Current Research

In addition to continued interest in previous research areas, current research also includes an assessment of the role of tropical forests in global processes; ecological studies of tropical tree plantations; comparisons of plantations and natural forests; response of tropical forests to disturbances; studies of tropical wetlands; studies of introduced species; and the ecological characteristics of novel tropical forests including urban ecosytems.

Research Interests

Tropical forests including mangroves, forested wetlands, and urban forests; ecosystem functioning including productivity, nutrient cycling, succession, and response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances; social-ecological studies including natural processes of novelty and emerging novel ecosystems.

Past Research

Research has been conducted and published for the following ecosystems: subtropical wet forest at El Verde in Puerto Rico (1963-1966). Granite outcrops in Southeastern United States (1965-1969). Tropical wet forest at the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica (1971). Mangrove forests of Florida (1971-1973 and 1977-1982), Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean (1973-present). Hardwood forest in Gainesville, Florida (1969-1973). Sand pine forest in Ocala, Florida (1971-1973). Río Dulce river in Guatemala (1972). Oklawaha river and floodplain wetlands in Florida (1972-1973). Farm pond in Gainesville, Florida (1970-1972). Fresh water prairie (Paynes Prairie) and associated lakes in Gainesville, Florida (1972-1975). Laboratory microcosms (1969-1975). Subtropical dry forest in Puerto Rico (1974-1977 and 1981-present). Sandhill forest in Gainesville, Florida (1976-1978). Palm wetlands in subtropical wet and subtropical rain forest life zones in Puerto Rico (1980-present).

Why This Research is Important

In the Anthropocene era (era of human domination over the world), tropical forests are more important than ever due to their biodiversity and global world. Understanding the interactions between humans and tropical forests, particularly their response and adaptation to people, becomes a vital activity if we are to maintain a healthy relationship with natural systems.

Education

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ph.D. Ecology 1969
• University of Puerto Rico, M.S. Biology 1965

Professional Experience

Featured Publications & Products

• Asner, Gregory P.; Martin, Roberta E.; Tupayachi, Raul; Emerson, Ruth; Martinez, Paola; Sinca, Felipe; Powell, George V.N.; Wright, S. Joseph; Lugo, Ariel E. 2011. Taxonomy and remote sensing of leaf mass per area (LMA) in humid tropical forests.
• Abelleira Martinez, Oscar J.; Rodríguez, Mariela A.; Rosario, Ivonne; Soto, Nataly; López, Armando; Lugo, Ariel E. 2010. Structure and species composition of novel forests dominated by an introduced species in northcentral Puerto Rico.
• Vance-Chalcraft, Heather D.; Willig, Michael R.; Cox, Stephen B.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Scatena, Frederick N. 2010. Relationship between aboveground biomass and multiple measures of biodiversity in subtropical forest of Puerto Rico.
• Medina, Ernesto; Cuevas, Elvira; Lugo, Ariel E. 2010. Nutrient relations of dwarf Rhizophora mangle L.
• Harris, Nancy L.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Brown, Sandra; Heartsill-Scalley, Tamara. 2012. Luquillo Experimental Forest: Research History and Opportunities.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Carlo, T.A.; Wunderle, Jr., J.M. 2012. Natural mixing of species: novel plant animal communities on Caribbean Islands.
• Davis, Mark A.; Chew, Mathew K.; Hobbs, Richard J.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Ewel, John J.; Vermeij, Geerat J.; Brown, James H.; Rosenzweig, Michael L.; Gardener, Mark R.; Carroll, Scott P.; Thompson, Ken; Pickett, Stewart T.A.; Stromberg, Juliet C.; Del Tredici, Peter; Suding, Katharine N.; Eherenfeld, Joan G.; Grime, J. Philip; Mascaro, Joseph; Briggs, John C. 2011. Don t judge species on their origins.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Ramos, Olga; Rodriguez, Carlos. 2011. The R o Piedras watershed and its surrounding environment.
• Abelleira Martinez, Oscar J.; Rodríguez, Mariela A.; Rosario, Ivonne; Soto, Nataly; López, Armando; Lugo, Ariel E. 2010. Structure and species composition of novel forests dominated by an introduced species in northcentral Puerto Rico.
