Completion and publication of the digital, bilingual portal of flora, fauna, and fungi that call the 55-acre Pterocarpus swamp forest home has been at the heart of this project, along with expanding and enhancing environmental education and conservation efforts within the Forest and via our social media. The catalogue portal displays stunning imagery and has data about 300+ species in one of the few remaining swamp forests in Puerto Rico. It is continuously updated by visitors and researchers.
The 55-acre Pterocarpus swamp forest, a rare ecosystem in Puerto Rico, has an astounding level of biodiversity unknown until recently, due to limited research over the years. A 2010 study, for example, identified only 44 species of flora and 52 of fauna. Yet new and ongoing research by local and visiting researchers and students has revealed the presence of an additional 200 species! The lack of updated research poses challenges to effective and encompassing conservation and education efforts.
The illustrated, user-friendly catalog on iNaturalist highlights the remarkable diversity of flora, fauna, and fungi found in the Forest, incorporating valuable data, observations, and images contributed by veteran researchers and visitors alike. This living resource enables us to promote the Forest as an outdoor environmental classroom and to share scientific and educational content through multiple channels-such as interpretive signage on-site, a QR-code-enabled visitor guide, and social media
The iNaturalist catalog draws local to global attention, inspiring virtual and onsite exploration of the Forest. Its constantly updated content supports conservation, education, and research. Donor support enables updates to interpretive signage, the QR-code visitor guide, and social media outreach-helping the Forest fulfill its long-term role as a dynamic public resource.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
