FORESTRY INNOVATION LABORATORY AND LEARNING INSTITUTE (FILLI): USING HURRICANE MARIA’S LESSONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1016450
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2018
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ
P. O. BOX 9000
MAYAGUEZ,PR 00681

Performing Department
Agroenvironmental Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Puerto Rico has a long history of forest product uses and production. However, a formal forestry industry has been lacking since the 1970's. The forest cover of Puerto Rico today is dominated by introduced invasive species that form monodominant novel forest stands in abandoned agricultural lands. These forests represent a vast, renewable and untapped natural resource that can provide ecosystem services and goods. Moreover, there is a surplus of vegetative material with many potential uses that has been collected from the Hurricane María. Although there is a great quantity of valuable logs, most of the collected material is considered biomass waste. This material can be potentially useful in sustainable and economically sound ways. The objectives of this proposal were divided into Research Thrusts. These are: Thrust A (1) the use of vegetative waste to produce biochar and woodchips, and to test these as soil and growing media amendments, (2) outreach on forest product management and uses; and Thrust B (1) to support on-going research in agroforestry, community forestry and restoration in novel forests (NF), and (2) to begin research on developing forest products from the most abundant tree species in the NF of Puerto Rico. These objectives will be achieved by supporting on-going, and new research projects in forestry, providing infrastructure, training, and outreach which will improve our institutional capacity to develop research partnerships and grant funding opportunities. Meeting objectives will support the establishment of a long-term program in forestry research and education based on environmentally sound forestry management.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	0110	2061	25%
125	0640	1070	15%
123	0640	1070	20%
903	6099	3020	20%
403	0699	2020	20%

Knowledge Area
403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse; 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 125 - Agroforestry; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil; 6099 - People and communities, general/other; 0640 - Tropical forests; 0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1070 - Ecology; 3020 - Education; 2061 - Pedology;

Keywords

hurricane forest recovery

soil amendments

biochar

biomass

vegetative waste salvage

forestry

forest products

Goals / Objectives
1) The use of soil and growing media amendments from Hurricane María's vegetative waste material, such as biochar and wood chip, to increase tropical timber tree growth and soil and media health.2) Outreach: research content material and adapt it to the Spanish-speaking audience to promote the production of timber trees and use of hardwood materials. Establish internet-based dissemination of the information produced in Thrust 1 integrating social media and web page.3) Support ongoing basic and applied research on agroforestry and silvicultural interventions in NF to improve ecosystem provision of goods, ecosystem function, climate change regulation and social-ecological resilience to increased hurricane frequency.4) Begin new research aimed at developing forest products derived from the most abundant tree in the forests of Puerto Rico, African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata).

