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Dynamic occupancy model estimates the probabilities of occupancy, detection, extinction and colonization of individuals throughout seasons and is, thus, a useful tool for identifying whether individuals select a site to improve population phenology and fitness.We used multi‐season dynamics occupancy models to assess how abiotic factors (monthly variation, percentage of forest and edge and temperature) and biotic factors (female abundance) affect the demographic dynamics of coprophagous beetles Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas that differ in their habitat preferences in a human‐modified landscape in a cloud forest in Mexico.For both species, we captured a total of 1069 individuals with a density of 48.2 individuals per trap in forest areas and 14.8 individuals per trap in non‐forest areas. The species differed in their spatiotemporal occupancy dynamics in the landscape. Specifically, we found that monthly variation, percentage of forest cover and percentage of edge affected the models for both species. Each species showed a specific set of explanatory covariates for the model parameters, indicating that phenological and demographic regulatory mechanisms act as drivers of the spatiotemporal occupancy in a year period.We highlight the importance of considering abiotic factors (landscape characteristics) as drivers of occupancy, especially in highly heterogeneous landscapes. Such understanding is relevant to establish the effects of the landscape on the distribution and occurrence of dung beetles by determining how forest and generalist species differ in colonization and extinction patterns with respect to their phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When LiDAR scans woodlands, the three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data of woodlands directly collected usually contain a large number of noise points, which is caused by equipment performance, environmental interference, or other factors. The poor data quality of the point cloud data affects the accuracy of the extracted individual tree feature parameters and forest 3D reconstruction. To improve the quality of forest 3D point cloud data, a curvature- and density-based denoising method has been proposed in this study. First, the surface curvature features were calculated for the noise-dense trunk area of the forest for primary denoising, and the initial denoising results were used to construct the K-dimensional-Tree (KD-Tree) space index to search the spherical neighbourhood. The denoising was completed according to the proposed density calculation method (SN-NN, Spherical Neighbourhood and Nearest Neighbour). To evaluate the comprehensive performance of the proposed denoising method, a new denoising evaluation index has been designed by integrating the denoising precision and effective data retention degree of the forest point cloud data. The proposed method was validated based on forest point cloud data collected using Terrestrial LiDAR. The results show that the denoising precision and effective data retention degree of the proposed method are both preferable, which can effectively improve the quality of forest point cloud data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological value (EV) refers to the intrinsic values of a landscape based on the assessment of five criteria: biodiversity, vulnerability, fragmentation, connectivity, and resilience. While many studies use remote sensing for EV assessment, few incorporate fieldwork data. In our research, we present a novel methodology involving field data collection to quantify each criterion. Additionally, we propose a numerical procedure to aggregate rankings and determine EV. Our study took place in a highly biodiverse neotropical cloud forest in western Mexico. Biodiversity was assessed through evenness, vulnerability by counting threatened species, fragmentation based on tree functional traits, connectivity by tree dispersal syndrome and successional behavior, and resilience from tree species' information and material legacies. To reveal similarity patterns among plots regarding the criteria and EV, we used nonmetric multidimensional scaling with permutational multivariate analysis of variance. To assess EV estimation reliability, we used altitude and azimuth as predictors through generalized additive models. The methodology unveiled that plots with the highest EV do not necessarily possess superior ecological properties (biodiversity and/or vulnerability) or structural and functional features (fragmentation, connectivity, and/or resilience), thus demonstrating the importance of including all criteria in the assessment and avoiding the use of a single criterion. Results showed that cloud forest plots with the highest EV were at an altitude of 1900–2200 m asl, facing southeast and northwest orientations. These plots were characterized by a high number of threatened species, low fragmentation, and high levels of connectivity and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite-based estimation of forest variables including forest biomass relies on model-based approaches since forest biomass cannot be directly measured from space. Such models require ground reference data to adapt to the local forest structure and acquired satellite data. For wide-area mapping, such reference data are too sparse to train the biomass retrieval model and approaches for calibrating that are independent from training data are sought. In this study, we compare the performance of one such calibration approach with the traditional regression modelling using reference measurements. The performance was evaluated at four sites representative of the major forest biomes in Europe focusing on growing stock volume (GSV) prediction from time series of C-band Sentinel-1 and Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS-2 PALSAR-2) backscatter measurements. The retrieval model was based on a Water Cloud Model (WCM) and integrated two forest structural functions. The WCM trained with plot inventory GSV values or calibrated with the aid of auxiliary data products correctly reproduced the trend between SAR backscatter and GSV measurements across all sites. The WCM-predicted backscatter was within the range of measurements for a given GSV level with average model residuals being smaller than the range of the observations. The accuracy of the GSV estimated with the calibrated WCM was close to the accuracy obtained with the trained WCM. The difference in terms of root mean square error (RMSE) was less than 5% units. This study demonstrates that it is possible to predict biomass without providing reference measurements for model training provided that the modelling scheme is physically based and the calibration is well set and understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud forests figure as one of the most diverse ecosystems, accounting not only for a high number of plant species but also with a great variety of interactions among them. A common interaction in these forests is the one between vascular epiphytes and their hosts. However, few studies have used the network approach to analyze them. Here, we analyze the horizontal and vertical structure of the vascular epiphyte – host network in a cloud forest in central Mexico. We quantified the number of epiphyte stands on each host both total and per-stratum. Complete network, group, and species metrics were estimated at both levels of analysis. The host – epiphyte networks had relatively low network size but were highly connected; moderately nested, with low specialization, and modularity; but higher vulnerability than generality, and high niche overlap. The community was composed by a high number of generalist species. To our knowledge this is the first study in which network analyses are conducted with standardized data and including all host and epiphyte species in the community. The analyses suggest that the networks are robust, and that functional redundancy might be probable, two advantageous characteristics in a very fragmented and threatened cloud forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Neotropical cloud forests of northwest Argentina, cattle ranching has been historically the primary economic activity, with potential negative impacts on the ecosystem. Understanding factors influencing tree regeneration is crucial for reforestation efforts in grazed areas. Given the limited understanding of Parlatore's Podocarp (Podocarpus parlatorei Pilg.) regeneration ecology, a unique gymnosperm species in the Southern Yungas' Montane Forest, we evaluated the growth and survival of its saplings for 1 year after planting them both inside and outside an exclosure, and in association with or without unpalatable nurse plants. Inside the exclosure, sapling survival was 100%, regardless of nurse plants. However, outside the exclosure saplings associated with nurse plants had 19.5 