Journal articles: 'Cloud forests conservation'

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Krisanski, Sean, Mohammad Sadegh Taskhiri, Susana Gonzalez Aracil, David Herries, and Paul Turner. "Sensor Agnostic Semantic Segmentation of Structurally Diverse and Complex Forest Point Clouds Using Deep Learning." Remote Sensing 13, no. 8 (April 7, 2021): 1413. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs13081413.

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Forest inventories play an important role in enabling informed decisions to be made for the management and conservation of forest resources; however, the process of collecting inventory information is laborious. Despite advancements in mapping technologies allowing forests to be digitized in finer granularity than ever before, it is still common for forest measurements to be collected using simple tools such as calipers, measuring tapes, and hypsometers. Dense understory vegetation and complex forest structures can present substantial challenges to point cloud processing tools, often leading to erroneous measurements, and making them of less utility in complex forests. To address this challenge, this research demonstrates an effective deep learning approach for semantically segmenting high-resolution forest point clouds from multiple different sensing systems in diverse forest conditions. Seven diverse point cloud datasets were manually segmented to train and evaluate this model, resulting in per-class segmentation accuracies of Terrain: 95.92%, Vegetation: 96.02%, Coarse Woody Debris: 54.98%, and Stem: 96.09%. By exploiting the segmented point cloud, we also present a method of extracting a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) from such segmented point clouds. This approach was applied to a set of six point clouds that were made publicly available as part of a benchmarking study to evaluate the DTM performance. The mean DTM error was 0.04 m relative to the reference with 99.9% completeness. These approaches serve as useful steps toward a fully automated and reliable measurement extraction tool, agnostic to the sensing technology used or the complexity of the forest, provided that the point cloud has sufficient coverage and accuracy. Ongoing work will see these models incorporated into a fully automated forest measurement tool for the extraction of structural metrics for applications in forestry, conservation, and research.

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Santiago Pérez, Ana Luisa, Enrique José Jardel Peláez, Ramón Cuevas Guzmán, and Francisco Martín Huerta Martínez. "Vegetación de bordes en un bosque mesófilo de montaña del occidente de México." Botanical Sciences 85 (May 20, 2019): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.17129/botsci.2301.

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<p>Species composition, diversity, structure and microclimate were compared in two edge type of montane cloud forest (FF, edges with pine forest and FS, secondary shrubland) within a forest-edge-exterior gradient at Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (Jalisco, Mexico). The cloud forest presented higher richness (126 species, 52 interior habitat specifi c) than pine forests (84) and shrublands (71). Richness and diversity were similar in FF, but species replacement was higher in FS. Density, diameter structure, basal area and canopy cover were major in FF than in FS. Microclimatic and soil condition, was gradual in FF edges and abrupt in FS edges. Tree species of the cloud forests (high density of seedlings and saplings <5 cm diameter breast height) are colonizing the understory of adjacent pine forests, whereas in shrublands their establishment appears to be limited by competition with shrubs and herbaceous species and microclimatic conditions. Our results highlight the importance of considering edge type contrast in conservation and restoration of cloud forest in forest landscapes.</p>

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Escobedo-Monge, María Antonieta, Santiago Aparicio, Manuel Valencia Ramos, Marlene Fabiola Escobedo-Monge, Joaquín Parodi-Román, Luis Felipe García-Llatas, and Rubén Marquina Pozo. "Land Vulnerability, Risk Zoning, and Ecological Protection in the Protection Forest of Pagaibamba (Peru)." Forests 13, no. 3 (March 10, 2022): 436. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13030436.

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The protection of natural areas is considered an essential strategy for environment conservation. The objective of this work was to determine the level of vulnerability, considering the characterization and identification of the risk zones and ecological protection of the Pagaibamba Protection Forest (PPF, Peru). To determine the vulnerable areas, Landsat ETM satellite images, topographic, geological, ecological, and vegetation cover maps were used. Geological, physiographic, edaphological, vegetation cover, and land use potential characteristics, were analyzed. Three Ecological Protection and Risk Zones were identified, with the largest extension of the PPF corresponding to lands of very high and high vulnerability and high ecological risk, which include >85% of Protected Natural Areas (PNA) and 54% of the Buffer Zone (BZ). Moderate risk areas represent 30% of the Buffer Zone (BZ) and 13% of the PNA, and the low-risk areas (represent 15% of the BZ and 2% of the PNA). Biogeographically, the PPF was related to the Cloudy Montane Forests Ecoregion of the Andes Mountains, standing out the Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) and the Tropical Lower Montane Cloud Forest (TLMCF). These forests are a global conservation priority due to their great biodiversity, high level of endemicity of flora and fauna, and the crucial hydrological function they fulfill.

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Rost, J., E. J. Jardel–Peláez, J. M. Bas, P. Pons, J. Loera, S. Vargas-Jaramillo, and E. Santana. "The role of frugivorous birds and bats in the colonization of cloud forest plant species in burned areas in western Mexico." Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 38, no. 2 (July 2015): 175–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.32800/abc.2015.38.0175.

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The extension of montane cloud forests in western Mexico is threatened by several disturbances that limit their extension. In this study we aim to assess the contribution of birds and bats in the dispersal and colonization of cloud–forest plants in contiguous surface–burned pine forests. We sampled seed rain and sapling establishment over one year in two surface–burned sites, which differed in the size of their closest cloud forest patch. A total of 17 plant species were found, most of which were late–successional trees, shrubs and climbers. Distance influenced the seed rain of only one dispersed taxon (Solanum sp.) and had no effect on the sapling distribution of this or other plants. In turn, marked differences were found between sites, with more seeds dispersed and higher sapling density in the site that was next to the larger cloud forest patch. The role of long–distance dispersers and the existence of seed banks before fire could explain the little importance of distance from seed source on seed dispersal and sapling distribution. Nevertheless, dispersal by birds and bats before or after fire facilitates the regeneration and conservation of cloud forests in disturbed areas formerly occupied by other habitats.

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Nair, Udaysankar S., Salvi Asefi, Ronald M. Welch, D. K. Ray, Robert O. Lawton, Vani Starry Manoharan, Mark Mulligan, Tom L. Sever, Daniel Irwin, and J. Alan Pounds. "Biogeography of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests. Part II: Mapping of Orographic Cloud Immersion." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 47, no. 8 (August 1, 2008): 2183–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2007jamc1819.1.

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Abstract This study details two unique methods to quantify cloud-immersion statistics for tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs). The first technique uses a new algorithm for determining cloud-base height using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud products, and the second method uses numerical atmospheric simulation along with geostationary satellite data. Cloud-immersion statistics are determined using MODIS data for March 2003 over the study region consisting of Costa Rica, southern Nicaragua, and northern Panama. Comparison with known locations of cloud forests in northern Costa Rica shows that the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion maps successfully identify known cloud-forest locations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) database. Large connected regions of cloud immersion are observed in regions in which the trade wind flow is directly impinging upon the mountain slopes; in areas in which the flow is parallel to the slopes, a fractured spatial distribution of TMCFs is observed. Comparisons of the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion map with the model output show that the MODIS product successfully captures the important cloud-immersion patterns in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica. The areal extent of cloud immersion is at a maximum during morning hours and at a minimum during the afternoon, before increasing again in the evening. Cloud-immersion frequencies generally increase with increasing elevation and tend to be higher on the Caribbean Sea side of the mountains. This study shows that the MODIS data may be used successfully to map the biogeography of cloud forests and to quantify cloud immersion over cloud-forest locations.

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Newton, Adrian. "Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: Science for Conservation and Management." Mountain Research and Development 32, no. 4 (November 1, 2012): 488. http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/mrd.mm109.

