Conservation in Action: Safeguarding Ecosystems
Data in Action: Empowering the Forest Guardians Association with Knowledge and Technology for Ecosystem Protection
Mapa de ubicación y delimitación de la región de Gandoca-Manzanillo y Sixaola - Fuente: Museo Nacional Costa Rica
The aquatic ecosystems of Punta Uva, in Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean, are under threat due to human activities such as deforestation and unplanned construction. The Forest Guardians Association, in collaboration with local organizations, monitors the rivers, mangroves, and forests, which are essential for the region's biodiversity and environmental balance.
The Association, based in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, is one of the main organizations dedicated to biodiversity protection, with a focus on safeguarding forests, which are key ecosystems in biodiversity conservation. These ecosystems not only serve as natural barriers and pollutant filters, but also provide crucial habitats for various marine and terrestrial species.
However, the impact of human activities, such as certain construction projects, is negatively affecting river flows and deteriorating water quality, endangering the health of coastal marine ecosystems and compromising the vital function of mangroves in the region.
This project was carried out by Costa Rica Flying Labs as part of the "Turning Data Into Action" program by WeRobotics. Costa Rica Flying Labs aims to "Democratize drone technology, ensuring it becomes a tool to promote equal opportunities and drive innovation within Costa Rican communities. It seeks to empower these communities to develop innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs, with a special emphasis on establishing a strong foundation for the acquisition, processing, and analysis of high-quality data."
The "Turning Data Into Action" program highlights the transformative power of data, whose potential to revolutionize decision-making, drive innovation, and shape strategies has never been more evident. The program's objectives focus on maximizing the effectiveness and impact of the data obtained by Flying Labs' drones, promoting sustainable and informed decision-making. Additionally, the program seeks to strengthen key stakeholders' confidence in interpreting and applying this data, fostering greater credibility and reliability in its use.
STUDY AREA
This project was developed between the Talamanca Biological Corridor and the Gandoca Manzanillo Conservation Area.
The Talamanca Biological Corridor connects the Talamanca Mountain Range with the Caribbean coast, linking protected areas such as the La Amistad International Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve. This connectivity is crucial for facilitating the movement of species, especially large mammals like Panthera onca (Jaguar), Puma concolor (Puma), and Tapirus bairdii (Central American Tapir), which contribute to seed dispersal and promote natural forest dynamics. This helps mitigate the risk of population isolation caused by forest fragmentation. Additionally, the study area is characterized by its evergreen forests and mangroves, which play an essential role in the ecological balance of the region.
In particular, the mangroves of the Caribbean in Costa Rica cover only 1% of these ecosystems in the country, while 99% are located on the Pacific coast. Despite their smaller extent, the Caribbean mangroves, specifically in Gandoca-Manzanillo, are crucial for coastal protection. Costa Rica is home to seven species of mangroves, such as red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), which are adapted to the intertidal zone and play a key role in the balance of these coastal ecosystems (Diego Aguilar, 2019).
This conservation area is one of the most important sites on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast for marine turtle nesting, particularly Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtle), Chelonia mydas (green turtle), and Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill turtle), all of which are listed in threatened categories according to the IUCN. The tropical forest and mangroves in the region also host a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including Trichechus manatus (Caribbean manatee), a species that is critically endangered.
Aerial Image of Cocles Beach - @Hanzel León
Ateles geoffroyi - @Hanzel León
Alouatta palliata - @Hanzel León
Life Zones
The study area is primarily composed of seasonal evergreen forests in flooded zones and seasonal evergreen forests of elevated lands in the Southern Caribbean. These ecosystems, described by (Nelson Zamora, 2008) in his classification of phytogeographic units of Costa Rica, are essential for recognizing how these ecosystems contribute to climate regulation, water conservation, and soil protection.
