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Ecosystem Tropical Rainforest
High - Montane Altitudinal Zone

 Nebelwald   Bosque Nublado   Floresta Altomontana
The location of the high - montane altitudinal zone in the tropical rainforest ecosystem depends on latitude. In the Atlantic Rainforest Southeast Reserves ( > 24° ) it is located above 1000 m above sea level. The vegetation of this altitudinal zone is called high - montane tropical rainforest (floresta ombrófila densa altomontana).

High - montane tropical rainforest usually thrives on litholic, organic soils or rocky outcroppings, in areas almost permanently subject to the condensation of the moist air masses coming from the sea, giving rise to mists or even light rains during most of the time. Thats why this vegetation type is also often named "nebular", "mist" or "cloud" forest.
Cloud Forest
 

The most striking differential characteristics of the cloud forest compared to the other formations of the tropical rainforest ecosystem is a reduces size of the arboreal plants, more twisted trunks and branches and abundance of non - vascular epiphytes, notably mosses and hepatics. Typical species of the high - montane altitudinal zone divided by layers (stratums) are:
 
Dense arboreal stratum: ( < 6m )
cataia (Drimys brasilensis), gramimunhas (Weinmania discolor), caúnas (Ilex theezans, Ilex microdonta, Ilex chamaedryfolia, Ilex taubertiana), santa-rita (Gordonia fruticosa), pinheiro-bravo (Podocarpus sellowii), ipê amarelo (Tabebuia catarinensis), carne de vaca (Clethra scabra, Clethra uleana).
 
Brushy - herbaceous stratum: ( < 3m )
bromeliaceae (Aechmea ornata), poaceae (Chusquea spp., Olyra spp.), orchideaceae (Sophronites coccinea).
 
* Source: Carlos Renato Fernandes (Floresta Atlântica)
                 Nicia Wendel de Magalhães (Descubra o Lagamar)
 
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