Forest Ecology of Costa Rica Ecosystems

2.  Has a total area of 2,605,000 hectares
 This is 51% of Costa Rica's total area!
 23.9% of this area is primary forest
 Is habitat to 500,000 species
 1,500 of which are amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles
 6.9% are endemic
 6.6% are threatened
 Comprised of 12,119 species of known vascular plants
 7.8% are endemic
 Contains many different microclimates
 Differences in shading, precipitation, and other factors

3.  Nutrient cycling and soil cohesion
 Very efficient nutrient cycling; closed-loop system
 Root from vegetation prevent soils from eroding
 Climate and air quality regulation
 Acts as a carbon sink and produces oxygen
 Contains 238 million metric tons of carbon in living biomass
 Regulates temperatures through evapotranspiration
 Provision of goods
 Produces raw materials for construction and fuel
 Provides fresh water and food
 Key habitat for animals and plants
 Plants have potential medicinal purposes
 Attracts tourists and increases the nation’s economy

4. Rainforests Cloud Forests
Dry Forests

5.  One of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems in
the world
 Very poor soil fertility but efficient nutrient cycling
 4 forest layers:

6.  High productivity and biodiversity
 Found in higher elevations, such as the sides of mountains
 Almost always shrouded in clouds, producing unique
climates
 4 forest layers, same as rainforests

7.  Scarce vegetation but high biodiversity
 Can sustain 50-100% of the number of fauna and flora as
neighboring rainforests can
 Little to no precipitation for most of the year, but receives a
great amount during the rainy season
 2 forest layers:
 Canopy
 Forest Floor

8. Rainforest Cloud Forest Dry Forest
Temperature (°F)
Precipitation (cm)
Elevation (m)
Canopy Height (m)
0 - 6000 - 1,000
72 - 92
15 - 40
500 – 3,000
200 - 600 100 - 300
61 - 64
40 - 60
110 - 150
20 - 30
72 - 92
Types of
Vegetation
Evergreen Trees
(Some Deciduous)
Epiphytes
Climbers
Evergreen and
Deciduous Trees
Epiphytes
Mosses
Deciduous Trees
(Some Evergreen)
Shrubs
Herbs
Forest Layers 4 4 2
Dry Period 0 - 2 Months 0 - 2 Months 5-8 Months

9.  Deforestation
 Agriculture
 Ranching
 Urbanization
 Mining
 Dam construction
 Pollution

10.  Description:
 About 80-96 cm in length and
weighs 1 kg
 Can live up to 50 years in the
Wild (75 years in captivity); reaches sexual maturity at age 5
 Produces 2 or 3 offspring each season
 Population decline:
 No more than 4,000 in Central America
 Threats:
 Deforestation and habitat fragmentation/loss
 Illegal pet trade
 Hunting for feathers

11.  Description:
 One of the largest New World
monkeys; around 140 cm long
from head to tail and weighs
6-9 kg
 Has long, slim limbs and a
strong prehensile tail
 Lifespan of up to 33 years
 Population Decline:
 Since 1995, populations have declined as much as 50%
 Threats:
 Deforestation and habitat loss
 Illegal pet trafficking and hunting

12.  Description:
 One of the largest butterflies in the world with wings that span
3-8 inches
 Tops of wings are bright blue edged with black, but undersides
are dull brown with spots
 Lifespan of 115 days
 Threats
 Deforestation
 Capture by collectors

13.  National parks
 Minimizes and prevents degradation of forested ecosystems in
protected areas
 Increases visibility of issues to public
 Restoration projects
 Replanting forests

14.  Connect to nature
 Reduce waste
 Conserve energy and water
 Buy less, buy “green”
 Eat local and grow your own!
 Volunteer
 Express yourself!