Monteverde : Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest

Los Cerritos, reaching to the Penas Blancas River at

300-500 m. The classification of this transition zone

is based on its annual rainfall being higher (4000-

4500 mm) than premontane wet forest (Table 3.1).

Lower montane wet forest (bosque muy humedo-
Montano bajo [bmh-MB]). This life zone is found in a
restricted area of the upper Pacific slope (1450-1600
m), extending from the lower part of the MCFP above
Monteverde to Las Nubes, including the upper Rio
Negro and Rio Chiquito drainages. The dry season is
ameliorated by the frequent mists that waft over the Con-
tinental Divide from the Atlantic side from November
to February after the orographic wet season rains have
ended. The mist fosters a diverse and abundant epiphyte
community and maintains the lush character of this
forest through the distinct dry period. This climate sup-
ports a tall dense cloud forest (30^40 m). The lower parts
of the Nuboso and Rio trails in the MCFP fall within
this life zone. Although stands of this forest remain in
the Monteverde area, the extent of this life zone is small.
This life zone provides the main breeding habitat for
the Resplendent Quetzal (Wheelwright 1983). The fre-
quent precipitation and cloud cover limit agriculture
(primarily milk production) in this life zone.

Lower montane rain forest (bosque pluvial-Montano bajo
[bp-M B]). This life zone occurs above the lower mon-
tane wet forest on the high peaks and ridges of the Con-
tinental Divide from 1550 to 1850 m in elevation, and

along the high ridges that skirt each side of the Rio

Penas Blancas valley. The high areas of the MCFP and

the Santa Elena Ecological Reserve also lie within this

life zone. Wind-blown mist and cloud cover are inte-

gral components of the climate. This zone typifies the

cloud forest: dense vegetation with a broken canopy

15—30 m high. Epiphytes form dense mats that cover

the trunks and branches. The high rainfall, humidity,

and cloudy weather restrict agricultural activities in

this life zone. Many attempts to use the land for cattle

pasture and agriculture have been unsuccessful.

Premontane rain forest (bosque pluvial-Premontano

[bp-P]). This life zone covers most of the Atlantic

slope between 700 and 1400 m in the Rio Penas

Blancas and Rio Cano Negro watersheds. It includes

the area of the San Gerardo Field Station, the Aleman

Refuge, Eladio's Refuge, and the Poco Sol Field Station.

The natural vegetation is dense evergreen forest with

the canopy at 30-40 m in height, abundant epiphytes,

and high biodiversity. The excessive rainfall and high

humidity make agriculture and human habitation dif-

ficult and unpleasant. In Monteverde, this life zone is

used mainly during the Pacific slope dry season for pas-

turing dairy cows that are out of milk production.

Tropical wet forest—transition to premontane (bosque

muy humedo-Tropical [bmh-T], transicion a premon-

tano [bmh-TA). Tropical wet forest occurs along the

Rio Penas Blancas below 700 m, northwest along the

Figure 3.2. Cloud forest silhouette. Photograph by Tom Blagdon.

43 Plants and Vegetation