Central American Cloud Forest Food Web
Terrestrial
Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Central America — Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras
Description
Cloud forests exist in tropical mountain zones where persistent fog provides moisture beyond rainfall. These forests harbor extraordinary epiphyte diversity and unique fauna like the resplendent quetzal. Climate change threatens to push the cloud base higher, potentially eliminating this ecosystem from many mountaintops.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Cloud forest fungi
Moss-dwelling invertebrates
Soil bacteria
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
Jaguar
Puma
2 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Eyelash viper
Tayra
Ornate hawk-eagle
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
Resplendent quetzal
Howler monkey
Emerald toucanet
3 species
Level 1
Producers
Tree ferns
Orchids
Cloud forest oaks
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- Resplendent quetzals depend on wild avocado fruits for nutrition
- Epiphytes capture fog moisture that drips to the forest floor, augmenting water supply
- Eyelash vipers ambush hummingbirds at flowering plants
- Moss and epiphyte mats host diverse invertebrate communities above the ground