Palo Verde Biological Station
Encyclopedia
The Palo Verde Biological Research Station is located in the Guanacaste Province
of Costa Rica
, and is one of the three research station
s operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies
(OTS). The Biological Research Station is located inside Palo Verde National Park
. Palo Verde Biological Research Station is one of the foremost sites for ecological
research on tropical dry forests, which constitute one of the most endangered forest types in the world.
The Organization of Tropical Studies is an advisor to MINAE, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, in the matters of restoration and preservation. The OTS has been working on research for the restoration of the wetlands. Palo Verde National Park was declared a Wildlife Refuge during the 1970s because of over 60 different species of birds used the Laguna, or wetland, as a migratory stop. There were once 35,000 black bellied whistling ducks, 25,000 blue winged teal, and several hundred migrating ducks during the dry season Later the park was declared a national park and operated under the government agency called MINAE, Ministry of the Energy and Environment. In the 1990s, the park was put on the RAMSAR list of wetlands of International Importance and also on the Montreux Record
Unfortunately, since 1970s, the wetland has been taken over by Typha domingensis or also known as cattail. This has significantly interfered with migration of the birds. The OTS works on solutions to this problem, while providing education in the tropics. At the Station, visitors can take a hike with a trained forest ecologist and several professors from the United States and Universidad of Costa Rica offer biocourses. Tropical biology is best learned through experience rather than books. The OTS is a non profit that is also a scientific consortium conducting research in the tropics.
Mammals
Mantled Howler Monkey: Mono congo, Alouatta palliata 50 cm. The locals call it the congo. You will hear them before you see them by their distinctive yelling that makes you think it is a big monkey. But a big voice does not translate into a big size or it being an aggressive mammal.
White-throated Capuchin: Mono cariblanco, Cebus capucinus 40 cm. These monkeys travel in groups and should be watched at a distance. The monkeys in Palo Verde are not used to human visitors and have a tendency to be extremely irritable and somewhat aggressive. Some guide books show them being friendly and jumping on people. While they are cute, the ones in Palo Verde are wild. One story includes a monkey throwing a coconut at the face of a professor, hitting his eye and causing bleeding. Caution should be taken by keeping your distance. They will warn you when you are to close by hissing.
Collard Peccary: Saino, Tayassa tajacu 90 cm. They look like a wild black pig and are common at the station. They are not dangerous.
Insects and Arachnids
Army Ant: Hormiga soldado, Guerrera, Eciton burchellii 9–14 cm. Army ants are incredible creatures that move at alarmingly fast pace. They can be found everywhere and be careful of them in crevices of rocks and trees.
Scorpion: Alacrán, Escorpión, Centruroides margaritatus 110mm
The American Crocodiles of Costa Rica
While this endangered species is difficult to find throughout the Americas, they can be easily observed in the Rio Tempisque that flows on one side of Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica. The crocodiles’ abundance in Costa Rica today "probably reflect the greater protection given to these reptiles in this country, both from skin poachers and from excessive destruction of their habitats. Although considered primitve because their body form has changed little from that of their ancestors 200million yrs ago, crocodiles nevertheless have more advanced hearts and brains, and more complex social lives, than other reptiles. In Costa Rica, the American Crocodile can best be seen along the Tarcoles River (especially from the bridge at the northwest corner of the Carara Reserve), along the Tempisque River, and to a lesser degree in the Tortuguero Canals and in most tide-influenced wetlands along both coasts."
Wetland and Aquatic plants
Typha: Commonly known as Cattail, Typha domingensis. Typha is a common plant that has overtaken much of the wetland. The OTS is deeply involved in the management and removal of Typha. It is a native, highly competitive species that reproduces both sexually and asexually through ribosomes. Its highly competitive nature has been shown to lower biodiversity in the wetland and lowers the amount of open spaces in the Laguna or wetland. The open water spaces are necessary for the migratory birds and prevents them from landing.
