Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is a Nature Reserve
of Costa Rica
, part of the Tempisque Conservation Area
in the province of Puntarenas
, covering an area of 3140 acres (12.7 km²) terrestrial and 4420 acres (17.9 km²) marine on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula
near Mal Pais
.
The site is home to the San Miguel Biological Station which was developed to promote and support teaching, research, and environmental education and has facilities that include classrooms, laboratories and a reference library. The reserve was created in 1963 due to a campaign started by Olof Wessberg, the was the first major conservation project in the country.
Up to the 1960s the lands that now constitute the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve were being depleted of their natural forests for use as farm and pasture land. The emphasis in those days was to develop and increase agricultural production and little concern was given to conservation of natural habitats.
Olof Wessberg (known as Nicolas) and Karen Mogensen arrived in Costa Rica in the 1960s in the pursuit of Karen's dream of finding happiness in harmony with nature. They chose to establish themselves in the Nicoya Peninsula.
Soon after establishing themselves in a farm near the Montezuma area, they set up on an expedition to the Cabo Blanco area in search for native tree seeds to reforest their newly acquired farm. Upon arriving to the area, he was amazed at the abundant wildlife and the size of the trees in the area. This was like an oasis in the midst of a desert as all lands around had been devastated to give way to low-yield pasture and agricultural lands.
This experience was what triggered their determination to save and preserve this "natural jewel". With the aid of an international agency, they bought 1250 hectares (3,088.8 acre) of land in 1963 and turned these lands into the first protected area in all of Costa Rica.
Nicolas died in 1975 and Karen in 1994. Their bodies are buried at the Nicolas Wessberg Natural Reserve which was the original farm they bought when first arrived in the Montezuma area.
Among the dry forest specimens found we can mention the "Pochote" (Bombacopsis quinata
), the "Guacimo" (Guazuma ulmifolia
), and the "Indio Desnudo" (Bursera simaruba
) but there are many other trees present that are native to the whole Nicoya Peninsula area.
Among the evergreens is worth mentioning the tall and impressive "Espavel" (Anacardium excelsum), the "Guacimo Colorado" (Luehea seemanii), and the beautiful "Cortez Amarillo" (Tabebuia ochracea
) which bursts into a yellow spectacle of flowers during the dry months of March and April.
There is a considerable variety of mammals in the park. Predominant among these and very easily spotted by visitors are the Howler (Alouatta palliata
) and the White-face (Cebus capuchinus
) monkeys.
Also very abundant and easily seen are the White-nosed coati (Nasua narica) and the White-Tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Also present, but harder to spot are the Margay (Felis wiedii) and the coyote (Cannis latrans
).
But the greatest wealth in fauna is in the abundant marine birds, fish, crabs and mollusks found in the shore waters and in the Cabo Blanco island.
Worth mentioning is the healthy population of brown boobies and pelicans found in the island, and also the plentiful Conch (Strombus galeatus
) found on the park's waters.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, part of the Tempisque Conservation Area
Tempisque Conservation Area
Tempisque Conservation Area is an administrative area which is managed by SINAC for the purposes of conservation in the western part of Costa Rica, including the Tempisque River valley and the Nicoya Peninsula...
in the province of Puntarenas
Puntarenas
Puntarenas is the capital and largest city in the province Puntarenas, Costa Rica, at the Pacific coast. The eponymous and oddly shaped province has its largest section in the South, far from the capital.Some 100,000 live in the city and close towns...
, covering an area of 3140 acres (12.7 km²) terrestrial and 4420 acres (17.9 km²) marine on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula
Nicoya Peninsula
The Nicoya Peninsula is a peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and lies in the Guanacaste Province in the north, and the Puntarenas Province in the south. It is located at . It varies from 19 to wide and is approximately long, and forms the largest peninsula in the country. It is known...
near Mal Pais
Malpais, Costa Rica
Malpais is a town in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica which began as a fishing and cattle-farming village, and has become popular among surfers and adventure travelers around the world...
.
The site is home to the San Miguel Biological Station which was developed to promote and support teaching, research, and environmental education and has facilities that include classrooms, laboratories and a reference library. The reserve was created in 1963 due to a campaign started by Olof Wessberg, the was the first major conservation project in the country.
