El Yunque is divided into four vegetation zones. They are different in climate, soil, and slope. These zones are named for the main species of trees in the area.

The Tabonuco Forest Type

 This forest type has tall trees and little light at the forest floor. It contains the richest flora in the rainforest with about 175 tree species. This zone appears on the foothills and slopes below 2,000 feet in elevation.

The Palo Colorado Forest Type

 The Palo Colorado is an upland swamp of low trees with shallow root systems that begin to start uphill from the Tabonuco zone. This forest type has an elevation of above 2,000 feet, on small slopes and valleys. This zone contains about 50 tree species.

The Sierra Palm Forest Type

 Sierra Palms succeed where other tree species cannot.This forest type is found on steep slopes, unstable ground, and stream beds above 1,500 feet. Flora in this area does not normally get large heights, or big trunk sizes, but it stays in dense patches within the elevation ranges of both the Palo Colorado and Tabonuco Forest types.

The Dwarf Forest Type

 It's found at the upper edges of the Palo Colorado and Sierra Palm zones, near the ridge tops. In this area tree types become smaller, blending into a zone of small vegetation. This forest type exists in a zone of water-filled soil, lacking oxygen. Most minerals for plants become dissolved in the rain and fog.
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