Weather Station and records for the park and Tempisque River Basin
Working space in the lab with a capacity of 8 people
An air conditioned classroom with a capacity for 40 people
Rustic style lodging with meals included
Water is a valuable resource and water conservation is practiced. It is potable and drinkable.
Snakes
There has never been a snake bite accident, but some extra care is always recommended. Nobody is authorized to handle snakes unless you are accompanied by a herpetologist with experience and have the legal permit to manipulate them.
'Mosquitos, Scorpions and other Insects
Insects are common and abundant. Mosquito repellent is recommended on all trails. The Station is not abundant with mosquitos. But for all hikes, mosquitos are frequent and long sleeves as well as long pants are recommended. Scorpions can be found in any place in the station, in the forest, or even in the buildings. To avoid being stung by a scorpion check your boots by shaking them upside down & your clothing before putting them on. The scorpions will not kill you, but it will hurt so be careful.
Please notify the station manager if someone is allergic to any stinging insect.
Africanized bees
You should always be alert to the sound of humming of bees nest. Bees can become aggressive. If you approach close to their hive and disturb them, the nest is very visible hanging below a tree branch or they might be hidden inside rock crevices or hollow trees. You should always avoid walking in areas where you suspect you hear or see them. Remain calm and try to determine which direction they seem to be coming and move as quickly as possible in the opposite direction. Let the Station Manager know if you find a hive.
Guanacaste Province
Guanacaste is a province of Costa Rica located in the northwestern part of the country, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. To the north it borders Nicaragua. To the east is the Alajuela Province, and to the southeast is the Puntarenas Province. It is the most sparsely populated of all the...
of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, and is one of the three research station
Research station
A research station is a station built for the purpose of conducting scientific research. Research station sites might include outer space and oceans. Many nations have research stations in Antarctica; Showa Station, Halley and Troll are examples...
s operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies
Organization for Tropical Studies
The Organization for Tropical Studies is a network of ecological research stations created in Costa Rica in 1963. OTS is run by a non-profit consortium of 63 universities, based in the United States, Australia and Latin America . The corporate headquarters of OTS are at Duke University, in...
(OTS). The Biological Research Station is located inside Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park
The Palo Verde National Park, in Spanish is a National Park of Costa Rica, part of the Tempisque Conservation Area, that contains much of the area of the valley of the Tempisque River and covers an area of 45,492 acres in Guanacaste Province, 30 km west of Canas...
. Palo Verde Biological Research Station is one of the foremost sites for ecological
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
research on tropical dry forests, which constitute one of the most endangered forest types in the world.
The Organization of Tropical Studies is an advisor to MINAE, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, in the matters of restoration and preservation. The OTS has been working on research for the restoration of the wetlands. Palo Verde National Park was declared a Wildlife Refuge during the 1970s because of over 60 different species of birds used the Laguna, or wetland, as a migratory stop. There were once 35,000 black bellied whistling ducks, 25,000 blue winged teal, and several hundred migrating ducks during the dry season Later the park was declared a national park and operated under the government agency called MINAE, Ministry of the Energy and Environment. In the 1990s, the park was put on the RAMSAR list of wetlands of International Importance and also on the Montreux Record
Unfortunately, since 1970s, the wetland has been taken over by Typha domingensis or also known as cattail. This has significantly interfered with migration of the birds. The OTS works on solutions to this problem, while providing education in the tropics. At the Station, visitors can take a hike with a trained forest ecologist and several professors from the United States and Universidad of Costa Rica offer biocourses. Tropical biology is best learned through experience rather than books. The OTS is a non profit that is also a scientific consortium conducting research in the tropics.
Biodiversity at Palo Verde National Park and the Research Station
Staying at the station is like staying at a zoo. As the location is remote and built into the surrounding forest, wildlife can be observed close by. This list is by no means comprehensive, but serves as a guide to the names of common biodiversity.Mammals
Mantled Howler Monkey: Mono congo, Alouatta palliata 50 cm. The locals call it the congo. You will hear them before you see them by their distinctive yelling that makes you think it is a big monkey. But a big voice does not translate into a big size or it being an aggressive mammal.