• Miller, G.; Lugo, A.E. 2009. Guide to the ecological systems of Puerto Rico.

Publications

• Mayfield, Albert E., II.; Marcano-Vega, Humfredo ; Lugo, Ariel E. 2021. Regional Summaries: Southeast and Caribbean.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2020. Effects of Extreme Disturbance Events: From Ecesis to Social Ecological Technological Systems.
• Spicer, Robert L.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Ruhl, Nathan . 2020. Landform type mediates compositional change in a hurricane-disturbed sub-tropical forest.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Martínez, Oscar J. A.; Medina, Ernesto; Aymard, Gerardo; Heartsill Scalley, Tamara. 2020. Novelty in the tropical forests of the 21st century.
• Lugo, Ariel. 2019. Acta Cient fica 31(1-3).
• González, Grizelle ; Lugo, Ariel E. 2019. Concluding Remarks: Moving Forward on Scientific Knowledge and Management Approaches to Tropical Forests in the Anthropocene Epoch.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Medina, Ernesto; Cuevas, Elvira; Ramos González, Olga. 2019. Ecological and physiological aspects of Caribbean shrublands.
• Lugo, Ariel ; González, Grizelle . 2019. Introduction to the Special Issue on Tropical Forests: Management and Ecology in the Anthropocene.
• Willig, M. R.; Woolbright, L. ; Presley, S. J.; Schowalter, T. D.; Waide, R. B.; Heartsill Scalley, T. ; Zimmerman, J. K.; González, G. ; Lugo, A. E. 2019. Populations are not declining and food webs are not collapsing at the Luquillo Experimental Forest.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2018. Characterization of ten extreme disturbance events in the context of social and ecological systems.
• Lugo, Ariel. E. ; Winchell, Kristin. M. ; Carlo, Tomás. A. 2018. Novelty in Ecosystems.
• Lugo, Ariel; Rodriguez, Carlos; Fermont, Ian; Vicens, Ivan. 2018. Response to Hurricanes of Pinus caribaea var hondurensis Plantations in Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Abelleira Martínez, Oscar L. 2018. Stoichiometry of decomposing Spathodea campanulata leaves in novel puertorrican forests.
• Martinuzzi, Sebastián ; Ramos-González, Olga M.; Muñoz-Erickson, Tischa A.; Locke, Dexter H.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Radeloff, Volker C. 2018. Vegetation cover in relation to socioeconomic factors in a tropical city assessed from sub-meter resolution imagery.
• Lugo, Ariel; Erickson, Heather. 2017. Novelty and its ecological implications to dry forest functioning and conservation.
• Lugo, Ariel; Gonzalez, Grizelle. 2017. Sandra Brown (1944 2017): A Distinguished Tropical Ecologist.
• Medina, Ernesto; Cuevas, Elvira; Lugo, Ariel. 2017. Substrate Chemistry and Rainfall Regime Regulate Elemental Composition of Tree Leaves in Karst Forests.
• Lugo, Ariel E. . 2017. The scientific legacy of Juan A. Torres-Negr n.
• Brown, Sandra; Lugo, Ariel. 2017. Trailblazing the Carbon Cycle of Tropical Forests from Puerto Rico.
• Fonseca da Silva, Jéssica; Medina, Ernesto; Lugo, Ariel. 2017. Traits and Resource Use of Co-Occurring Introduced and Native Trees in a Tropical Novel Forest.
• Lugo, A.E.; Santiago, B. 2016. Acta Cientifica. Special 30th Anniversary Edition. Vol. 30(1-3): 329 p.
• Lugo, Ariel; Frangi, J.L. 2016. Long-term response of Caribbean palm forests to hurricanes.
• lugo, Ariel. 2015. Acta Cient fica Vol. 29 (1-3).
• Sanchez, M.J.; Lopez, E.; Lugo, A.E. 2015. Chemical and physical analyses of selected plants and soils from Puerto Rico (1981-2000).
• Lugo, Ariel; Rullan, J. 2015. El mensaje de conservacion de las instalaciones restauradas del Instituto Internacional de Dasonomia Tropical.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2015. Forestry in the Anthropocene.
• Martinuzzi, Sebastian; Gavier-Pizarro, Gregorio I.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Radeloff, Volker C. 2015. Future Land-Use Changes and the Potential for Novelty in Ecosystems of the United States.
