Inter American University of Puerto Rico
Presenter: Isabel Ortiz Sánchez Inter American University of PR, San Germán Campus
Project: Alerta Fauna y Flora – Plataforma de Reporte Ciudadano de Especies Invasoras y Exóticas en Puerto Rico
Description of the project: Invasive and exotic species pose an increasing threat to Puerto Rico’s ecosystems, biodiversity, public health, and economy. These species compete with native organisms, disrupt ecological balance, and degrade natural habitats. To address this challenge, a multidisciplinary team of biology and computer science students from the Bayamón and San Germán campuses of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, under the sponsorship of the Hybrid Laboratory Experience, created an innovative solution: Alerta Fauna y Flora. This web-based citizen reporting platform enables users to submit real-time sightings of invasive species, including photos, location data, and descriptions. The collected information builds a database that supports research and environmental management. By combining biological research with technology, the platform serves as an educational resource and a tool for agencies, promoting public awareness and community engagement. Through collaborative data collection and species distribution visualization, Alerta Fauna y Flora strengthens timely and effective response strategies, demonstrating how student-led interdisciplinary projects can tackle real-world environmental issues through innovation and collaboration.
Biography: Isabel Ortiz Sánchez is a computer science student. She was part of the group of technology students that developed Alerta Fauna y Flora.