Dipterix panamensis and its Relationship with Ara ambiguus
Dipteryx panamensis (mountain almond) is a tropical tree native to Costa Rica, vital for the biodiversity of lowland wet forests. This tree can reach heights of up to 50 meters and is found in the seasonal evergreen forests of the southern Caribbean of Costa Rica. Its fruit, a woody drupe rich in nutrients, is essential for the diet of species such as Ara ambiguus (great green macaw), which relies almost exclusively on it. In addition to its ecological importance, the almond tree is valued for its extremely hard and durable wood, leading to intensive exploitation. Classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN, Dipteryx panamensis faces threats such as deforestation and agricultural expansion, putting not only the species at risk but also the fauna that depends on its fruits and habitat. The conservation of this tree is critical for the survival of Ara ambiguus and other species inhabiting these ecosystems, as disturbances to its environment compromise both forest health and the biodiversity it sustains.
Projects like Ara Manzanillo have reintroduced approximately 60 individuals of the great green macaw, increasing the national population by 17% and the global population by 4%. The great green macaw is classified as an endangered species according to CITES (Appendix I). In 2009, the global population was estimated to be only 1,500 individuals, with around 350 in Costa Rica (Monge, 2010).
MICRO-CATCHMENT RIO ERNESTO
The Gandoca-Manzanillo watershed, which includes the micro-catchment of the Ernesto River, is a geographical area where all rainwater and springs converge and flow into streams and rivers, forming a water network essential for the region's ecosystems and local communities. These water networks are crucial not only for flora and fauna but also for the people who depend on water for domestic consumption and agriculture. The quality and availability of water in this watershed are fundamental for the health of the ecosystems and the sustainability of livelihoods.
The micro-catchment of the Ernesto River is located within the Talamanca Caribbean Biological Corridor, a strategic area that facilitates ecological connectivity between protected areas and indigenous territories. This corridor allows for the movement of species such as jaguars and tapirs and helps maintain biodiversity and ecological processes in the region. However, the micro-catchment faces various threats arising from human activities such as deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development.
Despite these challenges, the micro-catchment of the Ernesto River has been the focus of community conservation and restoration projects aimed at protecting water resources and preserving local biodiversity. The participation of communities and conservation organizations is key to mitigating these impacts and ensuring that ecosystems and water supply remain sustainable in the long term. This collective effort is essential to protect the micro-catchment and the environmental services it provides, not only for the species that depend on it but also for the people who inhabit and work in the region.
Ara macao - @Hanzel León
Ramphastos ambiguus - @Hanzel León
At the beginning of the project, a temporal analysis was conducted using a time-lapse video with satellite images from 1984 to 2022 to more precisely define the study area. However, the visualization of this video does not allow for a detailed assessment of the loss of forest cover that occurred in the region during this period.
Time-lapse de imágenes de satélite desde 1984 - 2022
As a result, a canopy height analysis was conducted using satellite images to visualize changes between the year 2000 and 2020 in the Ernesto River Basin. In the images presented below, yellow and orange colors indicate areas with a decrease in canopy height.
In the central area of the basin, a significant increase in tree height loss is observed in specific sites, which has motivated the concentration of our efforts on capturing images with drones in this area, as well as in the mangrove of Punta Uva beach.
Forest height in the year 2000 (left) versus forest height in the year 2020 (right).
This image was captured at an altitude of 150 meters on the project date. It clearly shows that deforestation continues to be a problem in the area, negatively impacting local biodiversity.
Video of one of the flights conducted in the area of interest.
Two field trips were conducted in the study area to carry out six flights in the mangrove area of Punta Uva and the central zone of the basin. An approximate area of 150 hectares was covered using a high-definition RGB camera (20 MP) with a spatial resolution of 3 cm/pixel or better. The flights were executed using terrain-following functionality due to the rugged topography of the region, characterized by mountains and dense tropical forest.
