Luquillo LTER

Visit our FAQ. Visit us with our Virtual Site Visit or see our brochure for a quick look at who we are and what we do (en Español).

We are excited to announce that we now have a direct method for sending donations to support El Verde Field Station! See here!

For important safety information see our Field Safety Guide / Guía de Seguridad (en Español)

We have new visitor maps to help navigate El Verde / mapa en Español; El Verde tree species guide

See posts from the LTER Community Instagram Feed

lter_community

Round 2 is underway! These landscapes rose to the

Round 2 is underway!

These landscapes rose to the top after our last round of voting.

We've got a long way to go before we name a winner, though, so be sure to vote for your site in this round!

Link is in our bio!
https://forms.gle/aqdfjnY4hFwVC2Es9

VCR: @sophiahoffmanphotography
MCM: @bmkrazy

GCE: Steven Pennings
PAL: @michaelecappola

BNZ: @helena_kleiner
NTL: goodgracious_wi

NES: Isabel Honda
MSP: @christofzweifel

CCE: @magnolias_tree
NWT: Rachel Billings

SEV: @casssmill
HBR: Anthea Lavallee

SBC: @sophiar.photos
FCE: @wow_small_world

Small details part II! If you look closely, the w

Small details part II!

If you look closely, the wonders that you'll find!

Each LTER site is full of amazing small details, and our photographers picked some good ones to highlight for our third and final LTER Photo Contest category.

Remember to pick your favorite photos for the second category of our 2024 LTER Photo Contest.

Winners advance to the next round of the bracket—and voting for round 1 closes Friday! Link in Bio.

BLE: vic.toria_v
CCE: @julianiehoff

HBR: @raisa_kochmaruk
KNZ: @joshuaajowele

MCR: @danmcryan
NTL: @herper.her

PIE: @myadarsan
VCR: @sophiahoffmanphotography

If you look closely, the wonders that you'll find!

If you look closely, the wonders that you'll find!

Each LTER site is full of amazing small details, and our photographers picked some good ones to highlight for our third and final LTER Photo Contest category.

Remember to pick your favorite photos for the second category of our 2024 LTER Photo Contest.

Winners advance to the next round of the bracket—and voting for round 1 closes Friday! Link in Bio.

AND: @sarcastic_nash
BNZ: @katehayze

FCE: @wow_small_world
HRF: @bengoulet11

LUQ: @legendofziemke
NES: Alexandra Cabanelas

NWT: Rachel Billings
SBC: @sophiar.photos

JRN: @eli.r.perez.7
ARC: @adamchensley

CAP: @jdhaight93
GCE: Steven Pennings

MCM: @em_reynebear
KBS: @racheldrobnak

NGA: @lauren_block
PAL: @michaelecappola

SEV: @casssmill
MSP: @chenxiating

Research in action—the beating heart of the LTER

Research in action—the beating heart of the LTER! Part II.

Remember to pick your favorite photos for the second category of our 2024 LTER Photo Contest.

Winners advance to the next round of the bracket—and voting for round 1 closes Friday! Link in Bio.

MCM: @habdug
KNZ: @joshuaajowele

MSP: @nick.parrott.180
NES: Alexandra Cabanelas

MCR: @danmcryan
PAL: @michaelecappola

SEV: @casssmill
VCR: @sophiahoffmanphotography

Research in action—the beating heart of the LTER

Research in action—the beating heart of the LTER!

Remember to pick your favorite photos for the second category of our 2024 LTER Photo Contest.

Winners advance to the next round of the bracket—and voting for round 1 closes Friday! Link in Bio.

FCE: @wow_small_world
CDR: @serainacappelli

BNZ: @helena_kleiner
BLE: @kaylieplumb18

AND: @sarcastic_nash
ARC: @jdobkow

CAP: @jdhaight93
CCE: @magnolias_tree

GCE: Steven Pennings
HBR: @klementovich

JRN: @eli.r.perez.7
KBS: @racheldrobnak

HRF: @bengoulet11
LUQ: @karen.beard.317

PIE: @risa_em2
SBC: @sophiar.photos

NTL: goodgracious_wi
NGA: @meandering.ink

Voting now open! Pick your favorite photos for th

Voting now open!

Pick your favorite photos for the landscape category of our 2024 LTER Photo Contest!

Winners advance to the next round of the bracket—and voting for round 1 closes Sunday! Link in Bio.

SEV: @casssmill
BLE: @kaylieplumb18

NGA: @lauren_block
HBR: Anthea Lavallee

ARC: Jason Dobkowski
SBC: @sophiar.photos

FCE: @wow_small_world
KBS: @racheldrobnak

Voting now open! Pick your favorite photos for th

Voting now open!

