Human Activity Impacts Biodiversity in Cerro de la Muerte Wetlands
Research reveals declining biodiversity in peatlands around Cerro de la Muerte due to human encroachment.
Research conducted by the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid indicates that human activities near Cerro de la Muerte, particularly close to the Inter-American highway, are adversely affecting biodiversity in the region’s peatlands.
The study examined vegetation and plant species across five peatlands within the Cerro de la Muerte massif, which are ecosystems characterized by the accumulation of decomposing organic matter, known as peat.
Of the five peatlands studied, two are located within protected areas at Salsipuedes and Cerro Paramillo, while the other three — El Empalme, Quetzales 1, and Quetzales 2 — are situated outside protected boundaries and thus face greater exposure to various human activities.
The results indicated significantly lower biodiversity in the three peatlands located outside of protected areas, suggesting the impacts of edge effects and agricultural activities adjacent to the Inter-American highway.
Frank González Brenes, a researcher at UNED, noted the presence of non-native species at the roadside edges, which are not typical of the peatlands.
Their prevalence is associated with altered hydric regimes resulting from the highway and its associated activities.
In contrast, the peatlands within the Salsipuedes and Cerro Paramillo areas exhibited a richer floral diversity.
Additionally, regions near the Inter-American highway showed a distinct floral composition characterized by species that require less water.
The study underscores the importance of implementing adequate management measures to ensure the conservation of these critical wetland ecosystems.
The research methodology involved two phases.
The first included field sampling and analysis using a floristic value index (IVF), which assesses the quantity and variety of floral species in a location.
Findings revealed a higher IVF in protected areas.
The second phase utilized a geographic information system (GIS) to create high-definition maps for managing georeferenced data and analyzing vegetation distribution within the peatlands.
Furthermore, the researchers conducted five aerial imaging campaigns using a drone, maintaining a constant altitude of 130 meters.
This approach facilitated the capture of high-resolution images processed with software that aided in identifying vegetation patterns and landscape changes in the peatlands.
The study examined vegetation and plant species across five peatlands within the Cerro de la Muerte massif, which are ecosystems characterized by the accumulation of decomposing organic matter, known as peat.
Of the five peatlands studied, two are located within protected areas at Salsipuedes and Cerro Paramillo, while the other three — El Empalme, Quetzales 1, and Quetzales 2 — are situated outside protected boundaries and thus face greater exposure to various human activities.
The results indicated significantly lower biodiversity in the three peatlands located outside of protected areas, suggesting the impacts of edge effects and agricultural activities adjacent to the Inter-American highway.
Frank González Brenes, a researcher at UNED, noted the presence of non-native species at the roadside edges, which are not typical of the peatlands.
Their prevalence is associated with altered hydric regimes resulting from the highway and its associated activities.
In contrast, the peatlands within the Salsipuedes and Cerro Paramillo areas exhibited a richer floral diversity.
Additionally, regions near the Inter-American highway showed a distinct floral composition characterized by species that require less water.
The study underscores the importance of implementing adequate management measures to ensure the conservation of these critical wetland ecosystems.
The research methodology involved two phases.
The first included field sampling and analysis using a floristic value index (IVF), which assesses the quantity and variety of floral species in a location.
Findings revealed a higher IVF in protected areas.
The second phase utilized a geographic information system (GIS) to create high-definition maps for managing georeferenced data and analyzing vegetation distribution within the peatlands.
Furthermore, the researchers conducted five aerial imaging campaigns using a drone, maintaining a constant altitude of 130 meters.
This approach facilitated the capture of high-resolution images processed with software that aided in identifying vegetation patterns and landscape changes in the peatlands.
