy, and the emergent .The first one is the forest floor that has the lowest life and light. It is mostly made up of moss, fungus, ferns, decomposers and other animals.The second layer is the understory layer. 25 percent of sunlight reaches this layer and plants grow extra large leaves so they can obtain as much sunlight as possible. The third layer is the canopy layer and it is mainly composed of leaves and branches. 50 percent of sunlight reaches this level and many animals spend their lives in the canopy because of the food and vegetation. The fourth layer is the emergent layer and it is the highest layer of the forest. It gets almost all the sunlight and the trees are very tall.You can find squirrel monkeys, quetzals,and butterflies in this layer.