Pick your favorite photos for the landscape category of our 2024 LTER Photo Contest!

Winners advance to the next round of the bracket—and voting for round 1 closes Sunday! Link in Bio.

VCR: @sophiahoffmanphotography
CAP: @ethanmcrockford

MCM: @bmkrazy
AND: @sarcastic_nash

GCE: Steven Pennings
PIE: @_adelma_ar_

PAL: @michaelecappola
HRF: @bengoulet11

BNZ: @helena_kleiner
KNZ: @joshuaajowele

NTL: @joeytm55
CDR: @serainacappelli

NES: Isabel Honda
LUQ: @karen.beard.317

CCE: @magnolias_tree
MCR: @danmcryan

JRN: @eli.r.perez.7
NWT: Rachel Billings

“Being out-of-state, my first trip to Santa Cruz

“Being out-of-state, my first trip to Santa Cruz Island felt like I stumbled into a nature documentary. An early-morning sail through the channel had called for a quick nap, but soon came a wake-up call from a massive pod of dolphins! What seemed like millions surrounded us with on a show of antics, pure joy, and even some whale spouts in the distance. While taking in the beauty of the island landscape, a surprise island fox decided to join our crew — maybe lured by the snacks that I left open in my bag… But I’ll never forget that tiny, curious little creature! On the way back home, sailing through a Wind Sailor bloom was the cherry on top!”

Read more from our recent SSALTER blog “The stunning ecosystems at the SBC LTER” by undergraduate student Erick Morales Oyola. Erick is a part of the Miller Lab at UC Santa Barbara, conducting marine research at the @sbc_lter and getting to explore the Channel Islands and beyond!

https://lternet.edu/stories/the-stunning-ecosystems-at-the-sbc-lter/

Small details—easy to overlook but often the mos

Small details—easy to overlook but often the most beautiful part of an ecosystem. Our third category in our photo contest is off to a great start!

Friday is the last day to submit—find the link in our bio!

1. @sophiar.photos, @sbc_lter
2. Rachel Billings, @nwtlter
3. @michaelecappola
4. Steve Pennings, GCE LTER
5. @em_reynebear, @mcm_lter

Research in Action—it really separates a science

Research in Action—it really separates a science photo from a landscape, showcasing the people and the work in remarkable ways. Some great ones from submissions to our Photo Contest so far!

Photo contest submissions close THIS FRIDAY, October 18.

1. @danmcryan, @mcr_lter
2. Alexandra Cabanelas, Northeast US Shelf LTER @whoi.ocean
3. @sophiahoffmanphotography, @vcrlter
4. @alexandraprose, @nwtlter
5. @em_reynebear, @mcm_lter

The landscape category of our LTER photo contest i

The landscape category of our LTER photo contest is off to a hot start!

Submissions due Oct 18. For more info, see the link in our bio!

1. @michaelecappola, Palmer LTER
2. @sophiar.photos, @sbc_lter
3. @jacobjblais, @sevlter
4. Alexandra Cabanelas, NES LTER @whoi.ocean
5. @Chukaro.ivan, @andrewsforest

"The smoke is thick in Fairbanks. Air the characte

"The smoke is thick in Fairbanks. Air the characteristic dirty orange of a nearby wildfire. Michelle Mack, lead PI of the Bonanza Creek LTER and long-time fire ecologist, saunters out of her lab. “It’s gone,” she says.

Overnight, the nearby McDonald Fire burned one of her experiments down. The experiment explored an innovative approach to preventing wildfires. Now it was charcoal.

I’ve been visiting the Bonanza Creek LTER for the past week. I came into this trip well aware of the tendency of black spruce to burst into flames—much of what I had heard about the site revolved around fire ecology. I was hoping to dig a bit deeper into some other aspects of the site for this trip—hunting to focus on anything other than fire. Yet Bonanza Creek was quick to remind me of its true nature: everything about its ecology follows the flame.

Read our story about the @bnz_lter at the link in bio!

“On the surface, the Alaska and Texas coasts cou

“On the surface, the Alaska and Texas coasts could not be more different. The Beaufort Sea coastline sees heavy snowfall, frozen lagoons, and 24-hour darkness for much of the year. The Texas Gulf Coast rarely sees a cloudy day or a dip below 50°F. 25% of Texas’s 30 million people live on the coast while 10,600 people call Alaska’s North Slope Borough home. Yet with all of these differences, both are communities inherently tied to the ocean. Whether it’s recreational, subsistence, or commercial, the people of both Port Aransas and the North Slope are constantly interacting with their local waters. Many community members rely on their local estuaries for food and to make a living.”

