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Conservation Biology
and Ecological
Ecosystems
Jess Drew
Ali Powell
Mark Zolla
Forest Structure,
Composition, and Dynamics
Forest Dynamics:
 Light environment
 Nutrient cycling
 Seed dispersal
 Epiphyte community
Windward Elfin woodland
vs. Leeward Cloud Forest
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Forest dwarfing
Wind
Quasi equilibrium
Gaps
Wood density
Regeneration
Recovery
Why is Cordillera de
Tilaran Different?
 Different perspective on evolution and
ecological maintenance of biological diversity
lowland regions
 Environmental gradients are more dramatic in
mountains
 Dramatic variation exists in vegetation
structures
 Slopes and landslides
 Wind exposure with relevance to vegetation
dynamics
Conservation Biology
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Protecting genetic diversity,
species, and ecosystems
particularly the biological
sciences
Evaluation and maintience of
biodiversity
Endangered species
management
Environmental ethics
Ecological economics
1. Scale of populations
2. Scale of landscapes
Monteverde: unique
conservation biology
 Species interactions and
species richness
 Ecosystem processes
 Habitats
 Interactions
 High degree of endemism
 Preservation of shrinking
forest cover
 Accelerating extinction
pressures
Conservation Biology in
Monteverde
 Species interactions
and species richness
(*Endemism)
 Ecosystem processes
 Preservation of
shrinking forest cover
 Accelerating
extinction pressures
Status of Biodiversity in
Monteverde
(inventory of species)
 Terrestrial vertebrates (pretty
much all known)
 Reptiles and amphibians
(diverse)
 Insects (need many more
decades)
 Butterflies (know a lot)
 Plant species (know less than
insects)
Crisis Discipline:
 So much remains misunderstood
 So much is always changing in a
short time
Conservation Problems in
Monteverde
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Direct threats and indirect threats ex)
bird population
Ecotourism
Habitat changes on the Atlantic slope
Residential expansion and rural
electrification
Earlier hunting pressure and habitat
modification
Disappearance of top carnivores
Idea of “empty forest”
Risk to small populations is
demographic
Altitudinal extremes
Deforestation
Less than other places
because…
1. Species of highland forests appear not to be
as specialized ecologically
2. No animal or plant is absolutely dependent
on another
3. Flora and fauna are not characterized by the
kinds of life history features that predispose
species to extinction
4. Sizes of seed crops of plants and animals do
not seem very small
5. Monteverde Community*
Can conservation biology offer
solutions to Monteverde’s
Conservation problems?
LONG TERM STEPS
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Accurate species inventory of area
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Current status of populations and ecosystems
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Implement a monitoring system to detect changes _ forecasting
future trends
Problems:
-$$$
-Understanding species dynamics rather than just a species record
SHORT TERM STEPS
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Recognizing warning threats for other species
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Indicator species for others
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Umbrella species
Why protect biodiversity?
 Nutrient cycling
 Maintenance of clean water
and air
 Sustain ecological
communities over a wide
area of Costa Rica
 Direct economic benefits
 Aesthetic, cultural, and
spiritual values
Conclusion
What we need?
 Funding
 How to encourage scientists to study in
Monteverde
 Develop more facilities for biological research
 Ask broader questions of Monteverde
 Regions rich natural heritage- economic self
interest? Not there.