Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Science for Conservation and Management

A state-of-the-art overview of current knowledge concerning tropical montane cloud forests, assessing their biological and hydrological value and their sustainability.

L. A. Bruijnzeel (Edited by), F. N. Scatena (Edited by), L. S. Hamilton (Edited by)

9780521760355, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 January 2011

768 pages, 291 b/w illus. 38 colour illus. 69 maps 140 tables
28.3 x 22.6 x 4 cm, 2.4 kg

'… an extraordinary compilation of individual studies that will be of value to all working on this precious ecosystem … many contributions provide extensive lists of references …' David L. Hawksworth, Biodiversity and Conservation

This volume represents a uniquely comprehensive overview of our current knowledge on tropical montane cloud forests. 72 chapters cover a wide spectrum of topics including cloud forest distribution, climate, soils, biodiversity, hydrological processes, hydrochemistry and water quality, climate change impacts, and cloud forest conservation, management, and restoration. The final chapter presents a major synthesis by some of the world's leading cloud forest researchers, which summarizes our current knowledge and considers the sustainability of these forests in an ever-changing world. This book presents state-of-the-art knowledge concerning cloud forest occurrence and status, as well as the biological and hydrological value of these unique forests. The presentation is academic but with a firm practical emphasis. It will serve as a core reference for academic researchers and students of environmental science and ecology, as well as practitioners (natural resources management, forest conservation) and decision makers at local, national, and international levels.

Part I. General Perspectives
Part II. Regional Floristic and Animal Diversity
Part III. Hydrometeorology of Tropical Montane Cloud Forest
Part IV. Nutrient Dynamics in Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Part V. Cloud Forest Water Use, Photosynthesis, and Effects of Forest Conversion
Part VI. Effects of Climate Variability and Climate Change
Part VII. Cloud Forest Conservation, Restoration and Management Issues.

Subject Areas: Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Hydrology & the hydrosphere [RBK], Animal ecology [PSVS], Plant ecology [PSTS]