History
Olof Wessberg (known as Nicolas) and Karen Mogensen arrived in Costa Rica in the 1960s in the pursuit of Karen's dream of finding happiness in harmony with nature. They chose to establish themselves in the Nicoya Peninsula.
Soon after establishing themselves in a farm near the Montezuma area, they set up on an expedition to the Cabo Blanco area in search for native tree seeds to reforest their newly acquired farm. Upon arriving to the area, he was amazed at the abundant wildlife and the size of the trees in the area. This was like an oasis in the midst of a desert as all lands around had been devastated to give way to low-yield pasture and agricultural lands.
This experience was what triggered their determination to save and preserve this "natural jewel". With the aid of an international agency, they bought 1250 hectares (3,088.8 acre) of land in 1963 and turned these lands into the first protected area in all of Costa Rica.
Nicolas died in 1975 and Karen in 1994. Their bodies are buried at the Nicolas Wessberg Natural Reserve which was the original farm they bought when first arrived in the Montezuma area.
Flora
About 140 different species of trees have been identified inside the park. Because the park is located in a transition area between the dry and wet forest, a unique combination of evergreen trees (never lose their leaves) which are characteristic of the humid rainforest, and trees of the deciduous type (which lose their foliage during the dry season) and are characteristic of the dry forest.Among the dry forest specimens found we can mention the "Pochote" (Bombacopsis quinata
Bombacopsis quinata
Pachira quinata, commonly known as Pochote, is a species flowering tree in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It inhabits dry forests in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, and Colombia. Pochotes bear large, stubby thorns on their trunk and branches and are often planted as living fenceposts with...
), the "Guacimo" (Guazuma ulmifolia
Guazuma ulmifolia
Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. is also commonly known as guácima, guácimo , tablote, majagua de toro tapaculo, cualote, cambá-acá, as well as many other names. It is a small to medium sized tree normally found in pastures and disturbed forests. This flowering plant from the Malvaceae family grows up to...
), and the "Indio Desnudo" (Bursera simaruba
Bursera simaruba
Bursera simaruba, commonly known as the Gumbo-limbo, is a tree species in the family Burseraceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas from the southeasternmost United States south through Mexico and the Caribbean to Brazil and Venezuela...
) but there are many other trees present that are native to the whole Nicoya Peninsula area.
Among the evergreens is worth mentioning the tall and impressive "Espavel" (Anacardium excelsum), the "Guacimo Colorado" (Luehea seemanii), and the beautiful "Cortez Amarillo" (Tabebuia ochracea
Tabebuia ochracea
Tabebuia ochracea is a timber tree native to South America, Cerrado and Pantanal vegetation in Brazil. It is very similar and closely related to and often confused with the Golden Trumpet Tree, Tabebuia chrysotricha.There are three subspecies:...
) which bursts into a yellow spectacle of flowers during the dry months of March and April.
Fauna
There is a considerable variety of mammals in the park. Predominant among these and very easily spotted by visitors are the Howler (Alouatta palliata
Howler monkey
Howler monkeys are among the largest of the New World monkeys. Fifteen species are currently recognised. Previously classified in the family Cebidae, they are now placed in the family Atelidae. These monkeys are native to South and Central American forests...
) and the White-face (Cebus capuchinus
White-headed Capuchin
The white-headed capuchin , also known as the white-faced capuchin or white-throated capuchin, is a medium-sized New World monkey of the family Cebidae, subfamily Cebinae...
) monkeys.
Also very abundant and easily seen are the White-nosed coati (Nasua narica) and the White-Tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Also present, but harder to spot are the Margay (Felis wiedii) and the coyote (Cannis latrans
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
).
But the greatest wealth in fauna is in the abundant marine birds, fish, crabs and mollusks found in the shore waters and in the Cabo Blanco island.
Worth mentioning is the healthy population of brown boobies and pelicans found in the island, and also the plentiful Conch (Strombus galeatus
Conch
A conch is a common name which is applied to a number of different species of medium-sized to large sea snails or their shells, generally those which are large and have a high spire and a siphonal canal....
) found on the park's waters.
External links
- Cabo Blanco Nature and Wildlife at Nicoya Peninsula Travel Guide
- Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve at Costa Rica National Parks
- Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve at Costa Rica map
- CaboBlancoPark.com
- Photos of Cabo Blanco at Costa Rica Photos