White-throated Capuchin: Mono cariblanco, Cebus capucinus 40 cm. These monkeys travel in groups and should be watched at a distance. The monkeys in Palo Verde are not used to human visitors and have a tendency to be extremely irritable and somewhat aggressive. Some guide books show them being friendly and jumping on people. While they are cute, the ones in Palo Verde are wild. One story includes a monkey throwing a coconut at the face of a professor, hitting his eye and causing bleeding. Caution should be taken by keeping your distance. They will warn you when you are to close by hissing.
Collard Peccary: Saino, Tayassa tajacu 90 cm. They look like a wild black pig and are common at the station. They are not dangerous.
Insects and Arachnids
Army Ant: Hormiga soldado, Guerrera, Eciton burchellii 9–14 cm. Army ants are incredible creatures that move at alarmingly fast pace. They can be found everywhere and be careful of them in crevices of rocks and trees.
Scorpion: Alacrán, Escorpión, Centruroides margaritatus 110mm
The American Crocodiles of Costa Rica
While this endangered species is difficult to find throughout the Americas, they can be easily observed in the Rio Tempisque that flows on one side of Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica. The crocodiles’ abundance in Costa Rica today "probably reflect the greater protection given to these reptiles in this country, both from skin poachers and from excessive destruction of their habitats. Although considered primitve because their body form has changed little from that of their ancestors 200million yrs ago, crocodiles nevertheless have more advanced hearts and brains, and more complex social lives, than other reptiles. In Costa Rica, the American Crocodile can best be seen along the Tarcoles River (especially from the bridge at the northwest corner of the Carara Reserve), along the Tempisque River, and to a lesser degree in the Tortuguero Canals and in most tide-influenced wetlands along both coasts."
Wetland and Aquatic plants
Typha: Commonly known as Cattail, Typha domingensis. Typha is a common plant that has overtaken much of the wetland. The OTS is deeply involved in the management and removal of Typha. It is a native, highly competitive species that reproduces both sexually and asexually through ribosomes. Its highly competitive nature has been shown to lower biodiversity in the wetland and lowers the amount of open spaces in the Laguna or wetland. The open water spaces are necessary for the migratory birds and prevents them from landing.
Visitor Information
Location: There is a sign that point to the Organization of Tropical Studies. It is near the park's headquarters about half a mile away.Facilities
Library, herbarium, public computers, and Internet access.Weather Station and records for the park and Tempisque River Basin
Working space in the lab with a capacity of 8 people
An air conditioned classroom with a capacity for 40 people
Rustic style lodging with meals included
Water is a valuable resource and water conservation is practiced. It is potable and drinkable.
Special Warnings
These special warnings are given at the Station when a visitor arrives at the OTS. It is only to serve as a guide since most visitors are not accustomed to the tropics.Snakes
There has never been a snake bite accident, but some extra care is always recommended. Nobody is authorized to handle snakes unless you are accompanied by a herpetologist with experience and have the legal permit to manipulate them.
'Mosquitos, Scorpions and other Insects
Insects are common and abundant. Mosquito repellent is recommended on all trails. The Station is not abundant with mosquitos. But for all hikes, mosquitos are frequent and long sleeves as well as long pants are recommended. Scorpions can be found in any place in the station, in the forest, or even in the buildings. To avoid being stung by a scorpion check your boots by shaking them upside down & your clothing before putting them on. The scorpions will not kill you, but it will hurt so be careful.
Please notify the station manager if someone is allergic to any stinging insect.
Africanized bees
You should always be alert to the sound of humming of bees nest. Bees can become aggressive. If you approach close to their hive and disturb them, the nest is very visible hanging below a tree branch or they might be hidden inside rock crevices or hollow trees. You should always avoid walking in areas where you suspect you hear or see them. Remain calm and try to determine which direction they seem to be coming and move as quickly as possible in the opposite direction. Let the Station Manager know if you find a hive.