Earthwatch Collaboration

Since 2001, the team at Las Casas de la Selva has been honored to have had the opportunity to work with volunteers from all over the world, thanks to the sponsorship of the Earthwatch Institute.

We greatly appreciate the decision that volunteers make to come here and help us accomplish our goals towards sustainable management of this forest. With the data we have been gathering we are able to evaluate the needs and direction of further studies, and implement relevant strategies and land management plans.

Puerto Rico is currently approximately 57% forested, mostly by young secondary forest. The period of economic and cultural change from the 1950s to 1990 in Puerto Rico is seen as proportionally resulting in the largest event of forest recovery anywhere in the world.  It is crucial that we understand the ecology of this type of forest, if we are to utilize its timber and other forest products in economically and ecologically viable ways.

This project increasingly becomes a living demonstration in new models for approaches to forest management in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In 2010, we are working toward the completion of our Stewardship Management Plan working closely with the Department of Natural Resources.  All the data collected by Earthwatch volunteers is a part of this important and evolving document.

We are really pleased to announce that our research paper "The Impact of Hardwood Line-Planting on Tree and Amphibian Diversity in a Secondary Subtropical Wet Forest of Southeast Puerto Rico"  has been published in The Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2010, Volume 29, Issue 5, 503. Here. Thank you to all the Earthwatchers who gathered the data with us, scrambling up and down slopes, measuring plots and trees, and getting down on the forest floor catching the tiniest of frogs!

Our second paper: “Enriched secondary subtropical forest for sustainable timber production”, provides the analyzed data of our tree growth survey, an important step towards management of timber stands and current and potential wood production. All this data collected by Earthwatch volunteers since 2001.

With the challenge of our terrain, climate, and steep (often muddy) slopes, it has been a joy to see so many volunteers overcome personal difficulties, and really open themselves to the joy of the outdoor life. Many volunteers have changed the course of their studies or careers after experiencing life and work with us in this stunning, edifying landscape.We have enjoyed the company of all who have trekked through the forest with us, identifying, collecting, and measuring, and equally enjoyed homestead social interactions at the end of a long day. Thank you for involving yourselves in learning about our biosphere with us.

Ongoing Scientific Objectives 2011

Objective 1.  To examine the effectiveness of thinning techniques in our current plantings of Mahoe and Mahogany.

Objective 2.  To examine the effectiveness of liberation thinning on maturation and volume of tree crops in secondary forest areas. To evaluate methods to transform the structure and species composition to increase productivity and value by applying silvicultural treatments such as cutting out non-commercial species, improvement thinning or regulating natural regeneration.

 Objective 3.  To continue monitoring development of the line-planted areas to see impacts on economic viability, tree density and growth at later stages of their growth cycle.

Objective 4.  With the results of the first three, to provide important information for the development of guidelines for the sustainable management of secondary forests in Puerto Rico and other tropical countries. 
Principal Investigators on all Tree studies: Mark Nelson, 3t Vakil, Molly Robertson & Bridget McNassar.

Objective 5. To conduct herpetological studies focused on identifying which species of reptiles and amphibians are present at Las Casas de la Selva; to determine the population density, population fluctuations, microhabitat utilization, and the effects of forest management on the herpetofauna of the forest. Principal Investigator: Norman Greenhawk

Objective 6.  To inventory the macrofungi of Las Casas de la Selva; documenting, describing, and photographing the fungi to create material that will aid in fungal identification for future studies. Principal Investigator: Patty Boyko
An archive of images on the fungi of Las Casas de la Selva: an educational reference and handy guide.

Images of Earthwatch Volunteers at Las Casas de la Selva
See presentations by Earthwatchers

On The Earthwatch Expeditions 

Earthwatch volunteers will be trained in a variety of tasks, which may include measuring trees, counting and identifying lizards or frogs, helping to tag and identify vine species, and helping to set up new experimental plots for planting different tree and shrub species. You will be in beautiful, tropical rainforest areas, sometimes climbing up steep hillsides, and sometimes following fast flowing rivers. You may also have the chance to join a night expedition into the forest to help count coqui frogs. During your recreational time you will be able to enjoy hikes, take dips in nearby rivers, take part in some forest related craft activities, use the project library to learn more about the ecology of the area, or just relax and enjoy an area of rainforest land that very few other people have had a chance to visit. There will also be an opportunity to take a salsa dancing class and to experience the local culture and cuisine. You will stay in dormitories near the main house of the research area. The shower room has hot and cold water and flush toilets. There is electricity, but power outages do occur, so expect some candle-light meals. The project staff are all excellent chefs and you will enjoy an array of world cuisine. Volunteers take turns acting as sous chefs and with after meal clean-ups.

See more on Earthwatch Institute website