Read more from our recent SSALTER blog “Coastal connections: living life at two extremes” by BLE LTER graduate student Mathea Kurtz-Shaw. Mathea is a second-year graduate student in Ken Dunton’s lab at UT Austin Marine Science Institute. Her research on the Beaufort Lagoon Ecosystems LTER focuses on the seasonal effects of ice cover on the benthic food web, particularly microalgae and invertebrates.

📸 credits:
#1 Daniel Fraser
#2 Mathea Kurtz-Shaw
#3 Ken Dunton
#4 Mathea Kurtz-Shaw

https://lternet.edu/stories/coastal-connections-living-life-at-two-extremes/

"The wind blowing off the Arctic Ocean is biting.

"The wind blowing off the Arctic Ocean is biting. When we left the Beaufort Lagoon Ecosystems LTER lab facility in Utqiaġvik, the temperature had just cracked 32°F. It feels much colder than that now, flying along on ATVs at 45 mph through 35 knot gusts. I am not sure I understand what knots are, or how to combine them with miles-per-hour and air temperature to get windchill, but I am sure I’m cold and certainly grateful to see everyone else pull their ATVs to a stop. This patch of tundra must be the one we’re looking for."

A new LTER Road Trip story by graduate writing fellow Nick Link finds polar bears, sea ice, and community at the top of the world. Give it a read! Link in bio.

@nsfgov funded @arcticlagoons

We’re excited to announce the 2024 LTER Photo Co

We’re excited to announce the 2024 LTER Photo Contest!

This year, sites go head to head for bragging rights across the network. That’s right, it’s a site vs site format this year, with one site emerging victorious.

Each site can submit as many photos in the three categories as they want during the submission period, which is open from now until October 18th, 2024.

Then, one photo from each site will be chosen by graduate student reps to go head to head against photos from all the other sites.

Voting for the category winners is a public event! It will take place HERE on our Instagram account, so be sure to follow along and spread the word!

Follow this link to submit photos: https://forms.gle/LeYVjmL8G83yabMm8

Long-Term Ecological Research data offer an extrao

Long-Term Ecological Research data offer an extraordinary level of context for site-based studies. When taken together, they also create a resource for answering questions about how ecosystems work at a larger, more integrated scale.

The LTER synthesis working group process is designed to capitalize on the experiments, contextual knowledge, data; and creativity of the LTER Network.

By funding small groups of scientists from inside and outside the network to work intensely together on a synthesis project, the process encourages the ecological community to use existing data to probe novel theories, test generality, and search for gaps in our understanding.

More: lternet.edu/synthesis

Funded by @nsfgov

“I find myself admiring the framed works of elev

“I find myself admiring the framed works of eleven artists who are also FCE scientists, which fill the walls surrounding studying students. Over 50 art pieces line the first and second floor walls of the library. I tour the exhibit and take in my friends’ creative accomplishments; a red monochrome linoleum print of intertwined and connected snakes, aerial images of detrital discharge into Florida Bay, embroidery of microscopic diatoms, a life-like sketch of an alligator, an up-close and colorful illustration of a dragonfly face, and a botanical cyanotype print collaboratively created by FCE students to depict typical natural finds on a hike through our ecosystem.”

Read more about how an exhibit featuring art by FCE scientists came to be and a glimpse into the art and scientists themselves in our latest SSALTER blog, “More than a scientist: the seeds and fruits of artistic expression in the FCE LTER” by Florida International University Ph.D. candidate Paige Kleindl. Paige is in Dr. Evelyn Gaiser’s lab, where she has been involved in FCE LTER research for the past four years. Her dissertation research focuses on how macrophyte and benthic microbial mat community interactions change along hydrologic and nutrient resource gradients in the Everglade. She is particularly interested in the importance of environmental vs. biological variables in driving macrophyte and mat community shifts at different spatial scales. Outside of facilitating a space for art and science integration, she enjoys watering her plants and playing the drums.

Photo 1: Art piece by Katherine Castrillon
Photo 2: Art piece by Joshua Linenfelser
Photo 3: Art piece by Hanna Innocent
Photo 4: Art piece by Franco Tobias
Photo 5 & 6: FCE LTER Graduate Student Tommy Shannon and one of his photos
Photo 7 & 8: Paige Kleindl and one of her paintings
Photo 9: Artist Michelle Yi next to her art pieces
Photo 10: FCE artists Rosario Vidales, Nicki Chlebek, Paige Kleindl, Tommy Shannon, and Franco Tobias

https://lternet.edu/stories/more-than-a-scientist-the-seeds-and-fruits-of-artistic-expression-in-the-fce-lter/

Continuously funded and now forty-four years old,

Continuously funded and now forty-four years old, the Long-Term Ecological Research Network is a one of a kind organization in the world of ecology. Our work revolves around long-term inquiry, relying on experiments and monitoring in tandem to answer big questions about natural systems.

