A Correspondence Analysis between
Biodiversity Hotspots and Conservation Priority Zones in Costa Rica
Distribution of
species richnes
s by life zone.
Background
Endemicity and species richness maps allowed definition of two levels of highpriority conservation areas, using Holdridge Life Zones as areal units.
Priority zone 1
A true “biodiversity hotspot for Costa Rica”
Areas of highest species richness and highest endemics number overlap;
Continuous zone along the Pacific slope of the Guanacaste, Tilarán,
and Central Cordilleras, Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce, and Northeast coastal
lowlands.
Representativity of Protected Areas
Total species
number
229
107
187
125
181
111
940
Total protected
species
205
95
156
108
167
99
830
%
89.5
88.8
83.3
86.4
92.2
89.2
88.2
Total endemics
number
116
57
80
68
70
62
453
Total protected
endemics
97
40
64
55
66
53
375
by life zone
Conservation Priority Zone Map
Species richness and endemicity of highly speciose groups is far less well
known than that of mammals and birds. Maps of (i) high species richness
and (ii) endemicity of freshwater fishes, plants (Araceae, Arecaceae, and
Bromeliaceae), and scarab beetles (Scarabaeinae and Dynastinae) are
presented for Holdrige Life Zones in Costa Rica. GIS techniques allowed
the overlay of plant and animal distribution, Holdridge Life Zones,
vegetation types, and conservation area geographic data. Collections
were made in 409 localities country-wide.
New areas of high biodiversity importance are identified.
Groups
Araceae
Arecaceae
Bromeliaceae
Dynastinae
Scarabaeinae
Pisces
Total
Distribution of endemic species
Conservation Priority Zone Map
Priority zone 2
Areas of highest endemics number and second highest
species richness overlap; both slopes of the Talamanca Cordillera at midaltitude and Caribbean slope of the Tilarán Cordillera.
%
83.6
70.2
80.0
80.8
94.3
85.5
82.4
Distribution of species richness by life zone.
Distribution of endemic species by life zone
df-T
df-T
df-T m
df-T m
mf -T d
mf -T d
* mf-T
* mf-T
mf-T perhum
mf-T perhum
* mf-T Prem
* mf-T Prem
* wf-T
* wf-T
* wf-T Prem
* wf-T Prem
wf-P Basal
mf-P
Scarabaeinae
* mf-P Basal
* wf-P
Dynas nae
wf-P rain
rf-P Basal
Araceae
* rf-P
mf-LM
Arecaceae
mf-LM m
Life zones highlighted with a star
have been sampled for more
than five years and are therefore
well-sampled.
Scarabaeinae
Dynas nae
Araceae
wf-P Basal
mf-P
Arecaceae
* mf-P Basal
Bromeliaceae
* wf-P
wf-P rain
Pisces
rf-P Basal
* rf-P
mf-LM
mf-LM m
Bromeliaceae
* wf-LM
* rf-LM
* wf-LM
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
* rf-LM
Pisces
wf-M
rf-M LM
wf-M
rf-M LM
rf-M
rf-M
* rp-SA
* rp-SA
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Numbering the Holdridge Life Zone
polygons in Costa Rica. Numbers in red
represent life zones with 5 or more years
of collecting, which are considered in
this study as well represented
(taken from Kohlmann et al., 2010).
0
100
200
300
400
View of Costa Rica looking
northwest as
seen from the Space Shuttle
(taken from Kohlmann et al., 2002).
Results
Geographical areas in Costa Rica: C, Central
Cordillera; F, Coastal mountain range; G, Guanacaste
mountain range; H. Herradura mountain; I, Tilarán
mountain range; L. northern plains; N, Nicoya
peninsula (Pacific Northwest); O, Golfo Dulce/Osa
Peninsula; P, Central Pacific; T, Talamanca mountain
range; U, Turrubares mountain; V, Central Valley
(taken from Kohlmann et al., 2002).
• There is broad agreement between ranked zones of both endemism and species richness
• Many protected areas do not coincide with higher ranked endemism or richness areas
• Many areas of the two priority conservation areas are protected
• Notably however, areas of high endemism and richness not under any kind of protection are sections of the
Central and Tilarán Cordilleras
• Highest recorded species and endemicity richness areas are located in the cloud forests
• The Guancaste and Tilarán Cordilleras, as well as the Northeast coastal lowlands are reported as highly endemic
and as such as areas of high conservation priority for the first time
• The existing protected area system is protecting in general a high number of species richness (83 % - 95 %) and
endemics (80 % - 97 %) of the studied groups.
• The rise of the Talamanca Cordillera has been generating vicariant speciation in many taxonomic groups between
the Caribbean and Pacific slopes
• Curiously, the small Guanacaste volcanic range has a greater total endemic and species richness count than the
larger Talamanca non-volcanic range. It would seem that the intense Guanacaste volcanic history of late has
promoted a more active speciation process by continuously generating new geologic scenarios.
Bert Kohlmann
EARTH University
[email protected]
AP 4442-1000
San José - Costa Rica