Although the conservation movement developed in Europe in the 18th century, Costa Rica as a country has been heralded its champion in the current times. Costa Rica hosts an astonishing number of species, given its size, having more animal and plant species than the US and Canada combined hosting over 500,000 species of plants and animals. Despite this, Costa Rica is only 250 miles long and 150 miles wide. A widely accepted theory for the origin of this unusual density of species is the free mixing of species from both North and South America occurring on this "inter-oceanic" and "inter-continental" landscape. Preserving the natural environment of this fragile landscape, therefore, has drawn the attention of many international scholars and scientists.
MINAE (Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications) and its responsible for many conservation efforts in Costa Rica it achieves through its many agencies, including SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas), FONAFIFO (national forest fund), and CONAGEBIO (National Commission for Biodiversity Management).
Costa Rica has made conservation a national priority, and has been at the forefront of preserving its natural environment with 28% of its land protected in the form of national parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges, which is under the administrative control of SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) a division of MINAE (Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications). SINAC has subdivided the country into various zones depending on the ecological diversity of that region - as seen in figure 1. The country has used this ecological diversity to its economic advantage in the form of a thriving ecotourism industry, putting its commitment to nature, on display to visitors from across the globe. The tourism market in Costa Rica is estimated to grow by USD 1.34 billion from 2023 to 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.76%.
It is also the only country in the world that generates more than 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, relying on hydropower (72%), wind (13%), geothermal energy (15%), biomass and solar (1%). Critics have pointed out however, that in achieving this milestone, the country has built several dams (providing the bulk of its electricity) some of which have negatively impacted indigenous communities as well as the local flora and fauna. Historical development
"The Green Republic: A Conservation History of Costa Rica" by Sterling Evans is a renowned book that traces the development of the conservation movement in Costa Rica from the mid 1700s to present day. Evans mentions that when the Spaniards first arrived in the Americas, the landscape of Costa Rica did not appear particularly hospitable to them, compared to Guatemala or Mexico which seemed more reminiscent of the Spanish climate. Therefore, up until the 18th century, there was very little agricultural development in the region. It also lacked gold and other minerals that Christopher Columbus had hoped to find in these areas (hence the name, Rich Coast). As a result, the forest cover of Costa Rica was left more or less intact by the European settlement in the Americas.
By the mid-19th century, it was observed that the Costa Rican soil was particularly conducive to the growth of coffee. The global demand for coffee was growing rapidly, fueled by the demand from the working class in the industrializing west. The agricultural model adopted by coffee growers in Costa Rica was of small family owned farms known as cafeteras, and they strove to be responsible stewards of the land. This approach was in stark contrast to the coffee monoculture that would've developed by adopting a purely capitalistic ideology. As a result, even though the coffee production increased substantially from 1850 to 1950, there wasn't large scale deforestation in Costa Rica until the 1950s, contrary to popular belief.
Some of the key points often overlooked in Costa Rica's conservation history between 1850 and 2000 according to Evans, are as follows:
1. President Bernardo Soto's government in 1888 began the process of attracting scholars from all over the world, particularly Switzerland and Germany in an effort to educate the locals about agricultural practices harmonious with the environment such that by 1914, Costa Rica became a leading scientific research center in tropical America
2. The establishment of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) in the 1940s was a landmark event, since the university acted as a springboard for research into tropical studies in Central America. At the helm of UCR were many influential academics such as Rafael Lucas Rodríguez and Alexander Skutch whose forward thinking publications served as a foundation for the future policy decisions. Skutch noted,
"in the mid-1930s, Costa Rica was still largely unspoiled. Its population of less than a half a million people . . .was concentrated in the narrow Meseta Central. . . . Other advantages . . . to the naturalist were its political stability and the friendliness of its people. . . . Costa Rica has a record of continuous, orderly constitutional government that scarcely any other country in Latin America can match. Thus the naturalist working in some remote spot was not likely to have his studies suddenly interrupted or his thin lines of communication cut by a violent upheaval, as has happened to many in Latin America. ."
3. By 1950, Costa Rica became heavily reliant on coffee exports to Europe and the US. Around the same time, it was battling the dilemma between increasing agricultural output on one hand and protecting natural resources for future use on the other. In 1958, however, the world coffee prices plummeted, and Costa Rica's main source of income was shown to be very vulnerable to unpredictable forces. The government responded by promoting internal manufacturing and encouraging other industries. One such industry that emerged as a result, was the meat industry.
