Migrating to cooler climates: Restoring tropical forest connectivity in an elevational gradient

Large scale warming is expected to hit tropical forests particularly hard.  In the Monteverde region of Costa Rica, the effects of more dry days and less mist are having a significant effect on the cloud forest.  Some species are already shifting their ranges to higher elevations and more are expected to follow suit as the climate continues to change.  For species that occur at the upper-most elevations there is no where for them to go.  Species that occur in the highly disturbed and fragmented forests of the mid and lower elevations, will have to cross large spans of inhospitable habitat to reach a higher elevation forest. This research seeks to identify priority areas to create connectivity in the region so that species have migration avenues.  Restoration methods will be evaluated, as it may be beneficial to use plants from lower elevations in anticipation of climate change.  Conservation and restoration measures for species that occur at the upper-most elevations will also be reviewed.