Conservation Biology and Ecological Ecosystems Jess Drew Ali Powell Mark Zolla

Forest Structure, Composition, and Dynamics Forest Dynamics:  Light environment  Nutrient cycling  Seed dispersal  Epiphyte community

Windward Elfin woodland vs. Leeward Cloud Forest  Forest dwarfing  Wind  Quasi equilibrium  Gaps  Wood density  Regeneration  Recovery

Why is Cordillera de Tilaran Different?  Different perspective on evolution and ecological maintenance of biological diversity lowland regions  Environmental gradients are more dramatic in mountains  Dramatic variation exists in vegetation structures  Slopes and landslides  Wind exposure with relevance to vegetation dynamics

Conservation Biology  Protecting genetic diversity, species, and ecosystems particularly the biological sciences  Evaluation and maintience of biodiversity  Endangered species management  Environmental ethics  Ecological economics 1.Scale of populations 2.Scale of landscapes Monteverde: unique conservation biology  Species interactions and species richness  Ecosystem processes  Habitats  Interactions  High degree of endemism  Preservation of shrinking forest cover  Accelerating extinction pressures

Conservation Biology in Monteverde  Species interactions and species richness (*Endemism)  Ecosystem processes  Preservation of shrinking forest cover  Accelerating extinction pressures

Status of Biodiversity in Monteverde (inventory of species)  Terrestrial vertebrates (pretty much all known)  Reptiles and amphibians (diverse)  Insects (need many more decades)  Butterflies (know a lot)  Plant species (know less than insects) Crisis Discipline:  So much remains misunderstood  So much is always changing in a short time

Conservation Problems in Monteverde 1.Direct threats and indirect threats ex) bird population 2.Ecotourism 3.Habitat changes on the Atlantic slope 4.Residential expansion and rural electrification 5.Earlier hunting pressure and habitat modification 6.Disappearance of top carnivores 7.Idea of “empty forest” 8.Risk to small populations is demographic 9.Altitudinal extremes 10.Deforestation

Less than other places because… 1.Species of highland forests appear not to be as specialized ecologically 2.No animal or plant is absolutely dependent on another 3.Flora and fauna are not characterized by the kinds of life history features that predispose species to extinction 4.Sizes of seed crops of plants and animals do not seem very small 5.Monteverde Community*

Can conservation biology offer solutions to Monteverde’s Conservation problems? LONG TERM STEPS  Accurate species inventory of area  Current status of populations and ecosystems  Implement a monitoring system to detect changes _ forecasting future trends Problems:-$$$ -Understanding species dynamics rather than just a species record SHORT TERM STEPS  Recognizing warning threats for other species  Indicator species for others  Umbrella species

Why protect biodiversity?  Nutrient cycling  Maintenance of clean water and air  Sustain ecological communities over a wide area of Costa Rica  Direct economic benefits  Aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual values

Conclusion What we need?  Funding  How to encourage scientists to study in Monteverde  Develop more facilities for biological research  Ask broader questions of Monteverde  Regions rich natural heritage- economic self interest? Not there.