Manuel Antonio Park Flora & Fauna

Importance of the conservation of the Costa Rica rainforest

Costa Rica has got an abundance of natural resources such as beaches, mangroves, mountains, caves, waterfalls, volcanoes, and tropical rainforests which is very important to conserve and protect. The tropical rainforests make Costa Rica one of the most biologically diverse areas of the world, containing 5% of the entire planet’s biodiversity.

“Importance of the Costa Rica rainforest”

The rainforests covers 35% of the territory in Costa Rica. The importance of the rainforest and the conservation of national parks have many reasons. One major reason is that the plants in the forest turn carbon dioxide into clean air, which helps us fight pollution. Also, by absorbing carbon dioxide, the rainforests help deter the greenhouse effect. The trees of the rainforest store carbon dioxide in their roots, stems, branches, and leaves.

Furthermore, the rainforest has greatest biological treasures full of interesting plants and amazing animals. The rainforest also provide to people, food, fuel wood, shelter, jobs, and medicines.

“The destruction of the Costa Rica rainforest, a fragile biodiversity”

Rainforests are being destroyed because the value of rainforest land is perceived as only the value of its timber by short-sighted governments, multi-national logging companies, and land owners. In Costa Rica, since 1945, approximately 80% of the forests of Costa Rica have disappeared. It means about 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) of land are deforested annually.

Massive deforestation brings with it many bad consequences-air and water pollution, soil erosion, malaria epidemics, the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the loss of biodiversity through extinction of plants and animals. The country has a rich biodiversity with some 12,000 species of plants, 1,239 species of butterflies, 838 species of birds, 440 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 232 species of mammals. Experts estimates that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation.

“What can we do?”

• Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can help save rainforests
  
• Help in restoring damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down through organisations
  
• Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment
  
• Help or encourage the establishment of parks to protect rainforests and wildlife
  
• Support donation, expansion of park and companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment. In Costa Rica, you will find the “ Titi Conservation Alliance” and “ Asana Costa Rica” which are two important organisations.

“Behaviors to adopt in the nature”

• Never feed the animals. Our food is not adapted to their digestions, even some fruits. The animals do not have to get use to get foods from humans in the wildlife. Note that if you are caught, you may quite rightly be ejected from the park. Recent studies have found a worrisome increase in heart disease and heart failure among the local monkey population.
  
• Do not leave trashes or food lying around. Keep everything with you. Let your way how you found it.
  
• Do not buy exotics animals. Did you know that all exotic animals keep as pets die before age 2”? These animals have evolved as wild animals for million of years, they can not be turned into pets. Their predatory instinct are not stopped and these animals most of the time live in community. They must not be taken out of their wild environment
  
• Respect trails and do not get out of them
  
• Be silent into the nature. Many animals are living there and most of them are sleeping during the day
  
• Make photos without flash
  
• Do not make fire into nature
  
• Use camping areas

Read more : Bird Watching | Manuel Antonio Native Trees

TOLL FREE

Sales: 1-800-346 9724
Rentals: 1-800-381 3770
(Hours: 6am-3pm, Pacific Time)

Email Us

Specialty lodging in Quepos

SPA SERVICES

CANOPY TOURS

MANUEL ANTONIO TOURS

IMAGE GALLERY

LOCATION MAP