1. The Environment of Costa Rica By: Amanda Karpa, Stephen Sadock, and Darcie Mather

2. Geography Landscape Rocky mountain ranges Active volcanoes Rainforest is about.1% of the land on earth –Accounts for the largest biodiversity among plants/animals in the world Weather Rainy/Dry seasons –May to August rainy season –September to April dry season Tropical Climate –70 to 80 degree avg.

3. Environmental Organizations The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation National Biodiversity Institute of Costa Rica National Bamboo Project of Costa Rica The Fund for Costa Rica FUNDECOR

4. Rainforest Over 1 million hectares of forest 10,000 wildlife species / sq km 0.1% of world's landmass Contains 5% of world's biodiversity

5. Wildlife 35,000 species of insects 160 species of amphibians 220 species of reptiles 850 species of birds 205 species of mammals 1,200+ species of orchids 10,000+ plants and trees

6. Animals Greatest biodiversity among all biome on earth –Rainforest has the most biodiversity among plants/animals Worlds largest species of sea turtles (Leatherbacks) –Average 772 lbs

7. Deforestation Deforestation is killing off/threatening many species The bamboo project helps cut back on deforestation Taught farmers safe agricultural methods Methods of deforestation –Slash/Burn –Commercial logging –Firewood –Clear-cutting Shifting cultivation –Creating farms

8. Effects of Environmentalism Little driving –Cities only –Not far distances Farming –Respectful of the environment Diets –High in fruit (bananas) –Coffee Beans Tourism –Rainforest brings in mass number of tourist –Preservation/Conse rvation of rainforest mandatory Trade –Depends on the environment conditions (Farming)

9. Tourism Why Costa Rica? Costa Rica’s biggest industry ecotourism High standard of living National Parks (Bird watchers) Butterflies are more common Main tourist –Americans –Hippies from the U.S. Peaceful Country

10. Work Cited "Adventure in Costa Rica." Go Visit Costa Rica. 2008. Delfina Travel Group Inc. 15 Jan. 2008.http://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/floraFauna.asp "Costa Rica - Wildlife and biodiversity." Rara Avis and BXI Inc 1995. 15 Jan. 2008..http://pages.interlog.com/~rainfrst/wildlife.html "Costa Rica." Mongabay.Com. 6 Feb. 2006. Google. 15 Jan. 2008. "Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica." CREN Costa Rica Exotica Natural. CREN Travel Agency. 15 Jan. 2008.http://www.travelingcostarica.com/travel/costa-rica/nature.htm "Tropical Forests." Tropical Forests. 2008. 15 Jan. 2008. "The Conservancy Strengthens Commitment to the Osa Campaign." The Nature Conservancy 2007. 15 Jan. 2008.