• Lugo, Ariel; Rullan, J. 2015. The conservation message of the rehabilitated facilities of the International Institute of Tropical Forestry.
• Medina, E.; Cuevas, E.; Lugo, A.E.; Terezo, E.; Jimenez-Osornio, J.; Macario-Mendoza, P.A.; Montanez, P. 2014. Conservative nutrient use by big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) planted under contrasting environmental conditions.
• Erickson, H.E.; Helmer, E.H.; Brandeis, T.J.; Lugo, A.E. 2014. Controls on fallen leaf chemistry and forest floor element masses in native and novel forests across a tropical island.
• Munoz, Tischa A.; Lugo, A.E.; Quintero, B. 2014. Emerging synthesis themes from the study of social-ecological systems of a tropical city.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2014. Evolving conservation paradigms for the Anthropocene.
• Lugo, A.E.; Eav, B.; Foster, G.S.; Rains, M.; Reaves, J.; Stouder, D.J. 2014. Forest Service Experimental Forests and long-term data sets: stories of their meaning to station directors.
• Lugo, Ariel. E.; Medina, Ernesto; McGinley, Kathleen. 2014. Issues and challenges of mangrove conservation in the Anthropocene - Desafios de la conservacion del mangle en el Antropoceno.
• Munoz-Erickson, T.A.; Lugo, A.E.; Melendez-Ackerman, E.; Santiago-Acevedo, L.E.; Seguinot-Barbosa, J.; Mendez-Lazaro, P. 2014. Knowledge to serve the city: insights from an emerging knowledge-action network to address vulnerability and sustainability in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Hobbs, Richard J.; Higgs, Eric; Hall, Carol M.; Bridgewater, Peter; Chapin III, F. Stuart; Ellis, Erle C.; Ewel, John J.; Hallet, Lauren M.; Harris, James; Hulvey, Kristen B.; Jackson, Stephen T.; Kennedy, Patricia L.; Kueffer, Christoph; Lach, Lori; Lantz, Trevor C.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Mascaro, Joseph; Murphy, Stephen D.; Nelson, Cara R.; Perring, Michael P.; Richardson, David M.; Seastedt, Timothy R.; Standish, Rachel; Starzomski, Brian M.; Suding, Katherine N.; Tognetti, Pedro M.; Yakob, Laith; Yung, Laurie. 2014. Managing the whole landscape: historical, hybrid, and novel ecosystems.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Medina, Ernesto. 2014. Mangrove forests.
• Robinson, K.; Bauer, J.; Lugo, A.E. 2014. Passing the baton from the Tainos to tomorrow: forest conservation in Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A.E.; Heartsill Scalley, T. 2014. Research in the Luquillo Experimental Forest has advanced understanding of tropical forests and resolved management issues.
• Ramirez, A.; Rosas, K.G.; Lugo, A.E.; Ramos-Gonzalez, O.M. 2014. Spatio-temporal variation in stream water chemistry in a tropical urban watershed.
• Vose, James M.; Swank, Wayne T.; Adams, Mary Beth; Amatya, Devendra; Campbell, John; Johnson, Sherri; Swanson, Frederick J.; Kolka, Randy; Lugo, Ariel E.; Musselman, Robert; Rhoades, Charles. 2014. The role of experimental forests and ranges in the development of ecosystem science and biogeochemical cycling research.
• Vose, James M.; Swank, Wayne T.; Adams, Mary Beth; Amatya, Devendra; Campbell, John; Johnson, Sherri; Swanson, Frederick J.; Kolka, Randy; Lugo, Ariel E.; Musselman, Robert; Rhoades, Charles. 2014. The role of experimental forests and ranges in the development of ecosystem science and biogeochemical cycling research Chapter 17.
• Lugo, A.E. 2014. Tropical cities are diverse and deserve more social-ecological attention.
• Harris, N. L.; Hall, C. A. S.; Lugo, A. E. 2013. A test of the maximum power hypothesis along an elevational gradient in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, Ariel; Nytch, C.J.; Ramsey, M. 2013. An analysis of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers documents supporting the channelization of the Rio Piedras. Acta Cientifica. 27(1-3)..
• Martinuzzi, S.; Lugo, A.E.; Brandeis, T.J.; Helmer, E.H. 2013. Case study: Geographic distribution and level of novelty of Puerto Rican forests.
