The Forests of Costa Rica

Priceless Jewels of the Earth
Suzanne L. Noel

Oh, yes, Costa Rica has gorgeous beaches up and down both coasts. But for a totally different and awe provoking experience, one must visit its world renewed forests, which include Tropical Dry Forests, Tropical Cloud Forests, and Rainforests. One of the many wonderful aspects about living or visiting this small Central American county, is that in one day it is possible to travel from the wet Caribbean lowlands, say, to the cloud forest in Monte Verde and experience unique and distinct worlds that overflow with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Each habitat is a spectacular ecosystem filled with an astounding and easily seen array of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants, all of which can be fully appreciated with all your senses at the leisurely Costa Rican pace.

In a time when many of the Earth’s vital ecosystems are threatened by such factors as population growth, encroachment, farming, mining, oil exploration, cattle ranching, logging, and global climate change, among others, the fact that 24% of Costa Rica’s territory is protected under some category is an impressive and noteworthy accomplishment not to be missed nor ignored. Though Costa Rica makes up only .03% of the planet’s surface, it is considered to be one of the 20 countries with greatest biodiversity in the world. The more than 500,000 species that are found in this small country represent nearly 4% of the total species estimated worldwide. Costa Rica’s forests are indeed Jewels of the earth.

Vibrant Mists of Cloud Forests

Enveloped almost continuously by fog and mist, and found in areas that receive 20 to 400 inches of rain a year, cloud forests are spectacular hotbeds of biodiversity, harboring innumerable plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. The persistent clouds affect the vegetation by reducing sunlight, wetting tree canopies, and suppressing evapo transpiration, thus protecting watersheds, providing a regular and controlled supply of water to communities downstream, and maintaining wet and highly organic soil. Cloud Forests are exceptionally important habitats for endemic and other threatened species of flora and fauna, including many important tree species and plants such as tree ferns and orchids, as well as large numbers of bird species and mammals. Some of Costa Rica’s cloud forests include Monteverde Cloud Forest, Braulio Carrillo National Park, and the upper summits of the Talamanca Mountain Range. Monteverde alone harbors at least 878 species of epiphyte (plants that grow on other plants), including 450 kinds of orchids. Trees are covered with mosses, bromeliads, and ferns. There are more than 425 species of birds, 5,000 species of moths, and innumerable other plants and animals, including jaguars, tapirs, and pumas, and exotic species such as resplendent quetzals and three wattled bellbirds.

The majestic highland forests of Barva Volcano, within Braulio Carrillo National Park, has more abundant wildlife in its misty summit than Poas and Irazu volcanoes. Laden with epiphytes, Barva Volcano is home to many beautiful birds found only in the highlands, such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Golden browed Chlorophonia, Flame throated Warbler, and Long tailed Silky Flycatcher.

Cloud forests inspire the hushed, respectful silence of visitors blessed with the fulfilling experience of witnessing the splendors of these age old wonders hopefully wrapped up in warm clothing, for these highlands can be quite chilly and wet!

Seasonal Broadleaf Moist Forests

Nestled between the highlands of the Tilarán Central Mountain range and the dry forests of Guanacaste, we find the Costa Rican Seasonal Moist Forests, like Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja, filled with numerous tall trees whose branches hold many epiphytes and long, twisting vines. This broadleaf habitat provides a seasonal refuge for migrating species and links the neighboring dry forest areas to the west with the cloud forests to the east.

During the dry season, many species migrate to this ecoregion from the dry forests, including birds such as trogons, long tailed manakins, rufous and white wrens, white throated robins, ruddy wood creepers, and golden crowned warblers. Resplendent quetzals and three wattled bellbirds do the opposite and migrate out of the cloud forests to these lower elevation moist forests to begin their breeding season and return later to the lush cloud forests for nesting. In the high branches of the upper canopy, spider monkeys swing through the trees, the call of howler monkeys fills the forest, and iridescent blue morpho butterflies or resplendent quetzals decorate the shadows, much as they do in the Moist Mountains of Talamanca, whose highland wet forests are one of Central America’s most intact ecoregions. Plants in Talamanca grow thick and lush and the air is filled with bird call. You’ll find spectacular forests of giant oaks, nearly 300 species of orchids, and 175 species of ferns. Crested eagles and enormous harpy eagles fly over the ground in search of prey.

Yes, any who come to this country should not miss the experience of merging with the noises, sights, smells, and feel of these magical forests, as the sunlight streaks down to illuminate tiny creatures and gorgeous plants. Each moment spent inside this precious environment is a spiritual experience, like only time spent in nature can evoke.

Mystical Dry Forests

One of the most endangered ecosystems in the Neotropics is the dry forest, such as the dry deciduous forest of Palo Verde or Guanacaste National Park, which is part of a mosaic of ecologically interdependent parks and reserves, and includes Santa Rosa National Park. Guanacaste National Park protects the migratory routes of myriad creatures: jaguars, tapirs, sloths, monkeys, three wattled bell birds, and other species. In Santa Rosa, more than 250 bird species and 115 mammal species (half of them bats, including two vampire species), and it is a vitally important nesting site for ridleys and other turtle species. In Palo Verde National Park you can discover the intricacies of the tropical dry forest, which include riparian forest, mangroves, and floodplain marsh a wild habitat for thousands of resident and migratory birds. Hear the sound of howler monkeys, catch a glimpse of deer, coatis, iguanas, white faced capuchin monkeys, raccoons, peccaries, and watch eye catching roseate spoonbills, wood storks, caracaras, black necked stilts, northern jacanas, and some of the other 300 species of birds found in the area, which may also be found in Santa Rosa. On full moon nights, Dry forests are mystical beyond words, and one should not miss visiting these diminishing Mesoamerican dry forests, which are now considered endangered habitats, since fire is often used as a land clearing tool, and most of the original forests have long since been removed for agricultural activities, principally cattle ranching. There is precious little remaining area of tropical dry forest habitat throughout all of Central America, and Costa Rica fortunately has some left.

Whether you are a resident or a visitor, do allow yourself the privileged of entering the Forests of Costa Rica: precious, multifaceted, multicolored jewels that we pray may remain forever priceless.