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44 - Human impacts on stream-water chemistry in a tropical montane cloud forest watershed, Monteverde, Costa Rica

from Part IV - Nutrient dynamics in tropical montane cloud forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2011

By
A. L. Rhodes ,
A. J. Guswa ,
S. Dallas ,
E. M. Kim ,
S. Katchpole  and
A. Pufall
Edited by
L. A. Bruijnzeel ,
F. N. Scatena  and
L. S. Hamilton
A. L. Rhodes
Affiliation:
Smith College, USA
A. J. Guswa
Affiliation:
Smith College, USA
S. Dallas
Affiliation:
Monteverde Institute, Costa Rica
E. M. Kim
Affiliation:
Smith College, USA
S. Katchpole
Affiliation:
Smith College, USA
A. Pufall
Affiliation:
Smith College, USA
L. A. Bruijnzeel
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
F. N. Scatena
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania
L. S. Hamilton
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
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Summary

ABSTRACT

Monteverde, Costa Rica is home to a tropical montane cloud forest that illustrates the balances between habitat and development inherent to ecotourism. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, located on the leeward side of the Continental Divide, has experienced a 100-fold increase in visitors since its inception 20 years ago. The associated growth in population and commercial development has the potential to impact water resources. Over three years, more than 400 stream-water samples were collected from eight sites above and below the main road within the Rio Guacimal watershed to assess the effect of development on water quality. The chemistry of upstream samples reflects mineral weathering and cation exchange reactions in the forest soils. Comparisons of downstream samples to these baseline data showed evidence of anthropogenic impacts: chemical concentrations were two to five times higher at downstream locations. The highest concentrations were observed at the site with the highest population density. These results point to the value of forest preserves, specifically the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Bosque Eterno de Los Niños (or the Children's Eternal Rainforest), in limiting growth in riparian areas, which in turn helps to protect the quality of water resources for downstream communities.

Type
Chapter
Information
Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Science for Conservation and Management
 , pp. 410 - 417
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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