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Montiel Canales, Gustavo, and Irene Goyenechea Mayer Goyenechea. "Amphibian areas of endemism: A conservation priority in the threatened Mexican cloud forest." Vertebrate Zoology 72 (May 25, 2022): 235–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.72.e73534.

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Amphibians of the Mexican Cloud Forest have a great diversity but are highly threatened. Forest endemisms are useful for recognizing biodiversity hotspots; furthermore, the interaction of historical and current events has generated areas of endemism that can be used for biological conservation in forest fragments; therefore, their identification is an essential part of the management and planning of biological conservation. Thus, our objective was to identify areas of endemism in the cloud forests of Mexico through the analysis of geographical distribution of 126 species of amphibians, as well as their conservation status to obtain information that supports the selection of priority areas for conservation. For this, the endemicity analysis method was used with three spatial scales, 1°×1°, 0.5°×0.5° and 0.25°×0.25° (lat/long), to achieve more complete results and avoid visual overrepresentation of areas of endemism. Seventeen consensus areas distributed in four of the five provinces of the Mexican Transition Zone were identified. The province of the Sierra Madre del Sur exhibited the highest amount of endemism areas, followed by the Sierra Madre Oriental, the East of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and the Altos de Chiapas. Results indicate that the endemic areas of the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre del Sur provinces are composed of amphibians included in the IUCN red list and the Official Mexican Standard NOM-059. Thus, the small areas of endemism in eastern and western Sierra Madre del Sur, nested within larger ones may be used to increase the protected areas of cloud forests in Mexico.

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Medina, Nicolás. "Three new species of Ficus (Moraceae) from Central and northern-South America." Phytotaxa 188, no. 1 (December 9, 2014): 21. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.188.1.3.

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Three new species of Ficus are described and illustrated. F. nebulosilvana which is restricted to the cloud forest of western Andes in Colombia and Ecuador, F. palmarensis which is restricted to the cloud forests of Chocó in Colombia, and F. plectonervata which is distributed from the central biogeographic region of Chocó in Colombia to Costa Rica. Species conservation assessments are presented and the taxonomic relationships of the new species and etymology are discussed.

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Luna-Vega, Isolda, Othón Alcántara-Ayala, Leccinum J. García-Morales, David Espinosa, Julio Cesar Ramírez-Martínez, and Raúl Contreras-Medina. "Threatened Trees Characteristic of Mexican Tropical Montane Cloud Forests." Diversity 15, no. 1 (December 29, 2022): 42. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d15010042.

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In this study, we document the distribution, current knowledge, and conservation of twenty-six tree species of gymnosperms (four species) and angiosperms (twenty-two species) characteristic of the Mexican cloud forests and most endemic to Mexico. Many species are threatened and included in international and national Red Data List, such as the IUCN, and the Mexican Official Norm (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010). Distribution maps of these 26 species were generated based on information from herbarium specimens, specialized literature, web databases, and our own field surveys. All records were displayed on a map of the Mexican territory divided into grid cells of 15 × 20 min of latitude/longitude (a spatial resolution of approximately 27.75 km × 36.75 km) to obtain the richness patterns. Additionally, these records were displayed on the map of the current Mexican System of Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) to evaluate their representativeness in these areas of in situ conservation. We also include information on populations and the habitat status of these tree species in some Mexican locations. Most species studied here require particular policies for their conservation due to the problems affecting their natural populations and habitat. Our results indicate that three species are not represented in the Mexican System of NPAs and that some are underrepresented.

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Temu, Stella Gilbert, Sanja Tibell, Donatha Damian Tibuhwa, and Leif Tibell. "Crustose Calicioid Lichens and Fungi in Mountain Cloud Forests of Tanzania." Microorganisms 7, no. 11 (October 26, 2019): 491. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7110491.

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A total of 26 crustose calicioid lichens and fungi were found in Tanzania. Most of them belong to a group of species with wide distributions in cool areas of both hemispheres and occasional occurrence in high mountains at low latitudes. In Tanzania calicioids mainly occur in the middle and upper forest zones and their niches are found on the bark of old trees and on lignum, most of them restricted to mountain cloud forests. Calicioids are rare and often red-listed, and are also bioindicators of long forest continuity. Consequently, they form an important biota in mountain cloud forests and deserve attention in the context of preserving biodiversity and developing conservation policies. One new species, Chaenothecopsis kilimanjaroensis, is described. Chaenotheca hispidula and Pyrgillus cambodiensis are reported as new to Africa and Calicium lenticulare and Chaenothecopsis debilis are reported as new to Tanzania.

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Mariscal, Ana, Daniel Churchill Thomas, Austin Haffenden, Rocío Manobanda, William Defas, Miguel Angel Chinchero, José Danilo Simba Larco, Edison Jaramillo, Bitty A. Roy, and Mika Peck. "Evidence for Alternate Stable States in an Ecuadorian Andean Cloud Forest." Forests 13, no. 6 (June 3, 2022): 875. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13060875.

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Tree diversity inventories were undertaken. The goal of this study was to understand changes in tree community dynamics that may result from common anthropogenic disturbances at the Reserva Los Cedros, a tropical montane cloud forest reserve in northern Andean Ecuador. The reserve shows extremely high alpha and beta tree diversity. We found that all primary forest sites, regardless of age of natural gaps, are quite ecologically resilient, appearing to return to a primary-forest-type community of trees following gap formation. In contrast, forests regenerating from anthropogenic disturbance appear to have multiple possible ecological states. Where anthropogenic disturbance was intense, novel tree communities appear to be assembling, with no indication of return to a primary forest state. Even in ancient primary forests, new forest types may be forming, as we found that seedling community composition did not resemble adult tree communities. We also suggest small watersheds as a useful basic spatial unit for understanding biodiversity patterns in the tropical Andes that confound more traditional Euclidean distance as a basic proxy of dissimilarity. Finally, we highlight the conservation value of Reserva Los Cedros, which has managed to reverse deforestation within its boundaries despite a general trend of extensive deforestation in the surrounding region, to protect a large, contiguous area of highly endangered Andean primary cloud forest.

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Leocadio, Cinthya, Nohely Álvarez-López, Alejandra Barrios, Abraham Guerra, Yunuen Tapia-Torres, and Patricia Velez. "Soil culturable microbial diversity in an undisturbed montane cloud forest of Oaxaca, Mexico." Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 94 (May 24, 2023): e944980. http://dx.doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2023.94.4980.

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Montane cloud forests are among the most threatened ecosystems globally. These forests face several stressors, such as deforestation and climate change, jeopardizing their functional sustainability. Although microbial communities act as key regulators of the soil nutrient cycles, microfungal and bacterial diversity remains largely unknown in this ecosystem. We evaluated cultivable soil microbial diversity associated with the soil below iconic plant taxa (Cyatheaceae and Juglandaceae) in a pristine montane cloud forest of Mexico, and explored small-scale ecological patterns linked to edaphic biogeochemical variables. Our findings revealed the copious occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi such as Tolypocladium geodes and potentially phosphate solubilizer bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. We observed a strong association between edaphic microbial assemblages and environmental variables such as soil C:N:P availability. This close relationship with the physical setting should be considered for the development of management and in situ conservation strategies aiming to preserve microbial functions.

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Raihan, Asif. "Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in forest management and biodiversity conservation." Natural Resources Conservation and Research 6, no. 2 (December 25, 2023): 3825. http://dx.doi.org/10.24294/nrcr.v6i2.3825.

