Cloud Forests of Ecuador

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 Cloud Forests of Ecuador

Suea Cho

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are a type of tropical or subtropical montane moist forest.  The spatial scale of this ecosystem is regional.  Without any human impacts, cloud forests look similar to rain forests. The main difference between rain forests and cloud forests is that cloud forests receive much of their precipitation from clouds.  These forests are characterized by their consistent low-level cloud cover. Clouds in TMCFs are created when “warm lowland winds blow up against steep mountains, causing the air to rise and condense moisture” (11).  The trees in cloud forests are generally shorter than the trees in lower altitude forests in the same regions.  They range from about 50 to 65 feet tall at lower elevations, even shorter and mossier at higher elevations.  The moisture found in cloud forests helps encourage the development of many epiphytes (plants that live on other plants).  On continental landscapes, cloud forests are located at 5,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level but also occur at much lower heights (1,600 feet) on oceanic islands (9). TMCFs are some of the least studied vegetation types/ecosystems in the world today. It is imperative that citizens of the world recognize their significance.

Cloud forests provide many benefits to people.  They are definitely the most well known for their use as a water resource year-round.  These cloud forests serve an important hydrological role, making them distinct from other forests. Because of the forests’ frequent cloud contact, a process known as horizontal precipitation or “cloud stripping” is able to occur (5).  Plants capture water from the clouds via direct contact or enhanced condensation then this water flows downstream to industry, towns, and regions (3).  The water that is captured from the clouds is special in that it would never have fallen to the ground as rain. Leaves and branches absorb cloud moisture that eventually drips to the ground—adding to the hydrological system. By doing so, tropical montane cloud forests help maintain ground cover which ultimately helps prevent soil erosion and also provides the environment and the communities living downstream with not only a regular but also controlled supply of water!

The incredible amount of biodiversity found within cloud forests of Ecuador also provides benefits to humans. In an area that is only about 5 square miles of cloud forest, scientists can find the “same plant diversity as on the whole continent of Europe” (9).  Many of the local people of Ecuador that live in or near these cloud forests can get economic benefits from ecotourism that thrives because of the amount of biodiversity.  Additionally, much of the biodiversity found within cloud forests is endemic – meaning it cannot be found anywhere else (7).  This not only helps further the importance of conserving cloud forests but also makes them a truly rare ecosystem which many people should want to see (thus helping the local ecotourism industry).

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the World Conservation Union, and the World Wide Fund for Nature launched a program in 1999 to raise awareness and promote the conservation of cloud forests.  In Ecuador specifically, there are several cloud forest reserves (13). For example, there is one named the Santa Lucia cloud forest reserve located about 80 km northwest of Quito (the capital of Ecuador).  These reserves aim to conserve the remaining cloud forests through numerous projects ranging from “ecotourism, reforestation, environmental education and small agroforestry plantations” (2).

Current human impacts on the cloud forests of Ecuador are generally bad.  Biologists have estimated that the world’s cloud forests will be gone within ten years.  People are doing numerous things to these cloud forests that diminish these diverse ecosystems. The forests are being cleared for cattle grazing and coca plantations and logged to provide fuel for cooking and heating.  Humans also have paved TMCFs to make roads for transportation and telecommunication networks. This diminishes the forest and its biodiversity. Lastly, the forests have been damaged and dried out by air pollutants and global warming (9) over the past several years.   

Based on the current human impacts, there have been estimations made about the likely future prospects for the cloud forests of Ecuador.  Although these cloud forests are finally starting to rise to the “top of the world’s scientific and conservation agenda” (9), it may be too late to conserve them before they are gone. Climate change is definitely not helping the situation.  Scientists have estimated that the cloud forests around the globe could expect to see “the rate of annual decline doubled by global warming” (12).  TMCFs are in need of immediate attention and care.

