Elvira Cuevas
Non Forest Service
I like being a scientist because I get to discover new things about the natural environment.
My favorite science experience is working in the field. I can see how the vegetation is interacting with the environment and measure those interactions. It is fascinating to be able to put numbers on those interactions.
I use equipment to measure rainfall, air and soil temperature, and how much water is in the soil. I sample water from the soil, leaves, fine roots, and young stems in the forest. In the lab, I measure how many nutrients are in these items. I use stable isotopes to determine how the plants are responding to the environment. With these analyses, I can explain what is happening and what can happen if environmental conditions change.
These explanations are important right now with the extreme drought conditions currently occurring in the Caribbean. However, one thing is most important to me, no matter if I’m working in a plantation, a wetland with mangroves, or a dry forest: It is the feeling of being an integral part of nature. It is an important responsibility for me to share this feeling with my students, family, and friends.
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