I was fortunate to be able to study the ecology and conservation of rivers draining El Yunque from 1994-2000. At the time, most of the work on streams in El Yunque was being conducted within the boundary of the National Forest. Little was known about the effects of shrimps in streams at lower elevations and less was known about the migratory drift of larval shrimps and the potential negative effects of low-head dams. Thanks to the guidance of Cathy Pringle and Fred Scatena and collaborations with many colleagues, we were able to discover: 1) that freshwater shrimps play key roles in determining leaf breakdown rates and algal community composition 2) the effects of freshwater shrimps vary along the river continuum 3) larval shrimps migrate downstream at night 4) low-head dams can interfere with both the downstream migratory drift of larval shrimps and the upstream migration of juvenile shrimps and 5) it is critical to understand the ecology of a river when considering the problems, solutions, and alternatives to damming tropical island streams.
In addition, thirty years of hindsight has provided a greater appreciation for the The Pringle Lab, as well as the larger learning ecosystem of the Institute of Ecology. While there were many great attributes, I specifically value the emphasis on research and conservation, incorporation of public outreach, frequent collaboration in and outside the Institute, and a diverse lab of international students and staff. It is an honor to celebrate Cathy’s successful career and the success of her many lab alumni.