“There’s always a chance you’ll see somethin

“There’s always a chance you’ll see something amazing when you cross the Santa Barbara Channel. A few months ago, on a particularly windy and chaotic crossing back from a long day of diving at Santa Cruz Island, graduate student Billie Beckley at the helm said, ‘I think I see a whale!’”

Read more about the three most memorable wildlife encounters Frankie Puerzer has had in the channel while working for the @sbc_lter in our latest SSALTER blog “There’s always a chance something amazing will happen”. Frankie is an Assistant Specialist in the Miller Lab. She runs field operations, manages the lab and supervises undergraduate interns and visiting students. When she’s not underwater diving for research or fun, she’s on the surface paddling, kiting or surfing.

https://lternet.edu/stories/theres-always-a-chance-something-amazing-will-happen/

“Virginia Tech researchers collecting data as pa

“Virginia Tech researchers collecting data as part of a long-term study on migratory shorebird foraging ecology in the Virginia Coast Reserve.

This study seeks to understand patterns of migratory shorebird habitat use and prey selection on barrier island beaches and mudflats during spring migration at this important staging site.

Current research focuses on imperiled species such as the Red Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Semipalmated Sandpiper that are increasingly threatened by climate change across their range.” #resilience #disturbance #crittersandbeasties #seasonalchanges #diversity

Caption and photos submitted by Kristy Lapenta, a graduate student at Virginia Tech.

Photo credits 📸 - Virginia Tech researchers

Want us to feature your LTER photos? Follow this link: https://forms.gle/Da2YqH9uQs3FKbGf8 or find it in our bio to have your LTER photos featured on our Instagram!

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See posts from the Luquillo LTER Instagram Feed

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Internship opportunity at El Verde Field Station!

Internship opportunity at El Verde Field Station!

Tropical forest research experience - Coqui and Lizard Census Intern

Who? Recent graduates with a biology, ecology, or environmental science background, particularly those with fieldwork experience and knowledge in lizard and coqui identification.

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.

Contact for Further Questions:

Jesa Santiago: jesajane63@gmail.com
Monique Picon: mopicon@gmail.com

If you would like more information, you can visit the Luquillo LTER website: https://luquillo.lter.network/

¡Oportunidad de internado en la Estación de El Verde!

Experiencia de investigación en bosques tropicales - Pasantía de censo de coquíes y lagartijos

¿Quién? Recién graduados en biología, ecología o ciencias ambientales, especialmente aquellos con experiencia en trabajo de campo y conocimientos en identificación de lagartijos y coquíes.

Las solicitudes se revisan continuamente.

Contacto para más preguntas:

Jesa Santiago: jesajane63@gmail.com Monique Picon: mopicon@gmail.com

Si desea más información, puede visitar el sitio web de Luquillo LTER: https://luquillo.lter.network/

Internship opportunity for undergraduate students

Internship opportunity for undergraduate students in Puerto Rico!

🧭 Application deadline September 15.

The application form is available at https://forms.gle/GR42Y3PgKQHFPwu88

Compartimos oportunidad de internado en datos geoespaciales para estudiantes subgraduados en Puerto Rico.

🧭 Fecha límite para solicitar este próximo domingo 15 de septiembre.

Por favor solicitar en este enlace: https://forms.gle/GR42Y3PgKQHFPwu88"

We are excited to announce that we now have a dire

We are excited to announce that we now have a direct method for sending donations to support El Verde Field Station! Donated funds go directly to the station account without any deductions by the university. You may also direct the system to make regular monthly donations. You can make your donation on the UPRRP website: https://buff.ly/3Za1T2h For more specific instructions, on navigating the donation website, see here: https://buff.ly/4e4atns. As you know, the station plays a crucial role in tropical research, education, and environmental conservation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and your generous contribution will directly help us improve the station facilities. We will provide a detailed report each semester outlining how the donations were used and the progress made on our projects.

Dra. Angélica Varela Llavona visits El Verde Fiel

Dra. Angélica Varela Llavona visits El Verde Field Station.

Shared from upr.rp Instagram:

"🌳🔬Hoy la rectora de nuestro recinto, Dra. Angélica Varela Llavona, visitó la estación experimental El Verde, que ubica en terrenos del Bosque Nacional El Yunque desde la cual se realizan importantes estudios sobre los ecosistemas tropicales que son financiadas a través de varias subvenciones federales y estatales. Este centro de investigación está adscrito al Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales.

