Biodiversity in Costa Rica
Costa Rica with only 51,000 sq. km (approx. 32,000 sq. miles) ranks as one of the top 20 countries with the greatest biodiversity. Its geographic location, between North and South America, enables plants and animals from both regions to establish and thrive. Its tropical climate in addition to its topography, provide for a wide range of habitats, from lowland rainforests to cloud forests and tropical freshwater lakes, rivers and oceans. The nation with relatively well consolidated conservation and protection policies preserves the natural richness. Even though the country is small geographically, it accounts for more than 500,000 species, nearly 4% of the total earth’s species. For further information on Costa Rica’s biodiversity, visit www.sinac.go.cr or www.inbio.ac.cr
Soltis Center Biodiversity
The Soltis Center is located on the Caribbean side of the Monteverde Conservation Area, this is a protected forest area encompassing more than 50,000 hectares of wild lands. Its altitudes range from 1800 meters above sea level to 450 meters, the elevation of the Soltis Center. Around the Center one sees pastures with scattered trees and subsistence cropping which dominate the landscape. Read more
The average annual rainfall at the Center is an estimated 4200 mm and there is no dry season. This complex interaction of protected forests, agricultural lands, and heavy rainfalls distributed amongst the altitudinal gradient lends to a highly diverse ecosystem. Although no systematic collection has been carried out, the Center is estimated to host more than 2000 species of vascular plants, over 350 bird species, and more than 70 species of amphibians and reptiles. Additional taxonomic groups are expected to be highly diverse as well.
The Soltis Center invites individuals interested in studying, protecting, and conserving the biodiversity of the area to enjoy the pictures posted on the web page.
Rainfall at the Soltis Center:
The average annual rainfall in the area is above 4200 mm/yr (over 13 feet), which is spread evenly from May to January, April being the driest month.
Data estimated from rainfall records of ICE Meteorological Stations.
Click here for weather data in real time for the Soltis Center