Holdridge did his PhD dissertation (Univ. of Michigan) in Haiti, "The Pine Forest and Adjacent Mountain Vegetation of Haiti, considered from the Standpoint of a New climatic Classification of Plant Formations" in 1947. According to "Life Zone Ecology" revised edition (Aug. 1967) by L.R. Holdridge published by the Tropical Science Center in San Jose, Costa Rica, p. 13, the Holdridge model was developed "After several years of forestry work in the Caribbean region and a specific vegetation study in a mountain area in Haiti..."
Holdridge later settled in Costa Rica and, with Joseph Tosi, founded the Tropical Science Center (TSC). While based in Costa Rica Holdridge and collaborators at TSC refined the classification system while preparing vegetaion maps throughout Central and South America. Bob Mowbray Tropical Forest Ecologist -------------- Original message from Pedro Anglada : -------------- > Holdridge developed his system for Costa Rica. Thus, > the model works best for Central America. However, the > Holdridge model have been used to classify forest > types in most ecological researches in Puerto Rico, > which has a great affinity with the Dominican Republic > in species composition. > > Check the publication list of the Institute for > tropical ecosystems studies' website from the > LTER: Luq-site. ITES > As well, Common trees of Puerto Rico and the West > Indies by F. Wadsworth and E. Little, US department of > forestry > > Pedro Anglada >
