This multidisciplinary project, undertaken in collaboration with Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC) in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, addresses the need for long-term meteorological and hydrological monitoring in the Mestelá River catchment. The tropical montane cloud forest in this region provides essential ecosystem services through canopy cloud water interception and regulation of streamflow, yet continuous, high-quality environmental data remain limited.

To support research and conservation efforts, a 13.5 m scaffolding tower was designed and constructed as a durable, safe, and adaptable measurement platform, engineered for future extension to 25 m. The structural design accounted for local wind loads, dynamic forces, foundation stability, and corrosion resistance, ensuring a projected operational lifespan of 15 years.

Beyond infrastructure, the project developed a hydrological monitoring set-up and a Python-based modelling framework to quantify the canopy water balance and hydrological cycle. Sensor selection, placement, and integration were tailored to capture key meteorological and hydrological variables, including rainfall, fog interception, throughfall, and soil moisture. Data acquisition and storage were configured to function as autonomously as possible under remote, high-humidity cloud forest conditions, while allowing for straightforward periodic maintenance of all components involved.

Recognising that sustainability extends beyond technical performance, the project incorporated cultural and institutional engagement. Workshops and collaborative activities with CCFC staff and local stakeholders were conducted to align the monitoring system with community values, build operational capacity, and foster local ownership. A comprehensive maintenance strategy and guidelines for potential expansion were developed to ensure the continued relevance and adaptability of the system, including options for biodiversity monitoring and additional research applications.

The resulting monitoring platform combines robust engineering, scientific instrumentation, and community integration. It establishes a foundation for long-term data collection that can inform hydrological modelling, climate adaptation strategies, and evidence-based conservation, while embedding the system within the local social and ecological context.