Monteverde Cloud forest
The
Monteverde Cloud forest Preserve is an outstanding wildlife sanctuary.
It is positioned on Continental Divide in western Costa Rica and
extends down both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes.
The resultant combination of climatic and geographic factors
creates dramatic differences in temperature and humidity over
relatively short distance.
The altitude varies from about 600 meters in the lower reaches
of the Peñas Blancas River, to 1842 meters at the top of
Cerro Tres Amigos.
The Preserve supports six different vegetational communities
(Life Zones). There are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species
of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 2,500 species
of plants (among them 420 different kinds of orchids), as well
as tens of thousands of insect species. Spectacular wildlife includes
the jaguar, ocelot, Baird´s tapir, three-wattled bellbird,
barenecked umbrellabird and resplendent quetzal.
But the preserve is also an outstanding example on how ecotourism
is helping to preserve land.
When the Tropical
Science Centre took responsibility for the preserve, the Centre
assumed it would be operated at a loss. Now the Preserve generates
enough income through paid visitors to support a staff of over
30 employees.
monteverde Cloud
forest