Project Methods
Thrust 1, Objective 1:We will acquire the materials and commission a local machine shop to create the different kilns and/or ovens.Timber tree experiments in soil pots: Plants will be grown in 3-gallon pots in an open space, shaded at planting with shading nets. The biochar with the best characteristics will be tested as well as woodchip as part of a potting mix media composed mostly of commercial peat moss, Pro-mix. The treatments to be tested are: control (100% Pro-Mix), 10% biochar (90% Pro-Mix), 25% biochar (75% Pro-Mix), 10% wood chip (90% Pro-Mix), 25% wood chip (75% Pro-Mix), 10% biochar and 10% wood chip (80% Pro-Mix), and 25% biochar and 25% wood chip (50% Pro-Mix). Plant growth will be determined by measuring the height and diameter of the plants at planting and every two weeks. Growing media will be analyzed for pH and EC, Total N and total C, and water retention.Field tree growth essay:During the third year of the experiment, the three best treatments from the first trial growing media will be selected, and a set of plants will be replicated to be transplanted in the field (3 treatments x 2 tree species x 3 blocks x 10 rep = 180 plants). Plants will be transplanted in the field in plots of 30 trees per plot. Plant growth and soil characteristics will be monitored for two years.Thrust 1, Objective 2:Outreach: research content material and adapt it to the Spanish-speaking audience to promote the production of timber trees and use of hardwood materials. Establish an internet-based dissemination of the information produced in Thrust 1, integrating social media and web page. These subjects will be delivered through symposiums, demonstrations, field tours, workshops, exhibitions and forums where specialists in each area will be invited to participate. At least two subjects will be covered every year (from year 2 to year 4) with a combination of a lecture and other activity (e.g. field trips).Thrust 2, Objective 1:Samplings of coarse woody debris and standing litter additions will be conducted on sites across the NF types. On each site, coarse woody debris will be sampled on line transects (~100m) established atop and across plots where forest structure (e.g., tree density [trees/ha] and basal area [m2/ha]) has been sampled previously. These samples will be oven dried to constant temperature (65° C) to obtain dry-to-wet mass conversions per coarse. Similarly, standing litter will be sampled across the line transects by collecting all litter within 0.25 m^2 quadratates.Thrust 2, Objective 2: Begin new research aimed at developing forest products derived from the most abundant tree in the forests of Puerto Rico, Spathodea campanulata. Wood from S. campanulata will be sampled. The specific final tests to be conducted to attain objective 2 will be identified following comprehensive research by a graduate student in engineering. The tests will be aimed at densified wood for construction, pulp and cellulose for paper and other applications, and biomass for biofuels.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience was: agricultural agents interested in the subjects, scientists and adults interested in Forestry, especially entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in forestry and/or forest products. Changes/Problems:For Thrust 1 the biochar production, the tree growth and the outreach have been delayed due to the December 2019 and January 2020 earthquakes in Puerto Rico, and later due to the Covid-19. The Covid-19 not only affected us, but also the technician working at Thrust 1 could not perform the majority of her tasks due to personal and family situations related to the Covid-19 emergency. We are currently producing large quantities of biochar from pine wood to start the tree growth experiment in March 2021. Also we are currently testing different sources of biochar produced from different invasive species in a greenhouse experiment using basil. We are also planning to produce some videos on wood cuting and biochar production as an alternative for the outreach initiatives. For Thrust 2 the work accomplished and the present outlook has been affected by the current Covid-19 emergency, which has delayed laboratory and fieldwork. The objectives for the previous reporting year were not met entirely and have been delayed by various shortcomings and emergencies. One main shortcoming was that a graduate student from UPR's College of Engineering chose not to continue working for the project. As a result, objectives 1 and 2 from the previous reporting year were delayed and modified to temper to conditions under Covid-19. The earthquake emergency in winter of 2019 preceded the current Covid-19 emergency, and both emergencies have delayed the accomplishment of work. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Databases: We built a page in Facebook that includes information about the ongoing progress of the research, outreach information, announcements and other information related to forest management and forest products in Puerto Rico. We organized three workshops/outreach activities as part of the project. These workshops were open to the general public. Most of the participants were people interested in forestry products and wood management. Among the participants were Agricultural Extentionists, Forest Services Personnel, Farmers, Land owners, Wood Craftmans, Woodmill owners, Natural Resource Managers, university students, and other people interested on forestry. The workshops were: 1) Workshop on the use of chainsaw in situations previous and after hurricanes (Seguridad y uso de motoserierra en situaciones previas y posteriores a los huracanes). This workshop was a collaboration with the Caribbean Climate Hub of the USDA-Forest Service. The workshop was three days in the Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation. This workshop was not included in the last year report and it was on the 3,4 and 5 of September 2019. 