Evolution of Tropical Limnology at the Evolution of Tropical Limnology at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasUniversity of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

Jorge R. Ortiz ZayasJorge R. Ortiz ZayasInstitute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies

&&Center for Tropical Applied Ecology and Center for Tropical Applied Ecology and

Conservation Conservation

14 November 200914 November 2009

In PR, high water extraction from rivers, the In PR, high water extraction from rivers, the construction of dams, irrigation channels, roads and construction of dams, irrigation channels, roads and the uncontrolled urban sprawl is affecting water quality the uncontrolled urban sprawl is affecting water quality and the ecological integrity of creeks, rivers, and and the ecological integrity of creeks, rivers, and estuaries. estuaries.

The native aquatic fauna has been affected and The native aquatic fauna has been affected and replaced by exotic species.replaced by exotic species.

Water quality data are limited. EQB lacks data (JCA Water quality data are limited. EQB lacks data (JCA 2004) on the real condition of most rivers (69%) and 2004) on the real condition of most rivers (69%) and beaches (63%). beaches (63%). 23% of the rivers, 5% of beaches y 100% of 23% of the rivers, 5% of beaches y 100% of

reservoirs violate some water quality standard.reservoirs violate some water quality standard.

Why limnology in Puerto Rico?Why limnology in Puerto Rico?

Foto de Beverly Yoshioka

Population densityPopulation density

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Conceptual framework of UPR’s Tropical Limnology Program at UPR

Inlandwaters

Ecosystem approach

Human/naturalsystems

Applied questions

Community outreach

Research group focusResearch group focus• Carbon cycling Carbon cycling – WWTP effects to rivers and estuariesWWTP effects to rivers and estuaries

• Nitrogen cyclingNitrogen cycling– Groundwater and Cave processingGroundwater and Cave processing– Urban influencesUrban influences

• Ecohydrology of critical aquatic habitatsEcohydrology of critical aquatic habitats– Recovery of Sapo Concho Recovery of Sapo Concho

• Land and climate change effects on waterLand and climate change effects on water– Caribbean Coastal Scenarios Caribbean Coastal Scenarios

• Science educationScience education– Ecoplexity, Schoolyard, GK-12Ecoplexity, Schoolyard, GK-12

• Integrated water resources managementIntegrated water resources management– Global Water Partnership, UNESCO HELP, and PR Water PlanGlobal Water Partnership, UNESCO HELP, and PR Water Plan

Our studentsOur students

• Graduate studentsGraduate students– Carlos Conde (Ph.D. Candidate-Biology)* Carlos Conde (Ph.D. Candidate-Biology)* – Hamlet Perez (Ph.D. Program-Biology)*Hamlet Perez (Ph.D. Program-Biology)*– Sheila Soler (Ph.D. Program-Biology)Sheila Soler (Ph.D. Program-Biology)– Betsy Ortiz (Ph.D. Program-Environmental Sciences)Betsy Ortiz (Ph.D. Program-Environmental Sciences)– Debora Figueroa (UNH; Ph.D. Program)Debora Figueroa (UNH; Ph.D. Program)– Rafael Benitez (M.S. Candidate)*Rafael Benitez (M.S. Candidate)*– Rita Cáceres (Future M.S. student)*Rita Cáceres (Future M.S. student)*

• UndergraduatesUndergraduates– Brenda Castro (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*Brenda Castro (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*– Kaira Thais Fuentes (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*Kaira Thais Fuentes (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*– Alexandra Marcano (BS Biology-UMEB)*Alexandra Marcano (BS Biology-UMEB)*– Doryan De Angel (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*Doryan De Angel (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*– Loreli Sepulveda (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*Loreli Sepulveda (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)*– Javier Sanchez (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)Javier Sanchez (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)– Bianca Rodriguez (BS Biology-UMEB)Bianca Rodriguez (BS Biology-UMEB)– Elio Rivera Sanjurjo (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)Elio Rivera Sanjurjo (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)

The role of denitrification in the N-cycle of a tropical urban lagoon in the San Juan Bay Estuary, Puerto Rico

San José Lagoon

Piñones Channel

La Torrecilla Lagoon

Piñones Lagoon

Martín Peña Channel

San Antón Creek

Blasina Creek

Suárez Channel

Juan Méndez Creek

Atlantic OceanBoca De Cangrejos Outlet

Hamlet-N. Pérez-Villalona

Water fluxes (m3 yr-1) x 106

Laguna San José

VR = -45.27VG = 18.25Vo = 19.84

VP = 7.40 VE = 0.22

VR = VP- VO – VG + VE

Nitrogen Dynamics in a Tropical Cave Stream

Carlos Conde-CostasPh.D. Candidate

University of Puerto Rico

NitrificationDenitrification

Nitrogen Dynamics in a Tropical Cave Stream

Transport Retention - Uptake Length

Mass Balance Inputs & Losses

Nitrogen Forms & ConcentrationOrganic (guano) / Inorganic (Qin)

TransformationsEnergy-yielding - Biosynthesis

Dynamics ?

Nitrogen Source

Significant Processes Significant Elements

Rafael J. Benítez JoubertRafael J. Benítez JoubertMaster Degree ProgramMaster Degree Program

Department of Biology, UPR-RP Department of Biology, UPR-RP

Anthropogenic influences on the carbon cycling of tropical stratified estuaries

Río Fajardo Estuary

•River DOC is highly refractory•WWTP effluent DOC is more labile•Stratified estuaries as net sources of refractory DOC?

Alexandra S. Marcano Rivas and Bianca Rodriguez

UMEB Program

Longitudinal changes in dissolved organic carbon quality in tropical urban watersheds

Study Sites

Río Piedras basin

Río Mameyes basin

Río Canóvanas basin

Biodegrability constants and stream order in the Rio Piedras watershed

Salinity tolerance of tadpoles of the endangered Puerto Rican Crested Toad

Rita Irene Cáceres

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Land use change and sustainable aquifer management

Betzaida Ortiz, Ph.D. Program in Environmental Sciences

(Rodríguez & Gómez-Gómez, 2009

Groundwater dynamics in the coastal zone of a subtropical dry forest

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Jorge Viqueira. Environmental Sciences, UIA

A socio-ecological approach to EDC’s in urban waters

Glyphosate

Sheila Soler, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences

Community outreach

CATEC-supported outreach activities

• ECOPLEXITY

• Puerto Rican Crested Toad Annual Meeting

• SWAT Workshops

• Schoolyard LTER Annual Symposium

Teaching Ecosystem Complexity

Conceptual qualitative model of the Santa Ana Forest, Bayamón, PR

The Future of Tropical Limnology at UPR…

Research space at UPR pace…

The future Tropical Limnology Laboratory

!GRACIAS!