Research projects

Long-term projects

• Patterns and mechanisms of canopy tree regeneration in Caribbean mangrove forest,
  Dr. Wayne Sousa, University of California at Berkeley
• Causes and consequences of variation in colony structure in the termite, Nasutermes corniger
  Dr. Lynn Atkinson, University of Connecticut
• Marine Environmental Science Project (MESP)
  

  Dr. Karl Kaufmann, Ricardo Thompson
  Intensive monitoring of the flora and fauna of the intertidal zone at Galeta began in 1970. Precipitation, solar radiation, and sea level data has been collected since 1974; and humidity and water temperature since 1975. An oceanographic monitoring tower was installed at Galeta in September 2001. It monitors water level, water temperature and conductivity and barometric pressure, relative humidity, air temperature, rainfall, solar radiation, solar radiation available to plants and wind speed and direction.

Sousa focuses on patterns and processes of forest regeneration in light gaps created by lightning strikes

Short-term projects

• Survey for exotic marine species on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts

Fellowships

• Fellowships are granted to local and foreign students by Elektra Noreste, our electric company, to support fieldwork at Galeta, which will lead to academic degrees. Aidamalia Vargas, Elektra fellow, is currently completing her project: Determination of growth rate and feeding selection in the genus Strombus

Events

• Biodiversity Day. On May 17-18, 2003 , more than 155 scientists gathered at Galeta Point to conduct a 24-hour survey of all fauna and flora. Results available.