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The recent progress in data science, along with the transformation in digital and satellite technology, has enhanced the capacity for artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the forestry and wildlife domains. Nevertheless, the swift proliferation of developmental projects, agricultural, and urban areas pose a significant threat to biodiversity on a global scale. Hence, the integration of emerging technologies such as AI in the fields of forests and biodiversity might facilitate the efficient surveillance, administration, and preservation of biodiversity and forest resources. The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of how AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms are utilized in the forestry sector and biodiversity conservation worldwide. Furthermore, this research examines the difficulties encountered while implementing AI technology in the fields of forestry and biodiversity. Enhancing the availability of extensive data pertaining to forests and biodiversity, along with the utilization of cloud computing and digital and satellite technology, can facilitate the wider acceptance and implementation of AI technology. The findings of this study would inspire forest officials, scientists, researchers, and conservationists to investigate the potential of AI technology for the purposes of forest management and biodiversity conservation.

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Anaya, Jesús A., Víctor H. Gutiérrez-Vélez, Ana M. Pacheco-Pascagaza, Sebastián Palomino-Ángel, Natasha Han, and Heiko Balzter. "Drivers of Forest Loss in a Megadiverse Hotspot on the Pacific Coast of Colombia." Remote Sensing 12, no. 8 (April 13, 2020): 1235. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs12081235.

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Tropical forests are disappearing at unprecedented rates, but the drivers behind this transformation are not always clear. This limits the decision-making processes and the effectiveness of forest management policies. In this paper, we address the extent and drivers of deforestation of the Choco biodiversity hotspot, which has not received much scientific attention despite its high levels of plant diversity and endemism. The climate is characterized by persistent cloud cover which is a challenge for land cover mapping from optical satellite imagery. By using Google Earth Engine to select pixels with minimal cloud content and applying a random forest classifier to Landsat and Sentinel data, we produced a wall-to-wall land cover map, enabling a diagnosis of the status and drivers of forest loss in the region. Analyses of these new maps together with information from illicit crops and alluvial mining uncovered the pressure over intact forests. According to Global Forest Change (GFC) data, 2324 km2 were deforested in this area from 2001 to 2018, reaching a maximum in 2016 and 2017. We found that 68% of the area is covered by broadleaf forests (67,473 km2) and 15% by shrublands (14,483 km2), the latter with enormous potential to promote restoration projects. This paper provides a new insight into the conservation of this exceptional forest with a discussion of the drivers of forest loss, where illicit crops and alluvial mining were found to be responsible for 60% of forest loss.

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Peterson, A. Townsend, Adolfo G. Navarro-Sigüenza, Blanca E. Hernández-Baños, Griselda Escalona-Segura, Fanny Rebón-Gallardo, Emir Rodríguez-Ayala, Elsa M. Figueroa-Esquivel, and Leonardo Cabrera-García. "The Chimalapas Region, Oaxaca, Mexico: a high-priority region for bird conservation in Mesoamerica." Bird Conservation International 13, no. 3 (September 2003): 227–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0959270903003186.

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The Chimalapas region, in eastern Oaxaca, Mexico, holds lowland rainforests, tropical dry forests, and cloud forests typical of the Neotropics, as well as montane pine and pine-oak forests more typical of the Nearctic. Totaling more than 600,000 ha, much of the region is forested, and in a good state of preservation. The Chimalapas avifauna is by far the most diverse for any region of comparable size in the country, totalling at least 464 species in the region as a whole (with more than 300 species in the lowland rainforest) representing 44% of the bird species known from Mexico. Within the region, the humid Atlantic lowlands hold 317 species, the montane regions 113 species, and the southern dry forested lowlands 216 species. Important species present in the region include Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja and several other large eagles, Black Penelopina nigra and probably Horned Oreophasis derbianus Guans, Scarlet Macaw Ara macao, Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow Aimophila sumichrasti, Rose-bellied Bunting Passerina rositae, and Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno. The area holds immense lowland rainforests and cloud forests that rank among the largest and best preserved in all of Mesoamerica, including a complete lowland-to-highland continuum, with entire watersheds preserved more or less intact.

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Ribeiro, J. H. C., L. D. Santana, and F. A. Carvalho. "COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY OF TREES IN TROPICAL MONTANE CLOUD FOREST PATCHES IN SERRA DO PAPAGAIO STATE PARK, SOUTHEAST BRAZIL." Edinburgh Journal of Botany 75, no. 2 (April 19, 2018): 255–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0960428618000082.

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Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are characterised principally by frequent immersion in ground-level clouds, which influences their structure. This study aimed to characterise TMCFs in Serra do Papagaio State Park, Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil, and to test the hypothesis that TMCF areas can be highly heterogeneous by comparing the tree species composition and structural parameters of 10 TMCF patches in the studied landscape. TMCFs of Serra do Papagaio State Park are of particular interest for conservation, because they contain important populations of threatened tree species.

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VALENZUELA, RICARDO, TANIA RAYMUNDO, PAMELA REYES, JORGE GUZMÁN-GUILLERMO, SALVADOR ACOSTA, JULIO CESAR RAMÍREZ-MARTÍNEZ, and ISOLDA LUNA-VEGA. "Ascomycetes from the relic forest of Oreomunnea mexicana, Oaxaca, Mexico." Phytotaxa 528, no. 1 (December 9, 2021): 19–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.528.1.3.

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La Esperanza is an Oaxacan relic area of the Tertiary, dominated by the big tree Oreomunnea mexicana (Juglandaceae). The forest is part of the priority region for the conservation of La Chinantla and constitutes one of the most conserved Mexican tropical montane cloud forests. We studied the Ascomycetes fungi and found 63 species, of which 32 are new records for Oaxaca. Ascocoryne inflata, Calyculosphaeria macrospora, Cercophora costaricensis, Chaetosphaeria ellisii, Coccomyces limitatus, Lasiosphaeria ovina, Leptogidium dendriscum, Marthamyces quadrifidus, Stereocaulon didymicum and Thelonectria lucida are new records for Mexico. Xylaria was the most diverse genus with 12 species. The most abundant species were Xylaria arbuscula and Lachnum apalum. The main growth habit was lignicolous. The tropical montane cloud forest of La Esperanza has unique characteristics allowing great taxonomic diversity of Ascomycetes.

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Hermes, Claudia, Gernot Segelbacher, and H. Martin Schaefer. "A framework for prioritizing areas for conservation in tropical montane cloud forests." Écoscience 25, no. 1 (December 25, 2017): 97–108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11956860.2017.1419787.

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Vega, Isolda Luna, Othon Alcantara Ayala, JuaN J. Morrone, and David Espinosa Organista. "Track analysis and conservation priorities in the cloud forests of Hidalgo, Mexico." Diversity Distributions 6, no. 3 (May 2000): 137–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2000.00079.x.

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Velez, Patricia, Yunuen Tapia-Torres, Felipe García-Oliva, and Jaime Gasca-Pineda. "Small-scale variation in a pristine montane cloud forest: evidence on high soil fungal diversity and biogeochemical heterogeneity." PeerJ 9 (August 11, 2021): e11956. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11956.

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Montane cloud forests are fragile biodiversity hotspots. To attain their conservation, disentangling diversity patterns at all levels of ecosystem organization is mandatory. Biotic communities are regularly structured by environmental factors even at small spatial scales. However, studies at this scale have received less attention with respect to larger macroscale explorations, hampering the robust view of ecosystem functioning. In this sense, fungal small-scale processes remain poorly understood in montane cloud forests, despite their relevance. Herein, we analyzed soil fungal diversity and ecological patterns at the small-scale (within a 10 m triangular transect) in a pristine montane cloud forest of Mexico, using ITS rRNA gene amplicon Illumina sequencing and biogeochemical profiling. We detected a taxonomically and functionally diverse fungal community, dominated by few taxa and a large majority of rare species (81%). Undefined saprotrophs represented the most abundant trophic guild. Moreover, soil biogeochemical data showed an environmentally heterogeneous setting with patchy clustering, where enzymatic activities suggest distinctive small-scale soil patterns. Our results revealed that in this system, deterministic processes largely drive the assemblage of fungal communities at the small-scale, through multifactorial environmental filtering.

