Cloud forest hydrologic adaptationsTrees that drink through their leaves!Cloud forests are (sub)trop

Cloud forest hydrologic adaptationsTrees that drink through their leaves!Cloud forests are (sub)tropical evergreen montane forests that are characterized by low-lying cloud cover. Many have abundant mosses hanging from the trees and cover the terrestrial vegetation below. They have a distinct wet and dry season, receiving > 500mm of rainfall annually. Cloud forests can be found between 500m-4000m elevation depending on local climate and latitude. A new study by Greg Goldsmith; a graduate student from UC Berkeley, found that trees in cloud forests are absorbing the water that condenses on their leaves from low-lying clouds as a form of hydration during the dry season. Goldsmith and his colleagues set up moisture detectors (shaped as leaves) to detect patterns of leaf wetness in the cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica. They also installed sensors on the branches and leaves to determine how much, if any water was entering the leaves and traveling through the plant. Goldsmith found that water entered the leaves, and moved down toward the trunk, likely occurring most often during times of low precipitation (dry season).This study was an extension of a project conducted by his advisor; Todd Dawson, who observed a similar adaptation in California Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). -Greg AegisP.S. The Monteverde region of Costa Rica is a unique and beautiful part of the planet that I was fortunate enough to visit on a conservation trip. Monteverde is known as the “conservation capital” of the world, with programs focused on the protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of its cloud forests. The region also produces some delicious shade-grown coffee. Check out the sites below for more information. Enjoy!Sources/Further Reading-http://www.livescience.com/25520-how-thirsty-trees-drink-cloud-water.html-http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/bios/greg-goldsmith/-http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/monteverdes-cloud-forests.htmlMonteverde Conservation Information-http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/monteverde_conservation_league.htm-http://www.monteverde.org/Monteverde Coffee -http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/cafe-monteverde-coffee-tour/-http://www.monteverdehomestay.com/Tour%20de%20Cafe.htm-http://www.thrivefarmers.com/thrivestore/monteverde-1/Photo - misty penas blancas valley, monteverde cloud forest reserve, costa ricahttp://www.phombo.com/ -- source link
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