Fog free cloud forests

2002/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

The cloud forests of Costa Rica are one of the most outstanding corners of America. With almost 100% humidity, they house 420 species of orchids, about 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and about 100 species of mammals, among others. Quetzal, bell and 30 species of hummingbirds. In fact, Mount Laino is a biodiversity reservoir that prevents the entry of solar radiation. At the same time, it increases moisture and decreases perspiration. All this influences the structure of the soil, the nutrient cycle and the composition of the vegetation, so the air mass that ascends through the tropical mountains can have a great influence on the conservation and management of these cloud territories.

However, deforestation is unbalancing this unique ecosystem, as the air cools without the trees in the area and rises and expels before the fog forms. Many species have already disappeared and the heads of the Center for Tropical Sciences have made it clear that the conservation plan must be equipped with the management capacity of the entire territory, not just the cloud forest.

The cloud forests are on the slopes of Mount Tailaran. When the warm, humid wind rises up the mountain, the water accumulated between the trees cools and condenses. Thus, a constant fog occurs in the forest.