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Rodríguez-Ramírez, Ernesto C., Leccinum J. García-Morales, Othón Alcántara-Ayala, J. Antonio Vázquez-García, and Isolda Luna-Vega. "Leaf Vein Morphological Variation in Four Endangered Neotropical Magnolia Species along an Elevation Gradient in the Mexican Tropical Montane Cloud Forests." Plants 10, no. 12 (November 26, 2021): 2595. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants10122595.

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Climatic variations influence the adaptive capacity of trees within tropical montane cloud forests species. Phenology studies have dominated current studies on tree species. Leaf vein morphology has been related to specific climatic oscillations and varies within species along altitudinal gradients. We tested that certain Neotropical broad leaf Magnolia species might be more vulnerable to leaf vein adaptation to moisture than others, as they would be more resilient to the hydric deficit. We assessed that leaf vein trait variations (vein density, primary vein size, vein length, and leaf base angle) among four Magnolia species (Magnolia nuevoleonensis, M. alejandrae, M. rzedowskiana, and Magnolia vovidesii) through the Mexican Tropical montane cloud forest with different elevation gradient and specific climatic factors. The temperature, precipitation, and potential evaporation differed significantly among Magnolia species. We detected that M. rzedowskiana and M. vovidesii with longer leaves at higher altitude sites are adapted to higher humidity conditions, and that M. nuevoleonensis and M. alejandrae inhabiting lower altitude sites are better adjusted to the hydric deficit. Our results advance efforts to identify the Magnolia species most vulnerable to climate change effects, which must focus priorities for conservation of this ecosystem, particularly in the Mexican tropical montane cloud forests.

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Samuel, Wealth Abiola, Irunokhai Eric Aghiomesi, Ademola Samuel Adedeji, Smart Deborah, Adepoju Oluwatosin Victoria, Aladeokin Blessing Oluwaseun, and Ayanniyi Oluwadamilola Aduragbemi. "Revolutionalizing Forest Monitoring and Conservation Using Internet of Things (IoT): The Challenges and the Opportunities." Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry 9, no. 4 (December 6, 2023): 276–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.9734/ajraf/2023/v9i4256.

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Over some decades, advancement has come to the way forest is being monitored. The process of monitoring the forest area have advanced beyond human-power into technology. Nigeria forests have experience degeneration from illegal logging to encroachment resulting from population growth and agricultural activities. The wildlife species are endangered due to human illegal activities in the forest area. Manual monitoring has achieved some results in keeping the forest safe but there is a need for more effective and real time forest monitoring. Therefore, digital technology should be analyzed for monitoring. Many forests departments in some countries have shifted to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices for real-time forest monitoring and conservation. IoT devices are devices that utilizes sensors to capture information about activities going on in the forest area and alert the monitoring personnel of any illegal activities through an electronic device connected to computer. IoT system collect data from the forest and send them to the cloud server for storage and analysis of activities that are going on in the forest area. This have helped forest officers in curbing many issues like illegal logging and forest fires. It has also helped in conserving wildlife within the forest. This paper discussed some IoT devices for real time forest monitoring and conservation. This manuscript also discussed the components of IoT devices and how they benefit forestry.

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Cuervo, Andrés M., Carlos Daniel Cadena, Niels Krabbe, and Luis Miguel Renjifo. "Scytalopus Stilesi, A New Species of Tapaculo (Rhinocryptidae) From the Cordillera Central of Colombia." Auk 122, no. 2 (April 1, 2005): 445–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/auk/122.2.445.

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Abstract We describe Scytalopus stilesi, an overlooked species of tapaculo endemic to Colombia, on the basis of a series of eight specimens taken in 2002 and comparative analyses of its vocalizations, mitochondrial DNA sequences, and distribution. The new species ranges in the northern half of the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes in the Departments of Antioquia, Caldas, and Risaralda, in cloud forests between 1,420 and 2,130 m above sea level. The song, calls, and female song of the new species differ distinctly from those of all other known Scytalopus taxa. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the cytochrome-b gene strongly suggest affinities with S. robbinsi of southwestern Ecuador and with two as-yet-undescribed tapaculos from the Colombian Andes. Scytalopus stilesi coexists locally with, though it is ecologically segregated from, S. atratus, S. latrans, and S. spillmanni. The mid-elevation premontane wet forests to which the new species is restricted have been subject to severe deforestation and fragmentation. The species is, however, relatively common in continuous mature-forest remnants, large primary-forest fragments, riparian forests, and tall secondary-forest patches. We employed a geographic information system (GIS) approach to model the potential distribution of the new species and assess its conservation status under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Scytalopus stilesi does not qualify as threatened according to those criteria, but it should be regarded as near threatened. The new species coexists with numerous threatened bird species that are in need of more effective conservation.

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Knapp, Sandra, and Jorge Monterrosa Salomón. "A simple method for assessing preliminary conservation status of plants at a national level: a case study using the ferns of El Salvador." Oryx 44, no. 4 (October 2010): 523–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605310000967.

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AbstractAssessments of conservation status are usually carried out on a global scale but national priorities often necessitate a more focused approach. Using a typology of rarity first articulated in the early 1980s by Deborah Rabinowitz, coupled with presence/absence from protected areas, preliminary conservation status at the national level was assessed for 397 species of ferns and fern allies from El Salvador in Central America. Of these, 43 lacked sufficient data, 175 were considered not of conservation concern, 106 were considered to be at risk and 73 to be threatened. The majority of the threatened species were from cloud or montane forest habitats but aquatics and species restricted to pine–oak forests are also rare and occur outside protected areas. The utility of this simple methodology is discussed and the importance of field studies by local experts with local knowledge emphasized.

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Mariscal, Ana, Mulualem Tigabu, Patrice Savadogo, and Per Christer Odén. "Regeneration Status and Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Cloud Forest Ecosystem Restoration in Ecuador." Forests 13, no. 1 (January 9, 2022): 92. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13010092.

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The importance of forests for biodiversity conservation has been well recognized by the global community; as a result, conservation efforts have increased over the past two decades. In Ecuador, the lack of integrated information for defining and assessing the status of local ecosystems is a major challenge for designing conservation and restoration plans. Thus, the objectives of this study were (1) to examine the regeneration status of cloud forest remnants, some of which had experienced past human disturbance events, (2) to explore a local rural community’s traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) relevant for restoration and (3) to investigate the integration between TEK and ecological science-based approaches. A survey of regeneration status was conducted in four remnants of cloud forests (n = 16) in Cosanga, Napo Province, in the Andes of northeastern Ecuador. The species of young trees (0.5–5 m height) were identified over 0.16 ha. In-depth interviews of individuals from local communities (n = 48) were conducted to identify socio-ecologically important native species. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.001) in species richness and the stem density of seedlings and saplings in gaps. The stem density of Chusquea sp., a bamboo species, explained 63% of the variation in species richness and 48% of the variation in the abundance of seedlings and saplings between plots. Informants cited 32 socio-ecologically important species, of which 26 species were cited as sources of food and habitats for wildlife. The ranking of species based on a relative importance index and a cultural value index—taking into account both the spread of knowledge among local informants and the multiplicity of uses—revealed that Hyeromina duquei, Citharexylum montanum, Eugenia crassimarginata and Sapium contortum were traditionally the most valuable species for both humans and wildlife. Informants also recommended 27 species for future planting, of which 19 species were amongst the rarest species in the regeneration survey. In conclusion, the results demonstrate a synergy between TEK and ecological science-based approaches (regeneration survey) to natural ecosystem research. Thus, traditional ecological knowledge can provide insights into ecosystem–plant–animal interaction, and to identify native species useful for both humans and wildlife for forest restoration projects to reconnect isolated cloud forest fragments.

