1. Evolution of Tropical Limnology at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Jorge R. Ortiz Zayas Jorge R. Ortiz Zayas Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies & Center for Tropical Applied Ecology and Conservation 14 November 2009

2. In PR, high water extraction from rivers, the construction of dams, irrigation channels, roads and the uncontrolled urban sprawl is affecting water quality and the ecological integrity of creeks, rivers, and estuaries. In PR, high water extraction from rivers, the construction of dams, irrigation channels, roads and the uncontrolled urban sprawl is affecting water quality and the ecological integrity of creeks, rivers, and estuaries. The native aquatic fauna has been affected and replaced by exotic species. The native aquatic fauna has been affected and replaced by exotic species. Water quality data are limited. EQB lacks data (JCA 2004) on the real condition of most rivers (69%) and beaches (63%). Water quality data are limited. EQB lacks data (JCA 2004) on the real condition of most rivers (69%) and beaches (63%). 23% of the rivers, 5% of beaches y 100% of reservoirs violate some water quality standard. 23% of the rivers, 5% of beaches y 100% of reservoirs violate some water quality standard. Why limnology in Puerto Rico?

3. Foto de Beverly Yoshioka

4. Population density

5. Dams

7. Conceptual framework of UPR’s Tropical Limnology Program at UPR Inland waters Ecosystem approach Human/natural systems Applied questions Community outreach

8. Research group focus Carbon cyclingCarbon cycling –WWTP effects to rivers and estuaries Nitrogen cyclingNitrogen cycling –Groundwater and Cave processing –Urban influences Ecohydrology of critical aquatic habitatsEcohydrology of critical aquatic habitats –Recovery of Sapo Concho Land and climate change effects on waterLand and climate change effects on water –Caribbean Coastal Scenarios Science educationScience education –Ecoplexity, Schoolyard, GK-12 Integrated water resources managementIntegrated water resources management –Global Water Partnership, UNESCO HELP, and PR Water Plan

9. Our students Graduate studentsGraduate students –Carlos Conde (Ph.D. Candidate-Biology)* –Hamlet Perez (Ph.D. Program-Biology)* –Sheila Soler (Ph.D. Program-Biology) –Betsy Ortiz (Ph.D. Program-Environmental Sciences) –Debora Figueroa (UNH; Ph.D. Program) –Rafael Benitez (M.S. Candidate)* –Rita Cáceres (Future M.S. student)* UndergraduatesUndergraduates –Brenda Castro (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)* –Kaira Thais Fuentes (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)* –Alexandra Marcano (BS Biology-UMEB)* –Doryan De Angel (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)* –Loreli Sepulveda (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)* –Javier Sanchez (Undergraduate Env. Sci.) –Bianca Rodriguez (BS Biology-UMEB) –Elio Rivera Sanjurjo (Undergraduate Env. Sci.)

10. The role of denitrification in the N-cycle of a tropical urban lagoon in the San Juan Bay Estuary, Puerto Rico San José Lagoon Piñones Channel La Torrecilla Lagoon Piñones Lagoon Martín Peña Channel San Antón Creek Blasina Creek Suárez Channel Juan Méndez Creek Atlantic Ocean Boca De Cangrejos Outlet Hamlet-N. Pérez-Villalona

11. Water fluxes (m 3 yr -1 ) x 10 6 Laguna San José V R = -45.27 V G = 18.25 V o = 19.84 V P = 7.40 V E = 0.22 V R = V P - V O – V G + V E

12. Nitrogen Dynamics in a Tropical Cave Stream Carlos Conde-Costas Ph.D. Candidate University of Puerto Rico

13. Nitrification Denitrification Nitrogen Dynamics in a Tropical Cave Stream Transport Retention - Uptake Length Mass Balance Inputs & Losses Nitrogen Forms & Concentration Organic (guano) / Inorganic (Qin) Transformations Energy-yielding - Biosynthesis Dynamics ? Nitrogen Source Significant ProcessesSignificant Elements

14. Rafael J. Benítez Joubert Master Degree Program Department of Biology, UPR-RP Anthropogenic influences on the carbon cycling of tropical stratified estuaries

16. Río Fajardo Estuary River DOC is highly refractory WWTP effluent DOC is more labile Stratified estuaries as net sources of refractory DOC?

17. Alexandra S. Marcano Rivas and Bianca Rodriguez UMEB Program Longitudinal changes in dissolved organic carbon quality in tropical urban watersheds

18. Study Sites Río Piedras basin Río Mameyes basin Río Canóvanas basin

20. Biodegrability constants and stream order in the Rio Piedras watershed

21. Salinity tolerance of tadpoles of the endangered Puerto Rican Crested Toad Rita Irene Cáceres

23. Land use change and sustainable aquifer management Betzaida Ortiz, Ph.D. Program in Environmental Sciences (Rodríguez & Gómez-Gómez, 2009

24. Groundwater dynamics in the coastal zone of a subtropical dry forest Jorge Viqueira. Environmental Sciences, UIA

25. A socio-ecological approach to EDC’s in urban waters Glyphosate Sheila Soler, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences

26. Community outreach

27. CATEC-supported outreach activities ECOPLEXITY Puerto Rican Crested Toad Annual Meeting SWAT Workshops Schoolyard LTER Annual Symposium

28. Teaching Ecosystem Complexity

29. Conceptual qualitative model of the Santa Ana Forest, Bayamón, PR

30. The Future of Tropical Limnology at UPR…

31. Research space at UPR pace…

32. The future Tropical Limnology Laboratory

33. !GRACIAS!