Study watersheds are located in the Luquillo Experimental Forest of northeastern Puerto Rico, which is known locally as the El Yunque National Forest. As an NSF-funded LTER and CZO site, as well as a USGS WEBB site. considerable data describing the biota, biology, geology, and disturbance regime of the Luquillo Mountains are available. The geology is of volcanic origin and rainfall is heavy and dependent on elevation. The streams are mostly steep and well shaded with little dissolved organic matter due to rapid terrestrial decomposition. Hurricanes are the main form of disturbance, which can open up the canopy and provide nutrients to the stream.
Rio Icacos
Sandy bottomed stream with lower stream gradient than typical for LEF steams, although the valley is very steep.
Mean annual discharge = 0.4 cubic meters per second
Sandy bottomed stream with lower stream gradient than typical for LEF steams, although the valley is very steep.
Mean annual discharge = 0.4 cubic meters per second
Rio Icacos Tributary
Tributary to Rio Icacos
Tributary to Rio Icacos
Quebrada Sonodora
A major headwater to the Rio Espiritu Santo. Valley forms are steep, channels are filled with boulders that are relatively stable over decades and stream gradient is high (24%).
Mean annual discharge = 0.2 cubic meters per second
A major headwater to the Rio Espiritu Santo. Valley forms are steep, channels are filled with boulders that are relatively stable over decades and stream gradient is high (24%).
Mean annual discharge = 0.2 cubic meters per second
Quebrada Prieta
1st order tributary to Sonadora. Steep and well shaded.
1st order tributary to Sonadora. Steep and well shaded.