• Waide, R. B.; Comarazamy, D. E.; González, J. E.; Hall, C. A. S.; Lugo, A. E.; Luvall, J. C.; Murphy, D. J.; Ortiz-Zayas, J. R.; Ramírez-Beltrán, N. D.; Scatena, F. N.; Silver, W. L. 2013. Climate variability at multiple spatial and temporal scales in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico.
• Driscoll, C.T.; Groffman, P.M.; Blair, J.M.; Lugo, A.E.; Laney, C.M.; Peters, D.P.C. 2013. Cross-site comparisons of precipitation and surface water chemistry.
• Peters, D.P.C.; Lugo, A.E.; Chapin, III, F.S.; Tepley, A.J.; Swanson, F.J. 2013. Disturbance regimes and ecological responses across sites.
• Kennedy, P. L.; Lach, L.; Lugo, A.E.; Hobbs, R.J. 2013. Fauna and novel ecosystems.
• Lugo, A. E. 2013. Foreword, up, down, and across the mountains: a new look at the Luquillo Mountains.
• McDowell, W.H.; Brereton, R.L.; Scatena, F.N.; Shanley, J.B.; Brokaw, N.V.; Lugo, A.E. 2013. Interactions between lithology and biology drive the long-term response of stream chemistry to major hurricanes in a tropical landscape.
• Ewel, J. J.; Mascaro, J.; Kueffer, C.; Lugo, A.E.; Lach, L.; Gardener, M. 2013. Islands: Where novelty is the norm.
• Peters, D.P.C.; Laney, C.M.; Lugo, A.E.; Collins, S.L.; Driscoll, C.T.; Groffman, P.M.; Grove, J.M.; Knapp, A.K.; Kratz, T.K.; Ohman, M.D.; Waide, R.B.; Yao, J. 2013. Long-term trends in ecological systems: an introduction to cross-site comparisons and relevance to global change studies.
• Lugo, A.E. 2013. Novel tropical forests: nature's response to global change.
• Perring, M. P.; Manning, P.; Hobbs, R.J.; Lugo, A.E.; Ramalho, C.E.; Standish, R. J. 2013. Novel urban ecosystems and ecosystem services.
• Lugo, A.E.; Abelleira Martínez, O.; Fonseca da Silva, J. 2012. Aboveground biomass, wood volume, nutrient stocks and leaf litter in novel forests compared to native forests and tree plantations in Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A.E. 2012. Acta Cientifica Vol. 26 (1-3).
• Laurance, W.F.; Useche, D.C.; Rendeiro, J.; NO-VALUE, and others; Lugo, Ariel. 2012. Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas.
• Perez, M. E.; Sastre de Jesús, I.; Lugo, A. E.; Abelleira Martínez, O. J. 2012. Bryophyte species diversity in secondary forests dominated by the introduced species Spathodea campanulata Beauv. in Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A. E.; Helmer, E. H.; Santiago Valentín, E. 2012. Caribbean landscapes and their biodiversity.
• Lugo, A.E. 2012. Conundrums, paradoxes, and surprises: a brave new world of biodiversity conservation.
• Scatena, F.N.; Blanco, J.F.; Beard, K.H.; Waide, R.B.; Lugo, A.E.; Brokaw, N.; Silver, W.L.; Haines, B.L.; Zimmerman, J.K. 2012. Disturbance regime.
• Lugo, A.E.; Waide, R.B.; Willig, M.R.; Crowl, T.A.; Scatena, F.N.; Thompson, J.; Silver, W.L.; McDowell, W.H.; Brokaw, N. 2012. Ecological paradigms for the tropics: old questions and continuing challenges.
• McDowell, W.H.; Scatena, F.N.; Waide, R.B.; Brokaw, N.; Camilo, G.R.; Covich, A.P.; Crowl, T.A.; Gonzalez, G.; Greathouse, E.A.; Klawinski, P.; Lodge, D.J.; Lugo, A.E.; Pringle, C.M.; Richardson, B.A.; Richardson, M.J.; Schaefer, D.A.; Silver, W.L.; Thompson, J.; Vogt, D.J.; Vogt, K.A.; Willig, M.R.; Woolbright, L.L.; Zou, X.; Zimmerman, J.K. 2012. Geographic and ecological setting of the Luquillo Mountains.
