The document summarizes information about Costa Rica's forests, which cover 51% of the country's total area and contain a high level of biodiversity. It notes that Costa Rica's forests include rainforests, cloud forests, and dry forests, which differ in climate, elevation, and vegetation layers. The forests are threatened by deforestation, agriculture, urbanization, and pollution. It provides details on three species - the harpy eagle, spider monkey, and blue morpho butterfly - that face population declines due to habitat loss and other threats. The document recommends national park protections and restoration projects to help conserve Costa Rica's forests.

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!