Awards

Long-term research plays a key role in the development of fundamental ecological understanding. Twenty-eight Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites are distributed in habitats across the nation and in the tropical Pacific. Research at each site provides important system-specific knowledge whereas integrating across sites fosters the discovery of wide-spread patterns of ecosystem functioning and general ecological… Read more »

Long term research- the continued measurement of a set of variables that build towards addressing a research goal over decadal scales- has played a unique role in environmental biology. Long term research has revealed dynamic ecosystem processes and informed management decisions across the U.S. and beyond. The Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network has enabled… Read more »

The Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) in Puerto Rico is a high quality tropical forest research site with a history of long-term research programs. The LEF is a National Forest and a Biosphere Reserve, which contains several research natural areas within its 11,231 ha. The objective of this project is to tie studies of disturbance regime… Read more »

9411973 Waide The Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) Long-Term Ecology Research Program began in 1988 with the goal of integrating studies of disturbance regime and forest structure and dynamics with a landscape perspective. Two central research questions addressed 1) the relative importance of different disturbance types within the four tropical rain forest life zones of the… Read more »

9705814 Waide The Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) Long-Term Ecology Research Program began in 1988 with the goal of integrating studies of disturbance regime and forest structure and dynamics with a landscape perspective. Two central research questions addressed 1) the relative importance of different disturbance types within the four tropical rain forest life zones of the… Read more »

The Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) Long-term Ecological Research (LTER) program began in 1988 with the goal of integrating studies of disturbance regime and forest structure and dynamics with a landscape perspective. Two central research themes were addressed: (1) the relative importance of different disturbance types within the four tropical rain forest life zones of the… Read more »

The Luquillo Experimental Forest LTER program (LUQ) focuses on the long-term dynamics of tropical forest ecosystems characterized by large-scale, infrequent disturbance, rapid processing of organic material, and high habitat and species diversity. Research by LUQ has stimulated a new appreciation of the significance of large-scale disturbances in tropical forested ecosystems and the key role of… Read more »

The Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LUQ) focuses on understanding factors driving long-term change in tropical forest ecosystems in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. Building on an earlier emphasis on natural disturbances (hurricanes, landslides, droughts, floods) and ecosystem responses, LUQ will continue studies of ecosystem structure and processes in mid-elevation tabonuco forest, extend research… Read more »

The Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LUQ) integrates research and educational activities through a focus on two great challenges confronting society in the 21st Century: climate change and land use change. The goal is to understand: 1) how the environment of northeast Puerto Rico is changing; 2) the consequences of such change for biodiversity, biogeochemistry,… Read more »

This long-term research project in Puerto Rico integrates research, educational activities, and outreach to broad audiences through examination of responses of wet tropical forests to disturbances. Development of strategies to manage and conserve tropical forested ecosystems globally depends critically on understanding the mechanisms by which these ecosystems respond to natural and human-induced change. The program… Read more »

Since the Luquillo LTER began in 1988, multiple hurricanes and droughts have affected the site. Building on a 90-year research history on ecology in natural and human-modified forests, the Luquillo LTER has shown that while tropical forests exhibit resilience to individual disturbance events, the potential combination of increased frequency of intense storms, like Hurricane Maria… Read more »

The goal of this project is to enhance research and education capacity at El Verde Field Station (EVFS) via installation of a solar system and batteries for self-sufficient energy generation. EVFS is located in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. It is administered by the University of Puerto Rico and is one the principal sites… Read more »