• Lugo, A.E.; Concepcion, C.M.; Santiago-Acevedo, L.E.; Munoz-Erickson, T.A.; Verdejo Ortiz, J.C.; Santiago-Bartolomei, R.; Forero-Montana, J.; Nytch, C.J.; Manrique, H.; Colon-Cortes, W. 2012. In search of an adaptive social-ecological approach to understanding a tropical city.
• Alvarez Ruiz, Migdalia; Lugo, Ariel E. 2012. Landscape effects on structure and species composition of tabonuco forests in Puerto Rico: implications for conservation.
• Heartsill Scalley, T.; Scatena, F.N.; Moya, S.; Lugo, A.E. 2012. Long-term dynamics of organic matter and elements exported as coarse particulates from two Caribbean montane watersheds.
• Willig, M.R.; Bloch, C.P.; Covich, A.P.; Hall, C.A.S.; Lodge, D.J.; Lugo, A.E.; Silver, W.L.; Waide, R.B.; Walker, L.R.; Zimmerman, J.K. 2012. Long-term research in the Luquillo Mountains, synthesis and foundations for the future.
• Lugo, A.E.; Scatena, F.N.; Waide, R.B.; Greathouse, E.A.; Pringle, C.M.; Willig, M.R.; Vogt, K.A.; Walker, L.R.; Gonzalez, G.; McDowell, W.H.; Thompson, J.; NO-VALUE, . 2012. Management implications and applications of long-term ecological research.
• Brokaw, N.; Zimmerman, J.K.; Willig, M.; Camilo, G.; Covich, A.; Crowl, T.; Fetcher, N.; Haines, B.; Lodge, J.; Lugo, A.E.; Myster, R.; Pringle, C.M.; Sharpe, J.; Scatena, F.; Schowalter, T.; Silver, W.; Thompson, J.; Vogt, D.; Vogt, K.; Waide, R.; Walker, L.; Woolbright, L.; Wunderle, J.M., Jr..; Zou, X. 2012. Response to disturbance, Chapter 5.
• Lugo, A.E. 2012. Social silviculture: a new paradigm in the search for sustainable land conservation in the tropics.
• Ramjohn, I.A.; Murphy, P.G.; Burton, T.M.; Lugo, A.E. 2012. Survival and rebound of Antillean dry forests: role of forest fragments.
• Crowl, T.A.; Brokaw, N.; Waide, R.B.; Gonzalez, G.; Beard, K.H.; Greathouse, E.A.; Lugo, A.E.; Covich, A.P.; Lodge, D.J.; Pringle, C.M.; Thompson, J.; Belovsky, G.E. 2012. When and where biota matter, linking disturbance regime, species characteristics, and dynamics of communities and ecosystems.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Abelleira, Oscar J.; Collado, Alexander; Viera, Christian A.; Santiago, Cynthia; Velez, Diego O.; Soto, Emilio; Amaro, Giovanni; Charon, Graciela; Colon, Jr., Hector.; Santana, Jennifer; Morales, Jose L.; Rivera, Katherine; Ortiz, Luis; Rivera, Luis; Maldonado, Mianel; Rivera, Natalia; Vazquez, Norelis J. 2011. Allometry, biomass, and chemical content of novel African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) forests in Puerto Rico.
• Peters, Debra P.C.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Chapin, F. Stuart, III.; Pickett, Steward T.A.; Duniway, Michael; Rocha, Adrian V.; Swanson, Frederick J.; Laney, Christine; Jones, Julia. 2011. Cross-system comparisons elucidate disturbance complexities and generalities.
• Peters, Debra P.C.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Chapin, III, Stuart.; Pickett, Steward T.A.; Duniway, Michael; Rocha, Adrian V.; Swanson, Frederick J.; Laney, Christine; Jones, Julia. 2011. Cross-system comparisons elucidate disturbance complexities and generalities.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Dominguez Cristobal, Carlos M.; Mendez, Noemi. 2011. Hurricane Georges accelerated litterfall fluxes of a 26 yr-old novel secondary forest in Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A.E. 2011. La Cartilla del Agua. Acta Cientifica Vol.25(1-3).
• Molina Colón, Sandra; Lugo, Ariel E.; Ramos, Olga. 2011. Novel dry forests in southwestern Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A. E. 2010. Acta Cientifica Vol. 24(1-3).
