Monteverde: Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest

Edited with Nalini M. Nadkarni

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has captured the worldwide attention of biologists, conservationists, and ecologists and has been the setting for extensive investigation over the past 30 years. Roughly 40,000 ecotourists visit the Cloud Forest each year, and it is often considered the archetypal high-altitude rain forest.

This volume brings together some of the most prominent researchers of the region to provide a broad introduction to the biology of the Monteverde and cloud forests in general. Collecting and synthesizing vital information about the ecosystem and its biota, the book also examines the positive and negative effects of human activity on both the forest and the surrounding communities. Ecologists, tropical biologists, and natural historians will find this volume an indispensable resource as will all those who are fascinated by the magnificent wonders of the tropical forests.

Reviews

“The book will be an excellent source of information and reference on this biological reserve and the two brave editors are to be applauded. The information compiled in this volume will serve as a basis for monitoring the declines, fluctuations and variability of populations in Monteverde.” — Luis D. Gomez, Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol 223, 2000

“‘Monteverde: Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest’ is an impressive 573 page volume which includes the work of 114 individual contributors, each selected for his and her specialized knowledge of Monteverde flora, fauna, history and biodiversity. This is a unique volume, the most comprehensive ever assembled on what is acknowledged to be the purest rain forest on our planet. They have a remarkably comprehensive volume to illuminate everything they see and study. Every aspect of the forest, from its physical environment, plants and vegetation, insect and spiders, amphibians and reptiles, ( including some haunting words on the disappearance of the forest’s Golden Toad) birds, mammals, agriculture and more, much more, is thoroughly documented in a series of essays.” — Times Record, Sept 2000

“This is a lucidly and cleanly written group effort by 114 contributors, all with experience with Monteverde field biology.”–The Quarterly Review of Biology

“An important book outlining the current knowledge of the ecology of one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. … Those interested in cloud forests and conservation will find this volume fascinating.”–Northeastern Naturalist