[4] The Cambalache State Forest was proclaimed in 1943 through a deal between the United States Forest Service and the Land Authority of Puerto Rico (Autoridad de Tierras) as part of a research program dedicated to the ecological and geological study of the island's Northern karst.
Mogotes oriented northeast to southeast have humid northern and southwestern slopes but xeric tops.
The endemic Puerto Rican royal palm (Roystonea borinquena) and Palma de Sierra (Gaussia attenuata) are also found in the forest.
The valleys have lost most of their original vegetation and instead feature scrubby secondary forests and planted teak groves.
[5] The forest is home to at least two endangered species: the Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus) and the red fruit bat (Stenoderma rufum).