AC-805579_HWY-37_Ecological (Flora and Fauna).pdf

Flora and Fauna

Endangered Species and Possible Impacts

LANDSLIDE AND ROAD DAMAGE

EVALUATION AND REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS

PROJECT – PR-111 - KM 44.90

Utuado, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Highway Authority # ER-HWY-37

AC-811544

Submitted to:

Eng. Rafael Rosa Castro

Torres – Rosa Consulting Engineers

PO Box 9023763

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-3763

Submitted by:

Héctor E. Quintero Vilella Ph.D., Ecology

PO Box 5100 - 61

San Germán, Puerto Rico 00683

Tel. (787) 487-5204

E-mail: hequintero@yahoo.com

August, 2019

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

Table of Contents

Page

1.0 Introduction 3

1.1 Location 3

2.0 Methods 5

2.1 Plant Species Survey 5

2.2 Animal Species Survey 5

3.0 Results 5

3.1 Flora 5

3.2 Fauna 8

4.0 Endangered and Critical Species 9

4.1 Plants 9

4.2 Animals 9

5.0 Possible Impacts 9

5.1 Direct Impacts 10

5.1.1 Mammals 10

5.1.2 Birds 10

5.1.3 Reptiles and Amphibians 10

5.2 Indirect Impacts and Cumulative Impacts 10

5.2.1 Mammals 10

5.2.2 Birds 10

5.2.3 Amphibians and Reptiles 10

6.0 References 11

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

1.0 Introduction

This report covers the results of a flora and fauna survey needed to comply with the possible environmental effect of a proposed project to restore highway PR-111 at KM 44.90 at Utuado, Puerto

Rico. This is project number AC-811544/ER-HWY-37 of the Puerto Rico Highway Authority. The report also presents the results of a survey of the endangered species as well as the possible impacts.

1.1 Location

The study area is located on highway PR-111 at KM 44.9 in the municipality of Utuado, Puerto

Rico, Figure 1. Figure 2 presents an aerial view of the study site.

Figure 1. Topographic map of the study area, from USGS National Mapper.

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

Figure 2. Aerial photo of study site.

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

2.0 Methods

Field work was conducted on July 15, 16 and 17, 2019. One nocturnal survey was made to increase the likelihood of locating rare and protected species such as the Puerto Rican Boa (Epicrates inornatus), and the Virgin Islands Tree Boa (Epicrates monensis). These species are more active during dusk or after dark.

2.1 Plant Species Survey

All the plants within these areas were determined to prevent impact to protected species. If any plant could not be identified in the field, portions of a single specimen were collected for later identification at the laboratory. Plant nomenclature follows that of Liogier and Martorell (2000).

2.2 Animal Species Survey

The survey for animal species was performed during the same time frame as the general vegetation field surveys. Point surveys as described by Brower et al. (2004) were made. Observations were made in the morning and afternoon. The vertebrate fauna was determined by visual and acoustic means. Rocks and fallen branches were frequently turned to detect cryptic species. The river fauna was made by direct observation. Any skeletal or skin remains were identified. Nomenclature for the herpetofauna follows

Rivero (1998) and Raffaele et al. (1998) for the avifauna.

3.0 Results

3.1 Flora

The field investigation of the site revealed that the study area is not currently being used for agricultural or industrial purposes. This is a rural urban area with houses and other buildings around the study site.

The impact of record floods and high winds caused by the path of hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017 can still be detected on the vegetation at the site. There are trees that were partially knocked down and they also lost many branches. Now, the surviving trees are recuperating, Figures 3-4.

