{{Short description|State forest in Puerto Rico}} {{Infobox forest | name = Maricao State Forest | native_name = Bosque Estatal de Maricao | native_lang = es | native_name2 = | native_lang2 = | image = Monte del Estado.jpg | image_caption = Water stream at El Monte del Estado | coordinates = {{Coord|18.1227371|N|66.9746221|W|region:US-PR_source:gnis|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="GNIS">{{cite gnis|1612992|Bosque Estatal de Maricao}}</ref> | map = Puerto Rico | country = Puerto Rico | elevation = {{convert|1417|ft|m}}<ref name="GNIS" /> | area = {{convert|10803|acre|km2}}<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" /> | max_area = | date_max_area = | status = | established = 1919<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" /> | visitation = | visitation_year = | events = | authority = Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources | website = | ecosystem = | classification_WWF = | classification_EPA = | classification_CEC = | disturbance = | forest_cover = | species = | indicator_plants = | lesser_flora = | fauna = |location=Maricao, Sabana Grande, San Germán }}
'''Maricao State Forest''' (Spanish: ''Bosque Estatal de Maricao'') is a state forest located in the western Cordillera Central mountains of Puerto Rico. It is commonly known as '''''Monte del Estado''''' because it was one of the first forest reserves in Puerto Rico to be designated a ''state forest'' in its official name.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maricao, Puerto Rico|url=https://welcome.topuertorico.org/city/maricao.shtml|access-date=2021-10-09|website=welcome.topuertorico.org}}</ref> With an area of {{convert|10803|acre|km2}}, the Maricao State Forest is the largest of the 20 forestry units of the Puerto Rico state forest system.<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" />
== History == The Maricao State Forest was created after a proclamation on December 22, 1919, by then Governor of Puerto Rico Arthur Yager.<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" />
== Geography == The forest location makes its environment unique in Puerto Rico for its humid climate, its serpentinite soils and its high rate of animal and plant endemicity.<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" /> The forest is located on the western region of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico and encompasses {{convert|10803|acre|km2}} of land in a high rainfall area through the municipalities of San Germán, Sabana Grande and Maricao.
=== Climate === In summer the climate is warm and humid. Thunderstorms are common, along with temperature around 85 °F with heat index in the upper 90s during the daytime. In summer, nighttime is usually cool with low temperature in the mid- to lower 60s. In winter, it is very dry, the forest with mild temperature in daytime and cold in nighttime. Occasional days drop to 40 °F with mid-30s wind chill.
{{Weather box | width = auto | collapsed = yes | single line = yes | location = Maricao 2 SSW, Puerto Rico (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1969–2022) | Jan record high F = 89 | Feb record high F = 88 | Mar record high F = 90 | Apr record high F = 95 | May record high F = 95 | Jun record high F = 94 | Jul record high F = 90 | Aug record high F = 91 | Sep record high F = 97 | Oct record high F = 96 | Nov record high F = 89 | Dec record high F = 85 | year record high F = 97 | Jan high F = 75.6 | Feb high F = 75.6 | Mar high F = 76.0 | Apr high F = 77.1 | May high F = 78.1 | Jun high F = 80.1 | Jul high F = 79.9 | Aug high F = 79.9 | Sep high F = 79.9 | Oct high F = 79.8 | Nov high F = 78.0 | Dec high F = 75.2 | year high F = 77.9 | Jan mean F = 69.0 | Feb mean F = 68.5 | Mar mean F = 68.8 | Apr mean F = 70.0 | May mean F = 71.5 | Jun mean F = 73.4 | Jul mean F = 73.6 | Aug mean F = 73.8 | Sep mean F = 73.4 | Oct mean F = 73.3 | Nov mean F = 71.7 | Dec mean F = 69.4 | year mean F = 71.4 | Jan low F = 62.4 | Feb low F = 61.5 | Mar low F = 61.6 | Apr low F = 62.8 | May low F = 64.9 | Jun low F = 66.7 | Jul low F = 67.3 | Aug low F = 67.7 | Sep low F = 67.0 | Oct low F = 66.8 | Nov low F = 65.3 | Dec low F = 63.5 | year low F = 64.8 | Jan record low F = 49 | Feb record low F = 50 | Mar record low F = 47 | Apr record low F = 55 | May record low F = 54 | Jun record low F = 58 | Jul record low F = 55 | Aug record low F = 57 | Sep record low F = 55 | Oct record low F = 56 | Nov record low F = 55 | Dec record low F = 52 | year record low F = 47 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 3.68 | Feb precipitation inch = 3.45 | Mar precipitation inch = 3.97 | Apr precipitation inch = 7.94 | May precipitation inch = 10.39 | Jun precipitation inch = 6.53 | Jul precipitation inch = 8.03 | Aug precipitation inch = 11.64 | Sep precipitation inch = 11.63 | Oct precipitation inch = 13.67 | Nov precipitation inch = 8.11 | Dec precipitation inch = 3.89 | year precipitation inch = 92.93 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | source = NOAA<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=sju |title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = April 8, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=RQC00665908&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = April 8, 2024}}</ref> }}
=== Geology === Almost 100% of the soils of the Maricao forest are derivates of serpentinite, a metamorphic rock that produces red and argillaceous soil whenever it crumbles down. More than 80% of the forest ground is low in depth and close to the bedrock. These soils are acidic with high contents of iron and aluminum oxides.<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" />
== Biology and ecology ==
=== Flora === There are 1,164 species of plants in the forest. Of the 128 species of endemic plants of Puerto Rico, 23 are in the Maricao State Forest. There are plantations of mahogany, eucalyptus, Honduras pine, and others.<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet">{{cite web |title=12 Jun El Bosque Estatal de Maricao |url=http://drna.pr.gov/documentos/p-031-de-agosto-de-2008/ |website=Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales |access-date=22 February 2019 |language=es}}</ref>
