Title: What to Know About Costa Rica's 12 Different Ecosystems
Headings: What to Know About Costa Rica's 12 Different Ecosystems
What to Know About Costa Rica's 12 Different Ecosystems
Lowland Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Dry Forest
Cloud forest
Highland Mountain Rainforest
Páramo
Semi-Deciduous Mid-Elevation Forest
Mangrove Forest
Wetlands
Coral Reef
Caribbean Coastline
Pacific Coastline
Shallow Seas

Content: Coral reefs are an intricate ecosystem made up of symbiotic relationships between algae and the living coral (which are actually animals similar to sea anemones). The coral reefs also provide shelter and feeding grounds for hundreds of species of tropical fish, sharks, rays, sea turtles, and mollusks. Dolphins and whales sometimes visit the outer fringes of the coral reefs, as well. Coral reefs protect the coastline from heavy storm waves and swells. Some of the best coral reefs to dive are part of the Cahuita National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, the Catalina Islands, Bahia Ballena National Marine Park, and the original Treasure Island, Isla del Coco. Big brain coral | © US Fish and Wildlife Services/Flickr
Caribbean Coastline
The Caribbean coastline is 125 miles (200 kilometers) long and stretches between Nicaragua and Panama. The coastal region of the Caribbean is made up of pristine and palm-tree lined beaches, mangrove swamplands, and river mouths that back up to tropical rainforest and banana plantations. The resident wildlife includes rainbow-billed toucans, chestnut-mandibled toucans, aracari toucans, white-faced capuchin monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, boa constrictors, Jesus lizards, and iguanas, just to name a few. There is far more rainfall on the Caribbean coastline than on the Pacific coastline. Rainbow bill | © Tambako the Jaguar/Flickr
Pacific Coastline
The Pacific coastline varies from north to south.