A total
of 605 TMCF sites in 41 countries have been identified to date (see Tables
1 to 4). These are marked on maps 1-3 which show the distribution of montane
cloud forest sites in the three tropical regions. The highest concentration
is found in Latin America, where 280 sites (46%) are found in only 12 countries,
the majority in Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia. In south-east Asia,
228 sites have been identified in 14 countries principally in Indonesia
and Malaysia and to a lesser extent in Sri Lanka, Philippines and Papua
New Guinea. In Africa, 97 sites have been recorded in 21 countries, with
many cloud forests found on relatively isolated mountains which are scattered
across the continent.
Details
of the size of particular cloud forest sites have been difficult to obtain,
except where the information has been supplied by local experts. In any
case, the actual extent of cloud forest itself as distinct from the surrounding
or adjoining forest type is very difficult to determine, even on the ground.
An initial
assessment of the values of cloud forests shows that the majority of areas
are exceptionally important habitats for endemic and other threatened species
of flora and fauna, including many important tree species and plant such
as tree ferns Cyatheaceae and orchids Orchidaceae. Large numbers
of bird species and mammals such as the spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus
and howler monkeys Alouatta spp. are dependent on cloud forest
habitat for their survival. In addition these forests have a high socio-economic
value to local populations principally as a source of fuelwood, building
materials and food amongst others, but also on a larger scale for watershed
protection and climate regulation. At the same time, overcutting for fuelwood,
clearance for agriculture, encroachment by grazing animals and the spread
of fire from grass-burning of adjoining areas were identified as amongst
the major localised threats to these fragile ecosystems and their inhabitants.
In addition many areas are under pressure from mining companies and large-scale
road building projects, often against the wishes of local people.
Globally
from the information gathered, just under half the sites identified have
an element of protection by being within protected areas classified as meeting
IUCN Management Category I-VI criteria. Others may be under less formal
protection as private reserves or in collaborative forest management agreements,
although this information is not available at this stage. In south-east
Asia, 50% of sites identified are within IUCN protected areas, while Latin
America has 44% (Central America has only 30%, while South America has 47%),
and Africa has 39%. However, despite the fact that cloud forests in these
areas are legally designated as "protected", in practice many are under
pressure from the threats described above and are continuing to become more
fragmented, and in some areas completely lost, at an alarming rate.
