Ep. 590 - The Complex Ecology of Puerto Rico's Forests

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About this episode

Puerto Rico may not be a very large island but its forests certainly are complex. Historically, Puerto Rico lost nearly 95% of its forest cover due to human activities but humans are also playing an important role in how they grow back. Understanding how historical land use and human management have influenced the regrowth of Puerto Rico's forests has been a major part of Dr. Ariel Lugo's scientific career. From naturalized and invasive species to the impacts of hurricanes and community empowerment, Dr. Lugo takes us on a deep dive into the complex world of the forests of Puerto Rico. This episode was produced in part by Nelly, Chelz, Jbert, Chris, Gerald, Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J.,…