Ecological Research on the Luquillo Experimental Forest

卢基洛实验森林是国家森林和生物圈保护区，在其11,231公顷的土地上包含几个研究自然区。区域。这项拟议研究的目标是从景观的角度开始研究干扰机制以及森林结构和动态。主要研究问题涉及主要生命带内不同干扰类型的相对重要性，以及生物群在干扰后恢复生态系统生产力方面的相互作用。研究内容包括：检查干扰的模式、频率和强度；测量预期随干扰大小、年龄和来源而变化的环境特性；估计预期随环境特性变化的生物特性；以及评估干扰模式和频率对环境与生物群相互作用的影响所产生的系统特性。将进行标准测量(例如气象学和基础研究场地描述)。现有的数据集将被纳入一个全面的数据管理系统，以支持数据减少和综合。波多黎各大学和美国林务局热带林业研究所做出了强有力的机构承诺，其工作人员将合作开展这项工作。为项目组提供的设施和住宿都是一流的。生态系统研究计划建议颁发这一奖项，并预计将取得优异的结果。

The Luquillo Experimental Forest is a National Forest and a Biosphere Reserve and contains several research natural areas within its 11,231 ha. area. The goal of this proposed research is to initiate studies of disturbance regime and forest structure and dynamics in a landscape perspective. Primary research questions address the relative importance of different disturbance types within major life zones and the interactions of the biota in restoring ecosystem productivity after disturbance. Research components comprise the: examination of pattern, frequency, and intensity of disturbance; measurement of environmental properties expected to vary with disturbance size, age, and origin; estimation biological properties expected to vary with environmental properties; and assessment of system properties that emerge from the effects of disturbance pattern and frequency on the interaction of environment and biota. Standard measurements (e.g. meteorology and basic research site description) will be conducted. Existing data sets will be incorporated into a comprehensive data management system to support data reduction and synthesis. Strong institutional commitments exist from the University of Puerto Rico and the Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, whose personnel will collaborate in the conduct of the work. Facilities and accommodations provided to the project group are first-rate. The Ecosystem Studies Program recommends that this award be made and expects that excellent results will be achieved.