CLOUDSThis website was created to showcase the most popular and well know cloud forests on Earth. We hope you find the information on our website will help further information on cloud forests and their purpose on the planet. Also, it is also a guide for travelers to gain further information about each cloud forest location. A cloud forest is generally tropical or subtropical, evergreen, montane, moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and vegetation, in which case they are also referred to as mossy forests. Mossy forests usually develop on mountains where moisture introduced by settling clouds. A cloud forest are also known as; water forest, primas forest, or tropical montane cloud forest. Only 1% of the global woodland consists of cloud forests. They previously comprised an estimated 11% of all tropical forests in the 1970s. A total of around 736 cloud forest sites have been identified in 59 countries by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, with 327 of them legally protected areas as of 2002. Important areas of cloud forest are in Central and South America (mainly Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia), East and Central Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and in the Caribbean. Because of their delicate dependency on local climates, cloud forests will be strongly affected by global climate change. Results show that the extent of environmentally suitable areas for cloud forest in Mexico will sharply decline in the next 70 years. A number of climate models suggest low-altitude cloudiness will be reduced, which means the optimum climate for many cloud forest habitats will increase in altitude. Linked to the reduction of cloud moisture immersion and increasing temperature, the hydrological cycle will change, so the system will dry out. This would lead to the wilting and the death of epiphytes, which rely on high humidity. Frogs and lizards are expected to suffer from increased drought. Calculations suggest the loss of cloud forest in Mexico would lead to extinction of up to 37 vertebrates specific to that region. In addition, climate changes can result in a higher number of hurricanes, which may increase damage to tropical montane cloud forests. All in all, the results of climate change will be a loss in biodiversity, altitude shifts in species ranges and community reshuffling, and, in some areas, complete loss of cloud forests.
Note: Eighty three percent of cloud forests on Earth are inaccessible by walking. There terrains of many clouds forest make it nearly impossible to be accessed by trails.

The Difference Between Rain Forests and Cloud Forests

Rainforests are located at lower elevations, and as a result, they tend to be much warmer, especially during the dry season. Cloud forests, on the other hand, are usually located at much higher elevations, and are much cooler. ... Both have a ton of animals but the animals vary in each type of forest. Want to experience a different type of natural beauty? Head to the nearest cloud forest to traipse through the misty depths of nature’s unique diversity. The possibility of a cloud forest depends on the altitude of the forest and its proximity to the sea; cloud forests are most often found in tropical and subtropical regions. Wander through persistent low-level clouds and admire the immense beauty of some of the best cloud forests in the world—check them out below!

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - Costa Rica

Earth Coordinates: 10°18'02" N 84°47'34"W - Elevation: 4,662 Feet

The first of its kind, Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve houses 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, which is just one of the many reasons you should visit. The small reserve boasts some of the world’s most incredible natural beauty; here you can see unique flora and fauna in a place quite unique to the world.
Website: MonteVerdeInfo.Com

Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary - Hawaii - United States

Earth Coordinates: 19°42'31"N 155°57'04"W - Elevation: 3,000 Feet

The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is one of our favorites for its unique ecosystem and biodiversity. It’s the most accessible cloud forest in Hawaii and perhaps the world. There is a wide variety of trees, plants and flowers. Many types of epiphytes are to be found at this location. The sanctuary also offers daily botanical tours that will educate you on tropical cloud forests and reforestation. The Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours are rated #1 by TripAdvisor of these four categories; Nature, Parks, Attractions and Things To Do In Kona. Kona Cloud Forest also has attained TripAdvisors highest award, "Certificate of Excellence"
Social Media Search Tag: #KonaCloudForest
Status: Painted Trees of Hawaii - 509 (A)(2) Educational Non Profit Foundation
Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours are presented by the Painted Trees of Hawaii Foundation
All tours by phone appointment only (808) 640-3888 - Kelly Dunn - CEO-President
Note: There is no free-walking in the forest as this is a private sanctuary.

La Reserva Biosfera El Cielo - Mexico

Earth Coordinates: 23 16 32 N - 99 15 10 W - Elevation: 3,300 Feet

La Reserva Biosfera El Cielo, or Mexico's El Cielo Biosphere Park, is a 356,442 acre reserve that spans four distinct ecological systems and ranges in elevation from just a few hundred feet above sea level to well over 7,500-feet at the peak of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in the state of Tamaulipas. The “heaven” of Mexico, this cloud forest is located in the southernmost region of the country. The region itself contains several different habitats, including the cloud forest, dry shrublands, and a sub-deciduous tropical forest. When you decide to explore the trails of this cloud forest, you may walk past a few small, semi-remote villages that are home to friendly locals. Enjoy the warm Mexican culture while walking among the clouds.

Fiordland National Park - New Zealand

Earth Coordinates: 45 46 42 S - 167 21 44 E - Elevation: 3,500 Feet

biodiversity. From fiords to temperate rain forests, there’s something beautiful for everyone to admire here. Amazingly enough, the cloud forests are just one of the interesting sight to see here, which goes to show how breathtaking this park is. If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings film series, you’ll love seeing why the movies were shot in New Zealand—the swirling clouds and mossy forests are just the start.

El Rey National Park - Argentina

Earth Coordinates: 24 41 41 S - 64 38 01 W - Elevation: 2,460 Feet

This park was created in order to preserve a representative sample of the Southern Andean Yungas ecoregion and transition environments. The climate is warm, and annual rainfall oscillates between 500 and 700 mm. The flora is varied, showing different species in five levels according to height (from 750 to 2,000 m). El Rey National Park is located in the province of Salta in northern Argentina. Its incredibly biodiverse territory includes the cloud forest, high mountains, rivers, and valleys—exploring here is something you’ll never forget. Here you can find “21 species of reptiles, 255 species of birds, and 50 species of mammals,” so you won’t have to worry about a sightless excursion. You may even pass some locals traveling on horseback—it’ll be a hike to remember.

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