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This dataset contains population, meteorological, phenological, and chemical data collected from tropical montane stream and forest ecosystems. This synthesis product merges 11 distinct datasets into a single comprehensive resource, facilitating easier comparison and study of diverse ecological data. Try our data explorer [here.](https://luqshiny.lter.network/sigds/) It provides a multi-faceted dataset essential to enhance biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem management, and global change research. Data spans from 1975 to 2024, with some gaps and missing data points. Particularly at the beginning of the time span measurements started with temperature and rainfall before other dataset collections began with the inception of the LUQ LTER in the late 1980s. For phenology 17 species were selected for inclusion, listed below. 11 dominant species as described in Uriarte et al. 2009 (DOI 10.1890/08-0707.1). As well as in decline species PALRIP- Palicourea riparia and CISVER - Cissus verticillata. Species that show a strong response to hurricanes PHYRIV - Phytolacca rivinoides- an understory herb and IPOTL -Ipomoea tiliacea- Morning glory vine. And a species thriving understory shrub SMIDOM - Smilax domingensis. - **From Uriarte et al. 2009 these 11 species represent 75% of the stems >=10 cm dbh in the LFDP plot: ** - **ALCLAT** - Alchornea latifolia - **CASARB** - Casearia arborea - **CECSCH** - Cecropia schreberiana - **DACEXC** - Dacryodes excelsa - **GUAGUI** - Guarea guidonia - **INGLAU** - Inga laurina - **MANBID** - Manilkara bidentata - **PREMON** - Prestoea montana - **SCHMOR** - Schefflera morototoni - **SLOBER** - Sloanea berteriana - **TABHET** - Tabebuia heterophylla - **PALRIP** - Palicourea riparia - For more details on methods and variables see each individual dataset: - Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE) Litterfall: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=162](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=162) - Litterfall in tabonuco (subtropical wet) forest in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico (MRCE Litterfall data): [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=111](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=111) - Rainfall at El Verde Field Station, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico since 1975: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=14](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=14) - Maximum temperature at El Verde Field Station, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico since October 1992: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=16](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=16) - Minimum temperature at El Verde Field Station, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico since 1975: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=17](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=17) - Chemistry of stream water from the Luquillo Mountains, Quebrada Sonadora and Quebrada Prieta: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=20](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=20) - Shrimp populations in Quebrada Prieta (Pools 0, 8, 9, 15) (El Verde): [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=54](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=54) - Meteorological data from El Verde Field Station: NADP Tower: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=127](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=127) - Chemistry of rainfall and throughfall from El Verde and Bisley: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=174](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=174) - Phenologies of the Tabonuco Forest trees and shrubs: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=88](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=88) - Prieta streams - Discharge and water level: [https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=182](https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-luq&identifier=182) We would like to acknowledge the contributions of all those who have worked in the Luquillo LTER over the course of its 36 year and counting history. The LUQ LTER thanks you for your contribution. Code for generating this signature dataset are available on github here: [https://github.com/miguelcleon/LUQ-LTER-signature-dataset](https://github.com/miguelcleon/LUQ-LTER-signature-dataset) Support for this work was provided by grants BSR-8811902, DEB-9411973, DEB-9705814 , DEB-0080538, DEB-0218039 , DEB-0620910 , DEB-1239764, DEB-1546686, and DEB-1831952 from the National Science Foundation to the University of Puerto Rico as part of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program. Additional support was provided by the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry and the University of Puerto Rico. 

Streams and rivers of the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico, have been the subject of extensive watershed and aquatic research since the 1980s. This research includes understanding stream export of nutrients and coarse particulate organic matter, physicochemical constituents, aquatic fauna populations and community structure. However, many of the streams and watersheds studied do not appear in standard scale maps. We document recent collaborative and multi-institutional work to improve hydrological network information and identify knowledge gaps. The methods used to delimit and densify stream networks include establishment and incorporation of an updated new vertical datum for Puerto Rico, LIDAR derived elevation, and a combination of visual-manual and automated digitalization processes. The outcomes of this collaborative effort have resulted in improved watershed delineation, densification of hydrologic networks to reflect the scale of on-going studies, and the identification of constraining factors such as unmapped roadways, culverts, and other features of the built environment that interrupt water flow and alter runoff pathways. This work contributes to enhanced knowledge for watershed management, including attributes of riparian areas, effects of road and channel intersections and ridge to reef initiatives with broad application to other watersheds. 

Coastal ecosystems display consistent patterns of trade-offs between resistance and resilience to tropical cyclones. 

Abstract Catchments in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) of Puerto Rico are warm, wet and tropical with steep elevational relief creating gradients in temperature and rainfall. Long‐term objectives of research at the site are to understand how changing climate and disturbance regimes alter hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the montane tropics and to provide information critical for managing and conserving tropical forest ecosystems globally. Measurements of hydrology and meteorology span decades, and currently include temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloud base level, throughfall, groundwater table elevation and stream discharge. The chemistry of rain, throughfall, and streams is measured weekly and lysimeters and wells are sampled monthly to quarterly. Multiple data sets document the effects of major hurricanes including Hugo (1989), Georges (1998) and Maria (2017) on vegetation, biota and catchment biogeochemistry and provide some of the longest available records of biogeochemical fluxes in tropical forests. Here we present an overview of the findings and the data sets that have been generated from the LEF, highlighting their importance for understanding montane tropical watersheds in the context of disturbance and global environmental change. 

Abstract Tropical cyclones play an increasingly important role in shaping ecosystems. Understanding and generalizing their responses is challenging because of meteorological variability among storms and its interaction with ecosystems. We present a research framework designed to compare tropical cyclone effects within and across ecosystems that: a) uses a disaggregating approach that measures the responses of individual ecosystem components, b) links the response of ecosystem components at fine temporal scales to meteorology and antecedent conditions, and c) examines responses of ecosystem using a resistance–resilience perspective by quantifying the magnitude of change and recovery time. We demonstrate the utility of the framework using three examples of ecosystem response: gross primary productivity, stream biogeochemical export, and organismal abundances. Finally, we present the case for a network of sentinel sites with consistent monitoring to measure and compare ecosystem responses to cyclones across the United States, which could help improve coastal ecosystem resilience.