2 minute read
The Eternal Rainforest
A Forest in Peril
The Talamanca mountain range contains the largest tracts of virgin rainforest in Costa Rica.
Advertisement
In addition, 90% of Costa Rica’s known plant species are found in this region — 30% of which are endemic to the area. A majority of Costa Rica’s animal species are located in this region the Talamanca Lowlands are also an important flyway for migrating raptors. Not only do the La Amistad/Talamanca Highlands support a majority of Costa Rica’s plant and animal species but due to its remoteness and inaccessibility the area remains one of the largest, least disturbed areas of tropical forest in Central America.
La Amistad International Park (PILA), is the core component of the
Amistad Biosphere bi-national
World Heritage Site located in the Talamanca highlands of Costa Rica and Panama that protects the largest area of undisturbed highland watersheds and forests in southern Central America. These watersheds provide important freshwater sources for communities in the lowland areas of Talamanca and Bocas del Toro. Poor rural communities depend on watershed generated services bringing out social equity considerations that justify government investment in the protection of the resources. Despite the region’s remoteness and small human population, many of its biological riches are in jeopardy. Overfishing, unregulated tourism, development, colonization, logging and clearing of land for subsistence farms, banana plantations and cattle are contributing to water pollution, sedimentation, die-off of coral reefs and the depletion of marine catch. The Talamanca Highlands and La Amistad International Park were selected for inclusion in the Conservancy’s celebrated Parks in Peril program as its first binational site. The Conservancy is working with local groups and government agencies to strengthen cross-boundary conservation efforts in the region. Several key initiatives and activities being pursued include the development of a bi-national management plan, the creation of conservation finance mechanisms such as water-use fees and establishment of a “Seas to Summits” corridor linking conservation projects in the upper watersheds with coastal waters. This latter initiative also seeks to protect species such as the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Resplendent Quetzal and Bare-necked Umbrella Bird that conduct altitudinal migrations. Instead of moving laterally over vast expanses of land, these birds take a vertical route, moving from the lowlands to the highlands and vice versa to feed, mate and nest. The habitat for these animals at all stages of their life must be protected, and for this reason, the Conservancy and its partners are working on consolidating a biological corridor that will incorporate these ecosystems in the Costa RicanPanamanian La Amistad International Park. Additionally, by promoting a participatory management approach, the Conservacy aims to empower local people by building their capacity to participate in the conservation process, so poor and isolated indigenous communities become shareholders in managing resources, both within the protected area and in the buffer areas of La Amistad. By creating the structures necessary for communities to be involved in managing resources appropriately, not only will they assure themselves of the longterm benefits that this will provide, but their communities can develop and be shaped by the benefits of conservation.
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