In this map, the small houses built on the lots marked in red are visualized. Although not all lots have constructions, it is important to highlight that these 40 hectares have been subdivided into lots of 5,000 m² with the aim of developing an urban project. If this project is carried out, it could lead to high fragmentation of the forest, which would severely affect the movement of animal species. Fragmentation not only creates physical barriers but also intensifies the effects of the edge theory, where natural ecosystems are exposed to external conditions that alter their internal structure, such as changes in temperature, humidity, and increased exposure to predators. Moreover, this fragmentation reduces genetic exchange between species populations, increasing the risk of isolation among individuals and diminishing genetic diversity, which could lead to a decline in biodiversity in future generations. Consequently, the ecosystem would lose resilience, affecting the health and sustainability of local species.
To mitigate the negative effects of forest fragmentation, it is essential that any urban development in this area be planned with an integrated approach, prioritizing the conservation of forest cover and biological corridors. The alteration of the forest not only threatens local wildlife by restricting their movements and genetic exchange but also generates an ecological imbalance that can extend to other connected ecosystems, such as the Punta Uva mangrove. This mangrove, vital for coastal protection and marine biodiversity, depends on the stability and health of the surrounding forests. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt sustainable development practices that incorporate the creation of buffer zones, the preservation of critical areas, and the restoration of fragmented habitats. In this way, long-term environmental impact can be minimized, promoting a balance between urban growth and ecological integrity, ensuring the survival of key species and the resilience of the landscape.
View of the various tree species found in this area.
The streams in this region are not very large; during the dry season, they reduce to small water currents flowing toward the mangrove. For this reason, it is essential to avoid any alteration or modification of these water bodies, as their integrity is crucial for maintaining the ecological processes that sustain the mangrove.
Maps generated from images captured by drones provide updated and high-resolution information that allows the Guardians of the Forest Association to make informed decisions for biodiversity conservation. This information is crucial for coordinating management actions with other key stakeholders in the region, ensuring a collaborative approach to the protection and management of natural resources.
We believe that sustainable socioeconomic development, centered on ecosystem protection and in harmony with the landscape, is possible if the appropriate information is available for comprehensive planning. This approach should include assessments by all key stakeholders and the integration of environmental, social, and economic criteria to ensure a balance between development and conservation.
The southern Caribbean of Costa Rica is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. This region is home to emblematic species such as the Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer), one of the national symbols of Costa Rica. It also hosts bird species like the Ramphastos swainsonii (brown-mandibled toucan), which are essential for fruit dispersion, promoting forest regeneration and dynamics. These animals are also crucial for birdwatching tourism, an important activity for local communities. Additionally, mammals such as Dasyprocta punctata (central American agouti) can be observed, contributing to ecosystem maintenance through their role in seed dispersion. Given the ecological and economic importance of these species, it is vital that development in the region follows sustainable strategies that do not alter the ecosystems that serve as habitats for this key biodiversity. Conserving these habitats is essential not only for species preservation but also for the well-being of communities that depend on ecosystem services and ecotourism.
An event was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Cultural Hall of Puerto Viejo, Limón, Costa Rica, to present the project's results to key stakeholders and the general community. The aim of this gathering was to share the findings and progress of the project, encourage dialogue and collaboration among participants, and highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation in the region. The attendance was diverse, including local community members, representatives from non-governmental organizations, local authorities, and others interested in sustainability and regional development. The event served as a valuable platform to strengthen collective commitment to ecosystem protection and promote sustainable practices in the area.
Images from the Project "TDIA" Results Presentation Event.
Carlos Saito and Hanzel León were the members of Costa Rica Flying Labs who executed this project.
We express our sincerest gratitude to WeRobotics for their ongoing support throughout this project. Their collaboration has been key to the success of our initiatives, providing us with both specialized knowledge and the necessary resources to promote conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems.
We deeply thank the Guardianes del Bosque Association for their invaluable logistical support and for facilitating the execution of this project. We trust that the detailed information obtained through the drones will enable them to make strategic and well-informed decisions, decisively contributing to the conservation and sustainable management of local ecosystems.
Costa Rica Flying Labs and Green Xpo Lab are dedicated to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in Costa Rica. They work closely together on initiatives that promote the use of advanced technologies and innovative approaches for the sustainable management of natural resources.
