Research Training Program

Jennifer Apple
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

Klaus Ruetzler, Ph.D.
Department of Invertebrate Zoology

"My time in the field was an extremely positive experience."

Field Research in the Mangroves of Belize

The mangrove islands along the coast of Belize are unique examples of the tropical forest and wetland habitats, two types of systems which are very interesting. This project involved 5 weeks of work in Belize with Candy Feller and participation in the first Smithsonian-sponsored mangrove ecology workshop. Throughout this 5 week stay, work was done on a number of ongoing and short-term ecological studies within the mangrove forests of Twin Cays - 1) response of dwarf trees to nutrient enrichment and its effect on herbivory; 2) impact of live wood-boring insects on tree architecture; 3) crab predation on mangrove propagules and leaves; 4) regeneration of mangroves after a large-scale disturbance; and 5) detection of insect activity and its effect on mangroves.

This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program ( Award: DIR-9200203).