Tropical lowland cloud forest: a neglected forest type

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511778384.013

11 - Tropical lowland cloud forest: a neglected forest type

from Part II - Regional floristic and animal diversity

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 May 2011

S. R. Gradstein ,

A. Obregon ,

C. Gehrig and

Edited by

F. N. Scatena and

S. R. Gradstein: Affiliation:
University of Göttingen, Germany
A. Obregon: Affiliation:
University of Marburg, Germany
C. Gehrig: Affiliation:
University of Göttingen, Germany
J. Bendix: Affiliation:
University of Marburg, Germany
L. A. Bruijnzeel: Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
F. N. Scatena: Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania
L. S. Hamilton: Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York

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Summary

ABSTRACT

Lowland cloud forests are well known from temperate regions but in the Tropics their occurrence has been overlooked. “Tropical lowland cloud forest” (TLCF) occurs in valleys in hilly coastal areas with high rainfall, leading to frequent occurrence of fog and dew, most likely due to nocturnal outgoing long-wave radiation related to drainage of cold air. TLCF resembles lowland rain forest but differs by its abundance of epiphytes, especially mosses and liverworts.

INTRODUCTION

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) occur within the cloud belts of montane and sub-montane regions at elevations that may differ between regions, but generally lie between 1200 and 3000 m.a.s.l. However, at island and coastal locations the level of cloud condensation tends to be much lower, with the lowest documented elevations being 300–500 m.a.s.l. (Hamilton et al., 1995; Meyer, this volume). Characteristic of well-developed TMCF are the frequent incidence of fog and low clouds (Bruijnzeel, 2001; Jarvis and Mulligan, this volume) and the abundance and high species richness of epiphytes (mosses, liverworts, lichens, ferns, flowering plants; Frahm and Gradstein, 1991; Wolf, 1993). Indeed, it has been suggested that TMCF may have more species of epiphytes than any other forest type (Richards, 1996).

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Type: Chapter
Information: Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Science for Conservation and Management
, pp. 130 - 133

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511778384.013 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2011

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References

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