| This is what Palo Verde National Park looks like from a plane. The dark green parts on the lower half of the picture are the forested parts of park, and the lighter green are rice and sugar cane farms. The light green part between the Tempisque river and the dry forest are the wetlands (picture was taken at the beginning of the dry season - still green). Although the forests of Palo Verde are generally considered "dry" forests, they still usually receive over 2 meters (9.8 feet) of rain a year... ...14 times taller than ME (14cm)! |
rice and sugarcane fields
Tempisque River
wetland
Dry forest
| The Palo Verde wetland is one of the most important for water birds in all of Central America! |
This Jabiru stork is one of Costa Rica's most
endangered birds. There are probably less
than 50 in the entire country! Palo Verde
and the surrounding area are very important
for its survival.
endangered birds. There are probably less
than 50 in the entire country! Palo Verde
and the surrounding area are very important
for its survival.
push play to hear what the wetland can sound like.
The wetlands at Palo Verde
are also an important place
for burrowing toads, turtles,
and crocodiles (but the really big
ones usually stay in the Tempisque
river).
are also an important place
for burrowing toads, turtles,
and crocodiles (but the really big
ones usually stay in the Tempisque
river).
Tempisque River
Burrowing toad
As indicated earlier the forests
around Palo Verde will receive
approximately 9.8 feet of rain a
year ... so why are they generally
considered "dry" forest as
opposed to "rain"? First of all,
most typical rain forests receive
two-to-six times as much rain as
a dry forest will. Also, dry
forests will pass through 4-6
months a year with no rain.
During this stressful period many
plants of the dry forest drop
their leaves (like trees in St.
Louis do in the winter) to help
them survive. Besides, just look
at the cactus...a good indicator
of dry places!.
around Palo Verde will receive
approximately 9.8 feet of rain a
year ... so why are they generally
considered "dry" forest as
opposed to "rain"? First of all,
most typical rain forests receive
two-to-six times as much rain as
a dry forest will. Also, dry
forests will pass through 4-6
months a year with no rain.
During this stressful period many
plants of the dry forest drop
their leaves (like trees in St.
Louis do in the winter) to help
them survive. Besides, just look
at the cactus...a good indicator
of dry places!.
Once the Gumbo Limbo tree on the left drops its leaves during the dry season, it can
still produce energy (photosynthesize). First the paper thin, reddish or copper colored
bark peels off (also called the "tourist tree" for this reason) which exposes the green,
photosynthesizing trunk below. Its during this time when the branches are bare that
many tree species flower to attract pollinators which help produce seeds for the plant
for the next rainy season.
still produce energy (photosynthesize). First the paper thin, reddish or copper colored
bark peels off (also called the "tourist tree" for this reason) which exposes the green,
photosynthesizing trunk below. Its during this time when the branches are bare that
many tree species flower to attract pollinators which help produce seeds for the plant
for the next rainy season.
This is my favorite tree! It is the national tree of
Costa Rica. In Spanish it is known as the
Guanacaste Tree. Hmmmm....I wonder what
they call it in English? Evidently the tree's name
comes from the seed pods which look like a part
of your body. Can you help me out?
Costa Rica. In Spanish it is known as the
Guanacaste Tree. Hmmmm....I wonder what
they call it in English? Evidently the tree's name
comes from the seed pods which look like a part
of your body. Can you help me out?
| Just look at all of the animals we observed! |
American Crocodile
Mud turtle
Great Egret
The tropical dry forest is home to many fascinating
creatures. Click on the photo of each of the forest
animals to learn more about it. I even tried to
hug one of these cute and cuddly creatures!
creatures. Click on the photo of each of the forest
animals to learn more about it. I even tried to
hug one of these cute and cuddly creatures!
Ducks and Heron
Cactus
Dry forest trees
Gumbo Limbo Tree
Tabebuia Tree
Guanacaste Tree
"__ __ __ Tree"
| Well, I hope you enjoyed my adventures in the dry forests and wetlands of Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica. Soon I will be returning home to Annie in St. Louis with more pictures of my trip. PURA VIDA! |
| YIKES! WHAT MADE THAT NOISE? ... Click here to find out! |
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