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

The plant species found were:

Table 1. Flora VC – very common

C – common

Herbaceous Plants and Vines NC – not common

Scientific name Common name Abundance

Aeschynomene americana Moriviví bobo NC

Amaranthus dubius Blero NC

Asclepias curassavica Algodoncillo NC

Bambusa vulgaris Bambú VC

Bidens alba Margarita blanca C

Blechnum occidentale Helecho de barranco NC

Chamaecrista aeschymomene Moriviví bobo NC

Chloris radiata Paragüita blanca NC

Cissus verticilata Bejuco de caro C

Colocasia esculenta Malanga NC

Commelina diffusa Cohitre C

Cucurbita maxima Calabaza C

Cyperus rotundus Coquí C

Dieffenbachia seguine Rábano cimarrón C

Eleusine indica Pata de Gallina NC

Euphorbia hirta Lechecillo C

Ipomoea triloba Bejuquillo de puerco C

Ipomooa setifera Bejuco de puerco VC

Heliconia caribaea Botecito C

Malvaviscus pendusliflorus Capucha de novia NC

Mimosa pudica Moriviví NC

Momordica charantia Cundeamor C

Petiveria alliaceae Anamú NC

Phytolacea rivinoides Juan de Vargas NC

Piper aduncum Baquiña C

Pueraria phaseoloides Kudzu tropical VC

Ricinus communis Higuereta NC

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

Scientific name Common name Abundance

Ruellia simplex Ruelia C

Rosa sp. (hybrid) Mata de Rosa NC

Setaria geniculata Cepillo de diente NC

Syngonium podophyllum Arrowhead vine C

Thelypteris deltoidea Helecho orejudo NC

Thumbergia alata Susana NC

Urulochoa maximum Yerba de guinea C

Verbesina alata Capitaneja NC

Shrubs and Trees

Cecropia schreberiana Yagrumo hembra NC

Dracanea fragrans Caco macaco C

Guarea guidonia Guaraguao NC

Inga vera Guaba NC

Myrcia splendens Hoja menuda NC

Terminalia catappa Almendro NC

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

3.2 Fauna

Since the study area is small the number of animal species is low. Birds moving through the area are the most abundant group. The species observed at the site are:

Table 2. Fauna VC – very common

C – common

NC – not common

Mammals

Scientific name Common name Abundance

Molossus mollossus* Velvety Free-tailed Bat NC

Rattus norvegicus Brown rat NC

*this is a common species, bats were not caught and identified.

Birds

Scientific name Common name Abundance

Buteo jamaicensis Guaraguao colirrojo NC

Coereba flaveola Reinita VC

Columbia squamosa Paloma turca NC

Columbina passerina Rolita VC

Lonchura cucullata Diablito VC

Loxigilla portoricencis Come ñame NC

Margarops fuscatus Zorzal pardo VC

Spindalis zena Reina mora C

Todus mexicanus San Pedrito C

Vireo latimeri Bien-te-veo C

Reptiles

Scientific name Common name Abundance

Anolis cristatellus Lagartijo común VC

Anolis krugi Lagartijo de Montaña NC

Anolis pulchelus Lagartijo jardinero VC

Sphaerodactylus macrolepsis Salamanquita C

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

Amphibians

Rhinella marina Sapo común C

Eleutherodactylus coqui Coquí común VC

Eleutherodactylus antillensis Coquí churí NC

Eleutherodactylus brittoni Coquí de las hierbas C

4.0 Endangered and Critical Species

4.1 Plants

No endangered or critical plant species was found at the study site or adjacent habitats. Therefore, this project will not impact any endangered of critical plant species.

4.2 Animals

No endangered or critical animal species was found at the study site or adjacent habitats. Therefore, this project will not impact any endangered of critical animal species.

5.0 Possible Impacts

Because this issue has generated a broad range of terms, concepts and interpretations it is necessary to define the most common use of some that will be used in this report. Since this report is focused on the impact on a natural system, the definitions have that approach. These are;

Action – human activity that causes an effect in a natural system.

Effect – changes in the environment caused by an action.

Direct effect- change in the environment that occurs in the same time and space that the action is causing.

Indirect effect – change in the environment that occurs after the action or in an area distant from the action.

Cumulative effect – changes in the environment resulting from the sum of individual effects or synergism of direct and indirect impacts and possible future impacts.

Stressor- causative agent of change to natural processes.

Impact – effect of an action on the environment, impact is the same as effect.

Synergism – combined effect of two or more actions.

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

5.1 Direct Impacts

5.1.1 Mammals

The size of the impact area is small therefore the direct impact to mammal species, especially bats is insignificant. No direct impact is expected to mammal species.

5.1.2 Birds

The size of the impact area is small therefore the direct impact to bird species low. One possible impact is the loss of nests and foraging habitat due to the loss of tree species.

