Decomposition Study

In 2017, we initiated a multi-site, multi-investigator experiment on decomposition patterns and processes in TMCFs. Decomposition dynamics in TMCFs may be fundamentally different from other forest ecosystems, given their frequent cloudiness, saturated soils, and high fog water inputs. Yet, prior decomposition studies in TMCFs have been limited to single sites and have not spanned the wide range in climate, soil saturation and soil fertility found across TMCFs.

This study will (a) determine how rates of leaf and wood decomposition vary in TMCFs with elevation, temperature, precipitation, soil nutrient availability, soil saturation and faunal access; (b) evaluate interactions between above- vs. below-ground decomposition rates and environmental characteristics; and (c) correlate wood and foliar decomposition rates. The study protocol is available here.

The study is currently underway with 30 collaborators, encompassing TMCFs in 14 tropical countries spread across 3 continents. Data collection will conclude in July and we anticipate publishing the findings later in 2018. 

 

Plant Functional Traits Study

We have initiated a global, multi-site study to assess variation in plant functional traits across different TMCFs, with an emphasis on cloud-affected forests. We are interested in examining trait variation across large geographic scales (i.e. Hawaiʻi vs. Peru), as well as within sites along environmental gradients (climate, land use, soil fertility, etc.). This study will address whether TMCFs are globally characterized by a similar trait composition and if the biogeographic and phylogenetic constraints that structure assemblages in TMCFs also result in important differences in ecosystem function.

We are collating published data and collecting new data for traits that are inexpensive and easy to measure: (a) specific leaf area, (b) leaf carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, (c) stomatal density, (d) wood density, (e) seed dispersal mode, (f) seed mass, (g) cuticular conductance following standard protocols. This study began in 2015 and will be published 2018. If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Dr. Sybil Gotsch at Franklin and Marshall College (sybil.gotsch@fandm.edu).

 

Climate Characterization Initiative

Obtaining accurate, comparable and comprehensive climate measurements is challenging in TMCFs due to the complexity of climate in these systems and the technical challenges of measuring non-standard climate and hydrological variables (e.g. wind-driven rain, fog water inputs) that are especially important in TMCFs.

To help characterize and determine the importance of various climate variables across TMCFs, this initiative has promulgated standard methods and instrumentation to help increase the coverage and comparability of TMCF climate data. If you are interested in participating, email Dr. Mark Mulligan at King’s College London (mark.mulligan@kcl.ac.uk) and Dr. Tom Giambelluca at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa (thomas@hawaii.edu).