Ferns surveys of individuals of terrestrial ferns in Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE) plots document changes in species richness and abundance over time in response to canopy opening and/or debris deposition

Whole plot surveys of Canopy Triming Experiment (CTE) plots were done to detect changes in the number of terrestrial fern species and individuals in response to canopy opening and debris deposition. Surveys were conducted annually prior to and after treatments. A count of all terrestrial ferns, identified to species on the CTE plots was recorded for each subplot in January during CTE1 (2002-2010) and in the fall during CTE2 (2014-present). The surveys document losses of individuals of shade tolerant fern species and the appearance of open canopy ferns such as the tree fern Cyathea arborea. 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.