Miniature Forests of Cape Horn

Ecotourism with a Hand Lens

and Lily R. Lewis Ricardo Rozzi Francisca Massardo William Buck Bernard Goffinet, Ricardo Rozzi, Lily Lewis, William Buck, Francisca Massardo

Publication Year: 2012

In the humid forests of Cape Horn, a single tree can host more than 100 species of little epiphyte plants. The floor of the forest and the rocks are also covered by numerous species of liverworts, mosses, and lichens. The decision to stop at a tree or rock and explore these “miniature forests” generates an authentic ecotourism experience. In a small area we can spend several minutes or hours with a magnifying glass or camera discovering the colors, shapes, and textures of the most diverse organisms of Cape Horn. This guidebook enhances exploration by providing information to understand the architecture, life cycles, and identification of taxonomic groups of the organisms that form them. For example, when viewing a yellow orange organism, the full color pictures and text in the guidebook illustrate that what you are viewing on the inter-tidal rocks is a crustose lichen, with a well-defined circular structure belonging to the genus Caloplaca that enjoys a broad distribution in inter-tidal zones of Arctic and Antarctic areas. The authors of this guidebook also provide a novel twist on other, more traditional field guides to bryophytes and lichens by introducing the innovative, sustainable tourism activity of “ecotourism with a hand lens.” They present a strong natural history narrative and an ecological and ethical orientation for the appreciation of wonders of the miniature forests of Cape Horn.

Published by: University of North Texas Press

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Serendipity in the Origin of Ecotourism with a Hand Lens /Serendipia en el Origen del Ecoturismo con Lupa

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pp. 11-26

In March 2000, I embarked on an expedition to the Cape Horn Islands at the southern end of the Americas, guiding a group of bryologists led by Bernard...

I. Ecotourism with a Hand Lens / Ecoturismo con Lupa

1. Introduction to Ecotourism with a Hand Lens /Introducción al Ecoturismo con Lupa

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pp. 28-80

You have arrived at Cape Horn, the southern summit of the Americas. Like on the peaks of high mountains, we find few tree species at this high latitude tip of the continent...

II. Introduction to the Bryophytes and Lichens of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve / Introduccion a las Briofitas y Liquenes de la Reserva de Biosfera Cabo de Hornos

2. Introduction to Bryophytes / Introducción a las Briofitas

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pp. 82-125

The green cushions that sheath the trunks and branches and carpet rocks and soil are composed of a diversity of miniature plants known as bryophytes (Figure 2.1). These little plants...

3. Introduction to Lichens / Introducción a los Líquenes

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pp. 126-153

Fungi, like animals, depend on the green world of primary producers to sustain their energetic needs. They are unable to use solar light to make energy...

4. Lichens and their Habitats at the Omora Ethnobotanical Park andNavarino Island / Los Líquenes y sus Hábitats en el Parque Etnobotánico Omora y la Isla Navarino

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pp. 154-185

The world’s southernmost forests are found in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Here we also find the last American glaciers before the immense extension of the frozen Antarctic. This area is also...

III. Representative Bryophyte and Lichen Species of the Miniature Forests of Cape Horn / Especies Representativas de Briofitas y Liquenes de Los Bosques en Miniaturia del cabo de Hornos

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pp. 186-188

5. Moss Species / Especies de Musgos

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pp. 189-268

Characters for field identification: Plants grow horizontally and form highly branched mats, usually with many sporophytes. The branches are spreading and conspicuously pointed. The leaves are broad and spoon-shaped, with hollow blades and rounded apices....

6. Liverwort Species / Especies de Hepáticas

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pp. 269-284

Characters for field identification: These rich brown to red plants are abundantly branched and their outline resembles that of a fern frond. Their leaves are divided into two or more parts: the main lobe is deeply incised with each half lined...

7. Hornwort Species / Especies de Antocerotes

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pp. 285-290

Characters for field identification: The bright green thallus of N. endiviifolius is made up of flattened, broad strap-like lobes, thicker and longer than those of N. fuegiensis; the wavy margins of the thallus are lined with distinctive and abundant frills...

8. Lichen Species / Especies de Líquenes

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pp. 291-376

Characters for field identification: This tiny pin-head lichen may be hard to find, but is easily spotted when sought in the right habitat: the crustose thallus is granular and green...

IV. Ecotourism with a Hand Lens in the Trail of the Miniature Forests of Cape Horn at Omora Park / Ecotourismo Con Lupa en El Sendero De Los Bosques en Miniatura Del Cabo de Hornos en El Parque Omora

9. Recognizing Species and Practicing Ecotourism with a Hand Lens /Reconociendo Especies y Practicando Ecoturismo con Lupa

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pp. 378-416

We invite you to go through the trail of the Miniature Forests of Cape Horn where you will find metal signs in the shape of magnifying glasses that call your attention to some of the organisms and microhabitats...

Afterword "On Seeing-As" / Epilogo "Ver Como"

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pp. 417-423

There are, no doubt, somewhat surprising and important scientific facts presented in this book. These facts, if they are understood and incorporated...

Acknowledgments

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p. 424-424

This book is the result of a decade of research, education on, conservation on and ecotourism work at the Omora Ethnobotanical Park. We thank the numerous friends of the park, volunteers...

Agradecimientos

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p. 425-425

Este libro es el resultado de una década de trabajo de inves􀆟 gación, educación, conservación y ecoturismo en el Parque Etnobotánico Omora. Agradecemos a los numerosos amigos del parque, voluntarios, autoridades, profesores, periodistas...

Bibliography / Bibliografia

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pp. 426-434

Glossary

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p. 435-435

Glosario

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pp. 436-438

Participants / Participantes

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p. 438-438

Image Credits / Creditos De Las Imagenes

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p. 439-439

Index of Names / Índice De Nombres

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pp. 440-444

Back Cover

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p. 445-445

E-ISBN-13: 9781574414561
Print-ISBN-13: 9781574414486

Page Count: 400
Illustrations: 250 color illus.
Publication Year: 2012