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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
Change in weight over time for all the salinity treatments
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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!