Ascomycetes from the relic forest of Oreomunnea mexicana, Oaxaca, Mexico

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.

Download Full-text

New records of Ascomycetes from the Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of eastern Mexico

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.454.3.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 454 (3) ◽

pp. 161-185

Author(s):

TANIA RAYMUNDO ◽

RICARDO VALENZUELA ◽

JULIO CESAR RAMÍREZ-MARTÍNEZ ◽

MICHELLE MARTÍNEZ-PINEDA ◽

AURORA COBOS VILLAGRÁN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Records ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Ecological Studies ◽

Cloud Forests ◽

Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forests

The tropical montane cloud forest is an important reservoir of the diversity of Mexican ascomycetes. We cite and describe 17 species that had not been recorded in this vegetation type. Fifteen of them are new records for Mexico. Some of these species are associated with angiosperms and some with other fungi. Ongoing efforts are required to carry out floristic, taxonomic, phylogenetic and ecological studies of this group of fungi in such a diverse ecosystem that is cataloged as threatened.

Download Full-text

Ascomycetes (Fungi) from the relic forest of Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana in eastern Mexico

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.418.1.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 418 (1) ◽

pp. 1-41

Author(s):

TANIA RAYMUNDO ◽

RICARDO VALENZUELA ◽

YENITZE GARCÍA-MARTÍNEZ ◽

MARCO ANTONIO BRAVO-ÁLVAREZ ◽

JULIO CÉSAR RAMÍREZ-MARTÍNEZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

New Records ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Fagus Grandifolia ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Forest Patch ◽

Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Decaying Wood ◽

First Time

An intensive recollection of Ascomycetes was carried out within the best-known preserved Mexican tropical montane cloud forest patch dominated by Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana. This relict tree species has a fragmented and restricted distribution in the mountains of eastern Mexico. Other Mexican endemic Fagaceae species show dominance in this forest patch. Historically, records of Ascomycetes fungi in this type of forest are scarce. The present study found 170 specimens belonging to 61 species, of which 30 are new records for the state, while 10 species are cited for the first time in the country. Most of the recorded Ascomycetes species are intimately associated to Fagaceae tree species (Fagus and Quercus). From these, many are endophytes belonging to the Order Xylariales, while others grow on decaying wood, fallen branches, leaves and/or litter (possibly mycorrhizal). This interesting close relationship between fungi and Fagaceae trees must be studied and analyzed.

Download Full-text

Assessing the Effectiveness of Reforestation Efforts in the Tropical Montane Cloud Forest of Costa Rica

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.2702810 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Kendall DeLyser

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Montane Cloud Forest

Download Full-text

Biogeography of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests. Part II: Mapping of Orographic Cloud Immersion

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology ◽

10.1175/2007jamc1819.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 47 (8) ◽

pp. 2183-2197 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Udaysankar S. Nair ◽

Salvi Asefi ◽

Ronald M. Welch ◽

D. K. Ray ◽

Robert O. Lawton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

United Nations Environment Programme ◽

Cloud Base ◽

Trade Wind ◽

Cloud Forests ◽

Study Region ◽

Modis Data ◽

Monitoring Centre ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forests

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.

Download Full-text

The fog regime in a tropical montane cloud forest in Brazil and its effects on water, light and microclimate

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology ◽

10.1016/j.agrformet.2018.11.030 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 265 ◽

pp. 359-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Paulo R.L. Bittencourt ◽

Fernanda de V. Barros ◽

Cleiton B. Eller ◽

Caroline S. Müller ◽

Rafael S. Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Cloud Forest ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Montane Cloud Forest

Download Full-text

MOSS AS BIOINDICATORS FOR POLLUTION AT FRASER HILL AND CAMERON HIGHLAND PAHANG MALAYSIA

PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL ◽

10.21837/pm.v19i16.969 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (16) ◽

Author(s):

Zainul Mukrim Baharuddin ◽

Ainna Hanis Zuhairi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Forest Ecosystems ◽

Heavy Metal Contamination ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Iron Concentration ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Sources Of Pollution ◽

Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Physical Attributes ◽

Key Indicators

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) is one of Earth’s most neglected ecosystems around the globe. More than half of these forests are situated within Southeast Asia. Malaysia is known for its numerous mountains that are exceptionally rich in biodiversity and locally endemic species, but they are also threatened by expanding human activity such as forestry, agriculture, infrastructure, and climate change. The study aims to critically assess the current state of moist TMCF, focusing on their physical and biological potentials as Bio indicators through Bio monitoring at Fraser Hill and Cameron Highland, Pahang, Malaysia. The mix-methods of observation surveys are to identify physical attributes such as light intensity, altitudes, temperature, wind velocity and air humidity. Secondly, laboratory tests are to identify heavy metal contamination absorbed by mosses. Based on the findings collected around the trails, a connection between altitude and microclimate could be found. The study finds that as the altitude increases and the temperature decreases, the vegetation becomes more dwarfed. Secondly, results from the analysis at Abu Suradi trail within Fraser Hill and Brinchang Trail within Cameron Highland have a higher average of aluminium and iron concentration. Mosses were manifested as good key indicators of air pollution with heavy metals to Malaysia highland forest ecosystems. It showed differential accumulation of heavy metals located near sources of pollution. Thus, the moss data confirms the persistence of risk of pollution of highland forest ecosystems in Malaysia, which demands environmental management. Furthermore, decision makers, planners and designers around the region can evaluate and improve their local strategies related to Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) conservation and preservation, especially highlands such as Fraser Hill and Cameron Highland.

Download Full-text