Tropical Wetlands

Tropical Wetlands of Costa Rica

Wetlands are area of land consisting of soil that is saturated with moisture. This includes swamp regions, marsh lands, and bogs. There are scares areas of wetlands in the Costa Rica region. It is becoming very difficult to find and protect these regions from human interaction

Defining Features: tall, canopy trees, tropical climate / humid

Location: near costal marine areas, among forest regions

Temperature: average 70ºF - 90ºF

Precipitation: average 3,000 mm annually (9ft of rain)

Floura:

Plants that survive on oxygen do not thrive well in the tropical wetlands.

A variety of vegitation grows in tropical wetland regions including eight species of mangrove which provides base for wetland food chain. Mangroves create an acidic environment in the watery wetland regions, causing a higher rate of decomposition.

Fauna:

Bird, reptile, amphibian, aquatic, and insect species dwell in the tropical wetland regions of Costa Rica. Bird species include: egrets, pelicans, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, black-necked stilts, mangrove black hawk, and kingfishers. Various species of reptiles and insects thrive in the tropical wetlands as well.

Visiting the Tropical Wetlands of Costa Rica

The light green areas of the map are national park sites as well as areas of tropical wetland ecosystems. We will be visiting a few sites that contian tropical wetlands.