Infodoc : Sciences, Techniques et Culture

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve has captured the attention of biologist, ecologists, conservationists, and naturalists from all over the world, making it the site for extensive investigation over the past 30 years. While its environmental characteristics are typical of many tropical cloud forest regions, Monteverde's unique biogeography and human history have shaped it distinctly. As a result, roughly 50,000 ecotourist visit Monteverde each year, and it is often considered the archetypal high-altitude rain forest. Monteverde : Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest recognizes these aspects of one of the biologically richest sites on planet. It integrates research from experts in the region who provide a vivid introduction to the biology of Monteverde, and cloud fores[...]

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve has captured the attention of biologist, ecologists, conservationists, and naturalists from all over the world, making it the site for extensive investigation over the past 30 years. While its environmental characteristics are typical of many tropical cloud forest regions, Monteverde's unique biogeography and human history have shaped it distinctly. As a result, roughly 50,000 ecotourist visit Monteverde each year, and it is often considered the archetypal high-altitude rain forest. Monteverde : Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest recognizes these aspects of one of the biologically richest sites on planet. It integrates research from experts in the region who provide a vivid introduction to the biology of Monteverde, and cloud forests in general? It also presents the viewpoints of farmers, natural history guides, anthropologists, and educators, all of whom provide meaningfull insights into the cloud forest's biology and conservation. In addition to collecting vital information about monteverde's ecosystems and the biota of Central American cloud forests, the editors examine the positive and negative effects of human activity on both the forests and the surrounding communities. This volume also addresses current knowledge about the cloud forest's natural history, ecology, and conservation : it highlights the process of scientific discovery of field ecology : it describes areas where information is lacking and where research opportunities exist : and it encourages communication among researchers, educators, conversationists, and policy makers in Latin America. By uniting varied perspectives from a diverse group of contibutors, Monteverde will appeal to ecologists, tropical biologist, conservationists, and natural historians, and will become and indispensable resource for all those who are fascinated by the wonders of the cloud forest.