Cloud forests without clouds: understanding the climate sensitivity of a global biodiversity hotspot.

Cloud forests provide a number of vital ecosystem services for the planet, in terms of biodiversity, water regulation and carbon sequestration.

All of these functions are threatened by projected declines in water inputs from clouds associated with climate change and deforestation, but the speed and precise nature of any impacts have never been directly tested.

To address this gap, we are bridging the divides between academia and local communities at the frontier of climate change and engaging directly with the production and use of knowledge generated in the project to transform a unique large-scale tropical climate experiment into a trans-disciplinary research platform.

We will combine multiple approaches across a range of spatial and temporal scales to identify the early warning signs of climate change in this global biodiversity hotspot and devise effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to promote sustainable development in the tropics.The proposed work will cement Swedish control of a unique tropical research infrastructure stimulating high-impact, cross-cutting collaborations among the research communities across Scandinavia and internationally.

The close project ties to local scientists, conservationists and policymakers provides a ready path towards translating project results into practical applications for local communities and national government policy.