2) Técnicas de aserrado para el aprovechamiento máximo de la madera. This workshop was a collaboration with the Caribbean Climate Hub of the USDA-Forest Service. This workshop was developed to train the general public on the different techniques of milling wood using a sawmill. The workshop was in the Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation on October 17 and 18, 2019. 3) Día de la Cultura Forestal del Colegio de Ciencias Agrícolas (Outreach). This outreach was at the lobby of the building of agricultural sciences at UPR-Mayagüez on November 21, 2019. The outreach included information and demostrations of the forestry research that is being developed at the University. This activity was organized by Dr. Oscar Abelleira, Co-PI of the project H-489. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have disseminated the information in two ways, first through workshops open to the general public, and through a Facebook web page where we post workshops and information related to project and other initiatives in Puerto Rico. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For the Thrust 1 we are going to grow timber trees in pots with different mixes of biochar, mulch and pro-mix. After this greenhouse experiment we will transplant to the field the best treatment combinations to keep monitoring plant growth. We are currently testing different biochar sources of invasive trees species in a short-term experiment growing basil. If possible, we will try to do at least two Online outreach activities on milling wood and drying wood. These experiments are behind schedule due to earthquakes between December 2019 and January 2020, and due to the Covid-19 lock-down that started at the beginning of March 2020. We are currently producing large quantities of biochar from pine wood to start the tree growth experiment in March 2021. We are also planning to produce some videos on wood cutting and biochar production as an alternative for the outreach initiatives. For Thrust 2 the objectives include (1) tests for physical and chemical properties of super- abundant woods; (2) conduct tests on wood densification and decomposition for combination with other materials or conversion to cellulose; and (3) sampling of functional trait metrics and planted tree growth and survival across novel secondary forest study sites. Field work includes sampling in study sites across the north, central and western subtropical moist region of Puerto Rico. Fieldwork also includes retrieval of wood samples and tree trunks from Agricultural Experiment Stations (AES) Substations in Corozal, Gurabo and Finca Alzamora for chemical and physical analyses. The PI will coordinate these activities with the assistance of graduate students, personnel working for the project (i.e., Anthony Pérez Méndez) and substation personnel.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? For Thrust 1 we determined the use of different vegetative materials (from invasive species) as a source to produce biochar. Some of the data that we collected was the humidity of the biochar after air drying and the amount of biochar produced from each material. So far, we have found that air dried biochar in Mayagüez has approximately 50% humidity, and that from white siris (Albizia procera) the yield of biochar is between 20 - 10%. We are currently determining the yield and humidity of Honduras pine (Pinus caribaea) and African tulip (Spathodea campanulata). We are also preparing these materials for a greenhouse experiment testing different mixes of biochar and pro-mix to test if there is any germination or growth effect of these biochar on basil growth. We preliminary tested the white siris biochar mixes (1,5,10, and 20% biochar mix with pro-mix) and found that plant growth was similar in all treatments. All the biochar sources will be tested again, in a similar experiment, that includes the Albizia, pine and tulipan biochar. For Thrust 2 the work accomplished and the present outlook has been affected by the current Covid-19 emergency, which has delayed laboratory and fieldwork. The objectives for the previous reporting year were not met entirely and have been delayed by various shortcomings and emergencies. One main shortcoming was that a graduate student from UPR's College of Engineering (Rey Montalvo Petrovich) chose not to continue working for the project. As a result, objectives 1 and 2 from the previous reporting year were delayed and modified to temper to conditions under Covid-19. The earthquake emergency in winter of 2019 preceded de current Covid-19 emergency, and both emergencies have delayed worked accomplished. Work accomplished includes the (1) development of a preliminary literature review on properties and uses of super-abundant woods and of potential applications to increase the value and utility of superabundant woods, and (2) sampling of coarse woody debris across study sites.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Robles, W. 2019. Del �rbol ca�do No necesariamente TODOS hacen le�a. SEA del Oeste num.3 2019. (Agricultural Extension publication from faculty participators of the project worshops.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz, A. 2019. Educando para conservar y maximizar el uso de los recursos madereros de PR. SEA del Oeste num.3 2019. (Agricultural Extension publication from faculty participators of the project worshops).
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Rivera Ocasio, D. 2020. Nuevo proyecto emblem�tico de madera en la Subestaci�n Experimental Agr�cola de Corozal. SEA del Oeste num.1 2020.