🧪🧫 Además de llevarse acabo investigaciones de calibre internacional, a través de los proyectos de la estación se provee la capacitación y la educación en diversos temas relacionados a las ciencias ambientales a estudiantes, investigadores y público general.

Varela Llavona hizo un recorrido junto al decano de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Dr. Carlos Corrada Bravo, los investigadores Dr. Omar Pérez y Dr. Christopher Nytch, para conocer de cerca las necesidades del espacio, y sobre los proyectos investigativos que se llevan a cabo en el lugar."

🔊 Job Position! 🚨 Attention senior undergr

🔊 Job Position!

🚨 Attention senior undergraduate or recent graduate students in biology, ecology, or environmental science. Up to 6 full-time interns will be hired to assist with the 2024 seedling census.

⏳ The deadline for application submissions is February 2, 2024.

📝 Applications and inquiries should be sent to nelson.bonilla@upr.edu.

See the images for more details.

🔊 ¡Puesto de trabajo!

🚨 Atención a estudiantes de último año o recién graduados en biología, ecología o ciencias ambientales. Se llenarán hasta 6 posiciones de pasantía a tiempo completo para asistir en el censo de plántulas de 2024.

⏳ La fecha límite para enviar solicitudes es el 2 de febrero de 2024.

📝 Envíen sus solicitudes y consultas a nelson.bonilla@upr.edu.

Vean las imágenes para más detalles.

#lter #luqlter #studentsofluquillo

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students. T

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students.

Today we highlight University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras student Pablo Andres Arce Benitez.

“Sediments are small particles that settle at the bottom of streams and are essential for many ecosystem processes. These materials carry nutrients and contaminants, are formed by organic and inorganic particles, and are introduced into the streams by water runoff during a rain episode, organic matter inputs, and human activities.
(photo 1)

🦐Atya lanipes is one of nine species of freshwater shrimp found in high-elevation streams in Puerto Rico. They reach high densities when fish are not present. A. lanipes plays an important role in resuspending deposited sediments, essentially cleaning the streams. A. lanipes is so effective at resuspending fine sediments that after a rain episode, they can completely remove the sediments in 24 hours. The reason they are so good is because they are constantly foraging for food on the surface of the benthos.
(photo 2)

🌡As temperatures are expected to rise in streams in the future, this summer we are studying the effect of temperature on A. lanipes ability to remove sediments. To achieve this we collected benthic deposited sediment and dried it out (photo 3 y 4) and then we made a close irrigation system with 20 containers to house 10 shrimps at a time (photo 5). After preparing the close irrigation system we went fishing for shrimp using traps and dog food as bait, once captured the shrimp were measured to determine if they were the correct size for the experiment (photo6). For the experiment, each container will be filled with water with the desired temperature, a sand substrate base, recollected benthic sediment, and housing for the shrimps and the shrimps. The water in the container will be recirculated constantly to eliminate the sediments resuspended by the shrimp. Then after 24 hours of activity, the sediment left in the container will be used to determine the amount of resuspended sediment”.

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #fieldwork

Follow the @aramirezlab

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students. T

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students.

Today we highlight Wesleyan University student Matthew J. Gilbert.

"What comes to mind when you think of animals living in streams? Fish? Shrimp? What about aquatic insects? While they might be tiny, hard to see, and a little scary-looking, aquatic insects are a very important part of stream ecosystems.

My research this summer is focused on a particular aquatic insect called a mayfly (order Ephemeroptera). As of right now, it is unclear how their in-stream resource use differs between the different genera of mayflies found in Puerto Rico, so to address this gap in knowledge, I'm working with three different genera of mayfly larvae.

There are two habitats I’m observing: leaf litter and rocks. To answer the question of which of these resources is preferred by each mayfly genus, I divided my project into two sections, survey sampling and experimental sampling. For survey sampling, I am going to Quebrada Sonadora, a stream in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, and using a specialized net (called a Surber net) I collect mayflies within 15x15cm plots across a range of all rock to all leaf habitats. For experimental sampling, I find plots without rocks and introduce them, and plots without leaves and introduce them to see if there is a change in the proportion of mayfly genera. I also sample plots before introducing the new resource and once a week for 3 more weeks to allow for mayflies to start inhabiting the leaves and rocks.

Disturbances, like hurricanes, alter the resource availability in streams. Climate change predictions show an increase in hurricane frequency and severity in the coming years, making this work particularly important for understanding modern stream ecology.

Picture 1: Sampling a riffle with a Surber net

Picture 2: Transferring mayflies from trays to vials

Picture 3: Neohagenulus sp. under a microscope

Picture 4: Washing out leaf bags to remove mayflies holding on"

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #fieldwork

Follow the @aramirezlab

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students. T

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students.