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Laking, Alexandra E., José M. Solís, Tom Brown, Simon T. Maddock, Oliver Burdekin, Peter Taylor, George Lonsdale, et al. "The amphibians and reptiles of Cusuco National Park, Northwest Honduras: updates from a long-term conservation programme." Neotropical Biology and Conservation 19, no. 2 (June 28, 2024): 87–112. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.19.e120902.

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Mesoamerican cloud forests support a rich and unique biodiversity but face severe threats from increasing habitat degradation and climate change. Here, we present an updated overview of the amphibians and reptiles of Cusuco National Park (CNP), an isolated cloud forest in the Sierra de Omoa, Northwest Honduras. Based on surveys conducted over a 17-year period, we report the presence of 105 confirmed species of amphibians (30) and reptiles (75) within the reserve. This includes numerous threatened and regionally endemic amphibian species, as well as several reptile species previously unrecorded within the park. Given that it harbours approximately 26% of all recorded Honduran herpetofauna, our study highlights CNP as the most diverse forest region in Honduras with respect to the reptile and amphibian diversity documented to date. Our findings reinforce the plea to actively protect CNP as a globally valuable biodiversity hotspot and a centre of herpetofaunal endemicity. Furthermore, in the face of rapid deforestation across Mesoamerica, our findings highlight the need for expanded biodiversity studies across extant forest regions in Honduras to refine species distribution ranges and facilitate timely and effective conservation measures.

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Molina-Paniagua, María Eugenia, Pablo Hendrigo Alves de Melo, Santiago Ramírez-Barahona, Alexandre K. Monro, Carlos Manuel Burelo-Ramos, Héctor Gómez-Domínguez, and Andrés Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez. "How diverse are the mountain karst forests of Mexico?" PLOS ONE 18, no. 10 (October 4, 2023): e0292352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292352.

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Tropical forests on karstic relief (tropical karst forest) are among the most species-rich biomes. These forests play pivotal roles as global climate regulators and for human wellbeing. Their long-term conservation could be central to global climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. In Mexico, karst landscapes occupy 20% of the total land surface and are distributed mainly in the southeast of the country, along the eastern slope, and in the Yucatan Peninsula. Within each of these areas, the following types of karst occur: coastal karst, plain karst, hill karst, and mountain karst (low, medium, high). Mountain karst cover 2.07% of Mexico’s land surface and are covered by tropical rainforests, montane cloud forests, and tropical deciduous forests. These are probably one of the most diverse biomes in Mexico. However, the mountain karst forests of Mexico have received little attention, and very little is known about their diversity. Here, we evaluated the vascular plant species richness within the mountain karst forests of Mexico. We assembled the first, largest, and most comprehensive datasets of Mexican mountain karst forest species, from different public databases (CONABIO, GBIF, IBdata-UNAM), which included a critical review of all data. We compiled a list of the families, genera, and species present within the mountain karst forests of Mexico. Taxa that best characterize these forests were identified based on their spatial correlation with this biome. We explored biodiversity patterns, identifying areas with the highest species richness, endemism centers, and areas of relatively low sampling intensity. We found that within the mountain karst forests of Mexico there are representatives of 11,771 vascular plant species (253 families and 2,254 genera), ca. 50% of the Mexican flora. We identified 372 species endemic to these forests. According to preliminary IUCN red list criteria, 2,477 species are under some category of conservation risk, of which 456 (3.8%) are endangered. Most of the Mexican mountain karst forests have been extensively explored and six allopatric, species-rich areas were identified. Compared to other regions in the world, the mountain karst forests of Mexico are one of the most diverse biomes. They contain more species than some entire montane systems in Mexico such as Sierra Madre Oriental, and Sierra Madre del Sur. Also, the mountain karst forests of Mexico are most diverse than similar forests of South America and Asia, even if considering the effect of different sampling areas. The fact that mountain karst forests are embedded in areas of high biotic diversity, probably contributes to their great floristic diversity. Thus, the mountain karst forests of Mexico are an important source of diversity and shelters a large percentage of the Mexican flora.

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Vargas-Rodriguez, Yalma L., William J. Platt, J. Antonio Vázquez-García, and Gerardo Boquin. "Selecting Relict Montane Cloud Forests for Conservation Priorities: The Case of Western Mexico." Natural Areas Journal 30, no. 2 (April 2010): 156–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.3375/043.030.0204.

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Orejuela-Gartner, Jorge E. "Orchids of the cloud forests of southwestern Colombia and opportunities for their conservation." EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 2, no. 1 (September 10, 2012): 19–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2015.84.

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Ardiaristo, A., L. B. Prasetyo, L. Syaufina, and N. Kosmaryandi. "The dynamics of land cover in conservation areas using cloud computing platform: Cases in Gunung Merbabu National Park." IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1109, no. 1 (November 1, 2022): 012039. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1109/1/012039.

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Abstract It is critical to consider all aspects of conservation areas, inside and outside, when maintaining them. Land cover dynamics in conservation areas mostly have not yet been considered in conservation area management practices, both geographically and temporally. The advancement of technology with cloud computing can speed up and simplify the acquisition of data and information on the dynamics of land cover changes. This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of land cover change in the Gunung Merbabu National Park (GMbNP) area from 1995 to the present. The method for determining land cover change dynamics was used and assessed by creating a code for land cover classification using the random forest classification algorithm on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results showed that from 1995 to 2020, pine forests in GMbNP area decreased by 575.765 ha from the previous 1427,961 ha in 1995. The dynamics of land cover changes outside the area need to be the concern of area managers because agricultural land and built-up land are increasing of 5.42% and 113.2%, significantly beyond the area. Referring to those dynamic conditions, it should be a concern in planning and policy-making conservation management.

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Bertoncello, Ricardo, Kikyo Yamamoto, Leonardo Dias Meireles, and George John Shepherd. "A phytogeographic analysis of cloud forests and other forest subtypes amidst the Atlantic forests in south and southeast Brazil." Biodiversity and Conservation 20, no. 14 (August 18, 2011): 3413–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0129-6.

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Jacobs, Mark D., and Jon S. Walker. "Density estimates of birds inhabiting fragments of cloud forest in southern Ecuador." Bird Conservation International 9, no. 1 (March 1999): 73–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0959270900003361.

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SummaryBetween June and September 1995 estimates were made of the population densities of birds inhabiting fragments of unprotected montane cloud forests in southern Ecuador. The study focused on 10 species: Bearded Guan Penelope barbata, Golden-plumed Parakeet Leptosittaca branickii, Red-faced Parrot Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops, White-capped Parrot Pionus seniloides, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan Andigena hypoglauca, Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata, Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa, Great Thrush Turdus fuscater, Hooded Mountain-tanager Buthraupis montana, and Mountain Cacique Cacicus leucoramphus. Species assemblages and population densities varied greatly between sites, despite the presence of similar habitats and altitudinal ranges. Substantial populations of the threatened Bearded Guan, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Golden-plumed Parakeet were found in areas previously unstudied, as well as in areas previously known to be important. Currently unprotected areas are important for the conservation of montane cloud forest birds.

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Arif Maullana, Danang, and Arief Darmawan. "Perubahan Penutupan Lahan Di Taman Nasional Way Kambas." Jurnal Sylva Lestari 2, no. 1 (April 4, 2014): 87. http://dx.doi.org/10.23960/jsl1287-94.

