UNED Research Journal

The study of tourism in Costa Rica from the perspective of Recreational Ecology

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Introduction: Tourism in protected areas has grown globally, boosting conservation and the economy but also generating negative ecological impacts. Recreational Ecology studies these effects, addressing challenges such as habitat degradation and carrying capacity to promote sustainable management strategies. Objective: To identify key themes in Costa Rica’s recreational ecology, including ecological impacts and sustainable management. Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature and carefully selected 15 out of 39 relevant documents, focusing specifically on experimental studies of ecological impacts. Results: Over the last decade, most research has examined the effects of tourism on wildlife. Our analysis reveals significant impacts, including alterations in animal behavior, intensified soil erosion, and elevated CO₂ emissions, all driven by the increasing presence of tourists in natural habitats. Conclusion: As tourism grows, its ecological consequences become more severe, necessitating urgent strategies for sustainable tourism in protected areas of Costa Rica.

Forest fires and geographical variables in the buffer zone of La Amistad International Park, Costa Rica

Felena Casado-Ramos, Daniela Vargas-Sanabria — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Introduction: Forest fires significantly affect ecosystems, altering vegetation, carbon cycles, and climate patterns. The buffer zone of La Amistad International Park (PILA), created in 1982 and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve the same year, was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1983. This region, particularly the Indigenous Territories of Ujarrás, Salitre, and Cabagra inhabited by the Bribri and Cabécar peoples, faces recurring forest fires. Objective: This study examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of forest fires in the PILA buffer zone and explores their relationship with geographical variables influencing fire occurrence. Methods: We analyzed satellite data from MODIS and VIIRS, geospatial information from GWIS and FIRMS, and local field data. Burned areas were mapped for the period 2012-2020, and key geographical factors, including elevation, slope, vegetation cover, and proximity to human settlements, were assessed. Results: The most extensive burned areas were located in Indigenous Territories, with Ujarrás experiencing the largest impact (24,617.52 hectares). Geographical factors, such as steep slopes and proximity to populated areas, significantly influenced fire ignition and spread. Hotspots of recurring fires were identified in Ujarrás, with moderate occurrences in Salitre and Cabagra. Conclusions: Satellite technology provided essential data on fire patterns and their influencing variables, enabling the development of targeted prevention and mitigation strategies to protect biodiversity and support Indigenous communities from La Amistad buffer zone.

Premium diets: acceptance and feeding behavior in adult dogs (Canidae)

Karolina Moncada-Barrientos, Andrea Brenes-Soto — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Introduction: The dog food industry has grown significantly, leading to trends like premium foods. With high demand and costs, assessing palatability is essential for ensuring positive animal reception. Currently, there are few studies of this type in Costa Rica. Objective: To evaluate adult dogs' acceptance and feeding behavior towards two premium commercial foods. Methods: We studied eight adult large-breed female dogs, feeding them three diets at various stages of the research: Control (used to “wash out” between tests), A, and B (premium diets). We used one-bowl tests for acceptance, and two-bowl tests for preferences. We used direct observation and videos to record behavior. Results: We did not find significant differences in the palatability tests. However, there were differences (p < 0.05) in the consumption speed in both tests, with Diet B being consumed faster (one bowl = 2.80 min; two bowls = 10.04 min) than Diet A (one bowl = 6.18 min; two bowls = 22.06 min). Additionally, there was a tendency to prefer consuming Food B first. The animals did not exhibit behavioral alterations. Conclusion: Both diets were highly palatable, but consumption favored food B. Over time, many of the observed behaviors decreased as the animals developed a routine.

Diversity, distribution and threat status of Fabaceae plants in Costa Rica: a 135-year herbarium record

Donifer Campos-Parra, Andres Blanco-Picado, Keilor Rojas-Jimenez — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Introduction: The Fabaceae family is one of the most abundant in Costa Rica, with at least 136 genera and 593 species, many of which are important for agriculture, forestry, and ornamental purposes. Objective: To understand species distribution and extent of collection efforts from the country’s two main herbaria. Methods: We cleaned databases from 1887 to 2022 at the University of Costa Rica (USJ) and the National Herbarium (CR). Results: We documented the presence of 154 genera of Fabaceae, with Inga being the most abundant and diverse. The largest collection effort occurred in 1993, with records of 112 genera and 321 species. We identified 19 species that had not been collected for more than 40 years. Puntarenas emerged as the province with the highest number of genera and species records (117 and 406, respectively), while at the cantonal level, La Cruz, Bagaces, and Osa presented the largest numbers of genera (89, 84, and 79, respectively). Most records are from the Tropical Humid Forest life zone (biotemperature 18-24 °C; precipitation 2 000-4 000 mm). The largest number of species was associated with non-climbing evergreen trees (228 species), followed by non-climbing evergreen shrub/trees (74 species). Additionally, we identified 5 species classified as critically endangered, 29 as endangered, and 21 as near threatened. Conclusion: Our herbarium analysis of Fabaceae in Costa Rica revealed a rich diversity (154 genera, predominantly Inga), with a spatial bias towards Puntarenas and the Tropical Humid Forest. Key findings include 19 long-uncollected species and considerable numbers of threatened species, underlining the need for further conservation efforts and exploration to address taxonomic gaps.