By Roberto Soto Acosta | Project Consultant
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.
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