Dwarf forest
There are two main dwarf forest ecosystem types, involving different species and environmental characteristics: coastal temperate and montane tropical regions.
The mountains in close proximity affect the rate of wind and heat retention, decreasing the negative effects of climate.
[5] The high wind speeds act as the determining factor of the stature in dwarf forest flora, especially on ridges and slopes.
[6] A large percentage of energy is also allocated to growing and maintaining heavy and extensive root structures, further strengthening the tree and increasing its resistance to high winds.
[3] A large percentage of plants possess alkaloids and other natural products, likely to combat a high amount of herbivory from insects.
Hummingbirds and bats make up a large proportion of the vertebrates in some areas, usually as altitudinal migrants during seasonal shifts, such as for reproduction, or in response to food abundance.
[1] At one study site in the Guajira Peninsula, dry season precipitation ranged from 1–4 days per month, while in the wet season, although increased, it was still a relatively low 4 to 12 days per month,[1] supporting the idea that the majority of the water in this region is held in low cloud cover and fog interception.
On the Central Coast of California, on the southeastern shore of Morro Bay, Los Osos contains the El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area.
[18] Some of the plants commonly found in Californian elfin forests, including many introduced species, are: diminutive plants such as Mount Hood pussypaws (Cistanthe umbellata), alkali heath (Frankenia salina), and species of bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus); and trees and shrubs such as chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), manzanita (Arctostaphylos), Ceanothus, sumac (Rhus), sage (Salvia) and scrub-oak (Quercus berberidifolia) which naturally grow less than 20 ft (7m) tall.
[citation needed] Californian elfin forest fauna includes many species of deer mice (Peromyscus spp.
Plants found in elfin forests grow during winter months, and become dormant during the summer due to drought stress.
Plant communities also rely on taking in moisture from the air by intercepting fog to supplement the low, seasonal rainfall.
[22] Formation of coastal elfin forests in northern California and Oregon, began with a series of marine terraces.
Due to limited root mobility and acidic soil, plant communities on these terraces grow into stunted forms.
[33] Stunted tree growth can also occur in some cases of highly alkaline soils such as the Stora Alvaret (Great Alvar) formation on the island of Öland in Sweden.
While the same species are present in the vast surrounding region of the Pine Barrens, dwarf plant size is attributed to drier, nutrient-poor soil, exposure to winds, and frequent wildfires in the area.
[35][36] In the high-elevation Antilles elfin forests reduced solar radiation and low evapotranspiration rates means these mountain regions retain moisture.
