El Yunque National Forest: Colonial Control of Natural Resources
El Yunque — the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System — was designated a federal reserve in 1903, placing Puerto Rico's most important ecosystem under federal control rather than Puerto Rican authority.
El Yunque National Forest — 28,000 acres of tropical rainforest — is simultaneously a conservation success and an example of colonial resource control.
History: First protected by Spain in 1876. After the U.S. invasion, designated a U.S. Forest Reserve in 1903 by President Roosevelt. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service since 1907.
Conservation Value: Home to ~240 native tree species, critical habitat for the Puerto Rican parrot (one of the world's most endangered birds), and generates ~$1.8 billion annually in ecosystem services.
Colonial Dimensions: The forest is managed by a federal agency — Puerto Rico has limited input. Research has historically prioritized mainland scientists. Tourism revenue flows through federal systems. After Hurricanes Hugo and María devastated the forest, recovery was managed by federal agencies. The forest provides water to ~20% of Puerto Rico's population, under federal jurisdiction.
Federal protection preserved El Yunque from development. But conservation was done TO Puerto Rico, not BY Puerto Rico.
Sources
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Hugo Impact on El Yunque - USFS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque -
Luquillo Experimental Forest - NSF
https://luquillo.lter.network/