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Land cover changes in Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) changes rapidly. Data on changes in land cover in 1996, 2002 and 2010 in TNWKanalyzed by using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Analysis also includes changes in land cover in each zoning park management.The research was conducted in June-September 2012 at the Way Kambas National Park. Data collected in the form of Landsat ETM + and TM (1996, 2002, and 2010), field verification points, and attribute data in the form of zoning. Spatial data processed with ERDAS imagine software version 8.5 and Arc View version 3.3, while the data is processed by descriptive attributes and analyzed qualitatively. Land cover types in the Way Kambas National Park is divided into 9 classes of forest, wetland forests, wetlands, shrubs, reeds, open land, water bodies, lading, and no data (cloud and cloud shadow). The largest land cover on the forest zone and the intensive use of coarse grass while special conservation zone and the core zone has the largest forest cover in the form of forest. Keyword : GIS, land cover, Way Kambas National Park

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Shivaprakash, Kadukothanahally Nagaraju, Niraj Swami, Sagar Mysorekar, Roshni Arora, Aditya Gangadharan, Karishma Vohra, Madegowda Jadeyegowda, and Joseph M. Kiesecker. "Potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Applications in Biodiversity Conservation, Managing Forests, and Related Services in India." Sustainability 14, no. 12 (June 10, 2022): 7154. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14127154.

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The recent advancement in data science coupled with the revolution in digital and satellite technology has improved the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the forestry and wildlife sectors. India shares 7% of global forest cover and is the 8th most biodiverse region in the world. However, rapid expansion of developmental projects, agriculture, and urban areas threaten the country’s rich biodiversity. Therefore, the adoption of new technologies like AI in Indian forests and biodiversity sectors can help in effective monitoring, management, and conservation of biodiversity and forest resources. We conducted a systematic search of literature related to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms (ML) in the forestry sector and biodiversity conservation across globe and in India (using ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar). Additionally, we also collected data on AI-based startups and non-profits in forest and wildlife sectors to understand the growth and adoption of AI technology in biodiversity conservation, forest management, and related services. Here, we first provide a global overview of AI research and application in forestry and biodiversity conservation. Next, we discuss adoption challenges of AI technologies in the Indian forestry and biodiversity sectors. Overall, we find that adoption of AI technology in Indian forestry and biodiversity sectors has been slow compared to developed, and to other developing countries. However, improving access to big data related to forest and biodiversity, cloud computing, and digital and satellite technology can help improve adoption of AI technology in India. We hope that this synthesis will motivate forest officials, scientists, and conservationists in India to explore AI technology for biodiversity conservation and forest management.

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Serna-González, Marcela, Ligia E. Urrego-Giraldo, Nelson Walter Osorio, and Diego Valencia-Ríos. "Mycorrhizae: a key interaction for conservation of two endangered Magnolias from Andean forests." Plant Ecology and Evolution 152, no. 1 (March 25, 2019): 30–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2019.1398.

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Background and aims – Magnolia species are highly endangered in neotropical forests where they are highly endemic and often very rare. However, little is known about their nutritional and soil conditions in natural forests. In this study, we focused on two endangered Magnolia species that cohabit in the Colombian Andean cloud forests in order to identify their conservation and nutritional status. We hypothesize that these species might exhibit mycorrhizal colonization that enhance nutrients uptake in poor and disturbed soils. Methods – Individuals of Magnolia jardinensis and M. yarumalensis were assessed in 11 000 m2 of Andean forests remnants from Jardín municipality (Antioquia, Colombia). Foliar and soil samples were analysed in the lab. Through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) we identified the relationship between soil conditions and foliar nutrition. Root fragments and rhizosphere samples from seedlings and juveniles up to 3 m tall were collected to verify mycorrhizal colonization and presence of other microorganisms. Adults were excluded of the sampling due to the difficulties to differentiate their roots among the rest of the species in the forest fragments. Key results – The surveys show that the M. yarumalensis population has an inverted J-shaped diametric distribution suggesting a potential recovering population while the smaller overall distribution of M. jardinensis in all diametric categories suggests that this species is likely to become extinct. Both species grow in acidic, infertile soils, although foliar nutrient concentrations did not correlate with soil-nutrient availability. Such a discrepancy and the high colonization levels of mycorrhizae (60–70%) and dark septate endophytes (40–45%), suggest that plant-microorganisms may facilitate nutrition and enhance survival of Magnolia species in stressed environments. Other fungi and bacteria were also found in their rhizosphere, but their role with respect to Magnolia species remains unclear.Conclusions - Mycorrhizal colonization of endangered Magnolia species seems to play a key role to their performance in natural disturbed Andean forests. Aspects related to soil and rhizosphere ecology should be included in conservation projects for endangered and endemic plants.

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Cheek, Martin, Isla Causon, Barthelemy Tchiengue, and Eden House. "Notes on Tricalysia elmar sp. nov. (Rubiaceae, Coffeeae), and cloud forest of the Cameroon Highlands." Plant Ecology and Evolution 153, no. 1 (March 26, 2020): 167–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2020.1661.

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Background and aims – This paper reports a further discovery in the context of a long-term botanical survey in the Cross River-Sanaga interval of west-central Africa, focussing on species discovery and conservation.Methods – Normal practices of herbarium taxonomy have been applied to study the material collected. The relevant collections are stored in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London and at the Institute of Research in Agronomic Development – National Herbarium of Cameroon. Key results – Species new to science recently discovered from the cloud (submontane) forests of the Cameroon Highlands in Cameroon are reviewed. Most of these species are rare, highly localised, and threatened by habitat destruction. These discoveries increase the justification for improved conservation management of surviving habitat. Tricalysia elmar Cheek (Coffeeae-Rubiaceae) is described as an additional cloud forest species new to science. Its taxonomic position is discussed, and it is compared with similar species of the genus. Restricted so far to four locations, Mt Kupe, Bali Ngemba, Lebialem and Nta Ali, its conservation status is assessed as Endangered (EN B1+2ab(iii)) according to the 2012 criteria of IUCN.

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Angulo, Ariadne, Rudolf von May, and Javier Icochea. "A reassessment of the extinction risk of the Critically Endangered Oxapampa poison frog Ameerega planipaleae (Dendrobatidae)." Oryx 53, no. 3 (September 13, 2018): 557–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605318000571.

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AbstractAssessments of extinction risk are required to inform conservation action, but the usefulness of assessments is undermined if they are not current. Ameerega planipaleae, a poison frog endemic to the cloud forests of central Peru, was last assessed in 2004. We therefore sought to provide updated data to inform the reassessment of this species. Based on our findings, we recommend that this frog remain categorized as Critically Endangered, but under modified criteria, and that conservation actions are taken to reduce the pressures of local threats, especially the overuse of agrochemicals.

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CÉSPEDES, LAURA N., and NICHOLAS J. BAYLY. "Over-winter ecology and relative density of Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis in Colombia: the basis for defining conservation priorities for a sharply declining long-distance migrant." Bird Conservation International 29, no. 2 (September 25, 2018): 232–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0959270918000229.

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SummaryThe Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis is a steeply declining Neotropical migratory bird and > 50% of its non-breeding range is within the Colombian Andes. Despite being an abundant migrant in Andean forests, the species’ elevational distribution and non-breeding ecology have yet to be studied, thereby precluding the design of effective conservation actions. During four non-breeding periods (2012–2016), we surveyed Colombia’s three Andean ranges, carrying out passive 5-minute point counts between 700 and 3,150 m asl in five habitats (mature forest, secondary growth, forest edges/riparian forest, shade coffee, sun coffee), recording the perpendicular distance, sex, foraging height, and association with mixed species flocks of Canada Warbler. Habitat variables were recorded at each point. Based on 819 passive point counts, Canada Warblers occupied elevations between 750 and 2,300 m, being more abundant between 1,000 and 2,200 m. Relative densities were higher in mature forest compared to shade coffee and secondary forest, and accordingly abundance increased with canopy height. There was no evidence for a difference in elevation or habitat use by males and females. Within forests, birds foraged at mid-levels, 5–15 m above the ground, and the probability of Canada Warblers occurring in mixed species flocks increased with elevation. Models of variation in relative density throughout the Eastern Andes showed a positive relation with cloud cover and above-ground forest biomass, implying a preference for humid, forested regions. Of the areas in the Eastern Andes with high predicted relative density, ∼ 14% overlapped with protected areas and we identify priority areas where protective measures could benefit the conservation status of the species. For maximum effectiveness, conservation actions should focus on protecting forest fragments and initiating reforestation projects at mid-elevations (1,000–2,200 m), as well as supporting agroforestry practices in humid regions of the Colombian Andes.

