University of Puerto Rico Ro Piedras Campus Funded

University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Funded by National Science Foundation and the University of Puerto Rico NSF-HRD 0206200 (2002 -2007); NSF HRD 0734826 (2007 -2012)

MISSION ² State-of-the-art research in conservation biology and environmental issues ² Training of human resources at the graduate, undergraduate and post-doctoral levels ² Infrastructure improvement ² Production of relevant results for policy and conservation management.

Objectives q promote research programs that synthesize multiple levels of biological organization, from genes to environment. q produce high quality research scientists and students (graduate and undergraduate) in areas of applied ecology and conservation.

GOAL To become an institutionalized leading research center in applied tropical ecology and conservation in the Netropics.

Strategic alliance-building partners: University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Rio Piedras Agricultural Experimental Station Department of Natural Resources and Environment Government of Puerto Rico US Fish and Wildlife Service Institute of Tropical Ecosystem Studies National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry National Zoological Park- Conservation Research Center Caribbean Water Science Center

Research partners National International Universidad Simón Bolívar Chelonia Universidade Sao Paulo Jardín Botánico Nacional Dr. Rafael Ma. Moscoso Santo Domingo, R. D. Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo UNESCO International Hydrology

Biodiversity Conservation Under a Scenario of Climate Change in the Caribbean

Why the Caribbean? ü The Caribbean archipelago is considered to be among the first ten biodiversity hotspots worldwide due to their high number of species and endemics. Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hispaniola have 30% of the species in the archipelago. ü Climate change is expected to affect biodiversity, particularly in tropical islands, where species are vulnerable to extinction due to their prolonged isolation from continental gene pools and the introduction of exotic species. ü The Caribbean is affected by the Southern Oscillation (ENSO and La Niña), the North Atlantic Oscillation and changes in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. ü Natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes are expected to be changing simultaneously. ü Natural ecosystems in tropical islands and reefs are vulnerable to climate change because climatic conditions largely control population and community dynamics. ü Even modest climate changes can alter the life cycle of many species.

Precipitation trends in the Caribbean- Neelin et al. 2006 5 -30% less precipitation within the next hundred years

Climate change effects on ocean temperatures

What effects do these disturbances have on the biota, function and landscape of tropical islands and the coastal linked ecosystems such as coral reefs?

Research Areas MEEG – Molecular Ecology, Evolution and Genetics Addresses conservation issues using molecular markers to understand the phylogeny, the spatial distribution of genetic diversity, and species interactions in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean SPM - Species and Population Management Addresses the impact of interactions between exotic and native species, and understanding patterns of regional diversification and distribution of endangered species and species of economic importance EPF - Ecosystem Processes and Function Addresses the response of terrestrial and marine species to temporal and spatial variation in climate as well as anthropogenic changes in land use on ecosystem structure and function

http: //www. crestcatec. upr. edu OFFICES: FB 301 -A UPR-Rio Piedras TEL: 787 -764 -0000 EXT. 2914, 7365 FAX: 787 -773 -1622