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Cloud Forest ~ bosque nuboso

Cloud Forest ~ bosque nuboso. Eliza Kate Hallan. Basics. What is it ? 20% of plant diversity 3,021 known species 1,500-2,500 meters Temp. 16-21°C Take up 1% of basic woodlands 40% is composed of epiphytes . Photographer: Christian Heeb (National Geographic). 4 Life Zones.

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Cloud Forest ~ bosque nuboso

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  1. Cloud Forest ~ bosquenuboso Eliza Kate Hallan

  2. Basics • What is it? • 20% of plant diversity • 3,021 known species • 1,500-2,500 meters • Temp. 16-21°C • Take up 1% of basic woodlands • 40% is composed of epiphytes

  3. Photographer: Christian Heeb (National Geographic)

  4. 4 Life Zones 1. Premontane rainforest (700-1000m) Caribbean Slope, most altered life zone, no extravagant life 2. Low montane rainforest (1550-1850m) Located on both slopes, greatest amount of land, high epiphyte count 3. Low montane wet forest (1450-1600m) lower level in the cloud forest, Quetzal and Black Guan, large Lauraceae population 3. Premontane wet forest (800-1450m) dryer than the upper regions, two layered, lacks epiphytes

  5. Epiphytes • 29% of the life, almost 900 species • Non-dependent on soil • Adaptations to live; sunlight • Non- parasitic • Finding nutrients • Competition = Adaptation • Examples: mosses, orchids, ferns, and bromeliads • Aerophyte – “air plant” • Aquatic species

  6. Rhett Butler Bromeliads http://travel.mongabay.com/costa_rica /images/costa_rica_la_selva_0039.html Bruno Locatelli Mosses http://www.panoramio.com/photo/89129623

  7. Climate • The climate is strongly influenced by the northeast trade winds • Moisture buildup causes the mass formation of clouds • Tropical Rainy climate • Annual rainfall: 120 inches • Most rainfall occurs from August to November • Global Warming and the Gold Toad (1988) • Other amphibians and fungus

  8. Caribbean and Pacific Slopes Caribbean • Exposed to moist winds • The ascending motion of the wind up the mountain causes abundant rainfall • Tension on vegetation and cloud formation • Fog and rain during the dry season Pacific • Lower elevations • Dry winds • Less humidity • Less vegetation cover

  9. Strangler figs • Germinate downward from the canopy • “Strangles” the host tree • Eventually captures nutrients from the forest floor • Becomes hallow because it eliminates the host tree • Shelter for small mammals • Grow up to 50 meters • Home to more than 200 species

  10. Continued… • Not disturbed during forest clearing due to its tangled structure • Relationship with Gall wasps • May be the only the tree producing fruit at one time Tyler Wilson: Veritas

  11. References Kaiser, J. (2013). Costa Rica: The complete guide. Chicago: Destination Press. Hamilton, D. (2014). Life zones. Retrieved from http://friendsoftherainforest.org/life- zones/ Wilson, T. (2013). Alternative health approach. Study Abroad VERITAS Costa Rica, Retrieved from http://studyabroadveritascostarica.com/tag/ficus-tree-in-costa-rica/ http://www.reservamonteverde.com/climate.html http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/facts.htm • Rainfall graph http://www.mongabay.com/04strangler_fig.htm • Strangler info

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