times higher survival probability. Growth rates were higher inside the exclosure and for saplings associated with nurse plants. The positive effect of nurse plants on growth was similar inside and outside the exclosure. Cattle browsing and trampling on Parlatore's Podocarp were observed for the first time, highlighting a previously undocumented threat to the species. Our findings offer valuable insights for ecological restoration, potentially suggesting strategic sapling planting near unpalatable plants and considering cattle exclusion in key areas to enhance long-term restoration success in the Southern Yungas' Montane Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quindina Roewer, 1914 is a nomoclastid genus with 11 described species behaviourally characterised by its remarkable nest-building behaviour. In this paper we describe two new Colombian species of the genus from the western range of the Northern Andes, based on genital morphology and external characters. In addition, we explore their phylogenetic relationships using a phenotypic matrix with 96 characters, three newly proposed, and 55 terminals including all described species of Quindina and a wide outgroup sample across the suborder Laniatores. Quindina sanantoniosp. n. (type locality: Valle del Cauca, Santiago de Cali, San Antonio Forest) can be diagnosed by having two olive-green patches behind the ocularium and on the lateral portion of areas II and III, connected on the posterior margin of area III. Quindina horologiumsp. n. (type locality: Risaralda, Santuario, Planes de San Rafael) can be diagnosed by having an hourglass-shaped dorsal pattern, beginning as two emerald-green patches next to the ocularium and continuing to the posterior margin of area III. Both species build nests without walls on the underside of leaves (ie flattened nest type), a previously unknown nest architecture for the genus. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Quindina. The two new species, herein described, were recovered as basally branching within the genus. The inferred ancestral state for the nest architecture was the flattened nest type. We provide an updated key for the Colombian species of the genus Quindina and an updated distribution map. . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In close‐range remote sensing data collected in a forest, occlusion often causes incomplete or sparse point cloud representations of individual trees, impeding accurate 3D reconstruction of tree architecture and estimation of tree height and volume. Recent developments in deep learning (DL) for 3D data have produced approaches for point cloud completion, which could potentially be applied to trees.We explored the potential of a DL approach to fill gaps in dense point clouds representing the main structures of deciduous trees by applying an existing transformer‐based completion model (PoinTr). Complete point clouds are required as training data, but even dense terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data sets contain gaps caused by occlusion, making it nearly impossible to acquire such data. We therefore investigated the ability of point cloud completion models trained on a range of synthetic data sets to handle occlusion patterns in real‐world point clouds.Despite the limited data set, we successfully fine‐tuned a general pre‐trained completion model to fill gaps within 1 m3 segments of tree point clouds. Fine‐tuning on synthetic tree data improved the model's ability to complete tree objects compared with training on diverse artificial objects. However, the quality of the predictions was influenced by the level of sophistication of the synthetic data. Our results demonstrate that incorporating even limited real‐world TLS data during training can considerably improve completion results but may introduce additional noise in the predictions.3D point cloud completion with DL has the potential to improve and fill gaps in point clouds of individual trees, facilitating further steps in the processing and analysis of 3D forest data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tropical cloud forest ecosystems are expected to face reduced water inputs due to climatic changes. Methods: Here, we study the ecophysiological responses of trees and epiphytes within in an Asian cloud forest to investigate the contributions of rainfall, fog, and soil to leaf water in 60 tree and 30 vascular epiphyte species. We measured multiple functional traits, and δ² H, and δ18O isotope ratios for leaf water, soil water, rainfall, and fog in the wettest (July) and driest (February) months. Using a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model, we quantified the relative contributions of soil water, fog, and rainfall to leaf water. Results and discussion: Rainfall contributes almost all the leaf water of the epiphytes in July, whereas fog is the major source in February. Epiphytes cannot tap xylem water from host trees, and hence depended on fog water when rainfall was low. Most of leaf water was absorbed from soil water in July, while fog was an important source for leaf water in February despite the soil moisture content value was high. In February, lower temperatures, along with reduced photosynthesis and transpiration rates, likely contributed to decreased soil water uptake, while maintaining higher soil moisture levels despite the limited rainfall. These contrasting contributions of different water sources to leaf water under low and high rainfall and for different plant groups outline the communityl-evel ecophysiological responses to changes in rainfall. While direct measurements of water flux, particularly in roots and stems, are needed, our results provide valuable insights on tropical cloud forest hydrology under scenarios of decreased fog immersion due to climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liverworts are one of the oldest lineages of the extant land plants but the geographic patterns and ecological determinants of their species richness have not yet been studied at a global scale until now. Here, using a comprehensive global database, we find that regional species richness of liverworts in general 1) shows a clear latitudinal diversity pattern, 2) is highest in mountains, presumably reflecting the effects of habitat heterogeneity and the occurrence of cloud forest, 3) is more strongly influenced by contemporary climate than by climate change during the Quaternary, 4) is more strongly affected by precipitation‐related than by temperature‐related variables, reflecting the poikilohydric nature of liverworts and hence their water‐dependence, and 5) is more strongly affected by climate extremes than by climate seasonality. However, we find regional deviations from these general patterns, especially in the Southern Hemisphere where the distinct arrangement of land masses leads to different climatic patterns and thus climate–species richness relationships. Compared with other major land plant lineages, liverworts show the same importance of precipitation‐related factors as ferns, whereas in angiosperms temperature also plays an important role, reflecting the different physiological adaptations of these groups to drought and cold stress, and providing insights into the different evolutionary pathways taken by these lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of oribatid mites (Oribatida)—Hermannobates neotropicus sp. nov. (Hermanniellidae) and Mucrobates venezuelaensissp. nov. (Scheloribatidae)—are described, based on materials collected from sweep sample in the cloud forest in Western Venezuela. The genus Mucrobates is recorded in the Venezuelan fauna for the first time. Hermannobates neotropicus sp. nov. differs from the closely related species, H. intermedius Călugăr, 1990, by length and morphology of the bothridial seta. Mucrobates venezuelaensis sp. nov. differs from the closely related species, M. cayoaguaensis Ermilov & Kontschán, 2021, by the body size, the length of the bothridial and exobothridial setae, the presence of the pedotectum II, keel-shaped ridge and seta v’ on the leg genu II, and the location of the adanal seta ad1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cloud forest (CF), a hugely biodiverse ecosystem, is a hotspot of unexplored plants with potential for discovering pharmacologically active compounds. Without sufficient ethnopharmacological information, developing strategies for rationally selecting plants for experimental studies is crucial. With this goal, a CF metabolites library was created, and a ligand-based virtual screening was conducted to identify molecules with potential hypoglycemic activity. From the most promising botanical families, plants were collected, methanolic extracts were prepared, and hypoglycemic activity was evaluated through in vitro enzyme inhibition assays on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). Metabolomic analyses were performed to identify the dominant metabolites in the species with the best inhibitory activity profile, and their affinity for the molecular targets was evaluated using ensemble molecular docking. This strategy led to the identification of twelve plants (in four botanical families) with hypoglycemic activity. Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae) stood out for its DPP-IV selective inhibition versus S. glabra. A comparison of chemical profiles led to the annotation of twenty-seven metabolites over-accumulated in S. rhombifolia compared to S. glabra, among which acanthoside D and cis-tiliroside were noteworthy for their potential selective inhibition due to their specific intermolecular interactions with relevant amino acids of DPP-IV. The workflow used in this study presents a novel targeting strategy for identifying novel bioactive natural sources, which can complement the conventional selection criteria used in Natural Product Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical region is the most diverse on the planet, largely owing to its mosaic of tropical rainforests. Multiple tectonic and climatic processes have been hypothesized to contribute to generating this diversity, including Andean orogeny, the closure of the Isthmus of Panama, the GAARlandia land bridge and historical connections among currently isolated forests. Micrathena spiders are diverse and widespread in the region, and thus a complete phylogeny of this genus allows the testing of hypotheses at multiple scales. We estimated a complete, dated phylogeny using morphological data for 117 Micrathena species and molecular data of up to five genes for a subset of 79 species. Employing event‐based approaches and biogeographic stochastic mapping while considering phylogenetic uncertainty, we estimated ancestral distributions, the timing and direction of dispersal events and diversification rates among areas. The phylogeny is generally robust, with uncertainty in the position of some of the species lacking sequences. Micrathena started diversifying around 25 Ma. Andean cloud forests show the highest in‐situ speciation, while the Amazon is the major dispersal source for adjacent areas. The Dry Diagonal generated few species and is a sink of diversity. Species exchange between Central and South America involved approximately 23 dispersal events and started ~20 Ma, which is consistent with a Miocene age for the Isthmus of Panama closure. We inferred four dispersal events from Central America to the Antilles in the last 20 Myr, indicating the spiders did not reach the islands through the GAARlandia land bridge. We identified important species exchange routes among the Amazon, Andean cloud forests and Atlantic forests during the Plio‐Pleistocene. Sampling all species of the genus was fundamental to the conclusions above, especially in identifying the Andean forests as the area that generated the majority of species. This highlights the importance of complete taxonomic sampling in biogeographic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Vascular epiphytes of tropical montane cloud forests are vulnerable to climate change, particularly as cloud bases elevate and reduce atmospheric inputs to the system. However, studies have generally focused on epiphytes in contiguous forests, with little research being done on epiphytes on isolated pasture trees. We investigated water relations of pasture‐tree epiphytes at three sites located below and above the elevation of the average cloud base in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Methods: We measured sap velocity and four microclimate variables in both the dry and wet season of 2018. We also measured functional traits, including pressure volume (PV) curves, predawn/midday water potential, and various lab‐based water relations traits. We used linear mixed models to assess the correlation between microclimate and sap velocity in both seasons and ANOVA to assess the variation in PV curve and water potential variables. Results: The turgor loss point generally increased from the wettest to driest site. However, this trend was driven primarily by the increasing prevalence of leaf succulence at drier sites. Microclimatic variables correlated strongly with sap velocity in the wet season, but low soil moisture availability caused this correlation to break down during the dry season. Conclusions: Our results emphasize the vulnerability of cloud forest epiphytes to rising cloud bases. This vulnerability may be more severe in pasture trees that lack the potential buffer of surrounding forest, but additional research that directly compares the canopy microclimate conditions between forest and pasture trees is needed to confirm this possibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical montane cloud forests are known for their unique biodiversity and their critical role in sustaining ecosystem services; however, approximately 50% of their original cover in Mexico was estimated to have been lost by 1998. The Mexican ecoregion that supports these ecosystems experienced one of the highest rates of deforestation between 2001 and 2021. Thus, a more recent evaluation of Mexico's cloud forests is required. There is limited data on the landscape structure of cloud forests in Mexico, despite the possible application of landscape factors in conservation planning. Here, we estimated the average total area, number of patches, effective mesh size, total edge, and the shape of mixed forests that was present in 2020 within polygons of cloud forests defined in 1999 by Mexico's National Commission for the Use and Knowledge of Biodiversity (CONABIO for its acronym in Spanish). We estimated land cover using data from the North American Land Change Monitoring System, which classifies cloud forests as mixed forests. We found that eight out of the 109 polygons have no mixed forests and that an average of 49% of the 1,768,914 ha of cloud forests polygons are now covered by mixed forests distributed across 13 states. Additionally, within the remaining 101 polygons that do contain this type of vegetation, mixed forest is distributed on average across 140 patches (range = 1–1,473); 80% of these forests have very low effective mesh size values; 90% of them have low total edge values (<2,000 km); and their shapes tend to be uniformly distributed. Furthermore, most of cloud forest polygons are located outside of federal protected areas. Overall, our results suggest that the remaining Mexican cloud forests are extremely vulnerable and fragmented and that their extent has steadily declined since 1999. To ensure the survival of Mexican cloud forests, it will be crucial to prioritize high-diversity areas, strengthen protection in critical zones, establish ecological corridors, encourage sustainable practices, and actively engage local communities. This study highlights the complex issues and inherent heterogeneity that characterize cloud forest ecosystems in Mexico and provides crucial insights for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water characteristics in micro basins with different land uses/land cover (LULC) can influence riparian vegetation diversity, stream water quality, and benthic diatom diversity. We analyzed 18 streams in the upper part of the La Antigua River basin, México, surrounded by cloud forests, livestock pastures, and coffee plantations. Concentrations of P, C, and N were elevated in the humus of forested streams compared to other land uses. In contrast, cations, ammonium, and total suspended solids (TSS) of water streams were higher in pastures and coffee plantations. These results indicate that LULC affects stream chemistry differently across land uses. Vegetation richness was highest (86–133 spp.) in forest streams and lowest in pastures (46–102), whereas pasture streams had the greatest richness of diatoms (9–24), likely due to higher light and temperatures. Some soil and water characteristics correlated with both true diversity and taxonomic diversity; soil carbon exchange capacity (CEC) correlated with vegetation diversity (r = 0.60), while water temperature correlated negatively (r = − 0.68). Diatom diversity was related to soil aluminum (r = − 0.59), magnesium (r = 0.57), water phosphorus (r = 0.88), and chlorophyll (r = 0.75). These findings suggest that land use affects riparian vegetation, while physical and chemical changes influence diatom diversity in stream water and soil. The lack of correlation between vegetation and diatom diversity indicates that one cannot predict the other. This research is an essential first step in understanding how land use changes impact vegetation and diatom diversity in mountain landscapes, providing valuable insights for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts in tropical cloud forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leguminous Inga trees are thought to enhance soil carbon (C) accumulation following reforestation, through mostly unknown mechanisms. This study