Today we highlight Joaquin Hemstreet of California State University, Northridge.

"Wendilgarda clara is a web-building spider commonly found along the edges of streams in Puerto Rico.

This ray spider is a generalist predator that primarily captures aquatic insects using a longline fishing web, similar to those on ships. However, it shares its habitat with three species
of Anolis lizards. Anolis are generalist predators that eat a wide variety of small prey, including spiders. Studies have shown that both Anolis and spiders are fairly reliant on aquatic insects as a food resource.

As climate change progresses, drought frequency in the tropics is expected to
increase, which will lead to an increased lack of connectivity and shrinking of aquatic habitat, which will likely change food web assembly.

My mentor is Dr. Jesús E. Gómez, and he has assisted me on my project to determine how these two groups of predators will interact with each other under drought conditions.

I am working at a stream called Quebrada Prieta in the Luquillo Mountains, which is divided into two tributaries: Prieta A and Prieta B. The first of these two tributaries is unmodified, and the second
subject to a baseline flow manipulation in which part of the water is diverted to simulate stream conditions during a drought year.

We expect to see stronger pressure of Anolis on stream arthropods in the stream under flow manipulation" (1/2)

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students. T

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students.

Today we highlight University of South Florida student Gabriel Rodriguez-Vazquez.

"Niche overlap among native and non-native freshwater fish in Puerto Rico.

The effects of non-native species can be seen everywhere in Puerto Rico. From trees, to flowers, non-natives are everywhere on the island. Of these, there are dozens of non-native freshwater fish species in Puerto Rico. Many of which were introduced through the pet trade as aquarium pets. Understanding how they affect the native fish species can help us identify which species are becoming invasive and causing damage.

This summer, I am working with Dr. Josue Santiago-Vera, to determine the degree of niche overlap or competition for food between native and non-native freshwater fish. Using nets, we cornered and caught fish at a stream known as El Señorial. The majority of fish present at this location were the bright orange non-native Red Devil (Amphilophus labiatus). Other species we were able to catch were non-native Convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) and native big mouth sleepers (Gobiomorus dormitor). Once caught, we flush their stomach contents out and examine them under a microscope. From there we quantify the species’ presence and abundance in their diets and compare them. Lab space and gear were provided by the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras Fish and Shrimp Laboratory, managed by Dr. Omar Perez.

So far, we have found many exciting things inside the fish. Chironomidae larvae are quite prevalent in most fish. Red Devils in particular are quite vigorous omnivores. Everything from larvae, to germinated seeds, to algae, to a whole micro wasp have been found! We hope to identify any severe competition between fish species during the final weeks of the summer."

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #fieldwork

Follow the @aramirezlab

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students. T

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students.

Today we highlight Portland State University student Cecilia Sahnow

"🌱I am working with a small but mighty group of plants called bryophytes! The most commonly known bryophytes are mosses, however, there are two other groups within bryophytes: hornworts and liverworts. These tiny plants are generally dispersed by spores and do not produce flowers or seeds. Although small in size, these organisms are vast! We’ve collected over 180 samples, and identified 57 different species of bryophytes! Some bryophytes have leaves, and others have a thalloid flat body. These plants have amazing microscopic structures, which makes them awesome study organisms. They grow as colonies and are able to act as a sponge, absorbing the water and nutrients that surround them. This allows for other organisms to soak up their benefits- overall providing great contributions to the ecosystem.
🪨These little friends are found in most ecosystems. They grow on a variety of substrates including soil, rocks, branches, or even on top of other bryophytes! In our sampling we found that they most commonly grow on rocks. My mentor, Dr. Amelia Merced, and I are working in Quebrada Prieta, a small stream in El Yunque National Forest. We are identifying and collecting bryophytes from different areas along the stream to understand what bryophytes are present and what substrates they grow on.
🔬After the samples are collected in the field, we identify the species in the herbarium at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. The areas around streams are important to study because they provide protection from extreme elements such as strong winds and droughts. If bryophytes in these environments can act as a buffer against weather events, their small but mighty nutrient and energy-producing prowess may aid their surrounding neighbors. In this project, I'm interested in investigating how stream structure influences bryophyte communities to gain a deeper understanding of the role of stream bryophytes in this tropical ecosystem".

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #fieldwork

Follow the @aramirezlab.

We invite you to join the 11th BIOGEOMON conferenc

We invite you to join the 11th BIOGEOMON conference, the first to be held in a tropical setting.

When: Sunday (evening), 7 January through Thursday, 11 January, 2024

Where: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sponsors: Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research (LUQ-LTER) and the International Institute for Tropical Forestry and the University of New Hampshire.

