Monteverde : Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest

Introduction

Nalini M. Nadkarni

Nathaniel T. Wheelwright

Monteverde has been variously described as a virgin
tropical cloud forest, a Quaker dairy community, an
artists' commune, a haven for those seeking spiritu-
ality, a model for tropical rain forest conservation, and
a "forest in the clouds" where the sound of the bell-
bird's call and images of mist-enshrouded trees long
linger in visitors' minds. The environment of Monte-
verde is typical of many tropical montane cloud for-
est regions, but Monteverde provides a unique setting
because of its biogeographic, human, and conserva-
tion history.
This book was created to fulfill three objectives: to
compile what we know about Monteverde's natural
history, ecology, and conservation; to identify areas
where information is lacking; and to facilitate com-
munication among those who carry out research, edu-
cation, and conservation. Contributors include a wide
range of people with expertise from many different
fields, levels of training, and approaches to under-
standing the natural world, and they have communi-
cated in many modes, ranging from the objective style
of scientific prose, statistics, and tables to the more
reflective descriptions of personal experiences. In
addition to academic scientists, we have invited the

voices of farmers, natural history guides, anthropolo-

gists, educators, and homemakers, all of whom have

important insights into Monteverde's biology and

conservation.

1.1. Historical Overview

In 1951, a band of fewer than fifty North American

Quakers bought land and settled in Monteverde (Fig.

1.1; see Guindon, "Monteverde Beginnings," pp. 10-

11). (Note that, throughout, when an author refers to

another essay in this volume, the essay is cited by au-

thor name and a short form of the essay title.) In 1977,

visitors to the area were still relatively uncommon.

Now, only two decades later, nearly 50,000 visitors

walk the trails of Monteverde each year to catch sight

of a quetzal or absorb the peaceful outlook of the com-

munity. Growth of ecotourism has been phenomenal,

eclipsing the small single-family farm as the region's

economic mainstay (Fig. 1.2). New agricultural meth-

ods, a changing local, regional, and global economy,

and the sheer number of visitors have changed

Monteverde and surrounding communities.

1