|
|
~ Espanol |
|
|
~ Espanol |
|
|
Costa Rica Coral Reefs Coral reefs are actually communities of hundreds of thousands of tiny animals called coral polyps, which grow in sunlit shallows of warm, clear marine waters. The reefs are built up as new corals attach atop the skeletons of dead animals. About 30 sq km of coral reefs are situated along the southern portion of Costa Rica's Caribbean coastline. They are situated where hardrock promontories interrupt the high energy shoreline in three distinct zones, between Moin and Limon, Cahuita and between Puerto Viejo and Punta Mona. According to scientific studies, all of Costa Rica's reefs are threatened by human activities. Both overfishing and sedimentation were rated as threatening all reefs, while coastal development was estimated to affect over 85 percent of reefs. Marine-based pollution was estimated to be a threat to nearly a quarter of reefs. The main cause of damage to Costa Rica's reefs is the excess of sedimentation from logging, land clearing and agriculture, such as banana plantations. Pressure from coastal populations also poses a threat to the reefs through sewage discharge and coastal development. The direct impact of swimmers and snorkellers, anchor damage from tourist boats, and in general the coastal development associated with uncontrolled tourist activity are all significant and growing problems. Elevated water temperatures during the 1982/83 El Niño event caused bleaching and death of coral, from which recovery has been slow. Mild bleaching was associated with the events of 1992 and 1998, but with insignificant mortality. The 1991 Limon Earthquake was partially responsible for the significant decline of corals along the Caribbean coast. Although the Limon reefs have largely recovered, Cahuita permanently lost 5 sq km of reef as a result of the physical changes brought about by the uplift of the coastal zone. Two protected areas with coral reefs are located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. While collection of corals is not permitted, commercial and artisan fishing are allowed. This situation has resulted in overexploitation, particularly of the commercially valuable species. Any initiatives to control the activities within the protected areas, though, are outweighed by the impact of sedimentation originating outside of the park boundaries. At Isla Uvita, just offshore of Limon, are tropical fish, sea fans,
and a coral reef, plus the wreck of the Fenix, a cargo ship that
sank about a mile off the island years ago. Cahuita National Park is best known for the coral reefs close to shore. The coral reefs are the most studied marine ecosystems on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Of these, the one at the Parque Nacional Cahuita has been studied longer and in greater detail. Studies have suggested that the high levels of terrigenous sediments are responsible for the siltation and turbidity as well as being the main stressor on the reef. The world of coral reefs is made up of over 35 species of coral, including elkhorn coral and smooth brain coral. This underwater habitat abounds with sea urchins, lobsters, turtles, moray eels, sharks and innumerable brightly colored fish of various sizes and shapes. In the dry season, there is good snorkeling from the beach, and you
are likely to see light yellow brain, elkhorn, and blue staghorn
corals, sea fans, and gorgonians as a back drop to the more than 500
species of fish endemic to the reefs.
|
|
| Browse Costa Rica By Region | Quick Links and Useful Tools | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
©Copyright InCostaRicaGuide.com™ 2006 and Beyond... All Rights Reserved |
