Mata de Plátano Field Station and Nature Reserve

Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamón Campus

The field station is located on the north-central karst country in Puerto Rico (latitude 18°25' N, longitude 66°43' W), one hour driving time from San Juan through good roads. The 130 acres reserve lies within the much larger subtropical moist forest life zone, north of Rio Abajo State Forest and east of the Rio Camuy Caves Park.

The reserve consists of few undisturbed areas interspersed among different, succesional stages of moist forest. The flora and fauna of Puerto Rico contain elements of Greater and Lesser Antillean origin, with over 500 native species of trees, 13 species of bats, 209 species of birds, 41 species of reptiles, and 22 species of amphibians. The most notable aspect of Mata de Plátano's fauna is its bat-boa interactions. Located within the reserve is Culebrones cave, where a large number of boas (Epicrates inornatus) congregate to feed on bats as they exit. The bat fauna in the cave comprise six species with a combined population size of approximately 300,000 individuals, representing a large force in the flux of energy through the ecosystem.

THE STATION

The field station consists of a newly remodeled building with laboratory space, kitchen, bathrooms and dormitories with bunk beds. Food is provided and prepared by researchers themselves. A washing machine and dryer are available. A modest station charge includes room, limited access to laboratory facilities, and the cost of utilities. Use of extensive laboratory space and installation of equipment requires prior approval, chemical waste disposal and provided material and may be charged separately.

Rates are:
	$20.00 person/day $100.00 person/week $300.00 person/month $150.00 field trips (20 or less participants) 7% tax may apply

HEALTH

Malaria and yellow fever are absent from Puerto Rico, but dengue fever and rabies, although not a big problem, are present. Rabies shots are recommended for those working with mammals. Histoplasmosis may also be present in caves. Snakes, wasps, tarantulas, centipedes, scorpions and poisonous plants are present but not deadly. However, persons prone to allergic reactions should bear in mind the ubiquitousness of these organisms. Proper footwear should be easily dried and give adequate traction on moss-covered rocks, risk of falls from slippery rocks or mud is present throughout most of the year.

Important Numbers

Puerto Rico Health Department  Tel. 787-878-8774

Calletano Coll y Toste Regional Hospital.  Rd. 129 Km. 8.0, San Luis Ave. Tel. 787-878-7272

Dr. Susoni Hospital. 55 Palmas St., Arecibo. Tel. 787-650-1030.

RESERVATIONS

The station is open to researchers and students. Reservation requests should be submitted to (this is not an e-mail, after submitting the form e-mail A. Rodríguez indicating so):

or contact

Dr. Armando Rodríguez Durán

(787) 279-1912 Ext. 2067

E-mail: arodriguez@bc.inter.edu

Investigators and course instructors should include a brief research proposal or syllabus in their reservation request and describe general objectives, methods, duration, dates, space needs and other special requirements.

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and baggage on flights arriving from the mainland U.S. is not subject to examination by Customs, but plant and animal material leaving the island is scrutinized by the U.S.D.A. 

Mata de Plátano Field Station and Nature Reserve, established thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, is administered by Inter American University (IAUPR) under agreement with the environmental organization Ciudadanos del Karso (CDK), and any alteration requires prior approval from IAUPR. Appropriate collecting permits should be obtained from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources and Environment and from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the case of federally protected endangered species. Evidence of all appropriate permits must be presented before the onset of any project.