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience was agricultural agents interested in the subjects, scientist and adults interested in Forestry, especially entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in forestry and/or forest products. Changes/Problems:As of January 2020, the graduate student from UPR's Department of Civil Engineering completing research tasks related to the second objective of this Trust concluded active participation in the project. The tasks planned to be performed by the student are being supported by the participation of a Research Assistant I (Anthony Pérez). Initial goals of end-use product development based on mechanical modification may be pursued by the Research Assistant with support of a prospective undergraduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Systems that has shown interest in participating in the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We had a meeting that was open to the general public and provided a forum about forestry and forest products. It was attended by forestry enthusiasts including scientists and farmers. The forum was divided in two parts, presentations and later a round-table discussion about the needs of forestry in Puerto Rico in terms of research and support from academia and from natural resources agencies. The meeting was tittled: "Primer Encuentro de Iniciativas en el Manejo Forestal Pos Huracán María en Puerto Rico", it was celebrated on May 1, 2019 at Corozal Experiment Substation. We also did another workshop about growing mediums for tree growth. This included presentations and a later demostration on how to do biochar with kon-tiki kilns. The name of the workshop was: "Actividad Educativa sobre Medios de Cultivo para Árboles". The workshop was held in the Corozal Substation on August 7, 2019. We also had a workshop in collaboration with the Caribbean Climate Hub on the safety use of chainsaws. This was open to the general public and we were able to train technical personnel as well from the univesity and from the Corozal Substation. This was offered August 27 to 29, 2019. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have done three workshops, two of those had a part that included presentations, specially from past researches related to forestry. The workshop about chainsaw use included presentations, but related to safety in the handling of chainsaws. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are going to continue the testing of different materials for biochar production. After this we are going to use the best material for the production of three different trees. We are also going to start growing trees in growing mediums. We are also going to buy a mulcher, to produce mulch and to break the biochar into smaller sizes. We have selected three tree species of commercial value: these are mahogany, blue mahoe, and cedar. We are setting up the area in Corozal Substation where the trees are going to be grown. All these three species are locally available. We have another workshop on the use of woodmill planed for March 3, 2020. And we are planning to do at least another one before the end of the reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We started by buying four kon-tiki kilns. We also built a Oregon Kiln with the help of Department of Mechanical Engineering. With these kilns we started producing biochar in Mayagüez and at Corozal Experiment Substation. Dr. Flores-Mangual assisted, as part of the project, to the 2019 International Biochar Initiative, held at Colorado State University June 30 to July 3, 2019. This conference was instrumental in learning the details on how to produce biochar and how it can be used for tree growth. It also provided the opportunity to meet other researchers and other people involved in biochar production. As part of the forest products goals of the project Dr. Rivera and Dr. FloresMangual took a workshop at Taller Escuela of Carolina, PR, tittled "Adapta 2019: Cultural Forestal/Wood Product Development: Adapta Workshop 2019". This workshop was promoted by the USDA Caribbean Climate Hub on July 19, 2019. Later that year we had the visit of Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch, soil scientist and tree specialist. We started doing biochar with Dr. Scherenbroch using material from invasive species in the Corozal Substation. We started testing different materials for biochar production, and later we started to test each biochar in the greenhouse, growing basil. We also visited local tree nurseries to explore which tree species are more important for tree growers. We also did an outreach activity in which we did presentations related to biochar and later showed the participants how to produce biochar. Other accomplishments related to Dr. Abelleira's research objectives were: 1) establishment of secondary forest study