StreamFRE: Benthic Organic Matter in Prieta Stream

Measurements of benthic organic matter (BOM) in Prieta Stream, as part of the Stream Flow Reduction Experiment (StreamFRE). Background: StreamFRE started in October 2016 with the goal of assessing the effects of droughts on stream ecosystems. The project is designed to assess the effect of flow reduction, the main effect of droughts on streams. We collected pre-manipulation data from October 2016 to September 2017, when Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit Puerto Rico. The project became a hurricane impact assessment from September 2017 to early 2022, when the flow reduction is scheduled to start. BOM is measured using corer samplers in pools and Surber samplers in riffles. Samples are collected monthly as part of our macroinvertebrate sampling. Support for this work was provided by grants BSR-8811902, DEB-9411973, DEB-9705814 , DEB-0080538, DEB-0218039 , DEB-0620910 , DEB-1239764, DEB-1546686, and DEB-1831952 from the National Science Foundation to the University of Puerto Rico as part of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program. Additional support provided by the University of Puerto Rico and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service.