It is coming to a close...

7-23-2012

     On what was supposed to be our last night doing the big grid, we ran into some complications.  A storm rolled in and the lightning caused us to quit when we were less than half way finished (Safety First).  It was interesting to be in the forest during an intense down-pour, but getting back to the station was a relieve.
     The next day, we did what is known as Plant Apparency.  We broke off into two groups of three and took readings on the entire big grid during the day.  It was much easier to navigate during the day, but it was an intimidating task.  Finishing was very rewarding; it was the first time that study had been done on the entire big grid in one day.  There were a number of things we checked for.  Plant habitat architecture, canopy gap, number of rocks/leaf litter/dead wood/ etc. were all quantified for comparison of each plot.  This allows for cross referencing with snail data to see which plots have higher biodiversity and suggests reasons why.
     The next day we went to a place that goes by many names, one being "Cloud Forest".  It was quite a hike, but it was worth it.  It looked like a place right out of "Lord of the Rings".  Although it had an almost eerie look, it was very relaxing and comfortable (when we were not hiking up hill).  That night we finished up the big grid that was postponed due to the storm.
    Today has been all about data entry and setting up another experiment that will determine the decay rate of snail shells and their impact on the decay rate of surround plant material.
   

07/19/12

Monday July 16 was the third run of the Big Grid, it did go a lot faster than the those times we did it. Getting the directions down in the dark, in the middle of a rain forest can we a bit overwhelming at times. Especially when you can not find the plot your looking for lol! After being out there a couples of times you start to get the hang of reading the map and finding the plots a lot easier. I was in a group on the third run with just students. We found our way pretty easy! I was proud of myself considering it was in the rain forest and in the dark lol!

The next day we took off, then decided to take off another and now we are being forced to take off another day because we are under a Tropical Wave.

7-19-2012
     There is not a lot to report.  Tuesday and Wednesday we focused on data entry and things we could get done around the station.  This day is a continuation of the same.  We are under a tropical wave, so it would be dangerous to go into the field. 

Snail eat snail world...

7-17-2012
     Today went very well.  It was the big grid, so I expected to finish late.  We actually finished around 1:00AM.  Excellent navigation by my partner and most of the snails being tagged helped with this.  It was a very interesting night.  My phone was charging, so I could not get any photos, and I wish I could have.  We saw a snail (Oleacina glabra) eating another snail (Caracolus caracolla). That was quite a site.  In addition to that, there was a scorpion eating a centipede!!!  If only I had my camera...

7-15-2012
     Tonights work went very quickly.  We did the "CTE".  It is very nice getting back to the station so early 10:15(home time), 11:15 (Puerto Rican time).  We did get to see a Screech Owl perched on a tree, which was amazing.  They are very small!!
The main reason I am making this post is that we are on generator power right now.  I expect that I will be capable of posting tomorrow, either the generator will be running or the electricity will be prepared. However, on the off chance we don't have power I wanted to keep you posted.

7-15-2012

    Yesterday was all about making up for lost time.  Because we had a day off, we had to be sure to get plenty done.  We did the entire "Big Grid".  We divided into 2 two-man groups and 1 three-man group.  I was a member of the three man group.  We were the last to finish and made it back to camp around 3:45AM.  Even though it was a long night, it was really cool.  My partners and I were able to see a Puerto Rican Boa Constricter, which my professor has yet to see.  He was eating a lizard, which is sad because I like lizards but that is how nature works.  It was very exciting.  I was also able to touch a land crab. It was an amazing night!

Below is a Coqui frog, known for the sound it is making in this video.

7-14-12

Well were to begin? There has been so much going on and talk about! Like I said in the first blog we went to the CTE plots. The following night which was Wednesday 7-12-12, we started on the Big Grid. It was very overwhelming at first because you have to learn your way around the forest very quickly or you will be there all night! Unlike the CTE, calling out the species and measuring certain ones is all you do, however on the Big Grid, you have a piece of PVC pipe painted black and red.

We measure out from the pvc pipe to a 3 meter radius and inside that 3 meter radius we look for snails for 15 minutes, once the 15 minutes is up we start tagging them. The tags are pieces of flagging tape cut up into very small retangles with a number such A58. Each plot has its own letter and number. There is a total of 425 plots on the Big Grid (hint why its called the Big Grid lol). Tagging the snails, is actually kind of relaxing, besides the super guel you get all over your hands and won't come for days! We  survey 40 points at a time. The first time we did the Big Grid, there was three different groups going at one time. Dr. Zimmermann and I we were in together and other groups contains two or three people.Dr. Zimmermann and I surveryed a total of ten plots and the other two groups surveyed a total of twenty plots.