• Heartsill Scalley, Tamara; Scatena, Frederick N.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Moya, Samuel; Estrada Ruiz, Carlos R. 2010. Changes in structure, composition, and nutrients during 15 years of hurricane-induced succession in a subtropical wet forest in Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Gonzalez, Grizelle. 2010. Changing conditions and changing ecosystems: a long-term regional and transcontinental research approach on invasive species.
• Lugo, A.E. 2010. Let s not forget the biodiversity of the cities.
• Medina, E.; Cuevas, E.; Molina, S.; Lugo, A.E.; Ramos, O. 2010. Structural variability and species diversity of a dwarf Caribbean dry forest.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2009. Acta Cientifica vol. 23(1-3).
• Brandeis, Thomas J.; Helmer, Eileen; Marcano-Vega, H.; Lugo, Ariel E. 2009. Climate shapes the novel plant communities that form after deforestation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Brandeis, Thomas; Helmer, Eileen; Marcano-Vega, Humfredo; Ariel, Lugo. 2009. Climate shapes the novel plant communities that form after deforestion in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Martinuzzi, S.; Gould, W.A.; Lugo, A.E.; Medina, E. 2009. Conversion and recovery of Puerto Rican mangroves: 200 years of change.
• Harmon, Mark E.; Silver, Whendee L.; Fasth, Becky; Chen, Hua; Burke, Ingrid C.; Parton, William J.; Hart, Stephen C.; Currie, William S.; Lugo, Ariel E. 2009. Long-term patterns of mass loss during the decomposition of leaf and fine root litter: an intersite comparison.
• Lugo, A.E. 2009. The emerging era of novel tropical forests.
• Chazdon, Robin L.; Peres, Carlos A.; Dent, Daisy; Sheil, Douglas; Lugo, Ariel E.; Lamb, David; Stork, Nigel E.; Miller, Scott E. 2009. The potential for species conservation in tropical secondary forests.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2008. Acta Cientifica vol. 22(1-3).
• Lugo, Ariel E.; da Silva, Jessica Fonseca; Sáez Uribe, Alejandra María. 2008. Balance de carbono en un bosque novedoso de Castilla elastica: resultados preliminares.
• Rivera, Maria; Lugo, Ariel E.; Vázquez, Shalom V. 2008. Densidad de artr podos activos en la superficie del suelo de un bosque novedoso de Castilla elastica.
• Viera Martinez, Christian A.; Abelleira, Oscar; Lugo, Ariel E. 2008. Estructura y qu mica del suelo en un bosque de Castilla elastica en el carso del norte de Puerto Rico: resultados de una calicata.
• Helmer, E. H.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Kennaway, Todd. 2008. Factors influencing spatial pattern in tropical forest clearance and stand age: Implications for carbon storage and species diversity..
• Crowl, Todd A.; Crist, Thomas O.; Parmenter, Robert R.; Belovsky, Gary; Lugo, Ariel E. 2008. The spread of invasive species and infectious disease as drivers of ecosystem change..
• Heartsill Scalley, Tamara; Scatena, F.N.; Estrada Ruiz, C.; McDowell, W.H.; Lugo, Ariel. 2007. Disturbance and long-term patterns of rainfall and throughfall nutrient fluxes in a subtropical wet forest in Puerto Rico.
• LUGO, ARIEL E.; MEDINA, ERNESTO; CUEVAs, ELVIRA; CINTRÓ, ; N, GILBERTO; LABOY NIEVES, EDDIE N.; SCHÄ, ; EFFER NOVELLI, YARA. 2007. Ecophysiology of a Mangrove Forest in Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico.
• Putz, Francis E.; Ewel, Jack; Lugo, Ariel E. 2007. Forest management versus forest degradation and destruction..
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Helmer, Eileen H.; Vale, Abel. 2007. La conservacion y vulnerabilidad a la urbanizacion del karso puertorrique o.
• Thompson, Jill; Lugo, Ariel E.; Thomlinson, John. 2007. Land use history, hurricane disturbance, and the fate of introduced species in a subtropical wet forest in Puerto Rico..
• Medina, Ernesto; Cuevas, Elvira; Lugo, Ariel. 2007. Nutrient and salt relations of Pterocarpus officinalis L. in coastal wetlands of the Caribbean: assessment through leaf and soil analyses..
