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!