Cloud forest areas at Gavi experience decrease in rainfall
cloud forests
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Dec. 3, 2009: Current Science reports that tropical montane cloud forest sites, which are characterized by frequent or seasonal cloud cover at the vegetation level, at Gavi in Kerala and High Wavys and Venniyar in Tamil Nadu have shown reduction in seasonal average and total rainfallespecially during summer monsoon season. The highes reduction was
level of reduction for summer monsoon season was observed at Gavi rainforest station, greater than 20 mm over 14 years. On the other hand, the rainfall increased during the study period in the Periyar area of Kerala, irrespective of the seasons.

It is difficult to interpret this data. Warming can increase precipitation. The study concludes that the current precipitation changes in those  pristine montane cloud forest areas can have negative impacts on crops and plants as well as ecosystem hydrology because cardamom, coffee, tea and native forest plants are highly sensitive to precipitation changes.

The full paper can be downloaded from  http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/dec252009/1755.pdf

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