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Step 1: Selection of trees to plant. 
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Because our primary concern has been reforestation
to restore the the native forest and habitats, we have done research
to identify trees and other flora that are native to the neighboring
oak-dominated lower montane cloud forest of the Talamanca range. In
this effort we have been helped by Jennifer Smith of Tierra Segura
as well as forest experts such as Freddy Rojas of ITCR and Barry Hammel
of INBio. See the Cloudbridge Project overview
. We are also fortunate that a good variety of native trees can be
seen from the balcony of our house, Casa Amanzimtoti, near San Gerardo
de Rivas, Costa Rica. |
The trees planted so far are: Quercus costaricensis,
Quercus rapurahuensis, Sapium pachystachys, Citharexylum
caudatum, Cornus disciflora , Tecoma stans,
Persea caerulea, Manilkara zapota, Ulmus
mexicana (see picture), Cedrela tonduzii, Cupressus
lusitanica, Alnus acuminata and a shrub-like tree,
Tournefortia volubilis, known locally as "frutilla." See
Cloudbridge Flora
. Some others we hope to plant include more oaks such as Quercus seemannii
(roble), flowering trees such as Magnolia poasana, and
fruit trees such as Ocotea ira (aguacaton). See Step 6 .
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Some of the trees are selected with the potential
for commercial forestation in mind, as a demonstration project. These
are faster-growing and marketable. At the same time they must be trees
that are native to the surrounding forest. The initial selection comprises
cupressus lusitanica (cypress, cipres) and
alnus acuminata (alder, jaúl).
Alnus acuminata (picture at right) is valued for its wood, watershed protection and soil improvement. Because it is a nitrogen-fixing tree, it enriches soil quality as it grows. It is a fast-growing pioneer species that regenerates naturally in open, disturbed areas. It is found in zones with extra soil moisture such as cool, tropical highlands, and cool, high-latitude regions with abundant rainfall where mist and cloud cover can be a source of fog-drip precipitation. In the tropical highlands of Central and South America, clouds and mist are important in supporting A. acuminata and grass, when associated, through the dry season. Cupressus lusitanica , cipres, is native to Mexico and probably Guatemala but now widely planted at high elevations throughout the tropical world. Height may exceed 100 ft with a bole diameter of 2 to 3 ft, sometimes reaching 5 ft. Logs are usually well shaped, straight, and cylindrical. It requires good drainage. |
Parts of the Cloudbridge reserve, notably those next
to existing primary forest, are given over to natural regeneration.
Dense shubbery and light-loving pioneer species such as Guarumo (Cecropia
peltata) (left foreground in the picture) prevail in these areas.
Cecropia is an important tree not only because it grows easily and
rapidly in disturbed areas, but also because of its symbiotic relationship
with the azteca ants that live in its hollow trunk, and because
its foliage attracts three-toed sloths.Photo taken on Cloudbridge North |
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Step 2: Acquisition of trees.
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The Cloudbridge Reserve
This private reserve was established to preserve and reforest an important gap in the cloud forest adjoining the Chirripó Pacifico river on the slopes of Mt Chirripó in Costa Rica. Find information at cloudbridge.org or see a map of the reserve At right is a view of the Reserve, looking south from Cloudbridge North , showing the Lower Meadow, Upper Meadow and forest. To get there, go 2.6 kilometers past San Gerardo de Rivas to Casa Amanzimtoti . Then hike 600 meters on to reach the Cloudbridge Reserve, which adjoins the Chirripó National Park. |
Copyright ©2003 Ian Giddy. All rights reserved. Last updated 6th March
2004