image

Tropical cloud forest. View of a tropical cloud forest. Cloud forest grows at high altitudes where temperatures are low and rising winds bring near continuous precipitation or mists throughout the year. This results in a lush under-story growth of plants. The moisture also encourages a rich epiphyte flora of orchids and bromeliads to develop in the forest canopy. Photographed in the Braulio Carrillo National Park in Costa Rica. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO/Gregory G. Dimijian) === ===