During the month of June, dedicated to the environment, it's fitting to reflect on the ecosystem that surrounds us in Las Catalinas: the tropical dry forest. This rich and beautiful habitat boasts biodiversity nearly equal to that of tropical rainforests, with many unique species. The trees here put on a spectacular show of color throughout the dry season, and the fauna includes howler monkeys, coatis, coyotes, pumas, iguanas, and anteaters.
Despite its beauty, the tropical dry forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems globally. Historically, it covered half of the land in the new world tropics, a greater area than the original tropical rainforests. Today, less than one percent of this forest remains untouched. The land that is now Las Catalinas was once pastureland for cattle farming, dominated by the invasive African grass, Jaragua.
In our effort to restore this land to its natural state, we aim to convert the pasture back into tropical dry forest. From the 472 hectares that comprise Las Catalinas, only 20% is being developed for the town, leaving approximately 377 hectares to be protected and restored. This restoration promotes environmental services such as carbon sequestration, outdoor sports, nature appreciation, and watershed protection.
Passive restoration, allowing the forest to regenerate naturally with proper fire control, is the basis of our program. However, between 2007 and 2010, we accelerated this process by planting over 5,000 trees of 13 native dry forest species, with an 85% survival rate. This effort is inspired by biologist Daniel Janzen’s successful methods in the Guanacaste Conservation Area: prevent fires, plant native trees, and prohibit hunting.
Fire control is crucial as fires, often human-caused, prevent the re-establishment of the native tropical dry forest. Our fire brigade maintains over 80 kilometers of fire breaks and has stopped at least 40 fires, protecting over 2,000 hectares of land. This diligent work has significantly reduced fire damage over the past 15 years, allowing the forest to thrive.
Today, the forest in Las Catalinas is noticeably different, with a more purposeful, woody understory and fewer invasive grasses like Jaragua. Wildlife, including deer, anteaters, grey foxes, and even ocelots, has become more prevalent. The habitat is evolving with new, complex ecological interactions.
As the years progress, we expect Las Catalinas to become a prime example of a regenerated tropical dry forest, offering visitors a chance to experience its wonders. This restoration is a significant part of our legacy, one we treasure deeply. Fire control remains our most critical task in this journey, as fires are not a natural part of the Guanacaste ecosystem but a result of human activity.
Witnessing the transformation of Las Catalinas reaffirms our commitment to environmental stewardship and the beauty of the tropical dry forest.