Suburban growth in Luquillo, Puerto Rico: some consequences of development on natural and semi-natural systems

We determined the rate of urban growth, the types of land cover that were being converted, and the spatial pattern of the urban growth in the municipality of Luquillo in Puerto Rico. Rapid population and urban growth have occurred in the last 30 years, with a significant increase in urban area in the 5 years from 1988 to 1993. The urban area increased by 31%, which represented a loss of vegetated cover in 5% of the study area. Over 80% of the lost vegetation was dense forest. There was no clear pattern to the urban growth: the number of identifiable polygons of urban land-use increased by one third in the 5-year study period, and only about half the new elements were contiguous with existing ones. In summary, the municipality is growing in an undisciplined manner, and the aesthetic amenities that appear to be driving the growth are threatened as a result.