1. San Jose, Costa Rica
Luma Khabbaz, Lindsey DeBoer, Emily Catlin, and Sarah Beischer

2. Topography
San Jose is in the center of the agricultural valley aka Meseta Central
South of this valley: Cordillera Talamanca (mountains)
North: four large volcanoes known as Cordillera Central.
Two-thirds of Costa Rica’s population are living in San Jose
steady rainfall
year-round 70 degrees Fahrenheit average temperature
rich soils.

3. Climate Temperature range: 63-86 °F Average temp. 76 °F
Tropical Rainforest
Higher elevation (1,150 meters) gives it a more mild climate
Biodiversity (more than 200 species of reptiles)
Two seasons
the dry season
November- end of April (verano)
vegetation is less lush
very strong winds in some locations
the green season
May- beginning of November (invierno)
sunny mornings interrupted by 2-3 hour showers, followed by more sunshine

4. Biome Factors Abiotic factors: amount of rainfall and sunlight
Canopy rain forest trees means not much sunlight reaches ground
Low soil acidity means little nutrients in soil
The taller trees provide most of the nutrients for the other plants.
These conditions fit the needs of over 500,000 wildlife species

5. Alternative Energy
The 2,040 hours of sunshine a year that San Jose receives makes it an ideal location to take advantage of solar energy. In a city with a population of 335,007, like San Jose, they definitely need additional energy sources other than environmentally harmful fossil fuels.
In addition, the intense winds that this area experiences in the dry season means that wind energy is also an option for our city to become more green.
By depending less on fossil fuels for energy and more on renewable resources, our city could have cleaner air due to the reduction of carbon dioxide emission.

6. Preserving Wildlife
We will create programs for animal and plant protection and preservation. Our city is biodiverse with lush, green plants that are home to significant animals and insects, so we will work to make sure our rainforest remains undamaged.

7. Native Plant Ceiba/Kapok tree
one of the fastest growing trees in existence
an effective pioneer species and a great introduction for reforestation and cleared land
considered sacred to indigenous people of Costa Rica

8. Native Plant cont. provides home for countless species
adapted for dispersal by wind
adapted that flowering and fruiting can take place when the tree is leafless
self-pollinates
stores water

9. For our city’s plan: learn how to be more self sustainable
use solar panels and wind energy because they work in the summer and the winter
storing water
build homes vertically to account for more people

10. Native Animal
Leaf cutter Ants t

11. Lifestyle Hierarchy based on size Small- grow food
Medium- Protect foragers
Large- Cut leaves and transport back to nest
Largest- Clear trails back to nest

12. City Organization
Like the smaller ants, our city will grow its own food
Like the large ants, the city will transport goods into the city through complex and efficient highways
Like the largest ants, the city will have officers constantly monitoring the traffic

13. Mutualism
Leafcutter ants feed on the fungi that grows inside their nest. The leaves they carry back is used to fertilize and grow the fungi. Also the ants protect the fungi from other preditors and bacteria. The fungi needs the ants to survive and the ants need the fungi to eat.

14. City Agriculture City will grow its own food Use waste as fertilizer
sustainable agriculture

15. Waste Management
Older ants transport the waste out of the nest and into a waste pile. Other ants constantly move the waste to aid in decomposition.

16. Waste The city will collect trash and recycling three times a week
Sort through the waste for reusable items
Use biodegradable waste for fertilizer

17. Energy
The city will run partially on hydroelectricity. They will use the water from the rivers around the area.
The city will make a lot of the businesses in the area run on solar energy.
The last energy that the
city will use is energy
powered by wind.

18. Food and Water
The city grows it’s produce in the suburbs and then imports it. The produce is grown without using the synthetic fertilizers due to side-effects of it.
The livestock is raised on fields of grass that’ll be in the suburbs. It is raised without using anything synthetic. Both the livestock and the produce are completely organic.
San Jose gets its water from the surrounding rivers. The water gets purified before going to the tap. Since San Jose has a lot of rain, they will also collect the rainfall, too!

19. Waste
The city of San Jose will pick up the trash and recycling 3 times per week.
Workers will then sort through the waste for reusable waste
The biodegradable waste will serve as natural fertilizer.

20. Transportation Plan
San Jose is very big on their bus system. The buses all run on electricity.
The area discourages cars by putting heavy fees and very strict laws regarding motor vehicles.
If the people of the city want to leave for a weekend and go to the suburbs, they can ride electric trams.

21. Citizens of the Area
Some people live in homes and apartments in the city.
Many jobs are available within the city.
People that live in the suburbs, but work in the city commute back and forth using the electric trams.

22. Areas for Wildlife
San Jose will create a national reserve for the wildlife. The reserve will include:
A Rainforest
A Roaming Area
A River