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4 - Changes in mist immersion

from Part I - General perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2011

By
P. Foster
Edited by
L. A. Bruijnzeel,
F. N. Scatena and
L. S. Hamilton
P. Foster
Affiliation:
University of Bristol, UK
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

This chapter reviews recent research on changes in cloud formation at cloud forest and other sites. These changes are discussed in the context of the global hydrological cycle, global climate change, and tropical deforestation. After a simplified review of the basic theory on (changes in) cloud formation, a simple equation is derived governing the expected changes in the altitude of the lifting condensation level associated with given changes in humidity and temperature of the air. Using the ECHAM4 Global Circulation Model, predictions are made about changes in cloud base height for the next century. These prove to be consistent with an intensification of the hydrological cycle.

INTRODUCTION

How cloud characteristics will change in the coming centuries is of critical importance to cloud forests (Foster,2001). Recent literature has concentrated mostly on the changes in the altitude of the cloud base, primarily because it is easily quantifiable in models and observation (cf. Lawton et al., this volume). This chapter will continue that trend but notes that changes in the frequency of cloud formation and/or the water content of clouds (Hildebrandt and Eltahir, 2008) may be of equal or greater consequence than changes in the altitude of formation per se. Emphasis here will be on changes driven by increases in atmospheric CO2 although it is recognized that aerosols, because of their key role in cloud formation and circulation patterns (Liepert et al., 2004), should also be included in the prediction of future cloud formation regimes.

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Chapter
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Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Science for Conservation and Management
 , pp. 57 - 66
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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