Posts tagged Caribbean Coastline

Reefs are of great physical as well as biological importance as they play a fundamental role in protecting the coastlines from erosion and contribute to the formation of white sandy beaches.

These complex, fragile ecosystems are deteriorating at an alarming rate worldwide due to peoples negligence.

Coral reefs are actually communities of hundreds of thousands of tiny animals called coral polyps, which grow in sunlit shallows of warm, clear marine waters. The reefs are built up as new corals attach atop the skeletons of dead animals.

About 30 sq km of coral reefs are situated along the southern portion of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline. They are situated where hardrock promontories interrupt the high energy shoreline in three distinct zones, between Moin and Limon, Cahuita and between Puerto Viejo and Punta Mona.

According to scientific studies, all of Costa Rica’s reefs are threatened by human activities. Both overfishing and sedimentation were rated as threatening all reefs, while coastal development was estimated to affect over 85 percent of reefs. Marine-based pollution was estimated to be a threat to nearly a quarter of all reefs.

The main cause of damage to Costa Rica’s reefs is the excess of sedimentation from logging, land clearing and agriculture, such as banana plantations.

Pressure from coastal populations also poses a threat to the reefs through sewage discharge and coastal development. The direct impact of swimmers and snorkellers, anchor damage from tourist boats, and in general the coastal development associated with uncontrolled tourist activity are all significant and growing problems.

Elevated water temperatures during the 1982/83 El Niño event caused bleaching and death of coral, from which recovery has been slow. Mild bleaching was associated with the events of 1992 and 1998, but with insignificant mortality.

The 1991 Limon Earthquake was partially responsible for the significant decline of corals along the Caribbean coast. Although the Limon reefs have largely recovered, Cahuita permanently lost 5 sq km of reef as a result of the physical changes brought about by the uplift of the coastal zone.

Two protected areas with coral reefs are located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. While collection of corals is not permitted, commercial and artisan fishing are allowed. This situation has resulted in overexploitation, particularly of the commercially valuable species.

Any initiatives to control the activities within the protected areas, though, are outweighed by the impact of sedimentation originating outside of the park boundaries.

At Isla Uvita, just offshore of Limon, are tropical fish, sea fans, and a coral reef, plus the wreck of the Fenix, a cargo ship that sank about a mile off the island years ago.

Cahuita National Park Reefs
Cahuita National Park is best known for the coral reefs close to shore. The coral reefs are the most studied marine ecosystems on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Of these, the one at the Parque Nacional Cahuita has been studied longer and in greater detail.

Studies have suggested that the high levels of terrigenous sediments are responsible for the siltation and turbidity as well as being the main stressor on the reef.

The world of coral reefs is made up of over 35 species of coral, including elkhorn coral and smooth brain coral. This underwater habitat abounds with sea urchins, lobsters, turtles, moray eels, sharks and innumerable brightly colored fish of various sizes and shapes.

In the dry season, there is good snorkeling from the beach, and you are likely to see light yellow brain, elkhorn, and blue staghorn corals, sea fans, and gorgonians as a back drop to the more than 500 species of fish endemic to the reefs.

Gandoca – Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge
A recent addition to the Costa Rican system of parks and refuges and one of a growing number of protected areas that includes marine environments, this refuge consists of 5,013 ha in its terrestrial portion and 4,436 ha of marine habitat.

The five-kilometer stretch off the coast from the village of Manzanillo to the area known as Punta Mona (Monkey Point) is populated by more live coral than is found on the reef at Cahuita to the north, however, the Manzanillo corals have not yet developed formations as large as those at Cahuita. Coral reefs offshore create a natural harbor and there are usually a number of boats moored there.

Ballena National Marine Park
Ballena National Marine Park is the first marine park in Latin America. It was created in February of 1990 to protect the coral and rock reefs. The clear waters around its dramatic coastline of pristine sandy beaches and rocky shores are home to many tropical fish.

The park covers 13 kilometers of coastline from Uvita Point to Pinuela Beach and consists of 5,375 hectares of marine environment. Within the park is a system of reefs and islands called Las Tres Hermanas. This natural barrier, which includes several unique geological formations, not only protects the coastline but also creates some of the best diving and snorkelling in Costa Rica.

Isla del Caño
Isla del Caño is home to many ancient artifacts, including “bolas” or curious stone spheres. If you’re lucky, you may spot flying fish on the open ocean between Caño and the mainland. You can snorkel in the warm waters off the island or just sit back and enjoy the coral reefs and huge variety of aquatic life.

Colon Island
Inland, Colon Island has forests, rivers, creeks and the remaining of fauna and flora once very abundant. The coast can be appreciated for the coral reefs, mangrove forests, beautiful rocky formations and many sea birds.

Zapatillas Key
These beautiful islands are located on a coral platform that is defined, toward the open sea, by the breakers that are formed as the waves crash on the reef. Zapatillas Keys, lie inside the Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. They are famous for their beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and coral reefs and small but shady forests.