In the 1930s and 1940s the Institute completed important silvicultural studies with rigorous controls to provide an important basis for tropical forest production. In the 1950s the ecology of natural, unmanaged forests was added and the 1960s saw endangered species research and ecosystem studies included in the program. Biomass and climate change research began in the 1980s and watershed and biogeochemical studies were in full swing by 1990.

Current Research and Focus Areas

Today, the Institute continues to build upon traditional research strengths, with research focused on forest ecology, disturbance ecology, ecosystem functions and services, urban ecology, watershed dynamics, migratory species, climate change, and policy science to better understand the effects of natural and human-induced pressures on tropical forests and the landscapes in which they are found. While adding new research emphases that focus on understanding structure and function of tropical wildlands at watershed and landscape scales, assessing the effects of climate and land use/land cover change on tropical ecosystems and biodiversity, and quantifying ecosystem goods and services from working lands where human and ecological systems interact.

The Institute has one research work unit, IITF-4151, titled Tropical American Forest Conservation. The work unit which carries out its agenda through several collaborative programs and projects.

These include: 

• The Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LTER)

• The Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory 

• The San Juan Urban Long-Term Research Area 

• The Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network

• The Tropical Response to Altered Climate Experiment(TRACE)

IITF's Research Stations

The USDA Forest Service has 84 experimental forests and ranges across the United States, providing places for long-term science and management studies in major vegetation types across the US. These valuable scientific resources incorporate a broad range of climates, forest types, research emphasis, and history.

In 1908 the Forest Service began to establish a network of experimental forests, primarily within National Forests, to research pressing issues regarding the rehabilitation and conservation of depleted forest and rangelands. The Institute research work unit, IITF-4151, titled Tropical American Forest Conservation, manages two experimental forests: the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico, and the Estate Thomas Experimental Forest in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Photo Credit

Olga Ramos

Field Research Stations

The Sabana Field Research Station - Located in Luquillo, Puerto Rico,  is a facility of the USDA Forest Service’s International Institute of Tropical Forestry (Institute), a center for excellence where creativity and accomplishments result in timely products and services that anticipate the needs of society as it mitigates and adapts to environmental change.

Experimental Forests

The Luquillo Experimental Forest -  The 11,540 ha (28,516 acres) Luquillo Experimental Forest is the largest tropical forest in the experimental forest and range system and the only experimental forest with the same boundary as the national forest, that is, El Yunque National Forest and the Luquillo are one.

Estate Thomas Experimental Forest - Located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 60 ha (148 acres) Estate Thomas Experimental Forest is the easternmost experimental forest in the experimental forest and range system. Established in 1964, Estate Thomas Experimental Forest is found 6.4 km west of Christiansted on the island of Saint Croix.

Research Areas

Guayama Research Area - The Guayama Research Area is located on the south side of Puerto Rico where the Guayama, Cayey, and Salinas municipalities meet. This property has an area of approximately 141 ha (348 acres) with steep topography which translates to diverse vegetation in the area.

Manatí Research Area - The Manatí Research Area is a 27 ha (66 acres) property located along the boundary of the Manatí and Florida municipalities. The property is located in the northern part of the island’s karsts area.