Progress 03/21/16 to 03/06/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for activities held during the Final period: October 1, 2018-March 6, 2019 of the project include: Undergraduate and graduate students that received training in agroforestry and silvicultural research as part of this project and that supported research activities related to this project during this reporting period include (1) two graduate students (Rey Cruz and Alejandro Marengo) completing research requirements for a Master's in Agronomy thesis and completing research activities as part of assistantships funded by the project, (2) one graduate student (Diandra Lugo) completing research activities as part of assistantships funded by the project, (3) three undergraduate students enrolled in the courses "Special Problems: Agroforestry and Urban Reforestation" (AGRO 4015; Fall 2018) and "Special Problems: Community Agroforestry" (AGRO 4016; Fall 2018), (4) undergraduate students enrolled in the course Silviculture (AGRO 4010; 21 students; Fall 2018), (5) undergraduate students enrolled in the advanced undergraduate course Natural Forest Management (AGRO 5010; 9 students; Spring 2019), and (6) graduate students enrolled in the courses "Special Problems: Functional Traits, Disturbances and Agroforestry" (AGRO 6995; Fall 2018) and "Special Problems: Agroforestry and Hurricanes" (AGRO 6995; Spring 2019). Students enrolled in these courses conducted research and training activities as part of field laboratories (8 hrs. per day) for 1-5 laboratory days per course. All undergraduate and graduate students comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Participants of the 3rd Community Assembly of the Río Hondo Community Forest (BCRH) in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, held on October 6, 2018 in Meeting Room 001 of the Department of Civil Engineering, RUM. The audience comprised 20 attendees including members of the BCRH local resident community, community leaders, volunteers who tend the forest area, institutional representatives (i.e., USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, Junta de Directores del Bosque Comunitario de Río Hondo), members from other faculties (e.g, Dept. of Civil Engineering), graduate and undergraduate students who attended a 3 hour meeting to present and gain community feedback on a preliminary version of the final community forest management plan, which includes much input from this project. A 20-minute oral presentation titled "Management Plan for the Río Hondo Community Forest, Chapter 6: Strategies and Practices for Achieving Community Objectives by Management Unit" summarized some of the background and applications of research associated to the project, included as management practice recommendations in the management plan. The audience of about 20 people was comprised by minorities of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, women, and senior citizens above 62 years of age. Participants of the "Agroforestry: Theory and Practice" workshop series organized by Josco Bravo, Inc., and sponsored by USDA-FIDA. This workshop consisted of an oral talk and a field visit to showcase experimental work associated to this project as part of outreach on background, preliminary findings and potential applications of the expected products of this research project. The audience consisted of about 30 farmers and landowners interested applying agroforestry practices in their lands and production systems in Puerto Rico, and the presentation showcased the rationale of the project and recommendations for application on lands and forests owned or administered by attendees. All participants were people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and included women. Participants of the "50 Year Anniversary Seminar" of the Office of International Programs of the College of Agricultural Sciences, UPR, Mayagüez, who attended the talk "Ecological Services and Reforestation Strategies in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico: Lessons for improving social-ecological resilience" on March 19, 2019, in the Conference Room AP-01 of the Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences. The audience comprised 20 attendees and included graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and personnel attending the seminar. All participants were people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and included women. The title and citation of the talk is: Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2019. Servicios ecológicos y estrategias de reforestación en Costa Rica y Puerto Rico: Lecciones para mejorar la resiliencia social-ecológica. Presentación oral en el Seminario de los 50 Años de Aniversario de la Oficina de Programa Internacionales de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, el 19 de marzo de 2019 en el salón AP-01, UPR, Mayagüez. Participants attending the talk "Agroforestería en los bosques noveles de Puerto Rico: Implicaciones para la resiliencia social-ecológica", which was part of an employee training workshop organized by the USDA National Resource Conservation Service that was attended by 30 employees. The 45 minute talk was focused on soil health and was designed to cover the workshop section topic on tropical agroforestry systems and their benefits to soil health. More than half of all participants were people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and included women. The title and citation of the talk is: Túa Ayala, G.Z. 2019. Agroforestry in novel forests of Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the employee training workshop of the USDA National Resource Conservation Service held on April 11, 2019, in Hotel Villa Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Participants attending the Invasive Species Awareness Week Symposium held on April 26, 2019, in the College of Natural Sciences, UPR, Río Piedras. The audience was composed of 50 students and faculty members attending the talk, of which more than half were people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and included women. The title and citation of the talk is: Túa Ayala, G. Canopy leaf area of novel forests in moist Puerto Rico: Implications for agroforestry. Oral presentation in the Invasive Species Awareness Week Symposium on April 26, 2019. College of Natural Sciences, UPR, Río Piedras. Participants of the First Symposium of the Forestry Innovation Laboratory and Learning Institute held on May 1, 2019, in the Corozal Substation of the Agricultura Experiment Station, UPR. The audience consisted of about 40 researchers, farmers, practitioners, government, non-government and private enterprise representatives related to the forestry sector in Puerto Rico. Ninety percent of the participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The title and citation of the talk is : Abelleira Martínez, O.J., J. Rivera Sanantonio, G. Túa Ayala, R. Cruz Aguilar, G. Báez Rivera, R. Montalvo Petrovich, A. Marengo Casul, A. Pérez Méndez y M. del R. Suárez Rozo. 2019. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecológicos y resiliencia social-ecológica en Puerto Rico. Presentación en el Primer Simposio Forestry Innovation Laboratory and Learning Institute (FILLI): Using hurricane Maria's lessons and opportunities to support long-term sustainable forestry industry in Puerto Rico del Proyecto Emblemático de la Subestación de Corozal, el 1 de mayo de 2019 en el Salón de Conferencia de la Subestación de Corozal, Estación Experimental Agrícola, UPR. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided direct opportunities for training and professional development to more than 10 undergraduate and four graduate students of UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences that received research assistantships from this project, that enrolled in the Special Problems or Thesis Research courses AGRO 4015, AGRO 6995 and AGRO 6999, assisted in workshops or conducted summer internships. All students were trained by the PI and participated in field data collection and analysis for this project. Reports in the form of manuscripts, thesis proposals and course final reports will be source material for the publications that will be produced by this project in the long-term. The project has also provided opportunities for training and professional development for students, personnel and the PI in the form of participation in workshops and scientific meetings as speaker or audience (see Publications, Target Audience and Other Products sections above). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project goals, research objectives, results and implications have been presented to communities of interest that participated in community-based meetings, presentations, scientific meetings, seminars and workshops (see Publications, Target Audience and Other Products sections above). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Initiation Goal: 1. Conduct experiments aimed at determining silvicultural treatments by which novel forests can be enriched with rare native and edible fruit tree species to provide ecosystem services of biodiversity conservation and food security. Accomplishments 1) The establishment of a long-term experiment for testing the success and response to management of agroforestry enrichment plantings across 30 novel forest study sites in UPR's Finca Alzamora, UPR Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) lands in the sub-stations of Gurabo and Corozal, Finca El Tallonal in Arecibo, the Rio Hondo Community Forest in Mayagüez, and other sites in private and public lands in subtropical moist Puerto Rico. Data and research material include data on growth and survival of six fruit/crop tree species (avocado, breadfruit, cacao, coffee, jácana and jagua) planted across 30 novel forest sites (six trees per species per site) dominated by introduced N-fixing and non N-fixing species across the subtropical moist region of Puerto Rico. This includes data on growth and survival of enrichment plantings on ten sites planted before the passing of Hurricane María on September 20, 2017, and 20 sites planted within six months after the passing of the Hurricane. Half of all sites are dominated by deciduous N-fixing tree species, which will allow to test whether these dominant tree species traits (i.e., deciduousness and capacity to fix N) affect planted tree growth and survival across novel forest sites. Other data includes the bi-monthly variation in leaf area index (LAI) and leaf canopy cover (%) for one year and the changes in forest structure (tree density, basal area, LAI and leaf canopy cover) and species composition before and after Hurricane María across 30 study sites. Data on soil physical and chemical properties that may influence planted tree growth and survival are pending on sample collection and analysis. The long-term results from this experiment will feed into multiple publications and products that will reach scientific and practitioner audiences that will enable the understanding and management of novel ecosystems for ecosystem services and other societal needs at local and international levels. 3) Significant results achieved during the full duration of the project include (1) descriptive data on the variation in tree structure and species composition found across 30 novel forest sites before and after Hurricane María, (2) evidence showing that LAI and leafing phenology (time and duration) is affected by the dominant introduced species and functional group (e.g., N-fixer vs. non N-fixer) in novel forests, (3) data on survival of fruit trees planted before and after Hurricane María across 30 study sites, and (4) preliminary observations and results suggest no effects of dominant species on growth and survival of cacao, coffee and jácana, but higher growth and greater survival of avocado, breadfruit and jagua planted in novel forest sites dominated by highly deciduous species and N-fixers. These preliminary results were presented in scientific meetings, seminars and workshops (see Target Audience section above). Other data and products include soil samples that will be processed estimating chemical and physical properties related to planted tree growth, and vegetation samples for estimating nutrient stocks in standing litter. Continued data collection related to microclimate, soil and vegetation, as well as planted tree performance, will enabled and supported by projects MS-021 and H-489 of UPR's Agricultural Experiment Station, each having an effective end date in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The PI and collaborators will continue to seek funds to support this long-term experiment. 4) Key outcomes include the formal training of a graduate student as a research specialist in (1) sampling of tree structure and species composition, (2) sampling of leaf phenology and LAI using the LAI-2200, (3) design and planning of agroforestry enrichment planting calendars and arrangements, (4) study site selection to balance statistical treatments, and (5) coordination and execution of enrichment plantings from the tree nursery to the actual site, (6) sampling of tree growth and survival, standing litter, and soil properties, (7) supervision of undergraduate students and research assistants, (8) conducting literature reviews (9) drafting manuscripts, (10) developing and approving a thesis proposal, (11) drafting abstracts for conferences and symposia, and (12) presenting her findings in meetings and workshops. Other key outcomes include publications, presentations and workshops conducted during this reporting period by the PI, student assistants and personnel. The background, experiments and preliminary findings of this project were the focus of several one-day workshops (see Target Audience sections above) that brought applications directly to landowners, managers and practitioners. These workshops and collaborations resulted in one outreach publication consisting of an agroforestry management guide, meeting the delivery of one of the main proposed project products, and will support the development of a second outreach publication guide, a Best Management Practices guide for private forest landowners, which is under development as part of another current project (Z-336) sponsored by USDA and based in UPR's Agricultural Experiment Station.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. (In Press). Taller ADAPTA #3: Agrosilvicultura en bosques noveles para mejorar la resiliencia social-ecol�gica al cambio clim�tico en Puerto Rico. In: ADAPTA Workshop Informative Sheet Series. USDA Forest Service Caribbean Climate Hub, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, R�o Piedras, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Rivera Sanantonio, J. 2018. Caso de Estudio: Efecto del Hurac�n Mar�a en el Bosque Comunitario de Rio Hondo. Oral presentation in the ADAPTA Workshop: Silvicultura sostenible en sistemas socio-ecol�gicos: Manejo de �reas boscosas en fincas agr�colas como estrategia de adaptaci�n al cambio clim�tico. April 21, 2018, Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
