Professor Troy Abel from Huxley College of the Environment and his students share their insights on ecological citizenship, political biogeography, and immersions in one of the most biologically intense places on the planet. Costa Rica is translated as rich coast, a name originating from Spanish conquistadors who mistakenly thought the land was filled with gold. Many now recognize that Costa Rica’s riches are more green than gold with more than 4 percent of the world’s estimated biodiversity. Costa Rica has universal health care, a longer life expectancy than the U.S., and no military. Only by expanding our attention to all of these facets can one begin to see “Ecotopia’s Prism,” or Costa Rica’s intersections of ecology, economy, and culture fostering and inhibiting sustainability.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Biodiversidad Botánica en Costa Rica




It is our fourth day here and it already feels like it has been weeks.
It is unbelievable how much slower time seems to travel here.
Everything is laid back and the people are unbelievably friendly and nice. Being in this rainforest almost feels like you are on another planet. It is so different from the Pacific Northwest in every way.
The levels of plant and animal biodiversity here is just phenomenal. A hike through the forest is a field day for anyone with the slightest interest in the natural world. The plants here are especially fascinating. Brightly colored epiphytes and other flowering plants are extremely abundant and diverse. I am on the RICA Botany team and I am very excited to start our work here in Carara National Park and then Corcovado. Here is a photo of just a small bit of the kind of botanical biodiversity here in Costa Rica. This was from the University of Georgia Biological Station in San Luis near Monteverde, right outside our door. There were also banana trees very close, and Whitney was VERY excited :] The third photo is of Suzan and I on the zip line today in Jaco, a much-needed break after coming to the station at Carara. Hasta luego!

Peace,
Leah White
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1 comment:

  1. Guillermo SaboríoJune 26, 2010 at 7:31 PM

    Looking for things to do in Costa Rica? Visit Turu Ba Ri Nature and Adventure Park offering Zip Lining, Canopy tour, Costa Rica map, Nature Tour and more Costa Rica attractions

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