sites for sampling of coarse woody debris, (2) sampling of soils for analyses of chemical and physical properties, (3) the purchase and installation of a precision oven for drying of wood and vegetation samples in Finca Alzamora, (4) the purchase and assembly of a sawmill in finca Alzamora for research into wood properties and uses, and (5) the presentation of preliminary results from this project in submitted manuscripts, courses, scientific meetings, presentations and workshops. Specific objectives by Dr. Abelleira met during this period include (1) the finding that most trees planted in agroforestry experiments survived hurricane María, (2) the establishment of a silvicultural enrichment experiment aimed at testing enrichment planting success of native timber tree species across 20 novel secondary forest sites in moist Puerto Rico. The implications of objectives achieved during this reporting period include the finding that novel secondary forests provide adequate protection enrichment plantings established underneath the canopy during hurricane events. These preliminary results were presented in scientific meetings, seminars and workshops.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2019. 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 103: No. 1.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Flores Mangual, M.L. 2019. Efecto de la quema controlada en la erosi�n del suelo. Presented in "Primer Encuentro de Iniciativas en el Manejo Forestal Pos Hurac�n Mar�a en Puerto Rico" at Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation,UPR, May 1, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Flores Mangual, M.L. 2019. Introducci�n sobre el uso de biochar como enmienda de suelo. Presented in "Actividad Educativa sobre Medios de Cultivo para �rboles, Corozal, PR." at Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation,UPR, August 7, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Rivera, D. 2019. Efecto de medios de cultivo y tama�o de tiestos en �rboles de vivero. Presented in "Actividad Educativa sobre Medios de Cultivo para �rboles, Corozal, PR." at Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation,UPR, August 7, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Scharenbroch, B. 2019. Biochar and its impact on tree growth and health. "Actividad Educativa sobre Medios de Cultivo para �rboles, Corozal, PR." at Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation,UPR, August 7, 2019.
• 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. Presented in "50 a�os de la Oficina de Programas Internacionales del CCA", at UPR-Mayag�ez, March 20, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., J. Rivera Sanantonio, G. Tua Ayala, R. Cruz Aguilar, G. Baez Rivera, R. Montalvo Petrovich, A. Marengo Casul, A. Perez Mendez, and M.d.R. Suarez Rozo. 2019. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecol�gicos y resiliencia social-ecol�gica en Puerto Rico. Presented in "Primer Encuentro de Iniciativas en el Manejo Forestal Pos-Hurac�n Mar�a en Puerto Rico" at Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation,UPR, May 1, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., Rivera Sanantonio, J., Tua Ayala, G., Cruz Aguilar, R., Baez Rivera, G., Montalvo Petrovich, R. Marengo Casul, A., Pe?rez Mendez, A., y Suarez Rozo, M. d. R. 2019. Manejo de bosques noveles para servicios ecol�gicos y resiliencia social-ecol�gica en Puerto Rico. Presentaci�n oral para estudiantes atendiendo el taller de verano del proyecto Encouraging careers in food security and safety: A multi-institutional collaborative approach for success in Puerto Rico realizado el 14 de junio de 2019 en el Sal�n AZ-06 de Finca Alzamora, UPR, Mayag�ez.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., y M.d.R. Su�rez Rozo. 2019. Una Gu�a de Mejores Pr�cticas de Manejo para �reas Boscosas Privadas en Puerto Rico e Islas V�rgenes: Visi�n y objetivos para los bosques de hoy. Presentaci�n oral en el taller Gu�a de Mejores Pr�cticas de Manejo para Bosques Privados en Puerto Rico e Islas V�rgenes realizado el 28 de septiembre de 2019 en el Anfiteatro del Edificio Jes�s T. Pi�ero, UPR, Mayag�ez.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Montalvo Petrovich, R. 2019. Assessing the Viability of Using Spathodea campanulata Wood with Recycled Polymers and the Enhancement of its Properties. Afiche presentado en el Puerto Rico Invasive Species Awareness Week Symposium realizado el 26 de abril de 2019 en Anfiteatro A-211 de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UPR, R�o Piedras.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Flores Mangual, M.L. 2019. Introducci�n sobre el uso de biochar como enmienda de suelo. Presented in "Actividad Educativa sobre Medios de Cultivo para �rboles, Corozal, PR." at Corozal Agricultural Experiment Substation,UPR, August 7, 2019.