T�a Ayala, G.Z. 2018. Crecimiento y Supervivencia de �rboles Frutales en Tipo de Bosque Novel: Resultados Preliminares. Oral presentation in the ADAPTA Workshop: Silvicultura sostenible en sistemas socio-ecol�gicos: Manejo de �reas boscosas en fincas agr�colas como estrategia de adaptaci�n al cambio clim�tico. April 21, 2018, Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., J. Rivera Sanantonio and G.Z. T�a Ayala. 2018. Agrosilvicultura en bosques noveles para mejorar la resiliencia social-ecol�gica al cambio clim�tico en Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the Workshop Series "Agroecolog�a: Teor�a y Pr�ctica" of Josco Bravo Inc., held on December 7, 2018 in Edificio Pi�ero and Finca Alzamora, UPR, Mayag�ez.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2019. Servicios ecol�gicos y estrategias de reforestaci�n en Costa Rica y Puerto Rico: Lecciones para mejorar la resiliencia social-ecol�gica. Oral presentantion in the Seminario de los 50 A�os de Aniversario de la Oficina de Programa Internacionales de la Facultad de Ciencias Agr�colas , held on March 19, 2019 in Conference Room AP-01, UPR, Mayag�ez.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., J. Rivera Sanantonio, G.Z. T�a Ayala, R. Cruz Aguilar, G. B�ez Rivera, R. Montalvo Petrovich, A. Marengo Casul, A. P�rez M�ndez and M. del R. Su�rez Rozo. 2019. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecol�gicos y resiliencia social-ecol�gica en Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the First Symposium of the Forestry Innovation Laboratory and Learning Institute (FILLI): Using hurricane Marias lessons and opportunities to support long-term sustainable forestry industry in Puerto Rico held on May 1, 2019 in the Conference Room of the Corozal Substation, Estaci�n Experimental Agr�cola, UPR.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
T�a Ayala, G., and Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2019. Interventions for agroforestry and species restoration in novel forests of Puerto Rico: Enrichment planting success before and after Hurricane Mar�a. Abstract submitted to the 2019 IUFRO World Congress to be held in September 29-October 2, 2019, in Curitiba, Brasil.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
T�a Ayala, G.Z. 2019. Agroforestry in novel forests of Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the employee training workshop of the USDA National Resource Conservation Service held on April 11, 2019, in Hotel Villa Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
T�a Ayala, G.Z. 2019. Canopy leaf area of novel forests in moist Puerto Rico: Implications for agroforestry. Oral presentation in the Invasive Species Awareness Week Symposium held on April 26, 2019. College of Natural Sciences, UPR, R�o Piedras.
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for activities held during this reporting period included: 1. Undergraduate and graduate students that received training in agroforestry and silvicultural research as part of this project and that supported research activities related to this project include (1) two graduate students (Génesis Túa and Rey Cruz) completing research requirements for a Master's in Agronomy thesis and completing research activities as part of assistantships funded by the project, (2) three undergraduate students (Natasha Torres, Ángel Vázquez and Roberto Arroyo) completing research activities as part of assistantships funded by the project, (3) two undergraduate students enrolled in the courses "Special Problems in Novel Forest Silviculture: Tree Propagation" (AGRO 4015; Fall 2017) and "Special Problems: Silviculture and Community Forest Management" (AGRO 4015; Spring 2018), (4) one undergraduate student conducting summer research as part of the "START NOW Student Training in Agricultural Research Techniques by Novel Occupational Workshops" summer internship program, (5) undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the advanced undergraduate course Natural Forest Management (AGRO 5010; 18 students; Spring 2018), (6) undergraduate students enrolled in the course Silviculture (AGRO 4010; 21 students; Fall 2017 and 2018), and (7) graduate students enrolled in the graduate level course Special Topics: Ecology and Intervention in Novel Forests (AGRO 6997; 16 students; Fall 2017). Students enrolled in the later three courses (AGRO 4010, 5010 and 6997) conducted research and training activities as part of field laboratories (8 hrs. per day) for at least one laboratory day per course. All undergraduate and graduate students comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 2. Participants of the Ecosystem Service Assessments Symposium of the 2017 Ecological Society of America Meeting in Portland, Oregon, who attended the 20-minute oral presentation titled "Functional groups and management practices modulate trait to water use relationships in dry tropical reforestation", which summarized background and previous research associated to the project. The audience of about 30 people included undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, government and non-government agency representatives. The PI submitted an abstract that was accepted for this contributed talk. The title and citation of the talk follows below.* Abelleira Martínez, O.J., Günter, S., Marshall, J.D., DeClerck, F.A., Bosque-Pérez, N.A. & Fremier, A.K. 2017. Functional groups and management practices modulate trait to water use relationships in dry tropical reforestation. 102nd Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). August 6-11, 2017, City Convention Center, Portland, Oregon 3. Participants of the Undergraduate Student Research Symposium of the Managing Global Resources for a Secure Future (Annual Meeting of the Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America) 2017 Annual meeting in Tampa, Florida, who attended the session for the poster titled "Organic matter in novel forests can create ideal conditions for agroforestry". The PI advised an undergraduate student as part of the project Z- 315 (START NOW Student Training in Agricultural Research Techniques by Novel Occupational Workshops) who submitted an abstract that was accepted for this poster session, which summarized some of the preliminary findings of this research project. The audience consisted of about 100 graduate students, researchers, farmers, practitioners, government, non-government and private enterprise representatives from Puerto Rico and other countries in the Caribbean. The title and citation of the talk follows below. Figueroa Bonaparte, F., O.J. Abelleira Martínez, and D. Sotomayor Ramírez. 2017. Organic matter in novel forests can create ideal conditions for agroforestry. Annual Meeting of the Annual Meeting of the Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America. October 22-25, 2017, Tampa, Florida. 4. Participants of the ADAPTA workshop series sponsored by the USDA Forest Service Caribbean Climate Hub titled "Sustainable silviculture in social-ecological systems: Forest management in private agricultural lands as a climate change adaptation strategy". This workshop consisted of an oral talk and a field visit to showcase experimental work associated to this project as part of outreach on background, preliminary findings and potential applications of the expected products of this research project. The audience consisted of about 50 researchers, farmers, practitioners, government, non-government and private enterprise representatives from Puerto Rico. More than half of the participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The title and citation of the talk follows below. Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2018. Agroforestry and silviculture in novel forests to improve social-ecological resilience to climate change in Puerto Rico. ADAPTA Workshop: Silvicultura sostenible en sistemas socio-ecológicos: Manejo de áreas boscosas en fincas agrícolas como estrategia de adaptación al cambio climático. April 21, 2018, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. *Note: This activity was not included in the previous report. Changes/Problems:The passing of Hurricane María on September 23, 2017, resulted in modifications to the experimental design. This includes a change in tree planting arrangement in sites planted after the Hurricane to accommodate plantings in highly disturbed forest conditions, and the addition of another factor analyses of tree growth and survival (i.e., tree planted before or after the Hurricane). The net effect of these modifications of the experiment's capacity to answer original study questions (i.e., dominant species trait effects on planted tree growth and survival) remains to be seen. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, the project provided direct opportunities for training and professional development to six undergraduate and two graduate students of UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences that received research assistantships from this project, that enrolled in the Special Problems or Thesis Research courses AGRO 4015, AGRO 6995, AGRO 6999, or that conducted summer internships as part of UPR's START NOW program. All students were trained by the PI and participated in field data collection and analysis for this project. Reports in the form of developing manuscripts, thesis proposals and/or course final reports will be source material for the publications that will be produced by this project. The project has also provided opportunities for training and professional development for the PI in the form of participation in a workshop and in scientific meetings as a speaker and as a member of the audience (see Target Audience and Other Products sections above). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project goals, research objectives, results and implications have been presented to communities of interest that participated in presentations, scientific meeting, seminars and workshops (see Target Audience and Other Products sections above). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. During the next reporting period, the main activities planned to accomplish project objectives are (1) complete data collection and analysis of LAI and leaf phenology across novel forest stands, (2) complete the enrichment planting experiment on the remaining selected sites, (3) conduct sampling of soils to assess differences in soil structure and chemistry across sites planted with fruit trees, and (4) assess preliminary growth and survival (6 mo.) of planted fruit trees and analyze its relation to sampled abiotic and biotic independent variables. Chemical and physical analyses of soils are to be conducted at the AES Analytical Lab. These activities will be modified to accommodate the effects of Hurricane María to the structure, species composition and LAI of selected study sites (see Changes/Problems section below). 2. A workshop in coordination with other partners (e.g., USDA Forest Service and the ADAPTA group at UPR) is being planned to include the preliminary results from this project, with applications and implications for landowners and/or practitioners interested in agroforestry production, conservation policies and practices oriented to support the resilience of crops and agroforestry systems to climate change, specifically to a higher frequency of intense hurricanes. 3. During the next reporting period, a guide for agroforestry practices in novel forests of Puerto Rico for public and private land owners and managers will be developed in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Caribbean Climate Hub ADAPTA project. This guide constitutes one of the project's main proposed and deliverable product.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Initiation Goal: 1. Conduct experiments aimed at determining silvicultural treatments by which novel forests can be enriched with rare native and edible fruit tree species to provide ecosystem services of biodiversity conservation and food security. Accomplishments for this reporting period: 1) Major accomplishments to meet project objectives during this period include the establishment of agroforestry enrichment plantings across 30 novel forest study sites in UPR's Finca Alzamora, UPR Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) lands in the sub-stations of Gurabo and Corozal, Finca El Tallonal in Arecibo, the Rio Hondo Community Forest in Mayagüez, and other sites in private and public lands in subtropical moist Puerto Rico. Data and research material include data on growth and survival of six fruit/crop tree species (avocado, breadfruit, cacao, coffee, jácana and jagua) planted across 30 novel forest sites (six trees per species per site) dominated by introduced N-fixing and non N-fixing species across the subtropical moist region of Puerto Rico. This includes data on growth and survival of enrichment plantings on ten sites planted before the passing of Hurricane María on September 20, 2017, and 20 sites planted within six months after the passing of the Hurricane. Half of all sites are dominated by deciduous N-fixing tree species, which will allow to test whether these dominant tree species traits (i.e., deciduousness and capacity to fix N) affect planted tree growth and survival across novel forest sites. Other data includes the bi-monthly variation in leaf area index (LAI) and leaf canopy cover (%) for one year and the changes in forest structure (tree density, basal area, LAI and leaf canopy cover) and species composition before and after Hurricane María across 30 study sites. Data on soil physical and chemical properties that may influence planted tree growth and survival are pending on sample collection and analysis. 2) The specific objectives met during the reporting period include the experimental planting of ~900 fruit trees across 30 novel forest sites dominated by introduced species of contrasting traits, such as deciduousness and capacity to fix N, that can influence planted fruit tree growth, survival and crop productivity. This successfully establishes a long-term experiment in agroforestry that will eventually allow to assess the crop productivity of these six fruit tree species when planted across the variation found in novel secondary forest structure and composition in subtropical moist Puerto Rico. Short-term implications that will stem from data gathered and analyzed during the current and next reporting period include whether the growth and survival of planted fruit tree species is favored under any of the novel forest treatments (i.e., dominant species traits), and whether the Hurricane affected growth and survival of trees planted before Hurricane María (10 sites). The passing of the extreme event inevitably added a new factor into the analyses. Although predictive capacity (i.e., degrees of freedom) was reduced, this new factor will enrich the findings and conclusions of this study. 3) Significant results achieved during this reporting period include (1) descriptive data on the variation in tree structure and species composition found across 30 novel forest sites before and after Hurricane María, (2) evidence showing that LAI and leafing phenology (time and duration) is affected by the dominant introduced species and functional group (e.g., N-fixer vs. non N-fixer) in novel forests, (3) high survival of fruit trees planted before and after Hurricane María across 30 study sites, and (4) preliminary observations and results suggest no effects of dominant species on growth and survival of cacao, coffee and jácana, but higher growth and greater survival of avocado, breadfruit and jagua planted in novel forest sites dominated by highly deciduous species and N-fixers. These preliminary results were presented in scientific meetings, seminars and workshops (see Target Audience section above). 