For more see the BIOGEOMON website https://biogeomon2024.lter.network/

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students To

GCSR: Follow the work of the 2023 REU students

Today we highlight UF student Alyssa Cabrera

“Goals:
* Create maps depicting where Ravenala currently is and predict where it may spread based on different climatic variables
* Determine possible dispersers of Ravenala

Why:
Traveler's Palm is a palm-like native herb of Madagascar. As an adult, it forms a large fan of interlocking leaves held up by a palm-like trunk. In this stage, it may or may not produce inflorescences. When pollinated, these flowers produce fruits that dry and pop open, revealing seeds covered in bright blue hairs. In Madagascar, it is pollinated by lemurs, birds, and bats. However, it has quickly spread outside of this area, due to the horticulture trade. It has become a problematic species in multiple countries. In Mauritius, it is classified as an invasive species that outcompetes and displaces many natives. After Hurricane Maria in 2017, Dr. Ackerman noticed it rapidly spread throughout his neighborhood in the Luquillo Mountains. Currently, there are no published studies of the plant in Puerto Rico and very few from its native range. Our research focuses on predicting where it may spread on the island, the relationship between plant size and reproductive effort, and identifying possible dispersers on the island. Future studies are needed on the invasion impacts(whether positive or negative) that Ravenala may have on ecosystem function and the native flora and fauna of Puerto Rico.

How:
After finding locations of current Ravenala populations, Dr. Ackerman and I drove around the island to collect vegetative and reproductive data. This includes the height of the plants, number of inflorescences, life stage the plant is currently in, and more. Afterwards, we will be running the data through R to determine the significance of any relationships and visualize future distribution. We are also drying inflorescences in large herbarium dryers to stimulate the popping open of fruits. They are then set up in the field with GoPro cameras scheduled to take timelapse photos with the goal of capturing potential seed dispersers”.

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #fieldwork

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On behalf of the GSRC: Follow the work of the 2023

On behalf of the GSRC: Follow the work of the 2023 Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) students. They worked on a broad range of topics within the LEF and the metropolitan area of P.R.

Today we highlight UPRM student Alis N. Ramírez Soto.

"🌿 Organisms, from microorganisms to insects, use leaves as an important source of energy and depend on them for growth, development, and protection. Therefore, leaves have important functions in the ecosystem. Microorganisms are first to arrive when leaves fall into the rivers and this is how the process of organic matter decomposition begins. Once this starts, other organisms can start taking advantage of these leaves.

🍂 Understanding how leaves decompose is an important step to understanding how stream ecosystems work. However, using leaves to study this process is complicated because of the differences that exist between leaves’ types. That's why me and my mentor, Vamery González Hernández, decided to use an alternative way of studying this process. We substituted the leaves with pieces of cotton fabric. This allows decomposition mainly by microorganisms, while reducing the differences that would exist if we used leaves.

🏞️ This summer we are placing these cotton strips (first photo) in two sites at Quebrada Prieta, a small stream in El Yunque National Forest, known as Prieta A and Prieta B. Prieta B is currently under a stream flow reduction experiment, which means part of its water is redirected to reduce the flow through it. For this reason, I am able to study the flow reduction effects in the decomposition rate of the cotton strips. I will remove cotton strips on 3 different dates and from each cotton strip, I will measure respiration data which will give me an idea of how many microorganisms are present (fourth photo). Finally, we will measure how much the cotton strips decomposed over time.

🌎 Organic matter decomposition is a key ecosystem process and a great indicator of stream health. With droughts becoming more and more frequent, it’s crucial we understand all of its consequences, including stream flow reduction."

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #fieldwork

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Starting this Fall, join the Luquillo Forest Dynam

Starting this Fall, join the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP) team as a lead technician for the tree census at El Verde Field Station, UPR-RP.

Star date: October 2023 - May 2024, exact dates TBD.

For further questions, please email lfdp@ites.upr.edu

#luquillolter

Starting this Fall, join the Luquillo Forest Dynam

Starting this Fall, join the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP) team as a tree census intern at El Verde Field Station, UPR-RP.

Star date: Early October 2023 - December 22nd 2023, exact dates TBD.

For further questions, please email lfdp@ites.upr.edu

#luquillolter

Starting this Fall, join the Luquillo Forest Dynam

Starting this Fall, join the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP) team in a Project Management position at El Verde Field Station, UPR-RP.

Star date: November 2023, exact dates TBD.

For further questions, please email monique.picon@upr.edu or mopicon@gmail.com.

#luquillolter

On behalf of the GSRC: Follow the exciting work of

On behalf of the GSRC: Follow the exciting work of our summer 2023 Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) students. They worked on a broad range of topics within the LEF and the metropolitan area of P.R.

