Content

Introduction
Readings
Fundamental Concepts
Self Check
Case Study Discussion
Summary
Self Review

Introduction

Monteverde is a complex of ecological reserves located in the Cordillera de Tilarán in northern Costa Rica. It is centred on the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde). It is one of the major ecotourism centres of Costa Rica, and that, together with the presence of a biological field station, means that fauna and flora of the forests have been well-studied (although numerous questions remain unanswered). The location means that it encompasses species from both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of Costa Rica. The complex mountain topography has resulted in an equally complex pattern of vegetation that ranges from seasonally dry evergreen forest on the Pacific slope, through cloud forest to aseasonal forest on the Caribbean slope.

Some epiphytic plant families are particularly well-represented at Monteverde, including Araceae, Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae. This typical of cloud forest, which tends to have very rich epiphytic floras wherever it occurs. Phenological studies have shown that peak flowering of trees occurs from March to May, with more than 100 species in flower, although about 60 species are likely to be in flower at any other time of the year. Most trees are pollinated by insects, whereas vines and epiphytes are often pollinated by bats or birds. Fruit production in trees is highest from September to January.

In the two presentations included in this topic, we will introduce first to the forest types found at Monteverde and their associated floras, and then to the faunas, paying particular attention to the birds and their social organization. Monteverde is particularly famed as the location of the Golden Toad, a species that appears to have become extinct within the last 30 years. Controversy surrounds the cause, with some scientists blaming climate change, some blaming a disease called chytridiomycosis, and others suggesting an interaction between the two.

Outcomes

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

Describe the different types of forest found at Monteverde
Compare the characteristics of cloud forests with forest types typical of lower altitudes
Assess the relative importance of different pollination mechanisms at Monteverde
Assess the relative importance of different seed dispersal syndromes at Monteverde
Describe some of the diverse fauna found in the forests at Monteverde
Explain some of the reason why mixed species flocks of birds form
Explain guilds of birds
Compare the assess the reasons for the observed declines in amphibians at Monteverde and compare with elsewhere in the Tropics
Can you describe, using examples, the basic ecology of a range of amphibian species present in the cloud forest?

Readings

Optional Readings

Nadkarni, N.M. and Wheelwright, N.T. 2000. Ecology and conservation of a tropical cloud forest. Oxford University Press, New York, USA and Oxford, UK. 573 pp.
Zuchowski, W. 2007. Tropical plants of Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica: Zona Tropical. 529 pp.

Fundamental Concepts

PPT Presentations

This module contains two presentations:

5.1.17a Case study - The flora of Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.pptx

5.1.17b Case study - The fauna of Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.pptx

Self-check Quiz (For certificate learning only)

After viewing topic presentations, take this self-check quiz to check your own progress. This quiz is designed to see how well you remember some of the issues presented in the topic. There are five questions, and each has a potential of 4 answers, only one of which is correct. When you are ready, click the link 'Self-check Quiz 5.1.17' to start taking the quiz.

Case Study Discussion (For certificate learning only)

Once you have have read the presentation, post a question about the ecology of Monteverde Cloud Forest, and answer/respond to at least one other question on the discussion board Case Study 17 Discussion - Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.

Summary

Monteverde is an example of a well-studied tropical forest, yet many questions remain unanswered. This is hardly surprising: tropical forests are incredibly complex ecosystems, and our knowledge of them is seriously deficient. Sites like Monteverde provide the opportunity to research tropical forests by providing safe access, infrastructure and a long-term set of records. However, despite these advantages, there is a plethora of research questions waiting to be answered.

Self-review (For self learning)

To review what you have learned in the topic, you are encouraged to use the following reflection questions as a study guide to do a self-review for the topic:

What different types of forest are found at Monteverde, and what are their main characteristics?
What makes cloud forests distinct from forest types typical of lower altitudes?
How important are the different plant pollination mechanisms at Monteverde?
How important are the different seed dispersal syndromes at Monteverde?
can you describe some of the diverse fauna found in the forests at Monteverde?
Why do birds join mixed species flocks?
What are guilds of birds?
How do the reasons for the observed declines in amphibians at Monteverde and compare with elsewhere
Describe, using examples, the basic ecology of a range of amphibian species present in the cloud forest

FODE 008-02