4) Key outcomes from this reporting period include the formal training of a graduate student as a research specialist in (1) sampling of tree structure and species composition, (2) sampling of leaf phenology and LAI using the LAI-2200, (3) design and planning of agroforestry enrichment planting calendars and arrangements, (4) study site selection to balance statistical treatments, and (5) coordination and execution of enrichment plantings from the tree nursery to the actual site, (6) sampling of tree growth and survival, standing litter, and soil properties, (7) the supervision of undergraduate students working under her supervision. Other key outcomes include publications, presentations and workshops conducted during this reporting period by the PI, student assistants and personnel. The background, experiments and preliminary findings of this project were the focus of a one-day workshop (ADAPTA Workshop Series, USDA Caribbean Climate Hub, see Target Audience sections above) that brought applications directly to landowners, managers and practitioners. This collaboration and workshop will result in an outreach publication guide for agroforestry management practices for public and private landowners that will constitute one of the main products proposed and delivered by the study.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Lugo, A.E., and Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2018. Stoichiometry of decomposing Spathodea campanulata leaves in novel Puertorrican forests. Forest Ecology and Management 430: 176-187.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. Geographic distribution and spatial attributes of African tulip tree forests in north-central Puerto Rico: Implications for social-ecological resilience. The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., G�nter, S., Marshall, J.D., DeClerck, F.A., Bosque-P�rez, N.A. & Fremier, A.K. Functional groups and management practices modulate trait to water use relationships in dry tropical reforestation. Ecological Applications.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. and S. Gonz�lez Miranda. 2018. El abandono agr�cola reflejado en el citadino: Manejo de reforestaci�n urbana. Pages 31-45 in: Manual de Forestaci�n Urbana para Puerto Rico e Islas V�rgenes Americanas, Cap�tulo 1. La Vegetaci�n en �reas Urbanas. International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service and Servicio de Extensi�n Agr�cola, UPR-RUM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2016. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecosist�micos en Puerto Rico. 9no Simposio Internacional sobre Manejo Sostenible de los Recursos Forestales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2016. Novel Forest Silviculture in Puerto Rico: Restoring Fruit Tree Species for Biodiversity and Food Security. 62nd Meeting of the Inter American Society for Tropical Horticulture, Rinc�n Beach Resort, A�asco, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2017. Improving social-ecological resilience to climate change through silviculture in Puerto Ricos novel forests. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society. July 19, 2017, Hotel Verdanza, Carolina, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., G�nter, S., Marshall, J.D., DeClerck, F.A., Bosque-P�rez, N.A. & Fremier, A.K. 2017. Functional groups and management practices modulate trait to water use relationships in dry tropical reforestation. 102nd Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). August 6-11, 2017, City Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Figueroa Bonaparte, F., O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez, and D. Sotomayor Ram�rez. 2017. Organic matter in novel forests can create ideal conditions for agroforestry. Annual Meeting of the Annual Meeting of the Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America. October 22-25, 2017, Tampa, Florida.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2018. Agroforestry and silviculture in novel forests to improve social-ecological resilience to climate change in Puerto Rico. ADAPTA Workshop: Silvicultura sostenible en sistemas socio-ecol�gicos: Manejo de �reas boscosas en fincas agr�colas como estrategia de adaptaci�n al cambio clim�tico. April 21, 2018, Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for activities held during this reporting period included: 1. Undergraduate and graduate students that received training in silvicultural research as part of this project and that supported research activities related to this project include (1) one graduate student that is completing her research requirements for a Master's in Agronomy thesis (AGRO 6999) as part of this project and whose assistantship is funded by the project, (2) an undergraduate student that enrolled in the course "Special Problems in Novel Forest Silviculture: LAI Estimation" (AGRO 4015), (3) a graduate student that enrolled in a graduate-level "Special Problems" course (AGRO 6995), (4) undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the advanced undergraduate course Natural Forest Management (AGRO 5010; ~15 students), and (5) undergraduate students enrolled in the course Silviculture (AGRO 4010; ~20 students). Students enrolled in the latter two courses (AGRO 4010 and 5010) conducted research and training activities as part of field laboratories (8 hrs. per day) for at least one laboratory day per course. All undergraduate and graduate students comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 2. Participants of the Environmental Sciences Department Seminar at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Rio Piedras, who attended the 1-hour oral presentation titled "Reforestation, ecosystem services and intervention in novel ecosystems", which summarized some of the key questions, applications and preliminary findings of this research project. The audience of about 50 included undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, government and non-government agency representatives. The PI was invited by the Seminar Organizers and the presentation was held on March 16, 2017 in the Natural Sciences building of the Rio Piedras Campus. More than half of the participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The title and citation of the talk follow below. Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2017. Reforestation, ecosystem services and intervention in novel ecosystems. Seminario del Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales. March 16, 2017, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. 3. Participants of the workshop titled "Agroforestería y Ecoturismo en Finca Alzamora" held on April 19, 2017, as part of an activity sponsored by the undergraduate student organization "Asociación de Estudiantes Agricultores" during the two-month student strike at UPR. About 10 undergraduate students participated in a 3.5 hr. field outing and workshop that showcased the agroforestry and silvicultural research activities carried out in UPR's Finca Alzamora, and their potential applications for improving social-ecological resilience to climate change and ecosystem services such as food provision, education, and eco-tourism. All participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 4. Participants of the Agroecology Symposium of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society held on July 19, 2017, in Hotel Verdanza, Carolina, Puerto Rico, who attended the 15-minute presentation "Improving social-ecological resilience to climate change through silviculture in Puerto Rico's novel forests". The PI submitted an abstract that was accepted for this presentation, which summarized some of the key questions, applications and preliminary findings of this research project. The audience consisted of about 100 graduate students, researchers, farmers, practitioners, government, non-government and private enterprise representatives from Puerto Rico and other countries in the Caribbean. More than half of the participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The title and citation of the talk follow below. Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2017. Improving social-ecological resilience to climate change through silviculture in Puerto Rico's novel forests. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society. July 19, 2017, Hotel Verdanza, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Changes/Problems:Two events during this reporting period caused problems and changes that hampered the progress of the project and/or provided new opportunities: (1) the 2017 UPR student strike and (2) Hurricane María's passing through Puerto Rico. The effects of these events on this research project are detailed below. 1. Changes/Problems related to the 2017 UPR student strike included delays in activities such as study plot establishment and site selection, and breaks in the continuity of data that needs be gathered periodically (monthly) across study sites(e.g., LAI and leaf phenology). These delays and breaks in continuity were due to the incapacity of participants to access facilities and/or equipment (i.e., vehicles and site access). The effect of the changes in continuity on the quality of LAI and leaf phenology data have yet to be assessed; this will be evident after the graduate student conducting research related to this project completes the corresponding dataset. In spite the strike prevented easy access to juvenile fruit trees in Finca Alzamora's nursery and hampered site selection, tree plantings were commenced on August of 2017, fairly close to the date (+ 2 weeks) that was originally planned. The net effect of hampered access to facilities and equipment during the strike was to ease the requirements for site selection so as to include novel forest stands dominated by introduced tree species not originally envisioned in the project. 2. The passing of Hurricane María will cause significant on-going modifications of activities projected for the following reporting period including but not limited to: (1) new tree planting arrangements to accommodate new post-Hurricane conditions at all sites, (2) include the assessment of the effects of Hurricane María to tree structure, species composition, LAI, leaf phenology, and/or growth and survival of trees planted before and after Hurricane María across all study plots (30 in total; 20 for plantings). This Change/Problem occurred in the last week of this reporting period and will be the main determinant of activities conducted during the next reporting period. The Hurricane has provided an unparalleled and paramount research opportunity to answer questions originally related to this project in a way that includes the effects and practical implications of conducting agroforestry plantings in novel forests before and after a Hurricane, which can improve social-ecological resilience to climate change and increasingly severe hurricane frequency. It also unexpectedly provided the opportunity to answer questions that are outside the original scope of this project but that are nevertheless worthy of research, for example, is there a difference in the effects of Hurricane María on tree structure and composition across novel forest types? On the other hand, the new treatment imposed by Hurricane María will reduce the amount of replicates per original treatment (i.e., novel forest type based on dominant introduced tree species and/or functional group) on the enrichment planting experiments. It also hampered our capacity to obtain adequate and representative LAI and phenology estimates per novel forest type because study sites were established up until May 2017 and the advent of Hurricane María on September, which caused severe crown damage at all sites, made it impossible to record periodic values for some months of the year at some sites, thus potentially missing full leaf flush and leaf out. The effects of this on the final experimental setup, balancing of treatments, the explanatory power of related statistical analyses and capacity to refute or accept related hypotheses have yet to be assessed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, the project provided direct opportunities for training and professional development to three undergraduate and graduate students of UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences that received research assistantships from this project and/or that enrolled in the Special Problems or Thesis Research courses AGRO 4015, AGRO 6995 and AGRO 6999. Two of these students began their work in the project as undergraduates and continued related research as graduate students following acceptance in the graduate program in UPR's Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences. All students were trained by the PI and participated in field data collection and analysis for this project. Preliminary reports in the form of developing thesis proposals and/or course final reports will be source material for the publications that will be produced by this project. The project has also provided opportunities for training and professional development for the PI in the form of participation in a workshop and in scientific meetings as a speaker and as a member of the audience (see Target Audience and Other Products sections above). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial project goals, research objectives, preliminary results and potential implications were presented to communities of interest that participated in a workshop, a seminar and a scientific meeting (see Target Audience and Other Products sections above). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. During the next reporting period, the main activities planned to accomplish the project goals are (1) complete data collection and analysis of LAI and leaf phenology across novel forest stands, (2) complete the enrichment planting experiment on the remaining selected sites, (3) conduct sampling of soils to assess differences in soil structure and chemistry across sites planted with fruit trees, and (4) assess preliminary growth and survival (6 mo.) of planted fruit trees and analyze its relation to sampled abiotic and biotic independent variables. Chemical and physical analyses of soils are to be conducted at the AES Analytical Lab. These activities will be modified to accommodate the effects of Hurricane María to the structure, species composition and LAI of selected study sites (see Changes/Problems section below). 2. A workshop in coordination with other partners (e.g., USDA Forest Service and the ADAPTA group at UPR) is being planned to include the preliminary results from this project, with applications and implications for landowners and/or practitioners interested in agroforestry production, conservation policies and practices oriented to support the resilience of crops and agroforestry systems to climate change, specifically to a higher frequency of intense hurricanes.