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2006. Ecological lessons from an island that has experienced it all.
• Lugo, Ariel D.; Swanson, Frederick J.; González, Olga Ramos; Adams, Mary Beth; Palik, Brian; Thill, Ronald E.; Brockway, Dale G.; Kern, Christel; Woodsmith, Richard; Musselman, Robert. 2006. Long-term research at the USDA Forest Service's experimental forests and ranges..
• Hobbs, Richard J.; Arico, Salvatore; Aronson, James; Baron, Jill S.; Bridgewater, Peter; Cramer, Viki A.; Epstein, Paul R.; Ewel, John J.; Klink, Carlos A.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Norton, David; Ojima, Dennis; Richardson David M., ; Sanderson, Eric W.; Valladares, Fernando; Vilà, Montserrat; Zamora, Regino; Zobel, Martin. 2006. Novel ecosystems: theoretical and management aspects of the new ecological world order.
• LUGO, ARIEL E.; ABELLEIRA, OSCAR J.; BORGES, SONIA; COLÓN, LAUREN J.; MELÉNDEZ, SYNDI; RODRÍGUEZ, MARIELA A. 2006. Preliminary Estimate of Earthworm Abundance and Species Richness in Spathodea campanulata Beauv. Forests in Northern Puerto Rico.
• Molina Colon, Sandra; Lugo, Ariel E. 2006. Recovery of a Subtropical Dry Forest After Abandonment of Different Land Uses.
• Van Bloem, Skip J.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Murphy, Peter G. 2006. Structural response of Caribbean dry forests to hurricane winds: a case study from Guanica Forest, Puerto Rico..
• Lugo, A.E., ed. 2005. Acta Cientifica vol. 19(1-3).
• Suárez, A.; Vicéns, I.; Lugo, A.E. 2005. Composici n de especies y estructura del bosque k rstico de San Patricio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A.E.; Domínguez Cristóbal, C.; Méndez Irizarry, N. 2005. Efectos del hurac n Georges en el crecimiento de rboles en un bosque secundario en el interior de Puerto Rico.
• Lugo, A.E.; Domínguez Cristóbal, C.M.; Méndez Irizarry, N. 2005. Efectos del hurac n Georges en la composici n de especies y estructura de un bosque secundario en el interior de Puerto Rico.
• Román Nunci, E.; Marcano Vega, H.; Vicéns, I.; Bortolamedi, G.; Lugo, A.E. 2005. El bosque del parque central de la urbanizaci n El Para so: estructura, composici n de especies y crecimiento de rboles.
• Lugo, A.E.; Román Nunci, E.; Quinones, M.; Marcano Vega, H.; Vicéns, I. 2005. El bosque estatal del nuevo milenio antes y despu s del hurac n Georges.
• Lugo, A.E. 2005. El valor maderero del bosque urbano.
• Frangi, Jorge L.; Barrera, Marcelo D.; Richter, Laura L.; Lugo, Ariel E. 2005. Nutrient cycling in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
• Van Bloem, Skip J.; Murphy, Peter G.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Ostertag, Rebecca; Rivera Costa, Maria; Ruiz Bernard, Ivelisse; Molina Colon, Sandra; Canals Mora, Miguel. 2005. The Influence of Hurricane Winds on Caribbean Dry Forest Structure and Nutrient Pools.
• Lugo, A.E. 2005. The ecosystems of the Luquillo Mountains.
• LUGO, ARIEL E.; SILVER, WHENDEE L.; MOLINA COLON, SANDRA. 2004. BIOMASS AND NUTRIENT DYNAMICS OF RESTORED NEOTROPICAL FORESTS.
• SILVER, WHENDEE L.; KUEPPERS, LARA M.; LUGO, ARIEL E.; OSTERTAG, REBECCA; MATZEK, VIRGINIA. 2004. CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND PLANT COMMUNITY DYNAMICS FOLLOWING REFORESTATION OF TROPICAL PASTURE..
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Helmer, Eileen. 2004. Emerging forests on abandoned land: Puerto Rico s new forests.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2004. H.T. Odum and the Luquillo Experimental Forest.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2004. The outcome of alien tree invasions in Puerto Rico.
