Promote Learning about a Unique Forest Ecosystem

At a recent meeting of the leadership of the Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest (PHA Pterocarpus Forest, Inc.), there was a renewed commitment to seeing the "Promote Learning about a Unique Forest Ecosystem" project through to fruition. This entails its online publication and raising awareness among the public about this new tool for environmental education.

To achieve this, the Forest Inventory project became the focal point of our GivingTuesday campaign on GlobalGiving. While we are still awaiting the final results, we are pleased to announce that approximately $4,000 was raised on GivingTuesday in support of the project, specifically for its online publication. An additional benefit of our extensive campaign promotion was the achievement of surpassing 7,000 followers on Facebook and over 3,300 on Instagram.

As first highlighted in our August report, significant progress has been made on the new Pterocarpus Forest, thanks to the leadership of Dr. Ivelisse Irizarry, our lead investigator, her colleague Dr. Rita Cáceres Charneco, and over 25 student researchers from InterAmerican and the University of Puerto Rico. As of the last count, doctors Irizarry and Cáceres and their student Forest researchers have made 1,915 observations -- identifying 294 species of flora, fauna and fungi inhabiting the 51-acre Pterocarpus Forest. Notably, the 2010 preliminary Forest inventory included only 44 species of flora and 52 of fauna.

The initial inventory that will be published and divulged will reveal the organisms observed in the Forest up to March 31, 2024, the third quarter of the 2023-2024 academic year.

The progress with the GlobalGiving project will be complemented by efforts to definitively outline the scope and breadth of expanding the Forest's 3/4-mile elevated boardwalk to reach a stream alongside the swamp forest. This expansion will grant access to more of the Forest and its natural wonders, facilitating the explanation of the vital role the Forest plays, as evidenced by its connection to the stream, the stream to a river, and the river to the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

As the year concludes, we remain committed to raising funds for the project and in support of the Friends' environmental education initiatives. Simultaneously, we are gearing up for the launch of the catalog as soon as possible, with a target date of April 1, 2024. Details will be provided in our next report.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all donors and supporters who contributed to the GivingTuesday campaign and throughout 2023 making these achievements possible. We look forward to sharing more updates as we continue on this exciting journey of exploration and education.

Links:

• Buscanos en / look us up in Facebook
• Search for us on Instagram / Buscanos en Instagram
• Buscanos en / look us up in Google Businesses

Pterocarpus Forest Species Inventory Project Update

As we noted in our April report, the new Pterocarpus Forest species catalog has been initiated and substantial progress has been made. Dr. Ivelisse Irizarry, our lead investigator, is collaborating closely with Dr. Rita Cáceres Charnecoon the development of an updated species inventory and photographic ID guides of species in the Pterocarpus Forest.  Ivelisse Irizarry has a PhD in Plant Biology with research interests in plant-microbe interactions, beneficial plant symbionts, biocontrol of plant diseases, and plant ecology and is a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Inter American University of Puerto Rico—Metropolitan Campus.  Dr. Cáceres is a well-known biologist and professor at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey.

With the support of over 25 undergraduate students from InterAmerican and from UPR, doctors Irizarry and Cáceres have been creating the species inventory of the Pterocarpus Forest and analyzing data from the iNaturalist application to add and verify species sightings. In this way, not only do we produce more accurate findings, but we will also map and share internationally our species observations within the forest.

During the team’s visits to the Pterocarpus Forest in the past few months and through the analysis of iNaturalist observations, they have documented around 200 different species. The previous species inventory at the Pterocarpus Forest registered included 44 species of flora and 52 species of fauna. Our updated inventory now includes fungi, aquatic algae, protists, and other previously unregistered organisms in the Forest. This increases the total number of species previously registered from 96 to 200, by more than 100%!

Before publishing the new species inventory in 2024, the team will create photographic ID guides and provide the Friends of the Forest with “photographic ID guides” which will serve as educational and visual tools to help the visitors identify common species they may encounter in the Pterocarpus Forest. These will include pictures, the scientific names, and taxonomic classification of species in the forest.  See a sample in the photos below (Photo ID Guide for Alcyonacean octocorals).

The first photographic ID guide will be published in the next few months and will focus on the Fungi of the Pterocarpus Forest.  The guide will illustrate and provide the identification of a diversity of fungi. Fungi have a vital role in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling in a healthy forest. The vast amount of organic matter along with the wet and humid environment make the Pterocarpus Forest an ideal place to find many types of fungi. 

For sure, we are succeeding at growing learning about a rare tropical ecosystem.

Your continued support will allow us to complete the inventory project and present new information and date on the unique ecosystem that is the Pterocarpus Forest.  You and friends of nature from Puerto Rico and around the globe will be able to appreciate and learn about the hundreds of species of organisms inhabiting our 52-acre swamp Forest, one of the few left on the island.

- The Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest

PS.  Over the past few months, over 25 undergraduate students have visited the Pterocarpus Forest to assist in observing, photographing, and verifying species sightings. The students participating in this effort are gaining knowledge about local species, biodiversity, ecology, taxonomy, and conservation. Taking part in the creation of the new species inventory and photographic ID guides is providing the students with practical experiences where they can explore and apply the knowledge they gain in their courses. We are very pleased to know that the Pterocarpus Forest is providing training opportunities to develop the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards.

Links:

• Forest Website / Portal del Bosque
• Search for us on Instagram / Buscanos en Instagram
• Search for us on Trip Advisor / Busca el Bosque en Trip Advisor