We are pleased to announce a new NSF-funded Research Coordination Network (RCN) on tropical montane cloud forest ecology. A central purpose of this RCN is to increase interaction and information exchange between scientists, students, managers and educators interested in tropical montane cloud forest ecology and management. The RCN will sponsor a series of workshops, symposia, research exchanges, and training programs to advance the science.
Tropical montane cloud forests are unique ecosystems found on high, mist-covered mountains throughout the tropics. They play a critical role in biodiversity protection, water resources, and human livelihoods, yet they remain one of the world’s least studied ecosystems. The RCN will build an international research network to help bridge this gap. Currently, our understanding is constrained by: (1) limited cross-site and methodological compatibility, (2) limited discourse across disciplinary boundaries, and (3) limited synthesis of current research. An RCN is needed to help standardize scientific techniques, promote new technologies and interdisciplinary approaches, and synthesize datasets across large scales. Please note: the RCN’s kick-off meeting will take place at the Ecological Society of American Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, August 2012. We have a Special Session entitled “Towards a unified ecology of tropical montane cloud forests”. The main goal is to meet as a group and begin laying out the vision and objectives for the RCN. A separate email will be sent to organize this session once the scheduling details have been finalized. A website will be launched soon to foster open discussion of themes for meetings, methodological issues, ecological interpretation, and other RCN-related questions. We look forward to moving the field forward together. Patrick Martin Heidi Asbjornsen Tom Giambelluca Fred Scatena Ken Young ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Patrick Martin Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173 http://landscapeecology.agsci.colostate.edu/index.html