amplified soil DNA using the ITS1F and ITS4 primers for PCR and Illumina MiSeq methods to identify fungal taxa, and traditional C analysis methods to evaluate how planted 4-, 8-, and 11-year-old Inga punctata trees affected soil fungal community compositions and C utilization patterns compared to old-growth I. punctata trees and an adjacent unplanted pasture within the same reforestation zone in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Along the tree age gradient, the planted I. punctata trees enhanced the tree soil C capture capacity, as indicated by increased levels of soil biomass C, Respiration, and efficiency of organic C use (with lower qCO2 values), and development of increasingly more abundant, stable, and successionally developed fungal communities, including those associated with the decomposition of complex organic C compounds. The level and strength of differences coincided with differences in the time of separation between the pasture and tree age or between the different tree ages. Fungal taxa were also identified as potential indicators of the early and late stages of soil recovery. Thus, planting I. punctata should be part of future reforestation strategies used in this region of the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montane cloud forests are highly threatened ecosystems that are vulnerable to climate change. These complex habitats harbor many species that suffer the negative consequences of this global phenomenon, such as shifts in their distribution and habitat use. The Central American clouded oncilla (Leopardus pardinoides oncilla) is the smallest and most endangered wild cat in Mesoamerica and is primarily reported in cloud forests throughout its distribution. The species is poorly understood, with no studies conducted in Central America assessing its habitat preferences. To bridge this knowledge gap, we sampled two mountain ranges in Costa Rica with camera traps and conducted an occupancy analysis to understand the anthropogenic and environmental features that influence oncilla habitat use within them. Additionally, we conducted spatial predictions of habitat use across its northern and southern range in Costa Rica to identify priority conservation areas for the species. We found that Central American clouded oncilla habitat use is driven primarily by environmental factors. Our results showed that oncillas select habitats with denser tree cover at high elevations, closer to permanent water sources, which may provide them with high prey density and a favorable habitat structure for their survival. Spatial predictions identified two main regions as conservation priority areas where threat mitigation efforts and monitoring should be implemented: the Caribbean slope of the Talamanca mountains, and the Arenal-Monteverde forest complex. The occupancy modeling approach turned out to be very useful to assess the spatial associations of the species with the environment and mapping the conservation priority areas. Future research and mitigation actions should focus on potential threats that could negatively impact Central American clouded oncilla populations and habitat use, including the role of mesopredators and feral species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bulbophyllum boninense (Schltr.) J.J.Sm. is illustrated and described. It is endemic to the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, subtropical oceanic islands in the Pacific Ocean belonging to Japan. This species grows as an epiphyte on trunks and as a lithophyte on rocks in evergreen cloud forest. It can be distinguished from closely related species by the following characters: dull yellow perianth lobes, no threads or ornaments at the apex of sepal and petal, a ciliate and pustulate petal, and a long stelidium that is semicircular at the base and curved anteriorly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Understanding the responses of functional traits in tree species to climate variability is essential for predicting the future of tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) tree species, especially in Andean montane environments where fog pockets act as moisture traps. Methods: We studied the distribution of Magnolia gentryi, measured its spatial arrangement, identified local hotspots, and evaluated the extent to which climate‐related factors are associated with its distribution. We then analyzed the variation in 13 functional traits of M. gentryi and the relationship with climate. Results: Andean TMCF climatic factors constrain M. gentryi spatial distribution with significant patches or gaps that are associated with high precipitation and mean minimum temperature. The functional traits of M. gentryi are limited by the Andean TMCF climatic factors, resulting in reduced within‐species variation in traits associated with water deficit. Conclusions: The association between functional traits and climate oscillation is crucial for understanding the growth conditions of relict‐endemic species and is essential for conservation efforts. Forest trait diversity and species composition change because of fluctuations in hydraulic safety‐efficiency gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deforestation in the tropics causes shifts in adult odonate community structure, from forests dominated by thermoconforming zygopteran specialists to open areas with higher representations of heliothermic anisopterans. We tested for these shifts in the Maquina and Cuecha rivers in Monteverde, Costa Rica. We compared adult odonate communities in 100 m plots (subdivided into twenty 5 m subplots) located in disturbed, partially open areas with those in 100 m plots located in intact forest and used general linear models to describe how odonate abundance, species richness, species diversity, and the Anisoptera/Zygoptera ratio varied among plots, subplots, habitat type (disturbed/forested), rivers, and as functions of percent canopy cover and light levels. Plots varied in light levels and percent canopy cover, but there were no significant differences in species richness or diversity. Community composition, however, varied across plots and subplots in NMDS and PERMANOVA analyses, largely as a consequence of the preference of Hetaerina cruentata and Paltothemis lineatipes for high light subplots and H. majuscula for low light subplots. NMDS axes were significantly correlated with percent canopy cover and light level in subplots, and the Anisoptera/Zygoptera ratio correlated with NMDS axes at both the plot and subplot scales, indicating that the relative abundance of anisopterans did increase with increasing light and decreasing canopy cover. Differences among plots and habitats can largely be attributed to species-specific differences in habitat selection at a small spatial scale, causing predicted shifts in the Anisoptera/Zygoptera ratio as dominance shifts from endemic forest species to wide-ranging generalists. This is one of the first studies that confirms these patterns for a cloud forest community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. In ecosystems where they are common, vascular epiphytes usually interact positively with both their hosts and other epiphytes. However, there are no integrative studies simultaneously analyzing both host-epiphyte and epiphyte-epiphyte associations in ecosystems with a high abundance of vascular epiphytes, such as cloud forests. Most studies have described host-epiphyte associations, but there is a lack of studies evaluating the type of associations established between vascular epiphytes with different growth forms, reproductive states, and taxonomic identities. The goal of this study was to describe the host-epiphyte and epiphyte-epiphyte associations in a cloud forest in central Mexico. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of vascular epiphyte reproductive state, growth form, and taxonomic identity on those associations. Methodology. We first described the host and vascular epiphyte species in the community. Then all host-epiphyte and epiphyte-epiphyte associations were recorded. Pivotal results. All types of associations were recorded among both host-epiphyte (random: 44%; positive: 29%; negative: 27%) and epiphyte-epiphyte (random: 69%; positive: 15%; negative: 16%) associations. Most epiphytes were hosted by four phorophyte species; however, the most abundant phorophytes hosted few or no epiphytes. Epiphyte-epiphyte conspecific associations were mostly positive, whereas the heterospecific associations were predominantly random. At the community level, this pattern did not vary between reproductive states. Associations between heterospecific epiphytes with different growth forms were predominantly random but were positive between conspecifics. Epiphytes with creeping and rosette growth forms established negative associations with their neighbors. Conclusions. Our results show the importance and complexity of the host-epiphyte and epiphyte-epiphyte associations established. