Sustainable ecotourism in Costa Rica: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Aylward ◽  
Katie Allen ◽  
Jaime Echeverr�a ◽  
Joseph Tosi
2001 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70
Author(s):  
Mark C. Merwin ◽  
S. Robbert Gradstein ◽  
Nalini M. Nadkarni

A survey of the literature and collections in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and adjacent pastureland yielded a total of 198 epiphytic bryophyte taxa (120 species of hepatics in 50 genera, 77 species of moss in 48 genera, and 1 hornwort): 178 in the primary forest, 63 in the secondary forest, and 84 in the pastureland.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 2183-2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udaysankar S. Nair ◽  
Salvi Asefi ◽  
Ronald M. Welch ◽  
D. K. Ray ◽  
Robert O. Lawton ◽  
...  

Abstract This study details two unique methods to quantify cloud-immersion statistics for tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs). The first technique uses a new algorithm for determining cloud-base height using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud products, and the second method uses numerical atmospheric simulation along with geostationary satellite data. Cloud-immersion statistics are determined using MODIS data for March 2003 over the study region consisting of Costa Rica, southern Nicaragua, and northern Panama. Comparison with known locations of cloud forests in northern Costa Rica shows that the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion maps successfully identify known cloud-forest locations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) database. Large connected regions of cloud immersion are observed in regions in which the trade wind flow is directly impinging upon the mountain slopes; in areas in which the flow is parallel to the slopes, a fractured spatial distribution of TMCFs is observed. Comparisons of the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion map with the model output show that the MODIS product successfully captures the important cloud-immersion patterns in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica. The areal extent of cloud immersion is at a maximum during morning hours and at a minimum during the afternoon, before increasing again in the evening. Cloud-immersion frequencies generally increase with increasing elevation and tend to be higher on the Caribbean Sea side of the mountains. This study shows that the MODIS data may be used successfully to map the biogeography of cloud forests and to quantify cloud immersion over cloud-forest locations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Fuchs ◽  
Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra ◽  
Gilbert Barrantes

The reproductive success of hummingbird-pollinated plants often depends on complex interactions between environmental conditions and pollinator biology (Navarro 1999, Stiles 1985, Wolf et al. 1976). The effect of environment on reproductive success of hummingbird-pollinated plants is particularly pronounced at high altitudes, where large daily fluctuations in temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation limit the effective time for photosynthesis (Cavieres et al. 2000) and affect foraging activity (Navarro 1999) and abundance of pollinators (Rahbek 1997). At high altitudes in the tropical cloud forests of Costa Rica these factors may have serious impacts on fruit production.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence H. Tanner ◽  
Megan T. Wilckens ◽  
Morgan A. Nivison ◽  
Katherine M. Johnson

We measured carbon stocks at two forest reserves in the cloud forest region of Monteverde, comparing cleared land, experimental secondary forest plots, and mature forest at each location to assess the effectiveness of reforestation in sequestering biomass and soil carbon. The biomass carbon stock measured in the mature forest at the Monteverde Institute is similar to other measurements of mature tropical montane forest biomass carbon in Costa Rica. Local historical records and the distribution of large trees suggest a mature forest age of greater than 80 years. The forest at La Calandria lacks historical documentation, and dendrochronological dating is not applicable. However, based on the differences in tree size, above-ground biomass carbon, and soil carbon between the Monteverde Institute and La Calandria sites, we estimate an age difference of at least 30 years of the mature forests. Experimental secondary forest plots at both sites have accumulated biomass at lower than expected rates, suggesting local limiting factors, such as nutrient limitation. We find that soil carbon content is primarily a function of time and that altitudinal differences between the study sites do not play a role.


Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1941 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARLOS PRIETO ◽  
ZSOLT BÁLINT ◽  
PIERRE BOYER ◽  
ESTEFANÍA MICÓ

We provide a taxonomic review of the “browni group”, a cloud forest lineage of the diverse lycaenid butterfly genus Penaincisalia, distributed from Costa Rica to northern Argentina. The group is characterized on the basis of five characters provided by wing shape, forewing androconia and genital structures. We distinguish eight species in the group: P. browni (Johnson, 1992), P. caeruleonota Hall & Willmott, 2005; P. cuiva Prieto & Rodriguez, 2007; P. magnifica (Johnson, 1992), P. purpurea (Johnson, 1992), P. saraha (Johnson, 1992), P. vittata (Johnson, 1992) and P. regala (Le Crom & Johnson, 1997). We confirm their status as presented in the recent Checklist of Neotropical Butterflies (Robbins, 2004), except for P. regala which is reinstated to species status from synonymy. The taxonomic history of each species with references to type material is provided. Every species is diagnosed, male and female phenotypes are associated, described and data on their distribution and biology are given. If relevant the variability of the species is discussed.


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