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Research in the Luquillo Experimental Forest Has Advanced Understanding of Tropical Forests and Resolved Management Issues

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Abstract

Long-term research on the response of wet forests in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) to natural and anthropogenic disturbances yielded information useful for the management of these forests and to a better understanding of the functioning of tropical forests and how species composition changes under different disturbance regimes. We summarize studies on basal area removal, response to ionizing radiation, and the effects of hurricanes and landslides on forested watersheds. We also review studies on forested stream biota following hurricane, drought, and flooding events. This chapter also evaluates reforestation of degraded lands and recovery of forests after abandonment of paved roads. All the studies combined cover the major land cover changes that take place throughout the tropics and which require attention to conserve tropical biodiversity. These changes range from limited extractions of resources from forests to deforestation and conversion to pastures. When tropical forests are converted to pastures, more intensive management actions are needed to restore lands, including planting of introduced species capable of growing on degraded lands. Results from the LEF have demonstrated the high resistance and resilience of tropical forests and the success of plantings in the restoration of forest cover on degraded lands. In both streams and forests, species composition shifts from native to introduced species when anthropogenic disturbance regimes become prevalent over the natural disturbance regimes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was done in collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico. We thank Alan P. Covich and three anonymous reviewers for the review of this manuscript. Mildred Alayón edited the final draft of the paper and Gisel Reyes provided bibliographic support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, 1201 Calle Ceiba, Jardín Botánico Sur, 00926-1119, San Juan, PR, USA

    Ariel E. Lugo & Tamara Heartsill Scalley

Authors
  1. Ariel E. Lugo
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  2. Tamara Heartsill Scalley
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ariel E. Lugo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Deborah C. Hayes

  2. Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Irvine, Pennsylvania, USA

    Susan L. Stout

  3. Northeastern Areas, USDA Forest Service, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA

    Ralph H. Crawford

  4. USDA Forest Service, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Anne P. Hoover

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Lugo, A., Heartsill Scalley, T. (2014). Research in the Luquillo Experimental Forest Has Advanced Understanding of Tropical Forests and Resolved Management Issues. In: Hayes, D., Stout, S., Crawford, R., Hoover, A. (eds) USDA Forest Service Experimental Forests and Ranges. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1818-4_19

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