The status of the cloud forests is classified as extremely threatened.  Immediate action is recommended by scientists at the World Conservation Monitoring Centre to achieve the conservation of remaining cloud forests. Despite their level of endangerment, however, there are reserves that are very well protected.  In Ecuador specifically, there are several cloud forest reserves. For example, there is one named the Santa Lucia cloud forest reserve located about 80 km northwest of Quito (the capital of Ecuador).  These reserves aim to conserve the remaining cloud forests through numerous projects ranging from “ecotourism, reforestation, environmental education and small agroforestry plantations” (2). This helps keep the level of endangerment fairly manageable. 

 
The most important thing to maintain a healthy balance between people and the ecosystem is education and awareness.  First and foremost, people need to know that these cloud forests exist and they are filled with biodiversity that is diminishing fast.  Second, reforestation is an obvious solution to the deforestation of these cloud forests.  By re-planting certain trees and diverse plants in these cloud forests, the ecosystem can slowly revive itself back to its historical state.  Lastly, ecotourism is a great solution to help people and the forest build and maintain a healthy relationship.  Ecotourism not only brings revenue to the local people of Ecuador, it also combines the first two solutions that have been mentioned thus far (education/awareness and reforestation). By promoting ecotourism, the local people and tour guides can educate others about the importance of cloud forests. By spreading this knowledge, people in other countries (such as the U.S) can become educated about the importance of cloud forests.  Also there are a countless number of programs (that are relatively affordable for the average American citizen) people can participate in that make conservation efforts specifically to the cloud forest reserves in Ecuador.

Cloud forests are extremely delicate ecosystems that need the world’s attention and care.  A representative for the organization “Community Cloud Forest Conservation has stated to the public, “Cloud forest conservation is not just a concern for nature lovers, bird watchers and environmentalists. Protecting cloud forests also means clean water, public health, and even the production of zero-carbon electricity.”  It is imperative that we, as citizens of the world, take a stance and protect our world's cloud forests!

Works Cited

1) Aldrich, Mark, Clare Billington, Mary Edwards, and Ruth Laidlaw. "Tropical Montane Cloud              Forests: An Urgent Priority for Conservation." UNEP. World Conservation

Monitoring Centre, 1997. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

2) Bennett, Peter. "Projects - Ecuador." Rainforest Concern. N.p., 2008. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

3) Bruijnzeel, Sampurno. Decision Time for Cloud Forests. Cambridge, UK: NSO, 1998. Print.

4) Cahill, Tara. "Community." Community Cloud Forest Conservation. N.p., 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

5) Crystal, Ellie. "Cloud Forests - Crystalinks." Crytalinks - Metaphysics and Science Website. N.p., 2007. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

6) El Monte Sustainable Lodge. "Cloudforest Ecolodge Mindo Ecuador - El Monte." Cloudforest Ecolodge Mindo Ecuador. N.p., 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

7) Hamilton, Lawrence S. "Mountain Research and Development." JSTOR. N.p., Aug. 1995. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

8) Hamilton, L. S., L. A. Bruijnzeel, and F.N. Scatena. Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: Science for Conservation and Management. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

9) Roach, John. "Cloud Forests Fading in the Mist, Their Treasures Little Known." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 13 Aug. 2001. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

10) Rosenbarger, Anne. "Why Are Cloud Forests Vulnerable?" Biology 217. Duke University, 2007. Web. 1 Dec. 2012.

11) Sugaya. "The Link between Cloud Forest Conservation and Community Benefit : The Roles of Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus Mocinno) and Aguacatillo (Persea Caerulea)." Thesis. Oregon State University, 2006. The Link between Cloud Forest Conservation and Community Benefit : The Roles of Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus Mocinno) and Aguacatillo (Persea Caerulea). 2006. Web. Dec. 2012.

12) Zandonella, Catherine. "Cloud Forests Threatened by Lowland Deforestation." NewScientist. NewScientist, 19 Oct. 2001. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.

13) Z, Staff. "Cloud Forests Are at Risk of Destruction from Global Warming." SciTech Daily. N.p., 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.