Caribbean Area Plant Materials Initiative - Puerto Rico

Updated June 27, 2008

The Caribbean Area Plant Material Initiative is addressing the following resource issues:

• develop cover crops, vegetative barriers, and windbreaks for controlling erosion on cropland
• develop improved plants for wildlife food and cover
• establishing vegetation after natural disasters
• utilize plants in disturbed areas, such as construction sites
• establishing vegetative strips to improve water quality along waterways
• utilize native plants for ecosystem diversity

Caribbean Area Plant Materials Initiative

LOCATION: 1 ,000 miles (1 ,600 kilometers) southeast of Miami; 3 3/4 hours by plane from Atlanta and New York, 4 hours from Boston and 2 1/2 hours from Miami.

SIZE: Approximately 100 by 35 miles (160 by 56 kilometers), roughly the size of Connecticut.

CLIMATE: Tropical; annual temperatures average 82°F  (28°C) with constant easterly trade winds.  The U.S. Weather Bureau has never measured temperatures in San Juan below 70°F or higher than 97°F, 365 days a year, day or night.

Description of the Caribbean Area Plant Material Initiative Service Area

The area served by the Caribbean Area Plant Materials Initiative is uniquely characterized by having a very complex pattern of about 195 soils. The topography is characterized by valleys, rolling foothills, and rugged mountains. Elevation extremes are from 20 feet below sea level to 4,390 feet above sea level. Agriculture is extremely diversified, including tropical fruits and vegetables, extensive livestock production from native and improved pastures.

For additional information related to plants, please contact: Félix Latorres

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