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the epiphyte-epiphyte and host-epiphyte associations and the effect of epiphyte growth form and reproductive state are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and threatened polypore species, Bondarzewia loguerciae, is described from the cloud forests of southern Brazil. It is characterized by single-pileate basidiomata that grow on dead branches and along living stems of standing trunks and present a context with dark lines and resinous tubes. When growing in axenic culture, this species also develops chlamydospores. We provide an illustrated morphological description and molecular analysis. Our specimens from Brazil form a monophyletic group among other species of the Southern Hemisphere. The conservation status of B. loguerciae is assessed and published as "Critically Endangered" based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Additionally, a key to the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleione formosana Hayata is an endemic orchid that was once widely distributed across the mid-elevations of Taiwan. However, populations of this orchid have steadily shrunk due to orchid poaching in most of its habitats. By correlating data from micrometeorological stations that we installed in the cloud forest canopy at the study site, Yuanyang Lake (YYL) from 2017, we discovered the critical role of spring rainfall in triggering flowering and summer rainfall in promoting the growth of new bulbs. We found that rising temperatures and frequent drought events threaten orchid growth, potentially leading to pathogen infections. We climbed old-growth yellow cypresses to collect seed capsules of P. formosana for in vitro germination at YYL beginning in the autumn of 2018. Orchid plantlets were reintroduced to the study site in mid-August of 2022. However, the seedlings failed to survive the summer of 2023. This study is the first persistent monitoring of this rare orchid in the forest canopy of this old-growth cloud forest. Based on the result, we propose conservation strategies and directions for protecting this orchid on a regional scale. Our study highlights the mounting challenge to conservation efforts posed by global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiplatform fusion point clouds can effectively compensate for the disadvantages of individual platform point clouds in forest parameter extraction, maximizing the potential of LiDAR technology. However, existing registration algorithms often suffer from insufficient feature extraction and limited registration accuracy. To address these issues, we propose a ULS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Laser Scanning)-TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanning) point cloud data registration method based on Similar Distance Search (SDS). This method enhances coarse registration by accurately retrieving points with similar features, leading to high overlap in the rough registration stage and further improving fine registration precision. (1) The proposed method was tested on four natural forest plots, including Pinus densata Mast., Pinus yunnanensis Franch., Pices asperata Mast., Abies fabri (Mast.) Craib, and demonstrated high registration accuracy. Both coarse and fine registration achieved superior results, significantly outperforming existing algorithms, with notable improvements over the TR algorithm. (2) In addition, the study evaluated the accuracy of individual tree parameter extraction from fusion point clouds versus single-platform point clouds. While ULS point clouds performed slightly better in some metrics, the fused point clouds offered more consistent and reliable results across varying conditions. Overall, the proposed SDS method and the resulting fusion point clouds provide strong technical support for efficient and accurate forest resource management, with significant scientific implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) are tropical vegetation that exhibits a great variety of specialized plant species due to the wide variation of abiotic factors, even along small distances. Climate, elevation, and other factors can also alter tree diversity and composition, such as geology, which was reported as the major determinant of differences between tree community structures growing in volcanic and limestone substrates. We assess how tree communities’ composition and diversity differ between fragments on limestone and volcanic substrates to corroborate a consistent spatial variation of forest composition and structure associated with geological substrates within tropical montane cloud forests. We registered 820 individuals of 64 species of temperate and tropical affinity. Sampling coverage was higher than 95%, and the most diverse indexes were registered to fragments on volcanic substrates. Four clusters were registered for species composition, with a high beta diversity and species turnover among sampled sites. The indicator species index varies between 0.54 to 0.88, being higher for Liquidambar styraciflua on volcanic substrate. Although substratum types can influence soil properties and determine differential species diversity, no evidence was found to corroborate that the tree community in tropical montane cloud forests is associated with a volcanic or limestone substrate. Tree community differences between and within sampled sites on volcanic and limestone substrates could be explained by the high species turnover due to the high tree heterogeneity of tropical montane cloud forests, forest recovery status, and disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural roadsides represent an important alternative for biodiversity conservation. The objective of this study was to estimate the effective diversity and ecological importance in two herbaceous communities along rural roadsides. Twenty quadrats with an area of 1 m2 were systematically established across two 50-m transects. Data on richness, abundance, and plant coverage were obtained. Forty-two species were recorded, comprising 18 families, with Asteraceae being the most abundant (28.57 %). The estimated effective diversity for both transects was greater than 15 effective species, which may be equal to a quarter of the effective diversity of a cloud forest, four times greater than that of an edge of agricultural land, and comparable to that of an edge of a tropical evergreen forest. The importance value index indicated that Cenchrus ciliaris and Syagrus romanzoffiana for transect one and Sida rhombifolia and Aldama dentata for transect two are the species most likely to determine the composition, structure, and functioning of the two plant communities studied. Estimates of these indices allow more useful comparisons with similar studies and facilitate the visualization of the species that probably determine the existence of these ecological systems. This study is expected to eventually provide scientific knowledge in the ecological and environmental fields, which will allow the implementation of effective and viable conservation strategies for ecosystems present in rural roadsides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate identification of tree species is the foundation of forest resource surveys and an important research field in forestry remote sensing. The introduction of the PointNet++ deep learning network to point cloud processing provides a new approach for tree species identification. This network can directly compute and train unordered point clouds, greatly reducing the manual selection and extraction process of feature data. However, how to establish a high-quality single tree point cloud dataset is a key issue to be solved. In this study, a 2.5-ha temperate coniferous broad-leaved mixed forest located in Mao'er Mountain Experimental Forest Farm in Heilongjiang Province, China, was investigated. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) RGB image and LiDAR synchronous observation system were used to obtain the true-colour point clouds of the forest. Combining upsampling and downsampling methods, a dataset containing coordinates, normal vectors, RGB, and intensity information was constructed from the original point cloud. Comparative experiments were designed based on resampling algorithms, number of sampling points, feature information, and time cost to find the optimal feature information and processing methods for tree species classification. The results showed that the accuracy of tree species classification by using PointNet++ was greatly improved after adding RGB and point cloud intensity information. The classification accuracy was about 5% higher than that using only coordinate data sets. In addition, the combination of PU-Net downsampling network based on point cloud completion and geometric upsampling method achieved the highest classification accuracy (OA = 0.944) when the number of single trees point cloud was 3072. The algorithm also took a relatively shorter running time. This study demonstrated that the introduction of multi-feature information and the optimization of resampling method can provide new solutions for tree species classification based on the PointNet++ deep learning network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical montane forests in the Andes are hotspots for species diversity and constitute important ecosystems for the provision of numerous services critical for local populations, including biomass/carbon accumulation and hydrological regulation. Additionally, in many countries in the region, these forests are being lost or degraded at alarming rates. Understanding their dynamics in terms of the composition, diversity, structure and function is a key challenge in the region that can inform policies for their sustainable management and conservation. This study focused on the use of monitoring data from ground-based permanent plots (part of the Andean Forest Network) in the two main mountain ranges of the Venezuelan Andes to analyze forest structure, diversity and dynamics over six years (2016-2023), and their potential drivers. We found that although the wetter forests of La Mucuy (northeast) and the more seasonal stands of San Eusebio (northwest) are very similar in terms of overall species richness, they show substantial differences in their species assemblages and their biogeographic origins. Both sites share similarities in tree dispersal strategies and stem turnover rates (mean=1.16%/year), but forests in La Mucuy are significantly more productive, with a mean annual woody productivity rate of 3.09±1.42 Mg C.ha-1.y-1, while this rate was 0.73±0.48 Mg C.ha-1.y-1 in SEU plots. Interestingly, although species richness and composition has not shown significant changes during this 6-year period, both sites have increased their total aboveground biomass, acting as a significant carbon sink, which appears to be largely driven by the growth of large trees in these forests. These results emphasize the need of maintaining long-term monitoring efforts to be able to link more explicitly changes in composition, biodiversity and ecosystem services with changes in environmental drivers under climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high Andean mountains are ecosystems subject to high human pressure activities, resulting in disturbed areas increasingly dominating the landscapes. However, there needs to have more knowledge about the contributions of different vegetation coverages and species to global diversity at the local level. For three consecutive years, we studied a guild of fruit-feeding butterflies in four different land covers (cloud forests, paramo, mixed anthropogenic habitats, and cattle pastures) in the northern Andes in Colombia, analyzing the diversity and structure of the butterfly assemblage in the region. The assembly showed significant differences between land covers. The mixed habitat was the most diverse in order q1 (exponential of Shannon entropy) and q2 (inverse of Gini-Simpson dominance index) diversity, and the cloud forest contained the higher abundance and species richness. Abundance decreased from forest to pasture, significantly reducing diversity in pastures, with cloud forest and paramo containing the key endemic species. These results indicate the value of landscape diversity in providing resources and conditions required for the diversity conservation of high Andean butterflies. Implications for insect conservation: This study highlights the significance of the heterogeneity of natural landscape components in maintaining and preserving the diversity of butterfly assemblages in high Andean environments. Current conservation plans often tend to focus on paramo habitats, our findings highlight the crucial role of including the surrounding cloud forest and associated secondary forest in the design of effective conservation strategies. The analysis revealed a high complementarity between paramo and cloud forest assemblages, with each habitat type contributing significantly to the regional species pool. This underscores the interconnectedness and interdependence of these habitats, indicating that a comprehensive approach that considers both paramo and cloud forest ecosystems is essential for conserving the full diversity of butterfly species in the region. Moreover, our results demonstrate that cattle pastures exhibit extremely low butterfly species richness and possess a community structure that is distinctly different from native habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In threatened diversity hotspots, such as mountain cloud forests, microbiome studies have focused essentially on bacteria. Unlike prokaryotic microbiomes, the study of the microeukaryotes has largely been restricted to the visual identification of specific groups. Herein, microeukaryotic edaphic diversity from a pristine mountain cloud forest (MCF) of Mexico was analyzed via the metabarcoding of the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA. Materials and methods: An exploratory triangular sampling was conducted in the mountain cloud forest located in El Relámpago Mount, Santiago Comaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Each vertex was located adjacent to a dominant plant species in the ecosystem (Oreomunnea mexicana and Alsophila salvinii). After DNA extraction the ITS1 region (rDNA) was amplified. Microeukaryotic sequences were filtered by computational subtraction against the ITS2 Database. Next, alpha and beta diversity indexes were calculated, and the relationship between abiotic variables and diversity patterns were inferred by means of a Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Results: Overall, 138 inferred sequence variants were identified, including 87 protists, 35 animals (microfauna), and 16 algae. Within the animals, the nematodes were the dominant group, chlorophytes dominated algae, and in Protista, no dominance patterns were observed given the high diversity and equitability of this group. Soil available carbon, carbon degrading enzymes and the pH play a key role in modeling the community structure. Remarkably, high beta diversity levels were obtained, evidencing a strong spatial heterogeneity at the small scale. Conclusions: The ITS metabarcoding proved to be a useful tool to conduct multi-taxa diversity assessments for microeukaryotes, allowing the identification of alpha and beta diversity patterns and overcoming limitations of sampling and the direct observation of individuals. The results presented in this work evidenced high microeukaryotic diversity levels in the soil of MCF and encourage future studies aiming to explore the taxonomic diversity of individual taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canopy volume is a crucial biological parameter for assessing tree growth, accurately estimating forest Above-Ground Biomass (AGB), and evaluating ecosystem stability. Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) are advanced precision mapping technologies that capture highly accurate point clouds for forest digitization studies. Despite advances in calculating canopy volume, challenges remain in accurately extracting the canopy and removing gaps. This study proposes a canopy volume extraction method based on an improved PointNeXt model, fusing ALS and TLS point cloud data. In this work, improved PointNeXt is first utilized to extract the canopy, enhancing extraction accuracy and mitigating under-segmentation and over-segmentation issues. To effectively calculate canopy volume, the canopy is divided into multiple levels, each projected into the xOy plane. Then, an improved Mean Shift algorithm, combined with KdTree, is employed to remove gaps and obtain parts of the real canopy. Subsequently, a convex hull algorithm is utilized to calculate the area of each part, and the sum of the areas of all parts multiplied by their heights yields the canopy volume. The proposed method's performance is tested on a dataset comprising poplar, willow, and cherry trees. As a result, the improved PointNeXt model achieves a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 98.19% on the test set, outperforming the original PointNeXt by 1%. Regarding canopy volume, the algorithm's Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is 0.18 m3, and a high correlation is observed between predicted canopy volumes, with an R-Square (R2) value of 0.92. Therefore, the proposed method effectively and efficiently acquires canopy volume, providing a stable and accurate technical reference for forest biomass statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Justicia darienensis T.F. Daniel & M. Vargas P., is described from a biodiverse "hotspot" in an isolated cloud forest of Darién Province in eastern Panama. It is compared to morphologically and palynologically similar species in southern Central America. Justicia darienensis is characterized by a complex inflorescence with heteromorphic (shape and fertility) bracts, white corollas with purple markings on the lower lip, glabrous anther thecae, 4-aperturate pollen, and pubescent capsules. Images of the plant and its pollen are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drought periods are major evolutionary triggers of wood anatomical adaptive variation in Lower Tropical Montane Cloud Forests tree species. We tested the influence of historical drought events on the effects of ecological stress memory on latewood width and xylem vessel traits in two relict hickory species (Carya palmeri and Carya myristiciformis) from central-eastern Mexico. We hypothesized that latewood width would decrease during historical drought years, establishing correlations between growth and water stress conditions, and that moisture deficit during past tree growth between successive drought events, would impact on wood anatomical features. We analyzed latewood anatomical traits that developed during historical drought and pre- and post-drought years in both species. Results: We found that repeated periods of hydric stress left climatic signatures for annual latewood growth and xylem vessel traits that are essential for hydric adaptation in tropical montane hickory species. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the existence of cause‒effect relationships in wood anatomical architecture and highlight the ecological stress memory linked with historical drought events. Thus, combined time-series analysis of latewood width and xylem vessel traits is a powerful tool for understanding the ecological behavior of hickory species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental objective of evolutionary biology is to understand the origin of independently evolving species. Phylogenetic studies of species radiations rarely are able to document ongoing speciation; instead, modes of speciation, entailing geographic separation and/or ecological differentiation, are posited retrospectively. The Oreinotinus clade of Viburnum has radiated recently from north to south through the cloud forests of Mexico and Central America to the Central Andes. Our analyses support a hypothesis of incipient speciation in Oreinotinus at the southern edge of its geographic range, from central Peru to northern Argentina. Although several species and infraspecific taxa have been recognized in this area, multiple lines of evidence and analytical approaches (including analyses of phylogenetic relationships, genetic structure, leaf morphology, and climatic envelopes) favor the recognition of just a single species, V. seemenii. We show that what has previously been recognized as V. seemenii f. minor has recently occupied the drier Tucuman-Bolivian forest region from Samaipata in Bolivia to Salta in northern Argentina. Plants in these populations form a well-supported clade with a distinctive genetic signature and they have evolved smaller, narrower leaves. We interpret this as the beginning of a within-species divergence process that has elsewhere in the neotropics resulted repeatedly in Viburnum species with a particular set of leaf ecomorphs. Specifically, the southern populations are in the process of evolving the small, glabrous, and entire leaf ecomorph that has evolved in four other montane areas of endemism. As predicted based on our studies of leaf ecomorphs in Chiapas, Mexico, these southern populations experience generally drier conditions, with large diurnal temperature fluctuations. In a central portion of the range of V. seemenii , characterized by wetter climatic conditions, we also document what may be the initial differentiation of the leaf ecomorph with larger, pubescent, and toothy leaves. The emergence of these ecomorphs thus appears to be driven by adaptation to subtly different climatic conditions in separate geographic regions, as opposed to parapatric differentiation along elevational gradients as suggested by Viburnum species distributions in other parts of the neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montane ecosystems in South America harbor high levels of endemism typically with species that are often threatened. Here we investigated fruit and seed morphology, germination, and early growth parameters of Crinodendron brasiliense, an endangered and narrow endemic tree species of subtropical montane cloud forests in Southern Brazil. We obtained fruit and seed size and shape, number of lobes and number of seeds per fruit and evaluated germination and early growth parameters in a greenhouse. We tested the effect of different container types and parent plant on seed morphology, germination, and early growth. We also tested whether thermal scarification would improve germination rates. We showed that parent plant significantly influenced fruit and seed morphology as well as early growth rates. The germination rate of the species was extremely low (0.003-0.004 seeds per day), which may be one important underlying cause of its small population size and restricted distribution. Thermal scarification was ineffective to improve the germination of seeds. Unexpectedly, container type significantly affected germination success, as seeds in trays germinated faster and in higher rates than seeds planted in seedbeds. Such result suggests a higher soil moisture could improve germination success. Our study is the first documented propagation of the species and provides essential aspects on the reproductive biology and early development of Crinodendron brasiliense. We highlight the urgent need for further research and collaborative conservation initiatives to prevent the extinction of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study how species composition and physiognomical structure of Chamaecyparis montane mixed cloud forest in Taiwan changes along main soil, topographical and microclimatic variables on a small scale, we established a 1-ha Lalashan Forest Dynamics Plot in northern Taiwan (24°43' N, 121°26' E, elevation 1758-1782 m a.s.l.). Plot is affected by prevailing NE wind direction related to winter monsoon, and by seasonal fog frequency with highest fog density in autumn and winter. We finished the first census of all woody species in August 2020, and collected environmental factors related to soil and topographical properties, measured microclimate and soil moisture within the plot. In total, we recorded 5220 individuals with diameter at breast height ≥ 1 cm. These belong to 65 species, 42 genera and 29 families, with a basal area of 69.1 m² ha-1, and are dominated by Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, Rhododendron formosanum and Quercus sessilifolia. Modified TWINSPAN classified vegetation into three types (ridge, east-facing slope and valley). Unconstrained ordination showed that the main gradients behind species composition changes are related to windwardness and convexity. Both east-facing slope type and valley type have relatively lower temperatures than ridge type, especially during summer. Convexity is related to soil moisture gradient (from dryer convex to wet concave sites). From soil properties, pH is negatively and phosphorus is positively related to topographical convexity. Collected data will serve as a baseline for future resurveys and monitoring changes within this montane cloud forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The odonates community from Cuetzalan and surroundings was studied through direct collections of adults in the years 2007 and 2009. Seventy-two species included in 37 genera and 11 families of the suborders Zygoptera and Anisoptera, were found, of which 19 species are new records for Puebla State. The collections efficiency was evaluated with three non-parametric estimators, reaching percentages of 82-98%. Phylogenetic diversity was calculated and compared to other two areas with cloud forest cover in the Northern Mountain Range in Puebla state and Hidalgo state, resulting more diverse that of Cuetzalan. An illustrated key to adult odonate species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct sowing of acorns is a technique for oak forest restoration, however, high seed predation by mammals can occur and cost‐effective alternatives to protect acorns are therefore required. The present study evaluated the protection provided by chili peppers (Capsicum annuum and Capsicum pubescens) to acorns of Quercus germana, an endangered endemic oak tree of the cloud forests. Greenhouse and field experiments were established to evaluate the effect of chili peppers on acorn removal, germination, and seedling emergence. These processes were related to the prevalent microhabitat characteristics where the acorns were introduced, and the fauna that consumed chili peppers and acorns was identified using camera traps. In the greenhouse trial, more seedlings emerged from acorns covered by fruits of C. pubescens (65.71 ± 8.14) and C. annuum (57.14 ± 8.49%) compared