Synopsis

The tropical rainforest biome is a popular region for tourism due to its abundant fauna and year-round warmth. Even though the rainforests cover a small portion of the earth’s surface (a modest 6%), they are still home to over half of the species of plants and animals in the entire world (26). This biome can be found near or around the equator in areas such as Asia, South America, Central America, Mexico, Africa, and on many of the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific islands (26).

(26)

Characterized by its warm and wet weather, the tropical rainforest temperature ranges from 68 °F to 93 °F, humidity ranges from 77 to 88%, and rainfall averages a whopping 100 inches per year (14). In just one hectare (nearly two and a half acres), there has been found over 300 species of plants (14). Clearly the tropical rainforest biome is known for its diverse ecosystem. One of the more famous tropical rainforest ecosystems is that in Costa Rica.

Map of Costa Rica (6)

           Costa Rica is a pioneer when it comes to natural ecosystems and wildlife protection. Although the country only covers 0.03% of the land on earth, the ecosystems of Costa Rica house 5% of the entire biodiversity of the world. (27) Within just the small boundaries of Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica is rich with eight primary ecosystems including: Central American dry forests, Southern Mesoamerican Pacific mangroves, Mesoamerican Gulf-Caribbean mangroves, Costa Rican seasonal moist forests, Talamancan montane forests, Isthmian-Atlantic Moist forests, Isthmian-Pacific moist forests, and the Cocos Island moist forests. (27) Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests are particularly interesting because they hold one of the greatest densities of biodiversity in the world. (17) Due to its location along the equator, Costa Rica’s tropical climate creates an ideal habitat for lush plants and diverse animal life. Unfortunately, Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests have been heavily threatened by deforestation and other anthropological acts including mining, unsustainable development, pollution, and fragmentation. (17) Thankfully, we are recognizing these human threats, and Costa Rica is bouncing back and working to preserve its truly incredible, natural beauty.