Plants of the Tropical Rainforest

Costa Rica is considered as one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. No wonder, its greatest treasure is the diversity among flora and fauna. A wide range of plants, for example can be found here which accent its tropical rainforests. As for other rainforests, it is divided into five different layers (starting from the lowest level):  the forest floor composed of fallen branches and leaves; the shrub layer which serves as a home for small trees; the understory layer consists of vines and shrubs; the canopy layer primarily comprises of leaves and branches that cover the other layers; and the emergent layer where you can see the tallest trees. 

EPIPHYTES

Also known as air plants, is distinct because of their rooting behavior, by rooting from some other plants. Take note: They are not dependent on their attachment for nutrition; rather, they photosynthesize and produce their own food. All out Costa Rica rainforest is covered by these kind of plants. Families of Epiphytes include orchids, ferns, lichens, and mosses. 

FLOWERS

You might be amazed on how flowering plants and trees ornament Costa Rica. In fact, people all over the world are drawn here just for its flowers. One species of great attraction is the angel’s trumpet tree. This is a pendulous white flower which has bat-like characteristics. It remains dormant during daylight and opens only at night time, exposing its pollen-releasing stamen. 

TREES

There are several species of trees that make up the canopy and emergent layer of Costa Rica’s rainforest. Some are coconut trees, Strangler Figs, and Milk or Cow tree. 

STRUCTURAL ADAPTATIONS

As most people notice, most of the leaves of plants in Costa Rica have pointed tips, and as they call it, the drip tip. This structural adaptation among plants collects moisture and raindrops at the tip and eventually, dripping it to the ground. This mechanism establishes the drainage capability of the leaves which helps avoid accumulation of excess water that can disrupt the process of photosynthesis. Another characteristic is its smooth, wax-like surface which acts as a water repelling surface. This also helps in drying the leaves easily significant for food processing.

The plants also possess adaptations which benefits animals living in the rainforest. For instance, the bromeliads serve as temporary home for insects and frogs in their metamorphic stage.  Its water container inside the leaves caused the body parts modification in frogs that have undergone the tadpole stage. 

Costa Rica Endangered Animals

Wildlife is one of the key assets of Costa Rica’s tourism. However, despite of its unique habitat, many species of plants and animals are decreasing in number. To be exact, there are a total of 155 endangered species in this country including rare plants, exotic birds, mammals and other aquatic animals. The primary threat to Costa Rica’s wildlife is destruction of habitat, followed by illegal hunting and trapping for exportation. 

Here we have listed some of Costa Rica’s endangered animals and the reasons of its declining number. 

BIRDS

894 species of birds flock over the skies of Costa Rica more than that of America and Canada. The country provides habitat to critically-threatened birds which could have been extinct to other places primarily because of deforestation. Exotic members of this class like the Quetzal and Scarlet Macaws are conserved in protected areas of Costa Rica. Other endangered birds include the Great Curassow and Toucans or “flying bananas”. Several conservation parks in the country offers an excellent view of these threatened birds. 

MAMMALS

Everyday offers new chances for deterioration in number of certain mammals in Costa Rica. First on the list is the Black Panther which is totally extinct by this time. Jaguars and ocelots are also becoming lesser and lesser each day. Maybe it’s the sharing or competition in territories between wildlife and men that brought these animals to being endangered. Significantly, one should be superior in power over the other. 

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

The Monte Verde golden toad is considered to be extinct since 1989. Endangered others would include five-keeled spiny-tailed iguana, lemur leaf frog, Starrett's treefrog, and El Empalme worm salamander. On a brighter note, turtles have now recovered because of the campaign against illegal collection of its eggs. It has been believed that foods from turtle eggs have aphrodisiac properties. 

INVERTEBRATES

There are two species of freshwater crabs that are on the endangered list. Several species of shadowdamsels are also threatened. This includes chiriquita, black-backed, cacao and many others. 

So what’s the bottom line?

Perhaps with this, humans are just proving that we are born to destruct. That wherever man will go, there’s always that sort of disturbance maybe among other men or even the environment and the creatures living in it. We should always remember that in everything we do, take both sides. There is always the means on how to move forward without sacrificing other aspects around us.