Thursday night we did both of the experimental plots, lets just say that was a very long night! Just  being in the forest is very relaxing hearing all the frogs, crickets and the owls. You find it to be very soothing to your ears! While walking through the forest, there is one mean creature you have to watch out as you grab the trees to hold on for support and that is a tailless whip scorpion. Lets just say you do not want to get stung by one...ask Dr. Zimmermann, he knows first hand lol! On friday we got a day off and went to the beach! Which was very exciting! We parked at Seven Seas beach and walked for about twenty through a mangrove, which was very cool, and finally came to a "Hidden Beach." Lets just say it was very well worth the walk!

7-14-2012

     The last few days have been very evenfull.  They have also been going very fast.  Our second night of research we went to the "Big Grid", and it was a very late night.  We returned to the station about 2:30-3:00AM.  I enjoy the studies at the "Big Grid" better than the "CTE".  The main difference between the two is that you are doing only a count of snails and measurements in the "CTE".  However, in the "Big Grid" it is more work,  you tag the Caracolus and the Nemia.  I really enjoy the actual tagging (the tags are for recapture).  When searching for snails you have to look for at least fifteen minutes per plot.  Fifteen minutes can take a really long time when you are not finding any snails.   I find it very relaxing to sit in the rain forest super glueing dots to snails and taking measurements. 
    The following day on Thurday we went the waterfall that was up the road about a 15 minute walk. Here is a picture of the waterfall near the station, and a few other photos that are just cool.

     I also really enjoy lizards.  During the night the lizards do not frighten easily so a good look is very common.  There are also land crabs.  If you have watched the third Pirates of the Caribean, the crabs that move the boat out of Davy Jone's locker are very similar.  Of course these don't look like white stones. 
     There are also Tailess Whip Scorpion.  They seem like a mix between a spider and a scorpion.  It is one of the few things you have to avoid is this rain forest.  Dr. Zimmermann found that out first hand.  His finger is doing better.
     Moving on to yesterday ( 7/13/12), we took the night off from working. We went to a beach known as the "Hidden Beach".  It was quite a walk to get there but it was worth it.  I saw several Chitons.  It was really neat to see them in their habitat, not preserved in a jar.  There was also a brain coral with many fish around it.  There were a few crabs in the intertidal region.  These sentences do not express my excitement while I was on that beach.  I was like a little kid in a toy store.  So much to look at!

   

Hello! My name is Jaimie Sellmeyer. I am enrolled in the Environmental Conservation program and also a senior. I am not sure yet what I plan on doing after graduation. When I first heard about the trip to Puerto Rico, I thought to myself that would be a great opportunity to get experience underneath my belt.


After arriving in Puerto Rico, it is as beautiful as everyone had said it was, almost jaw dropping first seeing the island from the plane window. Our first night of research was last night July 10, 2012. We left the station around 8, with our head lamps and fanny packs I felt very important lol. The research contains of two experimental regions, the first is called "The CTE"(Canopy Trimming Plot) which is were we went last night. The second is called "The Big Grid"(Luquillo Forest Dynamic Plot) which is were we are going tonight...don't worry I will fill you in on the details for that later.


As we left the station last night, we were split into groups. One group contained  Dr. Zimmermann, Shawn, and I. The other group contained three other students and Chris Bloch. Each group was assigned four different plots to examine. Dr. Zimmermann assigned Shawn and I different plots to count. While we were counting the snails in our plots we found a Platysuccinea portoricensis (dirt snail), Alcadia striata and Oleacina glabra. Theses three different types of snails are the least common, so it was very exciting when we found them. The more common snails that we counted were Caracolus caracolla, Nenia tirdens, Gaeotis nigrolieneata.

In the beginning....

7-11-2012
     My name is Shawn Whitmore.  I am enrolled in the Environmental Conservation degree at RSU.  I am wanting to acquire a position such as Park Ranger or Game Warden when I finish my degree.  I saw this trip to Puerto Rico as an excellent opportunity to gain experience as well as network with people within my field.  It does not hurt that the research takes place in a rain forest.

     After arriving at Puerto Rico, there is no  disappointment.  It is a beautiful location.  Something I find very entertaining is the number of lizards.  There are lizards everywhere!! 

      During the night the frogs are all you can hear, aside from the occasional screech owl. Our first night of research was  a success.  Learning the scientific names of the snails did prove to be difficult.  Apparently Naomi is not a correct scientific name.  Dr. Zimmermann died a little inside every time I butchered a name.

    The terrain is difficult to walk on, but  it is very good excercise making your way between plots.  We were infact being stocked by the la chupacabra which was making interesting calls at us.