=== Fauna === There are 136 species of birds recorded in the park, 23 of which are endemic. Some examples are the Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk (''Accipiter striatus venator''), which is an endangered subspecies, and the Puerto Rican emerald (''Chlorostilbon maugaeus'').<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" />
== Recreation == {{Stack|thumb|"Casa de Piedra" ruins, Monte del Estado}}
Due to its location along the Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route (better known as the ''Ruta Panorámica''), the Maricao State Forest offers some iconic panoramic views of the Cordillera Central and the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico.<ref name="Travel2016" /> In clear days it is possible to observe the city of Mayagüez and even Mona Island from the Santa Ana Observation Tower (better known as ''Torre de Piedra'').<ref name="DRNA_info_sheet" /> The forest has hiking trails and is featured in Caribbean guides<ref name="Travel2016">{{cite book|author=DK Travel|title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Caribbean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S098DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT214|date=20 September 2016|publisher=DK Publishing|isbn=978-1-4654-5979-4|pages=214–}}</ref> as an important destination for birdwatching.<ref name="Inc.2008">{{cite book|author=Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.|title=Fodor's Puerto Rico|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AmC_lbliCXUC&pg=PA247|year=2008|publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications|isbn=978-1-4000-0731-8|pages=247–}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bosque Estatal de Maricao {{!}} Maricao, Puerto Rico Attractions |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/puerto-rico/maricao/attractions/bosque-estatal-de-maricao/a/poi-sig/1418540/358129 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en}}</ref> Hiking trails are accessible from route PR-120, from the Monte del Estado Ecological Park (''Parque Ecológico Monte del Estado'') and the Monte del Estado Vacation Center (''Centro Vacacional Monte del Estado''),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parque Ecológico Monte del Estado |url=https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/profile/parque-ecologico-monte-del-estado/1725 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Discover Puerto Rico |language=en}}</ref> both of which also provide limited camping and lodging to visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-09 |title=Parque Ecológico Monte del Estado |url=https://www.conoceapuertorico.com/parque-ecologico-monte-del-estado/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Conoce a Puerto Rico |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-11 |title=Centro Vacacional Monte del Estado |url=https://www.conoceapuertorico.com/centro-vacacional-monte-del-estado/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Conoce a Puerto Rico |language=en-US}}</ref>
In addition to the Torre de Piedra, other historic attractions within the state forest include the Stone House (''Casa de Piedra''), the ruins of a former architectural gem built during President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps works during the 1930s,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Casa De Piedra |url=https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/profile/casa-de-piedra/8383 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Discover Puerto Rico |language=en}}</ref> and the Maricao Fish Hatchery, built in 1937 for research purposes<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vivero de Peces de Maricao |url=https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/profile/vivero-de-peces-de-maricao/7854 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Discover Puerto Rico |language=en}}</ref> and now listed under the National Register of Historic Places as one of the New Deal Era Constructions in the Forest Reserves of Puerto Rico (1933-1942).<ref>{{Cite web |last=United States Department of the lnterior |first=National Park Service |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Vivero de Peces de Maricao |url=https://oech.pr.gov/Propiedades%20en%20el%20Registro%20Nacional/Maricao/Vivero%20de%20peces.pdf}}</ref>
Curet Falls (''Salto Curet'') is an impressive waterfall located along the Lajas River in the northeastern section of the forest reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salto Curet {{!}} Maricao, Puerto Rico Attractions |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/puerto-rico/maricao/attractions/salto-curet/a/poi-sig/1560062/358129 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en}}</ref> Other waterfalls found in the forest area include El Pilón and La Iglesia waterfalls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trek to Salto Curet in Maricao |url=https://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/salto-curet/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=www.puertoricodaytrips.com |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Puerto Rico}} * List of Puerto Rico state forests * List of National Natural Landmarks in Puerto Rico
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://archive.today/20130116012558/http://maricao.50megs.com/photo.html Information about Maricao Forest] * [https://www.alltrails.com/parks/puerto-rico/west-region/maricao-state-forest Hiking trails (AllTrails)]
{{Protected areas of Puerto Rico}}
Category:Puerto Rico state forests Category:Puerto Rican moist forests Category:Civilian Conservation Corps in Puerto Rico Category:1919 establishments in Puerto Rico Category:Protected areas established in 1919 Category:Maricao, Puerto Rico Category:Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico Category:San Germán, Puerto Rico Category:Important Bird Areas of Puerto Rico