Starting with NCSU student Alexandra Casiano-Rivera.

"Effects of Flow Reduction On Native Leaf Litter Breakdown in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

Leaves that fall into streams and rivers provide an important source of energy and nutrients that cycle throughout the ecosystem. To provide their energy source, leaves need to decompose or break down. Fungi, bacteria, aquatic insects, and other organisms interact with the leaves to help them break down. When leaves fall into a stream, the flow of the stream can also affect how quickly the leaves break down.

This summer, I am studying leaf litter decomposition in rivers. We will be working in Quebrada Prieta to compare how stream flow affects leaf decomposition using a low-flow stream and a normal stream. In each stream, four pools, the part of the stream where there is very little flow, will have six mesh bags of leaves and six bunches of leaves connected by paper clips. Each week, I will collect a random bag and a single bunch of leaves, clean the leaves with water, and add them into paper bags to dry inside an oven for twenty-four hours. The oven-dried leaves will have their weight taken to measure the rate of decomposition. Along with working on the leaves, I will also collect aquatic insects found with them to identify them up to their family name. They also affect how quickly leaves break down. Finally, we will run statistical tests to compare the rate of decomposition from each study stream.

In Puerto Rico, droughts are predicted to occur more frequently and become more intense. Weather events such as droughts and low-flow conditions can affect how quickly leaves cycle their nutrients into the ecosystem. We hope that our research can help others understand the effects of low-flow conditions in streams and how they could affect ecosystems like El Yunque National Forest".

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #research #fieldwork

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On behalf of the GSRC: Lovely to see this update f

On behalf of the GSRC: Lovely to see this update from 2022 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student Viktoria Stallings and her continued interest in freshwater research. REU program at the LEF has been paramount for introducing many students to field research in tropical ecology and evolution.

"Mi nombre es Vikky y soy estudiante de último año en la Universidad de Northeastern State (NSU) en Oklahoma, donde estoy realizando una carrera en ecosistemas de agua dulce y en psicología. Tengo una certificación en manejo de ríos de la River Management Society (RMS). El año pasado, tuve la oportunidad de estudiar la aptitud biológica de la especie Chironomus "florida" de hábitats urbanos (San Juan) y hábitats boscosos (El Yunque). Para lograr este objetivo, investigamos las características de oviposición de la especie, contando la cantidad de masas de huevos cada día. Recaudamos masas de huevos y anotamos la cantidad de huevos en cada masa, la eficiencia de salida de las larvas y las dimensiones de los huevos (altura y anchura). Nuestros resultados apuntaron a que la aptitud biológica fue mayor para las larvas del hábitat boscoso en comparación con las del hábitat urbano. Diferencias en la disponibilidad de recursos entre hábitats podrían estar guiando estas diferencias entre hábitats.

Me encanta mi trabajo porque disfruto del agua y puedo concientizar al público sobre la belleza del agua y sobre por qué necesitamos protegerla. Me encanta que siempre hay algo nuevo por aprender en mi carrera"

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #research #fieldwork

On behalf of the GSRC: Learn about the valuable wo

On behalf of the GSRC: Learn about the valuable work of master's student
Francesc Borràs Sayas

"Hola everyone, my name is Cesc, and I am working on my master's thesis in environmental DNA.

I am originally from Barcelona but moved to Sweden two years ago to start a MSc degree in Evolutionary Biology at Uppsala University.

During my studies I have developed a keen interest in tropical plants and ecosystems, despite Sweden not being famous for their palm diversity.

Unlike Scandinavian countries, plants in the forest of PR burgeon from every possible corner. Most of those species are well documented, but little is known about how techniques such as metabarcoding can help us to quickly assess the richness in a given area in the tropics.

This gap in knowledge prompted an opportunity for me to join LUQ-LTER.

Under the supervision of Bob Muscarella from Uppsala University and Glenn Dunshea from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology I flew to PR last January to census several forests across the island and work on my thesis at the same time.

More specifically, I collected leaves from all arborescent species from the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot. You would think leaf sampling to be an easy task, after most trees are sessile organisms, right? Well, some were very elusive and often had me walking in circles for more time I would like to admit. What is more, certain species were too tall for me to simply grab a couple of nice leaves. Luckily, to reach those trees I used probably the second largest slingshot I have ever seen in my life.

On a later trip to the island, I also collected soil samples from the same area. This second part of the field work was a bit less glamorous than the first one. I took soil cores from different parts of plot and avoided interacting with the mongoose as much as possible (1/2)".

#lter #luquillolter #studentsofluquillo #research #fieldwork

Can you identify any of the rainforest sounds?

Can you identify any of the rainforest sounds?

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