• LUGO, ARIEL E.; FRANGI, JORGE L. 2003. Changes in necromass and nutrients on the forest floor of a palm floodplain forest in the Luquillo mountains of Puerto Rico..
• TURNER, MONICA G.; COLLINS, SCOTT L.; LUGO, ARIEL L.; MAGNUSON, JOHN J.; RUPP, T. SCOTT; SWANSON, FREDERICK J. 2003. Disturbance Dynamics and Ecological Response: The Contribution of Long-Term Ecological Research..
• Lugo, Ariel E. 2002. Can we manage tropical landscapes an answer from the Caribbean perspective..
• Dale, Virginia H.; Joyce, Linda A.; McNulty, Steve; Neilson, Ronald P.; Ayres, Matthew P.; Flannigan, Michael D.; Hanson, Paul J.; Irland, Lloyd C.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Peterson, Chris J.; Simberloff, Daniel; Swanson, Frederick J.; Stocks, Brian J.; Wotton, Michael. 2001. Climate change and forest disturbances.
• LUGO, ARIEL E. 2001. EL MANEJO DE LA BIODIVERSIDAD EN EL SIGLO XXI.
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Castro, Leopoldo Miranda; Vale, Abel; López, Tania del Mar; Prieto, Enrique Hernández; Martinó, Andrés García; Rolón, Alberto R. Puente; Tossas, Adrianne G.; McFarlane, Donald A.; Miller, Tom; Rodríguez, Armando; Lundberg, Joyce; Thomlinson, John; Colón, José; Schellekens, Johannes H.; Ramos, Olga; Helmer, Eileen. 2001. Puerto Rican Karst-A Vital Resource.
• Lugo, A.E.; Brown, S. L.; Dodson, R.; Smith, T. S; Shugart, H. H. 1999. The Holdridge life zones of the conterminous United States in relation to ecosystem mapping.
• LUGO, ARIEL E. 1998. Mangrove Forests: a Tough System to Invade but an Easy one to Rehabilitate.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 1998. Mangrove forests: a tough system to invade.
• Sanchez, M. J.; Lopez, E.; Lugo, A. E. 1997. Chemical and physical analyses of selected plants and soils from Puerto Rico (1981-1990).
• Lugo, Ariel E. 1997. The apparent paradox of reestablishing species richness on degraded lands with tree monocultures..
• Lugo, Ariel E.; Parrotta, John A.; Brown, Sandra. 1993. Loss in species caused by tropical deforestation and their recovery through management.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 1992. Tree plantations for rehabilitating damaged forest lands in the tropics..
• Reyes, Gisel; Brown, Sandra; Chapman, Jonathan; Lugo, Ariel E. 1992. Wood Densities of Tropical Tree Species.
• Lugo, Ariel E. 1990. Mangroves of the Pacific Islands: research opportunities.
• Lugo, A. E.; Brinson, M. M.; Brown, S. 1990. Synthesis and search for paradigms in wetland ecology..
• Lugo, Ariel E. 1986. Water and the Ecosystems of the Luquillo Experimental Forest.
• Figueroa, Julio C.; Totti, Luis; Lugo, Ariel E.; Woodbury, Roy O. 1984. Structure and composition of moist coastal forests in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
• Brown, Sandra; Lugo, Ariel E.; Silander, Susan; Liegel, Leon. 1983. Research History and Opportunities in the Luquillo Experimental Forest.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
IITF-2011-02	A socioecological network for a tropical city Traditional urban research involves tree inventories, census activities, water quality sampling, or socioeconomic studies, all conducted by sepa ...	2011
IITF-2015-49	Conserving Mangroves in the Context of the Anthropocene Mangroves of the Anthropocene will be on the move as a result of sea level rise and atmospheric warming as well as human activity and therefore ...	2015
IITF-2014-084	Nitrogen and Phosphorus Content in Forest Floor Litter is Elevated in a Tropical Landscape Recovering from Deforestation Fallen leaf chemistry provides a window into the various and often complex factors affecting the availability of nutrients to trees. Both nitrog ...	2014
IITF-2014-005	Understanding Vulnerability and Sustainability of Urban Social-ecological Systems in the Tropics Scientists of the San Juan Urban Long-Term Research Area (ULTRA) publish an interdisciplinary synthesis of social-ecological system research in ...	2014