Rio Grande de Añasco in Puerto Rico: Environmental effect of land use and population dynamics

Puerto Rico is a tropical Island located in the eastern part of the Caribbean basin. Since 1950’s, industrialization has caused some abandonment of agricultural land and the beginning of the natural reforestation in the watersheds. The aim of this study was to examine the role played by demographic changes in the land use patterns at “Cuenca del Río Grande de Añasco”. ArcGIS 10 program was used to visualize the information in spatial mode. Land use data was analyzed for 1977 and 2006; considering agriculture, forest, urban and water. Population data was obtained from the 1980 and 2010 U.S. Census. During 1970-1980 the area showed considerable population growth, increase in population density and positive migration. This area was mainly used in 1977 for agriculture purposes, decreasing this sector in 2006. The forest proportion presented an increment and urban percentage of land decreased by a small number. Results show a pattern that requires a better land use development plan that does not interfere with natural resources. The observed patterns could affect the “Reserva Marina Tres Palma”, which has Elkhorn coral and Staghorn coral that are in the list of threatened species that may be affected due to human activities.