Stunted Cloud-forest in Taveuni, Fiji
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چکیده
The vegetation and microclimate of a stunted ridge-top cloudforest on Mt. Koroturanga (l210m), Taveuni, Fiji (Lat. l7 °S, Long. 180°) is described. Canopy heights decreased from about 30 m at sea level to 10m at 1140m altitude and to 3-7m on the ridge and upper windward slopes . The stunted trees were of low height for their stem diameter, and had abundant epiphytic bryophytes. The upper windward slopes and ridge were usually cloud enveloped and had low temperature (c 17°C), high relative humidity (c94%) and high wind speed (c 5 m S-1 at 15m height) . Canopy height was closely correlated with estimated rates ofleaftranspiration. The cloud-forest had abundant Freycinetia urvilleana in the upper canopy and included species restricted to this environment on a few peaks in Fiji, e.g. Ascarina swamyana and Medinilla
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