Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program

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Long-Term Elevational Plots

Long-Term Elevational Plots

How does forest structure and function change over space and time in the Luquillo Mountains?

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Biogeochemical Pathways

Biogeochemical Pathways

How are carbon and nutrient fluxes of lands and streams changing in northeast Puerto Rico?

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Urban-Rural Boundary

Urban Rural Boundary

How does changing land use affect ecosystem services in northeast Puerto Rico?

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Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem Services

How are the quantity and quality of water changing in streams of northeast Puerto Rico?

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Multiple Dimensions of Biodiversity

Multiple Dimensions of Biodiversity

Multiple Dimensions of Biodiversity

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Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot

Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot

How do terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Luquillo Mountains respond to disturbance?

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Canopy Trimming Experiment

Canopy Trimming Experiment

Canopy Trimming Experiment

East of Luquillo (Roosevelt Road)

Clear sky
  • Clear sky
  • Temperature: 29 °C
  • Wind: ESE (110°), 22.2 km/h
  • Pressure: 1015 hPa
  • Rel. Humidity: 75 %
  • Visibility: 16.1 km
  • Sunrise: 9:49am GMT
  • Sunset: 10:49pm GMT
Reported on:
Thu, 2012-05-17 14:53
  • NEW PATHWAYS

    Research at Luquillo LTER led to the discovery of DNRA and Feammox, novel pathways for nitrogen loss from terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding these pathways will help scientists predict the sources and magnitudes of greenhouse gas emissions and how human activities, such as irrigation and fertilization, affect water and air quality in tropical regions.

The goal of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (Luquillo LTER) is to understand how changing climate and land use are affecting the environment of northeastern Puerto Rico. Luquillo LTER includes both terrestrial and aquatic studies, from the peaks of the Luquillo Mountains to the city of San Juan, encompassing strong gradients of both climate and land use. Luquillo LTER research applies to other islands in the Caribbean and similar tropical areas, and it is part of global networks of long-term environmental research in the United States and other countries (US LTER, International LTER) and tropical forest sites (Center for Tropical Forest Science - CTFS). Luquillo LTER has operated continuously since 1988, with support from the US National Science Foundation, The University of Puerto Rico, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry - IITF (USDA Forest Service). See Luquillo LTER research proposals for descriptions of Luquillo LTER research projects and results, and see articles on Luquillo LTER mentioned below.

FOR RESEARCHERS - research, sites and data information, proposals and publications

FOR STUDENTS & TEACHERS - students and schoolyard web pages, research, publications

FOR REVIEWERS - links to lists of methods, proposals, LUQ 5 researchers, and others

This site is still under construction. See Blog "Note to Users" for more details.