to unprotected acorns (31.43 ± 7.96%). Contrary to expectation, acorn removal in the field was greater using C. pubescens than the unprotected acorns, particularly in microsites with lower tree cover and higher grass dominance. Acorn removal was similar among chili pepper treatments. These results are explained by the camera trap records, which showed bird species consuming Capsicum fruits, thus exposing the acorns to subsequent removal and/or consumption by rodents. The studied Capsicum fruits had no negative effect on acorn germination and seedling emergence under greenhouse conditions, and future practices could, therefore, involve the use of different techniques to prevent the discovery of chili peppers by birds; for example, using green chili peppers for camouflage, or hiding them under litter or herbaceous vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities are one of the most critical threats to wildlife. Therefore, understanding human-wildlife interactions is key to designing and applying sound conservation strategies. We identified wild animals relevant for people in El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, southern Mexico considering four types of interactions: Use, affect (either positive or negative), and conflict. Twenty-eight workshops and 670 wildlife-human experiences with 58 taxa were recorded. The most relevant species were Odocoileus virginianus, Tapirus bairdii, Panthera onca, Pharomachrus mocinno, and Bothriechis bicolor. Positive affect was the most frequent interaction reported (46%), followed by use (20%), conflict (17%), and negative affect (16%). Negative affect and conflicts were mainly related to fear and damage by native predators. Species use was relatively infrequent (20%). We propose that conservation strategies be directed according to the species and their specific interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leguminous tree root nodule nitrogen-fixing bacteria are critical for recuperation of soil C and N cycle processes after disturbance in tropical forests, while other nodule-associated bacteria (NAB) may enhance nodule development and activity, and plant growth. However, little is known of these root nodule microbiomes. Through DNA analysis, we evaluated the bacterial taxa associated with the root nodules of the 1-year-old, 2-year-old, 13-year-old, and old growth Inga punctata trees in a cloud forest. Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens was the dominant taxon found in all nodules at 63.16% to 85.71% mean percent sequences (MPS) of the total nodule bacterial DNA and was found in the youngest nodules examined (1 year old), suggesting that it is the primary nodular bacteria. There were 26 other NAB genera with collective MPS levels between 7.4% to 12.2%, while 15 of these genera were found in the Bulk Forest soils at collective MPS levels of 4.6%. These bacterial community compositions were different between the NAB and Bulk Forest soils, suggesting the NAB became concentrated within the root nodules, resulting in communities with different compositions from the Bulk Forest soils. Twenty-three of the 26 NAB genera were previously identified with the potential to perform 9 plant growth promoting (PGP) activities, suggesting their importance in root nodule development and plant growth. These NAB communities appeared to successionally develop over time into more complex taxonomic communities, which is consistent with the outcome of advanced microbial communities following succession. The presence of both B. diazoefficiens and the NAB communities in the nodules across all ages of tree roots, and the potential for PGP activities linked with most of the NAB genera, suggest the importance of B. diazoefficiens and the NAB community for nodule development and enhanced development and growth of I. punctata throughout its lifespan, and most critically in the younger plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Key Message: We present data from a new delimited 1-ha forest plot on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and describe its tree diversity, composition, and structure. This data can be used in regional analyses and help to refine remote sensing models. Future censuses will provide data on the demographics of rare, endangered, and endemic trees that can be used for their conservation. Dataset access is at https://doi.org/10.15472/ftwol2. Associated metadata are available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/a4a7855f-4cb2-459b-a1a2-287bd1e6d587. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although afforestation is a potential strategy to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon, its potential biophysical effects on climate, such as regulating surface albedo, evapotranspiration, and energy balance, have not been fully incorporated into climate change mitigation strategies. This is partly due to the challenges associated with modeling the complex bidirectional interactions between vegetation and climate. In this study, we assess the impact of afforestation on low cloud cover using a regional climate model (RCM) and Earth observation data, applying a space‐for‐time approach to overcome limitations that may arise from comparing satellite and RCM results, such as different background climate conditions or different extents of land cover change. Our results show a consistent increase in low cloud cover in Europe due to afforestation in both datasets (3.71% and 3.56% on average, respectively), but the magnitude and direction of this effect depend on various factors, including location, seasonality, and forest type. These results suggest that afforestation can have important feedbacks on the climate system, and that its biophysical effects must be considered in climate change mitigation strategies. Furthermore, we emphasize the role of the modeling community in developing accurate and reliable approaches to assess the biophysical effects of land cover change on climate. Plain Language Summary: Although forests can help combat climate change by capturing carbon dioxide, we haven't fully considered the potential impact they can have on the climate in terms of biophysical factors such as surface reflectivity, evaporation, and energy balance. This is because it's challenging to accurately model the complex interactions between forests and climate. In this study, we used a regional climate model and Earth observation data to examine how forests affect the amount of low‐lying clouds. We used a method that compares satellite and model data to overcome limitations arising from different climate conditions and changes in land cover. Our findings consistently show that forests increase the coverage of low clouds in Europe. However, the specific effects depend on factors such as the location, season, and forest type. These results indicate that forests can have significant impacts on the climate system, and it is important to consider these effects when developing climate change strategies. We also emphasize the need for accurate modeling to better understand how changes in forest cover influence the climate. Key Points: Forests increase the amount of low clouds in EuropeForests impact climate beyond carbon sequestration [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud forests are unique biomes that thrive in foggy environments for a substantial part of the season. Fog in cloud forests plays two critical roles: it reduces incoming radiation and creates a humid environment, leading to the wetting of the canopy. This paper aims to investigate the combined effect of both radiation and wetness on Myrica faya Wilbur—a cloud forest species present in subtropical regions—both directly in plants and through simulations. Experiments consisted of a controlled environment with two levels of radiation and leaf wetness: low radiation/wet conditions, and high radiation/no-wetness; and three treatments: continuous low radiation and wetness, continuous high radiation and no wetness and alternate high low radiation and alternate wetness. The results revealed that a combination of low radiation and leaf wetness significantly improves leaf stomata conductance and increases the specific leaf area (SLA). Changes in SLA were driven by leaf size changes. However, the minimum leaf conductance (gmin) did not respond to any of the treatments. The simulations focused on exploring the impact of radiation and canopy wetness on transpiration efficiency (TE), i.e. the ratio between photosynthesis (An) and transpiration (Tc). The simulations demonstrated that TE increased exponentially as the canopy was gradually wetted, regardless of the radiation environment. This increase in TE results from Tc approaching zero while An maintains positive values. Overall, this study provides an integrated understanding of how fog alters M. faya functioning and, potentially, other cloud forest tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]