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Initiation Goal: 1. Conduct experiments aimed at determining silvicultural treatments by which novel forests can be enriched with rare native and edible fruit tree species to provide ecosystem services of biodiversity conservation and food security. Accomplishments for this reporting period: 1) Major accomplishments to meet project objectives during this period include the establishment of 30 study plots in UPR's Finca Alzamora, UPR Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) lands in the sub-stations of Gurabo and Corozal, Finca El Tallonal in Arecibo, the Rio Hondo community forest in Mayagüez, and other sites (Pugnado and Cibuco II) in Puerto Rico. Data gathered on these 30 plots include (1) structure (tree density and basal area) and species composition (species richness and relative dominance) of trees >10cm diameter at breast height (DBH) in 250m^2 circular plots and trees >2.5 to 10 cm DBH on concentric 100m^2 plots, (2) periodic (monthly) measurements of LAI using the Li-Cor LAI-2200 equipment which was purchased with funds from this project, and (3) leafing phenology (% leaf cover per tree) for dominant (>10cm DBH) trees on each plot. 2) The specific objectives met during the reporting period include the experimental planting of fruit trees in 10 novel forest study sites, which constitutes the main long-term experiment established by this project. Based on data of tree structure, species composition and LAI for 30 study plots, about 20 plots were selected for the enrichment plantings. In spite some inconveniences (see Changes/Problems section below), the enrichment plantings were commenced on-time using the available trees (~900 trees of six species) that were propagated, maintained and made available by the personnel of UPR's Finca Alzamora in due time and in advance of the purchase with the project's funds. A portion of these trees (~150) were coffee trees donated to UPR by the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico. Up until the end of this reporting period, which closely matches the advent of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico on September 21, 2017, a total of 10 of the selected study plots were planted with the corresponding tree species (30 trees per plot; six trees per species). This amount closely matched what was planned as the goal of planted study plots for the corresponding date. 3) Significant results achieved during this reporting period include (1) descriptive data on the variation in tree structure and species composition found across 30 novel forest stands in the UPR's AES Sub-stations and other sites in Puerto Rico, and (2) preliminary evidence showing that LAI and leafing phenology (time and duration) is affected by the dominant introduced species and functional group (e.g., N-fixer vs. non N-fixer) in novel forests. These preliminary results were presented at scientific meetings and/or seminars (see Target Audience section above). 4) Key outcomes from this reporting period include the formal training of a graduate student as a research specialist in (1) sampling of tree structure and species composition, (2) sampling of leaf phenology and LAI using the LAI-2200, (3) design of enrichment planting patterns, (4) study site selection to balance statistical treatments, and (5) coordination and execution of enrichment plantings from the tree nursery to the actual site. The presentations and workshops conducted during this reporting period by the PI will be updated with significant results and will constitute the material for workshops that will make project results available for landowners, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers during subsequent reporting periods.
Publications
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Progress 03/21/16 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for activities held during this reporting period included: 1. Undergraduate students, including one undergraduate funded by the project and three undergraduates participating in the course "First Professional Work Experience" (INTD 4995) that were trained in sampling forest structure and species composition, and that collected preliminary data for this project. 2. Participants of the workshop titled "Best Management Practices for a Sustainable Landscape" held on May 7, 2016, in the conference room of UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences, which was organized by the local NGO CafiEscencia Inc. and sponsored by the USDA Forest Service. 3. Participants of the scientific meeting titled "9th International Symposium on Sustainable Management of Forest Resources" held on June 14-18, 2016, in Universidad de Pinar del Río, Cuba. 4. Participants of the "62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Inter American Society of Tropical Horticulture", which was held on September 6-8, 2016, in the Rincón Beach Resort in Añasco, Puerto Rico. Meeting of the Inter American Society for Tropical Horticulture, Rincón Beach Resort, Añasco, Puerto Rico. 5. Attendees of a scientific talk presented to the USDA-APHIS office in Aguada, Puerto Rico, on September 29, 2016. The talk was attended by about 30 participant employees of the Aguada and Ponce (remotely) office. Most participants were from Hispanic/Latin American background, and about half were women. The title and citation details of the 45 minute oral presentation follow below. Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2016. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecosistémicos en Puerto Rico. USDA-APHIS. Aguada, Puerto Rico. Changes/Problems:The Changes/Problems in approach for this reporting period include the assignment of funds to cover the propagation of the juvenile trees from the fruit tree species required for the enrichment planting experiment that will be established in this project. The proposed project originally contemplated that juvenile trees of the selected tree species would be available at no cost from public agencies such as the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources or private NGO's such as the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. However, early in the project's implementation it became clear that enough juveniles of the desired species would not be available from these agencies in the time schedule needed for the project. The PI proceeded to discuss the possibility of propagating the required juvenile trees in UPR's Finca Alzamora with the facility's personnel. A preliminary cost per juvenile tree was negotiated and a tentative schedule for the juvenile tree propagation was established so that the trees can be made available in time for the project's schedule. Initial seed sources for three of six of the tree species were established during this reporting period. The funds to cover the costs of juvenile tree propagation will be covered by funds originally assigned to the purchase of weather stations. Data gathered by weather stations on microclimate are of lower priority for the project's objectives compared to obtaining the juvenile trees. Some microclimatic data (i.e., solar radiation) can be partly substituted by surrogate estimates of related variables such as LAI, which will be sampled independently. Analysis of other variables such as soil texture can allow inferences on soil water holding capacity and compensate for the lack of data on soil moisture, which was originally meant to be gathered by the weather stations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided opportunities for training and professional development to three undergraduate students of UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences enrolled in the course "First Professional Work Experience" (INTD 4995) and one undergraduate student assistant directly funded by the project. These undergraduate students were trained by the PI and participated in field data collection for this project. This included data on forest structure and species composition collected in plots established by the students in UPR's Finca Alzamora agricultural experiment station lands and in the Rio Hondo community forest in Mayaguez. The undergraduate student assistant funded by this project during this reporting period will continue to perform research activities related to this project as a graduate student beginning in January 2017. The project provided opportunities for training and professional development to a graduate and an undergraduate student that were funded by the project to attend the 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Inter American Society for Tropical Horticulture held in September 6-8 in Rincón Beach Resort, Anasco, Puerto Rico. The project has also provided opportunities for training and professional development for the PI in the form of participation in a workshop and in scientific meetings as a speaker and as a member of the audience. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial project goals, research objectives, preliminary data and potential implications of results were presented to communities of interest that participated in a workshop and in two scientific meetings. 1. The workshop titled "Best Management Practices for a Sustainable Landscape" held on May 7, 2016, in the conference room of UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences, was organized by the local NGO CafiEscencia Inc. and sponsored by the USDA Forest Service. The workshop was attended by about 50 participants that included farm and forest landowners, practicing farmers, and students interested in implementing ecologically sound management practices. All participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The PI of this project was invited to be a speaker in the workshop and presented the proposed research and supporting data for this project to the audience, along with potential implications of the proposed project's results for management. The title and citation details of the 30 minute oral presentation follow below: Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2016. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecosistémicos en Puerto Rico. Workshop: Mejores Prácticas para un Paisaje Sustentable, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. 2. The scientific meeting titled "9th International Symposium on Sustainable Management of Forest Resources" was held on June 14-18, 2016, in Universidad de Pinar del Río, Cuba. The meeting was attended by about 100 participants that included practicing foresters and forest managers, outreach specialists, professors, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students from national and international institutions. The PI of this project submitted an abstract, which was accepted by the meeting organizers, and presented the proposed research and supporting data for this project to the audience, along with potential implications of the proposed project's results for management. The title and citation details of the 20 minutes oral presentation is included in the Products section of this report. This presentation was a shortened version of the previous presentation. 3. The "62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Inter American Society of Tropical Horticulture", was held on September 6-8, 2016, in the Rincón Beach Resort in Añasco, Puerto Rico. The meeting was attended by about 50 participants that included practicing farmers, professors, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students from national and international institutions based across Latin America and the Caribbean. Most participants were international, and most national participants were minorities of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The PI of this project submitted an abstract, which was accepted by the meeting organizers, and presented the proposed research and supporting data for this project to the audience, along with potential implications of the proposed project's results for management. The title and citation details of the 10 minute oral presentation follow below and is also included in the Products section of this report. Abelleira Martínez, O.J. 2016. Novel Forest Silviculture in Puerto Rico: Restoring Fruit Tree Species for Biodiversity and Food Security. 62nd Meeting of the Inter American Society for Tropical Horticulture, Rincón Beach Resort, Añasco, Puerto Rico. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Continue to establish potential study plots in Finca Alzamora, Rio Hondo community forest, and in UPR's Agricultural Experimental Station lands located in the Corozal and Gurabo substations, and in other public and private lands. 2. Obtain equipment and train students in using the equipment to estimate leaf area index (LAI), which will be used as independent variable to assign plots into treatment groups. This equipment includes an LAI meter and a laptop computer to download, store and process LAI data and other data related to the project such as plot forest structure and species composition, and soil properties. 3. Obtain seed to propagate, plant, and obtain juveniles of selected fruit tree species to plant in the novel forest silvilcultural enrichment experiment, which constitutes the main and ultimate research objective of this project. The initial propagation protocol and sources for some of the selected species were discussed during this reporting period with personnel of UPR's Finca Alzamora, which will be conducting the propagation of the juvenile trees required for the enrichment planting experiments.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Initiation Goal: 1. Conduct experiments aimed at determining silvicultural treatments by which novel forests can be enriched with rare native and edible fruit tree species to provide ecosystem services of biodiversity conservation and food security. Accomplishments for this reporting period: 1) Major activities completed during this period include the establishment of potential study plots in UPR's Finca Alzamora agricultural experiment station lands, and in the Rio Hondo community forest in Mayaguez. This includes a total of eight plots where existing forest structure and species composition was sampled. Each plot was comprised of 250 and 100m^2 concentric circular areas where all trees >10cm and >2.5<10cm in diameter at breast height (DBH), respectively, were identified to species or morph-species, and the DBH of each tree recorded. These and other plots will constitute a pool of plots from which the final novel forest study plots that will be used in the proposed research will be selected. 2) The specific objectives met during this period include the preliminary selection and establishment of experimental plots required to meet the proposed research's objectives. 3) No significant results were achieved during this reporting period. 4) No key outcomes or other accomplishments realized.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2016. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecosist�micos en Puerto Rico. 9no Simposio Internacional sobre Manejo Sostenible de los Recursos Forestales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2016. Novel Forest Silviculture in Puerto Rico: Restoring Fruit Tree Species for Biodiversity and Food Security. 62nd Meeting of the Inter American Society for Tropical Horticulture, Rinc�n Beach Resort, A�asco, Puerto Rico.
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