Abstract
This chapter uses a combination of remote sensing, computer modeling, and data assimilation to provide: (i) estimates of the global extent and distribution of
“hydro-climatically” defined tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs), and (ii) an initial assessment of the past and future impacts of climate change and land-use
change upon them. The overall goal is to improve the understanding of cloud forests as an ecosystem and to assist in the geographic targeting of research, inventory, and conservation priorities. These hydro-climatically defined TMCFs might be better termed “significantly cloud-affected forests”, since most – but not all – occur in areas of high elevation and high rainfall and show the structural characteristics typically associated with wetter TMCFs. The distribution of these forests was modeled on the basis of satellite-observed atmospheric cloud presence and/or modeled ground-level condensing conditions. Areas which experience these conditions >70% of the time gave the best fit with the
UNEP–WCMC database of known cloud forest sites. Significantly cloud-affected forests have been estimated by this analysis as representing some 14.2%
of all tropical forests and covering an area of 2.21 Mkm2 between 23.5? N and 35? S. This figure is much greater than previous estimates for the area covered by TMCF based primarily on altitudinal criteria but is likely to be reduced if the exercise were to be repeated with higher spatial resolution data than are currently
available. Many of the maps in this chapter are also
available as interactive layers in the Google Earth
viewer at www.ambiotek.com/cloudforests, from
where the data can also be obtained as downloadable
GIS files that are free for non-commercial use.
Moreover, readers are encouraged to use the website
to provide feedback on the representation of cloud
forests in areas that they know. Readers can also add
cloud forests that they know to the database from
this website.
“hydro-climatically” defined tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs), and (ii) an initial assessment of the past and future impacts of climate change and land-use
change upon them. The overall goal is to improve the understanding of cloud forests as an ecosystem and to assist in the geographic targeting of research, inventory, and conservation priorities. These hydro-climatically defined TMCFs might be better termed “significantly cloud-affected forests”, since most – but not all – occur in areas of high elevation and high rainfall and show the structural characteristics typically associated with wetter TMCFs. The distribution of these forests was modeled on the basis of satellite-observed atmospheric cloud presence and/or modeled ground-level condensing conditions. Areas which experience these conditions >70% of the time gave the best fit with the
UNEP–WCMC database of known cloud forest sites. Significantly cloud-affected forests have been estimated by this analysis as representing some 14.2%
of all tropical forests and covering an area of 2.21 Mkm2 between 23.5? N and 35? S. This figure is much greater than previous estimates for the area covered by TMCF based primarily on altitudinal criteria but is likely to be reduced if the exercise were to be repeated with higher spatial resolution data than are currently
available. Many of the maps in this chapter are also
available as interactive layers in the Google Earth
viewer at www.ambiotek.com/cloudforests, from
where the data can also be obtained as downloadable
GIS files that are free for non-commercial use.
Moreover, readers are encouraged to use the website
to provide feedback on the representation of cloud
forests in areas that they know. Readers can also add
cloud forests that they know to the database from
this website.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Tropical Montane Cloud Forests |
| Subtitle of host publication | Science for Conservation and Management |
| Editors | LA Bruijnzeel, FN Scatena, LS Hamilton |
| Place of Publication | Cambridge and New York |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Pages | 14 - 38 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Volume | N/A |
| Edition | N/A |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780521760355 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Publication series
| Name | International hydrology series |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
