Elvia Meléndez-Ackerman
Full Professor
Hometown/country: Puerto Rico
Academic Background:
BSc: Biology University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras
MS: Biology University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras
PhD: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine 1995.
Research interests: Evolution and Bioconservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Plant Reproductive Ecology
- Bio Conservation
- Urban Ecology
- Social Ecological Systems
- Ecosystem Services
Current research:
- Drivers of urban biodiversity and ecosystem services at the Rio Piedras watershed: connections to management and socioeconomic aspects. Has been sponsored by NSF-CREST, NSF-ULTRA-Ex, IITF, Many collaborators.
- Vulnerabilty analyses/monitoring of three endangered species: Gesneria pauciflora – USFW Mervin Perez, Omar Monsegur Lepanthes rupestris - DNER, USFW Rayza Hernadez, Raymond Tremblay, Omar Monsegur Gonocalyx concolor – USFW, Lynette Anduja, Mariam Velazquez, Carlos Pacheco.
- Ecosystem Services in Neotropical Tropical Cities. IITF, USAID. Many collaborators
Past research:
- Plant ecology
- Bioconservation of tropical dry forest ecosystems with focus on Mona Island Puerto Rico
- Species responses to climate variability, effects of exotics on plant communities
- biodiversity drivers within urban systems
- plant-animal interactions
- evolution of floral traits
- metapopulation dynamics in orchids
- genetic variation in natural populations
Courses Taught:
- Evolution Seminar (Grad)
- Plant Reproductive Ecology (Grad)
- BioConservation (Grad)
- Introduction to Ecology
- Introduction to Environmental Sciences
- Botany
Service and other projects:
- Chair Env. Sci. Dept. Academics Affairs Committee
- AKKA SEEDS Ecology Chapter Mentor
- Amigos del Yunque BoD
- Frente Unido Contra La Fumigacion Aerea
- UPR Delegate to the Organization for Tropical Studies and member of UPR’s GK-12 Task Force
Contact info:
- Lab building name and suite number: Facundo Bueso 003
- Office building name and suite number: Facundo Bueso 003
- Phone Extension or other phone: 787-764-0000; x-88197
- Email: elmelend@gmail.com
- Lab or personal Webpage link: Tropical Plant Ecology and Urban Systems Laboratory
- CV (pdf) -
Recent Publications:
E. J. Meléndez-Ackerman, Rojas-Sandoval J., D. S. Fernández., Grizelle Gonzalez, Hana López, J. Sustache, M. Morales-Vargas, M. García-Bermúdez and, S. Aragón. 2016. Associations between Soil Variables and Vegetation Structure and Composition of Caribbean Dry Forests. Caribbean Naturalist 1:176-198.
Rojas-Sandoval, J., E. J. Meléndez-Ackerman, J.Fumero-Cabán, M. García-Bermúdez, J. Sustache , S. Aragón, M. Morales-Vargas, G. Olivieri and D. S. Fernández. 2016. “10-year assessment of ungulates exclusion in the dry forest of Mona Island: understory vegetation responses” Caribbean Naturalist 1:138-156.
Rojas-Sandoval and J., E. J. Meléndez. Assessing the impact of grass invasions on the population dynamics of a threatened Caribbean dry forest cactus. Biological Conservation 196:156-164
Synthesis of Household Yard Area Dynamics in the City of San Juan Using Multi-Scalar Social-Ecological Perspectives. Elvia J. Meléndez-Ackerman *, Christopher J. Nytch, Luis E. Santiago-Acevedo, Julio C. Verdejo-Ortiz, Raúl Santiago Bartolomei, Luis E. Ramos-Santiago, Tischa A. Muñoz-Erickson. Sustainability 8(5), 481; doi:10.3390/su8050481
Acevedo, M. A., Fletcher, R.J., R. L. Tremblay, and E.J. Melendez-Ackerman. 2015. Spatial asymmetries in connectivity influence colonization-extinction dynamics. Oecologia DOI 10.1007/s00442-015-3361-z