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Mulwa, Moses, Mike Teucher, Werner Ulrich, and Jan Christian Habel. "Bird communities in a degraded forest biodiversity hotspot of East Africa." Biodiversity and Conservation 30, no. 8-9 (May 10, 2021): 2305–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02190-y.

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AbstractTropical forests suffer severe habitat destruction. Thus, tropical forests frequently consist today of only a few small remnants that are often embedded within a matrix of agricultural fields and tree plantations. Forest specialist species have experienced severe population declines under these circumstances. We studied bird communities based on census plots set up in a near-natural forest block, as well as degraded forest patches, tree plantations, and agricultural fields, across the Taita Hills in southern Kenya. We classified each bird species according its ecology and behavior. We quantified the land cover and landscape configuration around each census plot. Typical forest species were mainly observed in the near-natural forest block, and to a lower extent in degraded forest patches. Plantations were almost devoid of birds. Bird communities of small forest fragments were more similar to that of agricultural land than the near-natural forest block. Most frugivorous, insectivorous and nectarivorous birds occurred in forest habitats, while granivorous bird species dominated the bird communities of agricultural land. The surrounding landscape had a marginal impact on bird species composition at local sites. Our study showed that the preservation of near-natural cloud forest, including small forest patches, is essential for the conservation of forest-dependent species, and that plantations do not serve as surrogate habitats.

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Martínez-Borrego, Daily, Elizabeth Arellano, Francisco X. González-Cózatl, and Duke S. Rogers. "Reithrodontomys mexicanus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)." Mammalian Species 52, no. 996 (December 15, 2020): 114–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mspecies/seaa009.

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Abstract Reithrodontomys mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) is a cricetid rodent commonly called the Mexican harvest mouse and is one of 24 recognized species in the genus. It has grooved upper incisors distinctive of Reithrodontomys, and a medium to relatively large size, with tail longer than head and body; dorsal pelage varies from brown to cinnamon orange. It is distributed from Mexico to Nicaragua and in the northwestern region of South America. It occupies different habitats including humid pine-oak forests, cloud forests, and deciduous forests at elevations from about 1,000 to 3,800 m. R. mexicanus is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, although information about population size throughout its distribution range is unknown.

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Olson, David M. "The distribution of leaf litter invertebrates along a Neotropical altitudinal gradient." Journal of Tropical Ecology 10, no. 2 (May 1994): 129–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266467400007793.

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ABSTRACTLeaf litter invertebrates were sampled at eight sites, approximately 250 m apart in elevation, along an altitudinal transect extending from primary lowland rainforest to cloud forest in western Panama. The study focused on several diverse and numerically important litter invertebrate taxa (e.g., ants, spiders, and beetles) that were effectively sampled using a combination of litter sifting and test tube pitfall traps. The mean altitudinal range of species was around 500 m (standard deviation 370 m) and approximately 50% of the species characteristic of a given elevation dropped out after a 500 m change in elevation in either direction. There was no evidence for distinct altitudinal zonation in leaf litter assemblages. Both species richness and number of individuals of most taxa showed a pronounced decline in the vicinity of the upward transition to cloud forests. The data also suggest a broad mid-elevation peak in sample species richness for the litter invertebrate fauna. The implications of the results for biodiversity conservation are discussed.

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DA SILVA, CHRISTIAN, FABRÍCIO MOREIRA FERREIRA, PEDRO LAGE VIANA, and REYJANE PATRÍCIA DE OLIVEIRA. "A new species of Ichnanthus (Poaceae, Paspaleae) endemic to Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil." Phytotaxa 104, no. 1 (May 29, 2013): 21. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.104.1.3.

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Ichnanthus adpressus, a new species of Poaceae regarded as endemic to cloud forests of two areas in Southern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Morphological similarities between the new taxon and other species of Ichnanthus are discussed. SEM analysis of the upper anthecium in this new species reveales features not yet described for this genus. Comments about phenology, habitat, life history, distribution and conservation status are given.

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Cruz-Elizalde, Raciel, Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista, and Daniel Lara-Tufiño. "New record of the snake Geophis turbidus (Squamata: Dipsadidae) from Hidalgo, Mexico, with annotations of a juvenile specimen." Check List 11, no. 4 (August 30, 2015): 1724. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/11.4.1724.

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We record for the first time the recently described snake Geophis turbidus from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The species was recorded in cloud and pine forests, and this report extends the distribution of this species approximately 25 km from its previously known occurrence. In this paper, we also report the first description of a juvenile specimen, along with data on the natural history, morphology, and conservation of this species.

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Sarmiento, Fausto O., Jack Rodríguez, and Alden Yepez-Noboa. "Forest Transformation in the Wake of Colonization: The Quijos Andean Amazonian Flank, Past and Present." Forests 13, no. 1 (December 22, 2021): 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13010011.

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Forest transformation modified the Quijos’ ancient mountainscapes in three ways: scientific approximation, entrepreneurial investing, and community engagement. We concentrate the study in the Cumandá Protected Forest reserve as exemplar in the Quijos valley. Our objective is to understand forest transition trends and prospects of sustainability by answering qualitative research questions of impact on cloud forest vegetation from a socioecological standpoint. We used ethnographic work, personal interviews, surveys to the community, and queries to authorities; our qualitative methods included critical discourse analyses, onomastic interpretation, and matrix comparison for ecological legacies, focused on three sectors of the economy that we posit impacted these forests, all indicative of a more competitive, globalized framework: forest tourism, retreating forest frontier, and mining forested watersheds. We found that these sectors also helped alleviate poverty in local communities so that ecotourism, non-traditional forest product harvest, and subsistence mining of water could become stewards, despite the fact that such a nuanced approach has not yet been fully implemented by local governments. We conclude that Hostería Cumandá promotes new conservation narratives in positive ways, since it fuels grassroots organizations to incorporate nature conservation into restoration ecology efforts, provides studies on mountain forest species of concern in the area, generates local employment, and converts a transitory, ephemeral attraction into an international tourism destination.

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de la Rosa-Manzano, Edilia, Glenda Mendieta-Leiva, Antonio Guerra-Pérez, Karla María Aguilar-Dorantes, Leonardo Uriel Arellano-Méndez, and Jorge Ariel Torres-Castillo. "Vascular Epiphytic Diversity in a Neotropical Transition Zone Is Driven by Environmental and Structural Heterogeneity." Tropical Conservation Science 12 (January 2019): 194008291988220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1940082919882203.

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Vascular epiphytes contribute significantly to tropical diversity. Research on the factors that determine vascular epiphytic diversity and composition in tropical areas is flourishing. However, these factors are entirely unknown in tropical-temperate transition zones, which represent the distribution limit of several epiphytic species. We assessed the degree to which climatic and structural variables determine the diversity of vascular epiphytic assemblages (VEAs) in a transition zone in Mexico: the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve. We found 12,103 epiphytic individuals belonging to 30 species and 15 genera along a climatic gradient from 300 to 2,000 m a.s.l. Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the most species-rich families. Forests along the windward slope of the Sierra Madre Oriental (semideciduous forest and tropical montane cloud forest) had higher species richness than forests along the leeward slope (pine-oak forest and submontane scrub). Species richness was largely determined by seasonality and, to a lesser degree, by forest structure, whereas abundance was mainly determined by host tree size. Variation in VEAs composition was largely explained by climatic variables, whereas forest structure was not as important. VEAs differed among forest types and slopes in terms of taxonomic and functional composition. For example, certain bromeliad indicator species reflected differences between slopes. Although within-tree epiphytic species richness (alpha diversity) was low in this transition zone relative to other habitats, species turnover among forest types (beta diversity) was high. These findings suggest that each forest type makes a unique and important contribution to epiphytic diversity in this transition zone.

