Luquillo LTER

We study long-term responses of insects and other arthropods to various disturbances and environmental changes, as well as important roles in ecosystem processes. Five tree species in 1991, six during 1992-1995, and seven since 1997 were selected to represent early and late successional forests at El Verde. These trees were sampled in both gap and non-gap plots resulting from Hurricane Hugo.  During the past 27 years, these plots have been subjected to multiple disturbances, including Hurricane Georges in 1998 and major droughts in 1994, 1997 and 2002, in addition to several minor hurricanes and droughts.  Each of these disturbances has influenced the arthropod community.  This project is ongoing.