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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
LOCATION
TRC’s property is geographically located on the map of the National Geographic Institute west of Rio Cuarto at 522000–525000 longitude and 264000–267000 latitude. It is located in the community of La Tirimbina in the second district of La Virgen de Sarapiqui, Province of Heredia, Costa Rica.
CLIMATE
According to La Selva Biological Field Station (Costa Rica) data, the average annual temperature is 25.3°C (78.5°F), with a maximum temperature of 30.0°C (86°F) and a minimum temperature of 20.2°C (68.36°F). The average annual rainfall is 3,777mm (11.5 ft.).
TOPOGRAPHIC AND GEOMORPHIC CONDITIONS
The property is located between 180–220 meters above sea level (600–720 ft).
As for the landscape, the property presents moderate conditions, with a range in slope of 10–25% and low undulating hills. Within the protected area, near TRC’s streams and river, the hills have steeper slopes, reaching 60%.
The soils are of volcanic origin with the surface soils being dominated by volcanic rock. The land formations that shape the area were created primarily by lava flows, which, combining with the hot climate, high precipitation and water trajectory resulted in the irregular formation of the low hills.
HYDROLOGY
The property is located in the Sarapiqui River basin, which has an area of 1,923km2 and is formed by the confluence of the Bijagual, Tirimbina, Peje, Puerto Viejo, Sardinal, Patria and Sucio Rivers. The Sarapiqui River has its origin at the foot of the Barva and Poas volcanoes, and flows directly to the San Juan River.
The Reserve has a large number of small streams that drain into the Sarapiqui River, forming the western border of the property. Additionally, the Tirimbina and El Uno Rivers flow through the property.
CHART OF CURRENT USE
The following table shows the land conditions by category of use.
Category of Use |
Area (Hect.) |
Percentage |
Forest |
340.00 |
98.55 |
Open Area |
4.00 |
1.15 |
Wetland |
1.00 |
0.30 |
Total |
345.00 |
100.00 |
FLORA
According to the Holdridge system of life zones, the Reserve presents two life zones: Very Humid Tropical Pre-Montane Forest with transition to Basal and Very Humid Tropical Forest. The forested areas historically had different uses, but in the last forty years have been in the process of regeneration. A walk through the site reveals areas of secondary forest, abandoned cacao plantations and secondary forest in early regeneration. The majority (85%), however, is classified as primary forest.
Please see ABOUT US, BIODIVERSITY for flora lists.
FAUNA
In the forest, a great variety of animal species can also be found. During one year of monitoring at TRC, researchers found nearly 300 species of birds, 35 of reptiles, 30 of amphibians, and 30 of mammals, identified visually or by tracks. Among the species to highlight are the White Tent Bats (Ectophylla alba), Grisons (Gallictis vittata), Tayras (Eira barbara), Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), Anteaters (Tamandua mexicana), White-Collared Manakins (Manacus candei), Royal Flycatchers (Onychorhynchus coronatus), Momots (various species), and migratory birds (warblers, falcons, hawks, etc.). Studies of biodiversity are continually done and constantly updated.
Please see ABOUT US,BIODIVERSITY for fauna lists.