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Cerdeña, José, Oscar Mahecha-J., Rafal Garlacz, José Arivilca-Pari, Jackie Farfán, Marco Delgado-Coila, Klaudia Florczyk, Vanessa Díaz-S., and Tomasz W. Pyrcz. "A Rapid Assessment of Pronophilina Reuter, 1896 community structure and diversity in the uppermost cloud forests near timberline in Manu National Park, Peru (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)." SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología 52, no. 206 (June 30, 2024): 235–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.57065/shilap.899.

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The subtribe Pronophilina Reuter, 1896 is a group of Papilionoidea that is particularly useful for assessing biodiversity and human-made disturbance, especially in cloud forests. This is because of their high diversity, abundance, distribution patterns, ecological fidelity, and usefulness in formulating conservation policies. A rapid assessment (RAP) was conducted on the Pronophilina in two locations in the upper montane area of Manu National Park, southeastern Peru. The assessment included an evaluation of species richness, faunal composition, similarity, and community structure of Lepidoptera in the area. The two locations were only 30 km apart but in different elevations, ranging from 2800 to 3200 m above sea level. The study recorded a total of 1941 specimens of 45 species, with 18 species (40%) belonging to the genus Pedaliodes Butler, 1867, and as many as 1356 individuals (70%) were found in this genus. Some local species were found to be restricted to very narrow elevation ranges at the forest-puna grassland ecotone. The community structure showed good adjustment with the RAD log-normal model in Trocha Unión and with the Zipf-Mandelbrot model in Qurqurpampa, indicating that the sample obtained is representative of well-preserved uppermost cloud forests. The Sørensen similarity index was relatively low, despite the short distance between the two sites and no apparent geographic isolation. Sampling by “Van Someren-Rydon” traps was confirmed as a very effective method for studying

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Toledo-Aceves, Tarin, Manuel R. Guariguata, Sven Günter, Luciana Porter-Bolland, and Leticia Merino. "Overcoming Key Barriers for Secondary Cloud Forest Management in Mexico." Land 10, no. 10 (October 13, 2021): 1078. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land10101078.

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Secondary cloud forests (SCFs), those that regenerate naturally following abandonment of human activities in previously deforested land, are of great value as refuges of high species diversity and for their critical role in hydrological regulation. This opinion paper analyzes the main environmental, socio-economic, and regulatory aspects that currently hamper the sustainable use and conservation of SCFs in Mexico for the provision of timber and ecosystem services. The main constraints identified include contradictory norms and policies and the marginalization of smallholders in timber production activities. Developing economic incentives for forest product harvesting and provision of ecosystem services derived from SCFs, while also addressing legal and normative aspects related to their sustainable use, is paramount. Given the high heterogeneity in floristic composition and stand structure of SCFs among localities, technical and social norms for sustainable use should be sufficiently flexible to allow adaptive management approaches. Future research areas should be focused on monitoring the response of SCFs to silvicultural interventions, documenting existing traditional practices as well as conducting socio-economic analyses of timber production and associated ecosystem services. This is essential for developing sound policies and approaches for the sustainable use and long-term management of SCFs in Mexico.

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Torres-Mejía, Rafael Mauricio, Andres Julian Lozano-Florez, and Laura Lizbeth Jaimes Rodríguez. "New records of Leopardus tigrinus (Carnivora: Felidae) in the Department of Santander, Colombia." Mammalogy Notes 6, no. 2 (September 23, 2020): 142. http://dx.doi.org/10.47603/mano.v6n2.142.

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Leopardus tigrinus is the smallest native cat species of America. In Colombia, the species has been rarely registered in agricultural landscapes and mostly registered in highlands of natural habitats like mountain forests, cloud forests, and paramos. However, recent trail-camera and roadkills records have increased the reports of this species into the country, showing that it is also living close to cities. Here, we report the trail camera observations of two individuals of L. tigrinus in the vicinity of Bucaramanga, Santander. This is the third and northern-most record of the Northern Tiger Cat in the department of Santander. Additionally, we made comments on key local challenges for the conservation of this threatened species.

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Wang, G. G., and H. P. Tsai. "USING LONG SHORT-TERM MEMORY MODEL FOR CLOUD FOREST VEGETATION GROWTH STATUS PREDICTION – A CASE STUDY IN SHEI-PA NATIONAL PARK." International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences XLIII-B3-2022 (May 30, 2022): 1033–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xliii-b3-2022-1033-2022.

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Abstract. Cloud Forests (CFs) are characterized by their persistent foggy environment, in which fog can save two times the amount of precipitation in the dry season and increase water storage by 10% in the rainy season. CFs play an important role in ecosystems as high biodiversity and abundant endemic species live within CFs. However, CFs are sensitive to environmental changes, especially in current global climate warming conditions. Therefore, a typical cloud forest in Taiwan, Shei-Pa National park, was chosen as the study area. Specifically, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) with meteorological factors including rainfall, average temperature, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature were obtained to assess the overall CFs trend from 2001 to 2017. Moreover, the Long Short-Term Memory neural network model (LSTM) was implemented to predict the future vegetation status. Preliminary results have shown that vegetation condition in Shei-Pa National park was getting better; rainfall, average temperature, and minimum temperature represented an upward trend while maximum temperature showed a downward trend. Furthermore, the LSTM- maximum temperature model displayed the highest prediction power with the MAPE index of 4.84%. The results provide a valuable reference for forest resource conservation and future climate adaptation strategies in Taiwan.

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Lara-Tufiño, José Daniel, Luis M. Badillo-Saldaña, Raquel Hernández-Austria, and Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista. "Effects of traditional agroecosystems and grazing areas on amphibian diversity in a region of central Mexico." PeerJ 7 (February 15, 2019): e6390. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6390.

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Habitat loss or degradation due to land cover change is regarded as one of the main drivers of amphibian decline; therefore, it is imperative to assess the effects of land-cover change on this group of vertebrates. In this study, we analyze changes in alpha and beta diversity of amphibian communities found in five land-cover types: mountain cloud forest, tropical evergreen forest, shade coffee, milpa huasteca, and grazing areas; six samples sites were established for each land-cover type, separated at least one km away. The study was conducted in the northwest part of the state of Hidalgo, in a transition zone between the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Gulf of Mexico, which is a region rich in amphibian species. The results indicate that alpha diversity decreases with loss of canopy cover, this being high in mountain cloud forest, tropical evergreen forest, and Shade coffee, and low in milpa huasteca and grazing areas. The land-cover type with the highest species evenness was found in milpa huasteca and the lowest in. The highest beta diversity was observed among tropical evergreen forest and grazing areas. Mountain cloud forest contains both exclusive species and the highest number of species currently regarded as threatened by national and international conservation assessment systems. In order to preserve amphibian diversity in the study area it is vital to protect the last remnants of native vegetation, especially mountain cloud forest, but also including Shade coffee, since the latter habitat harbors amphibian diversity similar to that found in native forests. Finally, implementation of policies that both reduce Grazing areas and increase their productivity is also necessary, since these highly modified areas turn out to be the ones that affect amphibian diversity the most.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Cloud forests conservation'

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