Costa Rica - Overview

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 »

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.