DESCRIPTION OF. PERMANENT FOREST PLOTS IN MONTEVERDE
William A. HaberEstacion Biologica: Lower montane wet forest life
zone, A plot of 0.12 ha on a steep, south-facing slope
was established by Nalini Nadkarni and a student
group in 1993 in primary forest at about 1600 m on
the property of the Estacion Biologica. Trees in a small
area of secondary forest adjoining the primary forest
plot were also tagged and identified.
Elfin Forest Plots: Lower montane rain forest life
zone (bordering elfin forest). In the later 1970s, Rob-
ert Lawton established two 1-ha plots in primary for-
est near the Continental Divide along the Sendero
Brillante (Brillante trail) south of La Ventana in the
MCFP. Lawton continues to monitor these plots and
identify species as part of a long-term study of elfin
forest dynamics (see Chap. 9 on ecosystem ecology).
Nadkarni Plots: Lower montane wet forest life zone.
Nadkarni and co-workers tagged and mapped the trees
in four adjoining 1-ha plots (1450-1500 rn) on a south-
facing gentle slope along the Sendero de Investigacion
(Research Trail) in the MCFP near the Information
Center (Nadkarni et al. 1995). The forest at this site is
dominated by Ocotea tonduzil (= O. insularis). All
trees more than 10 cm DBH (diameter at breast height)
in two of the four plots were identified by Haber. Trees
larger than 30 cm DBH were identified in the two re-
maining plots.
Penas Blancas Plot: Tropical wet forest life zone.
This 1-ha plot lies on flat, poorly drained ground at
750 m in elevation along the Rio Penas Blancas on the
Atlantic slope on private property owned by Leyn
Rockwell and Thomas Dixon near Eladio's Refuge.
The plot was established by Haber and his assistants
with the help of Frank Joyce and students of the Uni-
versity of California's Education Abroad Program. A
total of 104 species have been identified in this plot.
All trees 10 cm DBH and larger have been tagged,
measured, and mapped.San Gerardo Plot: Premontane rain forest life zone.
This 1-ha plot is located at 1150 m in elevation on a
steep, east-facing slope of 30-40° in the Bosque Eterno
de los Nifios near the San Gerardo Field Station on land
owned by the Mont ever de Conservation League. The
plot was established by Mara Kerry and Haber. A total
of 115 tree species have been identified in this plot.Los Llanos Plot: Premontane moist forest life zone.
A 1-ha tree plot was established in a fragment of dis-
turbed primary forest on the farm of Mariano Ar-
guedas 2 km west of Santa Elena at 1220 m by Edgardo
Arevalo and staff of the Monteverde Conservation
League.Stellar Plot: Premontane wet forest life zone. A 1-ha
plot was established by Edgardo Arevalo and person-
nel of the Monteverde Conservation League on the
Stellar farm, now part of the Bosque Eterno de los
Nifios, at 650 m in the hills above La Tigra on the
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