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Ciénaga Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve

The lands that make up the designated Ciénaga Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve include Ciénaga Las Cucharillas, La Esperanza Peninsula, La Mano Lagoon and Laguna Secreta. These lands comprise approximately 1,272 cuerdas (1200 acres) located between the municipalities of Cataño and Guaynabo. They are mostly composed of herbaceous wetlands, mangroves and open water areas. Ciénaga Las Cucharillas is the largest urban herbaceous wetland in the San Juan metropolitan area and is part of the San Juan Bay Estuary (EBSJ). Also, this wetland is of great importance to communities that are highly susceptible to flooding and depend on it to absorb excess water in the area.

LabCom

The LabCom or Community Laboratory for Scientific and Cultural Empowerment is dedicated to achieving the conservation of the Ciénaga Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve (RNCC), improving the educational experience of students in the area, and empowering communities that have struggled for decades to improve environmental quality. To achieve this, in conjunction with the Yaguazo Corridor, it develops community integration projects, STEM education and scientific research.

 
 
 

Results Pilot Phase

 
 
 

RESEARCH (2019-2020)

A. SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF TREE SPECIES ESTABLISHED IN THE CIÉNAGA LAS CUCHARILLAS, CATAÑO, PUERTO RICO.

Project objectives:

1. Survival rate of introduced tree species in reforested areas.

2. The growth rate of tree species.

3. Identify zones within the planting areas where significant survival and growth conditions are present.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF URBAN SCORRENT WATER ON THE QUALITY OF THE SURFACE WATER OF CAÑO LA MALARIA, CATAÑO, PR.

Project objectives:

  1. To determine physicochemical parameters in surface water of Caño La Malaria.

  2. Identify urban runoff indicator pollutants.

  3. Determine the concentration and distribution of contaminants in the Caño La Malaria watershed.


B. EFFECT OF AN URBAN WETLAND ON URBAN MICROCLIMATE PARAMETERS IN THE COMMUNITIES OF CATAÑO AND GUAYNABO NORTE, PUERTO RICO.

Project objectives:

  1. Determine microclimatic parameters in the urban area.

  2. Determine microclimatic parameters in Ciénaga Las Cucharillas.

D. COMMUNITY FLOOD MITIGATION THROUGH THE REHABILITATION OF THE CIENAGA LAS CUCHARILLAS, CATAÑO PR.

Project objectives:

  1. Determine the frequency of recurrent flooding in the study areas. 

  2. Determine the amount of reforested areas in Ciénaga las Cucharillas.

Research Performed

  1. Important Bird Conservation Areas

  2. Assessment of Urban Coastal Wetlands Vulnerability to Hurricanes in Puerto Rico

  3. Bacteria as Potential Indicators of Heavy Metal Contamination in a Tropical Mangrove and the Implications on Environmental and Human Health

  4. Coastal Modification and Land Transformation in the San Juan Bay Area: Puerto Rico

  5. Contradictions of Progress: Socioeconomic Transformation and Public Policy for the Management of Wetlands in Puerto Rico

  6. Coral Reef Habitat Assessment for U.S. Marine Protected Areas: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

  7. Nutrient Use Efficiency: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) in Tree Species Used in the Mitigated Areas of Ciénaga Las Cucharillas.

    See more . . . .

Allies

Sponsors