5.1.3 Reptiles and Amphibians

The direct impact of the construction of the project will be low and limited to the destruction of small portion of their habitat.

5.2 Indirect Impacts and Cumulative Impacts

No indirect or cumulative impacts are anticipated by the construction and operation of the proposed project. The reconstruction will have a minimal impact on natural communities.

5.2.1 Mammals

Since the construction activities at the site circumscribe to a small area no indirect or cumulative impact is expected to mammal species.

5.2.2 Birds

Since the construction activities at the site circumscribe to a small area no indirect or cumulative impact is expected to bird species.

5.2.3 Amphibians and Reptiles

Since the construction activities at the site circumscribe to a small area no indirect or cumulative impact is expected to amphibian and reptile species.

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

Figures 3 and 4. Partial view of the vegetation at the study site.

6.0 References

Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. 2003. Bejucos y Plantas Trepadoras de Puerto Rico e Islas Vírgenes. Smithsonian

Institution U.S. National Herbarium. Natl. Museum of Natural History. MRC-166, Washington, DC 20560, USA. 491p

Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. 1996. Flora of St. John U.S. Virgin Islands. Bronx, New York: The New York

Botanical Garden. 581 p.

Ewel, J. S. and J. L. Whitmore. 1973 Ecological Life Zones of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

USDA – Forest Serv. Res. Paper ITF-18. 72 p.

Gannon, M.R., Kurta, A., Rodríguez-Duran, A. and M.R. Willing, 2005. The Bats of Puerto Rico. Texas

Tech University Press, Lubbock, Texas, 239pg.

Joglar, R.L. 1998. Los Coquíes de Puerto Rico: Su Historia Natural y Conservación. Editorial de la

Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR. 232 pg.

Flora and Fauna, Endangered Species, Impacts Landslide and Road Damage Evaluation and Repair Recommendation

Highway PR-111 KM 44.9 Utuado, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Highway Authority Project # ER-HWY-37

Joglar, R. Ed. 2005. Biodiversdiad de Puerto Rico: Vertebrados terrestres y ecosistemas. Instituto de

Cultura Puertorriqueña, San Juan, PR563pp.

Liogier, H.A. 1985. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands, Vol 1. Río Piedras, PR:

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 357 p.

Liogier, H.A. 1988. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands, Vol 2. Río Piedras, PR:

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 481 p.

Liogier, H.A. 1991. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands, Vol 3. Río Piedras, PR:

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 461 p.

Liogier, H.A. 1995. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands, Vol 4. Río Piedras, PR:

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 617 p.

Liogier, H.A. 1997. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands, Vol 5. Río Piedras, PR:

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 436 p.

Liogier, H.A., and L.F. Martorell. 2000. Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: A Systematic

Synopsis. San Juan, PR: Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 382 p.

Little, E. L., F. H. Wadsworth y J. Marrero. 1977. Árboles Comunes de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes.

Editorial Universitaria, UPR, Río Piedras, P.R. 731pp.

Más, E. G. & M. de L. Lugo-Torres. 2013. Malezas Comunes en Puerto Rico & Islas Vírgenes

Americanas/Common Weeds in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands. Universidad de Puerto Rico, University of Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez/Mayagüez Campus. USDA

Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales. Natural ResourcesConservation Service.

Área del Caribe/ Caribbean Area

Más E. G. y O. García Molinari, 1990. Guía Ilustrada de Yerbas Comunes en PuertoRico. U.P.R.- R.U.M.

Servicio de Extensión Agrícola, Mayagüez, PR. 103pg

Más, E.G. 1994. Caribbean Area Grasses: Identification Field Guide. 113pg. Soil Conservation Service, San Juan, Puerto Rico..

Raffaele, H.A. 1989. Una Guía a las Aves de Puerto Rico y las Islas Virgenes. Princeton NJ: Princeton

University Press. 274 p.

Raffaele, H., Wiley, J., Garrido, O., Keith, A., Raffaele, J. 1998. A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies.

Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. 511 p.

Rivero, J. A. 1998. Los Anfibios y Reptiles de Puerto Rico. San Juan, P R: Editorial Universitaria. 510 p.