Field Research | Copper Hill Research Station

Copper Hill Farm

An agricultural landscape for scientific inquiry.

Copper Hill Farm encompasses approximately 500 acres of agricultural and forested landscapes in western Puerto Rico. The Station conducts research within designated field areas and farm buildings, drawing on the broader landscape for ecological observation, sampling, and experimentation.

Research activity includes botanical investigations, agroforestry implementation, soil research, and biodiversity assessment.

An open-sided farm building with exposed framing — A farm structure at Copper Hill.

Field research

A landscape of interconnected systems.

The site spans elevations of roughly 330 to 550 meters (as reported in the 2022 Forest Stewardship Plan). The thesis examined a 10-acre coffee plot, a small part of the roughly 500-acre agricultural and forested property. Steep slopes and acidic clay soils make shade, ground cover and erosion control important research variables.

Research locations are documented by scientific purpose, agricultural characteristics, and project.

Field science

Research Plots

Designated areas for field observation, sampling, and agricultural investigation.

Explore →Experimental methods

Botanical Processing

Project-specific sample preparation, experimental processing, and technical investigations.

Explore →Ecological research

Biodiversity & Soil

Field investigations of soils, birds, pollinators, and agroforestry conditions.

Explore →

The landscape in data

Steep, forested and well documented.

Two conservation plans describe the site, both prepared by independent consultants: a Forest Stewardship Plan (2022–2032) for the whole property, and an NRCS conservation planning activity (CPA 106, June 2026) for a 329.4-acre planning area.

Donut chart of 90 percent forest cover and bar chart of species recorded — Land allocation (437 ac forest conservation, 49 ac agricultural production) and species recorded in field visits. As reported in the Forest Stewardship Plan 2022–2032, prepared by an independent forestry consultant (2022), pp. 15, 23, 60.

Bar chart of acres per soil map unit in the planning area — Soil map units by area within the 329.4-acre planning area. As reported in the NRCS conservation planning activity (CPA 106) plan, prepared by an independent consultant, June 2026, §4.3, pp. 9–10.

Methods & equipment

Capabilities matched to the question.

The Station distinguishes on-site equipment and field resources from specialized analytical work conducted by external laboratories.

View scientific capabilities

Research capabilities

On site: Field observation, sampling, small-batch botanical preparation and drying.
Arranged for each project: Plot access, equipment, supervision, and processing or extraction trials.
External labs: Specialist analytical work is arranged separately according to the methods required.

Research visits are by arrangement. For general visitor information, see Copper Hill Farm.

Field & Facilities