The Central American valley has been described as "perfect for cattle" by Carl Hoffman. Until 1970, the cattle raised in Costa Rica were primarily used for domestic consumption. Around 1970, the demand for beef from the US started showing an exponential growth due to the rise of the fast-food industry. This robust demand, coupled with the falling coffee prices gave the cattle industry a boost and forests started getting replaced with pastures. At its worst, Costa Rica was losing 4% of its forested area per year.
An alternative analysis by Julia Flagg within the framework of "process-tracing" reveals that after gaining independence in 1821 the isolation of Costa Rica from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua was critical in shaping its future and served as a divergence point in the evolution of the Central American nations. According to Mahoney “ . . . while all of the other provinces quickly became engulfed in warfare and political chaos, Costa Rica escaped such devastation and made tentative economic strides forward”. She also argues that the lack of a land-owning elite class in Costa Rica was instrumental in the development of good governance and maintaining a stable democracy in the country. The abolishing of the military in 1948 helped free up valuable resources that the government chose to invest into education and resource protection. The country entered into a positive reinforcement cycle thereafter, where new laws enacted drew international praise which helped solidify Costa Rica's position as global leader in resource protection .
"Green Republic" by Sterling Evans examines the history of conservation in Costa Rica, challenging the perception of it as a flawless "green republic." Costa Rica's conservation efforts emerged amidst significant environmental degradation, driven by factors like agricultural expansion and land redistribution. Evans traces the evolution of conservation policy, highlighting key moments such as the Ley Forestal of 1969 and the establishment of a national park system. Despite challenges, Costa Rica made strides in conservation through initiatives like debt-for-nature swaps and the involvement of NGOs. However, issues like the sustainability of ecotourism underscore the ongoing complexities of balancing conservation with economic development. Overall, Evans offers a nuanced view of Costa Rica's conservation journey, acknowledging successes while recognizing ongoing challenges.
Examples of active efforts
National Park System Costa Rica boasts a network of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and biological reserves. These areas safeguard diverse ecosystems, such as rainforests, cloud forests, beaches, and coral reefs, protecting a wide range of flora and fauna.
Like any natural area, Costa Rican conservation areas have rules and regulations meant to protect the species that call them home. Most rules are common sense, like a prohibition on hunting, going off marked trails, removing specimens such as plants, animals, or shells, and going into volcano craters
Ecotourism Costa Rica has become a global leader in ecotourism, attracting travelers eager to explore its natural wonders while minimizing their environmental impact. The country offers numerous eco-lodges, nature tours, and adventure activities, generating revenue that supports conservation efforts and local communities.
Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Institutions like the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) conduct research to document and conserve Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. Through initiatives such as biodiversity surveys, genetic research, and habitat monitoring, scientists contribute valuable data to inform conservation policies and practices.
Community-Based Conservation Costa Rica encourages community participation in conservation through initiatives like community-managed reserves and conservation easements. By empowering local communities to manage natural resources sustainably, these efforts promote environmental stewardship and support livelihoods.
Bureaucratic barriers within government structures can impede the implementation of community conservation initiatives, using Costa Rica as a case study. Basurto contrasts two approaches: government-driven decentralization and bottom-up participatory control. In regions where decentralization was led by the government, power remained centralized and excluded rural communities from decision-making. Conversely, in areas like the Guanacaste Conservation Area, community-based governance thrived through local involvement and fair compensation mechanisms. Successful incorporation of community conservation initiatives, such as ICCAs, requires addressing bureaucratic dynamics, strong central support, local demand for participation, and establishment of supportive institutional structures.
Sustainable Agriculture Efforts to promote sustainable agricultural practices aim to reduce environmental degradation caused by conventional farming methods. Initiatives include organic farming, agroforestry, and certification programs that encourage producers to adopt eco-friendly techniques while maintaining productivity.
Payment for Environmental Services Program (PES) To counter reducing forest area coverage in the 1980s, the Costa Rican government pioneered a scheme in 1997 known as PES, which rewarded private land owners for keeping forests intact on their lands in lieu of the services provided by these forests to the environment and the economy as a whole. The World Bank, which provided the loan initially from 2000 to 2006 to support the payments incentivizing afforestation, viewed the program as a success overall despite some of its shortcomings.