The Cloud forest mapping project

The Cloud forest mapping project builds upon the UNEP-WCMC cloud forest points database by Aldrich et al (1997) and a modification of it by Philip Tanimoto. These databases provides 500 or so points which represent documented cloud forests.  We know that some of these points are poorly referenced and so at the wrong altitude and we also know that many of them have little information on the ground conditions.  Moreover these points represent areas of cloud forest on the ground and the database gives no indication of the extent of these areas.  Nevertheless this is the best database that exists and is the foundation for this effort.

Here we present a 'geowiki' or map based wiki in which we will - with your help - build up a publicly available and publicly updatable cloud forest points (and areas) database based on these beginnings.  The database incorporates a map component for marking the location and extent of the sites and wiki component for documenting some properties of the sites.

Only by understanding the nature and extent of cloudforests can be best manage and sustain them for both their intrinsic value and the tangible services that they provide to society.

How you can help

You are encouraged to use this webpage to provide positive or negative feedback on the representation of cloud forests by our modelling efforts  in areas that you know.

You can also add cloudforest points and areas for places that you know or download maps of cloud forests from the 'Map' link on the menu to the left which provides a system for viewing and adding to the cloudforests point database using Google Maps (no download required) or Google Earth (download required).

We hope to be able to :
(a) improve the quality of some of the known cloudforests in the current database (please click and comment to indicate any points that are recorded as cloud forests in the current database but that are either not cloud forests or are in the wrong place and provide any evidence (references, URLs) to support your contention),
(b) extend the database to incorporate more sites and more information on the sites, particularly in so-far poorly studied cloudforests,
(c) release the database for visualisation, consultation, download and use.

Your contribution to the database will be attributed with the details (name, organisation and email) that you supply.  Many thanks for any contribution you are able to make to improve the database of cloud forest locations.
 

Aldrich, M., C. Billington,  M. Edwards, and R. Laidlaw. 1997.  A Global directory of tropical montane cloud forests. Cambridge : UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.  

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