By Tom Davis Loras College Biology

Stories of Three Forests of Costa Rica

Course: Environmental Issues in Costa Rica

15 students, 1 faculty assistant

12 days in the country

San Jose

12 3

1 Palo Verde National Park (dry tropical forest)2 Monteverde Cloud

Forest3 La Selva Biological

Station (wet tropical forest)

1 2 50 miles

1 twenty passenger bus and driver, Jairo

Course Objectives

To gain an understanding of the ecology of 3 major forest ecosystems in Costa Rica and how they are different ecologically from each other and from the typical mixed hardwood forest and prairie ecosystems that we have in the Midwest. This objective will also include identification of plants and animals in each system.

To gain knowledge about the environmental threats and issues that are facing Costa Rican ecosystems now and the solutions that are being sought to reduce these problems. The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.

-Aldo Leopold

Dry vs Cloud vs Wet Tropical Forest?

12 3

trade winds

Palo

Verde

Nat

iona

l par

k

Mon

teve

rde Clo

ud F

ores

t

La S

elva

Bio

logi

cal S

tation

Dub

uque

, IA

0

40

80

120

160

Average Annual Rainfall: 3 Forest Sites in Costa Rica vs DBQ, IA

Average Annual Rainfall (inches)

1. Palo Verde National Park

Tropical dry forest

Palo Verde Marsh

jacana

black-bellied whistling ducks

Snail kite

Tiger heron

Turquoise browed mot-mot !

Invasive water hyancinth

Acacia trees and acacia ants

Monkeys

Capuchian white-faced monkeys vs Howler Monkeys

Ant Lions

Ant lion video

2. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Quetzals !

Resplendent Quetzal!

Quetzal food = avacados

Hummingbirds!

Violet SabrewingPurple throated Mountain Gem female (above) and male (right)

Green Violet Ear

Green Crowned Brilliant

Tropical Forest Soil!

Tarantulas !

Original home of golden toad

12 3

trade winds

La Selva Biological Station

Wet tropical forest - classic tropical rainforest

Strangler Fig

No Annual Rings !

Black guan

Chesnut mandibled toucan

Black headed trogon

Leaf cutter ants

Montezuma’s Oorpendula!

Environmental Issues:Deforestation / Cattle grazing

Deforestation /Coffee Plantations

Sun vs Shade coffee?

As good as it gets!

Rechecking Course Objectives: To gain an understanding of the ecology of 3 major forest

ecosystems in Costa Rica and how they are different ecologically from each other and from the typical mixed hardwood forest and prairie ecosystems that we have in the Midwest. This objective will also include identification of plants and animals in each system.

To gain knowledge about the environmental threats and issues that are facing Costa Rican ecosystems now and what solutions are being sought to reduce these problems.

The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.

-Aldo Leopold

Lots more to learn! And lots more to see next time!

And lots more to see next time!

Lots more to learn!

Thank You!