Brazilian Páramos II. Macro- and mesoclimate of the campos de altitude and affinities with high mountain climates of the tropical Andes and Costa Rica

摘要: Summary Aim This paper presents a basic analysis of the macro- and mesoclimate Brazilian campos de altitude, series cool–humid, mountaintop grasslands in southeastern Brazil, compares results with data from other tropical as well temperate alpine sites. Location Beginning at altitudes 1800–2000 m, altitude are found atop highest summits main ranges Highlands, between states Santa Catarina Minas Gerais/Espirito Santo. Methods Macro- mesoclimatic parameters for derived both original previously reported results. Parameters include approximate radiation budgets, temperature lapse rates, seasonal diurnal patterns temperature, occurrence frost, elevational gradients precipitation, interannual precipitation. Using multivariate techniques simple numerical contrasts, climate is compared to climates sites. Results With respect seasonality marked influence polar frontal activity, macroclimate typically tropical-marginal. However, reference actual precipitation values, length profundity dry season, average humidities cloudiness, campus more closely corresponds that inner-tropical systems. These commonalities best developed paramo northern Andes and, especially, Costa Rica. Main conclusions Their very different latitudinal geographic positions notwith- standing, high mountain formations N. Andean Central American Cordillera show clear macroclimatic congruities. In these congruities reside environmental basis strong Andean–southeast biogeographic connections, context within which evolutionary ecological parallelisms have biota two widely separate neotropical