Country Profiles

Disclaimer

The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or any area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

(*) A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Remark:
Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Main References

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (v.2)

Sixth National Report



National Websites


NOTE: Visitors to the CBD website are advised to consult section VII of the sixth national report for updated information on the themes contained in the country profile below.

Biodiversity Facts

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Costa Rica’s continental terrestrial ecosystems encompass forests, wetlands, páramos (moors) and mangroves, covering an estimated area of 28,419.32 km2 (55.6%), although landscapes are fragmented and few blocks of high integrity exist today... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The main direct pressures on biodiversity identified in the fourth national report (2009) persist today, namely: habitat loss (land use changes), unsustainable mining/overexploitation of resources, pollution/sedimentation and climate change... More »

Measures to Enhance Implementation of the Convention

Implementation of the NBSAP

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2000-2005) addresses 13 strategic areas, including biological aspects (ecosystems, species and genes) and socioeconomic aspects, as well as the responsible stakeholders... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The results of a preliminary assessment conducted on the degree of progress achieved to date towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are provided below... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Costa Rica adopted a Law on Biodiversity (No. 7788) in 1998, and is currently developing a Biodiversity Policy. More recently, the following instruments have been adopted: Law on Wildlife Conservation (amended in 2012); Forest Law Regulations (amended in 2010); National Program on Wetlands and National Committee on Wetlands (created under decree in 2011); Decree on Regulations for Marine Protected Areas Categories (amended in 2010); Decree establishing the first seamounts marine management area around Isla del Coco (adopted in 2011); Fisheries and Aquaculture Law Regulations (adopted by decree in 2011)... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

A system for comprehensively monitoring the status of biodiversity in the country is absent.

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Lic. Eugenia Arguedas Montezuma
CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto
CBD Primary NFP
Ms. Maria Isabel Chavarria Espinoza
GSPC NFP
Mrs. Alejandra Loria Martinez
Traditional Knowledge NFP
Sr. Genuar Román Nuñez Vega
CHM NFP
Sr. Armando Estrada Chavarria
GTI NFP
Sr. Mauricio Arias Zumbado
Protected Areas NFP
Sra. Jenny Asch
Marine and Coastal Biodiversity NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Sr. Marvin Argueta García
Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP
Ms. Melania Nelly Munoz Garcia
Cartagena Protocol emergency contact point