Cloud Forest ~ bosque nubosoEliza Kate Hallan

Basics

What is it?20% of plant diversity3,021 known species1,500-2,500 metersTemp. 16-21°CTake up 1% of basic woodlands40% is composed of epiphytes

Photographer: Christian Heeb (National Geographic)

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 count3. Low montane wet forest (1450-1600m)

lower level in the cloud forest, Quetzal and Black Guan, large Lauraceae population3. Premontane wet forest (800-1450m)

dryer than the upper regions, two layered, lacks epiphytes

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

Bruno LocatelliMosseshttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/89129623

Rhett Butler Bromeliads http://travel.mongabay.com/costa_rica/images/costa_rica_la_selva_0039.html

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

Caribbean and Pacific Slopes

CaribbeanExposed to moist windsThe 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

Strangler figs

Germinate downward from the canopy“Strangles” the host treeEventually captures nutrients from the forest

floorBecomes hallow because it eliminates the

host treeShelter for small mammalsGrow up to 50 metersHome to more than 200 species

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

Continued…

ReferencesKaiser, 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