Piedras Blancas National Park is a national park part of the Osa Conservation Area . It is found in the Puntarenas Province of southern Costa Rica near the town of La Gamba . It protects rainforests and beaches near the Golfo Dulce on the Pacific Coast. It used to operate as part of the Corcovado National Park called the Esquinas Sector from 1991 before becoming a separate park in 1999. Until the mid-1990s, much of the forest in the park was severely endangered by logging.
35-487: The rugged mountains and watersheds of the Esquinas and Piedras Blancas rivers are covered in dense evergreen forest that is home to a number of rare tropical trees and the habitat of many species of birds , mammals and reptiles . Hunting has been a problem, but the number of park rangers was increased from 6 to 16 between 2005 and 2007, and poaching has decreased. Some of the park has remained in private hands, however
70-616: A charitable organization Regenwald der Osterreicher ( Rainforest of the Austrians ) has been raising funds and purchasing these, which up to 2008 had moved 37 km (14 sq mi) of land in the area into public ownership. The Costa Rican government, the hydroelectric company Tenaska ( carbon offset joint implementation), The Nature Conservancy and the Gordon and Betty Moore foundation have also purchased land in Piedras Blancas, bringing
105-806: A generous layer of wax , making them glossy in appearance, and a narrow, pointed-oval shape with a 'drip tip', which permits the leaves to shed water despite the humidity, allowing transpiration to continue. Scientific names similar to Daphne (e.g., Daphnidium , Daphniphyllum ) or "laurel" (e.g., Laureliopsis , Skimmia laureola ) indicate other plant families that resemble Lauraceae. Some Lauraceae species have adapted to demanding conditions in semiarid climates, but they tend to depend on favorable edaphic conditions, for example, perennial aquifers, periodic groundwater flows, or periodically flooded forests in sand that contains hardly any nutrients. Various species have adapted to swampy conditions by growing pneumatophores , roots that grow upward, that project above
140-480: A monthly mean temperature of 20 °C or higher in the coldest months. They occupy about seven percent of the Earth's surface and harbour more than half of the planet's terrestrial plants and animals. Tropical evergreen forests are dense, multi-layered, and harbour many types of plants and animals. These forests are found in the areas receiving heavy rainfall (more than 200 cm annual rainfall). They are very dense. Even
175-419: A valued ornamental and medicinal plant, is so invasive as to have been declared a weed in subtropical forested areas of South Africa. Lauraceae flowers are protogynous , often with a complex flowering system to prevent inbreeding . The fruits are an important food source for birds, on which some Palaeognathae are highly dependent. Other birds that rely heavily on the fruit for their diets include members of
210-495: A wildcat as they are elusive and nocturnal. Two-toed sloths are rare in the Esquinas forest but can be found in the coastal areas around Golfito. Around 20 years ago, the giant anteater was seen for the last time by local hunters, but it is extinct today. The northern tamandua has been sighted near Esquinas Lodge and the silky anteater was recorded in the mangroves near Golfito. White-face capuchin and squirrel monkeys are often seen in
245-405: Is not fully supported. Backing has come from matK sequences of chloroplast genes while a questionable placement of Cassytha has been concluded from analysis of intergenetic spacers of chloroplast and nuclear genomes. Embryological studies also appear contradictory. One study by Heo et al. (1998) supports the subfamily. It found that Cassytha develops an ab initio cellular-type endosperm and
280-407: Is poorly understood. This is partly due to its great diversity, the difficulty of identifying the species, and partly because of inadequate investment in taxonomic work. Recent monographs on small and medium-sized genera of Lauraceae (up to about 100 species) have revealed many new species. Similar increases in the numbers of species recognised in other larger genera are to be expected. Most of
315-647: Is the fer-de-lance , but coral snakes, vine snakes, boa constrictors and pit vipers are seen occasionally. Spectacled caimans live in the ponds, and American crocodiles can be seen in larger rivers and mangrove swamps. Evergreen forest An evergreen forest is a forest made up of evergreen trees. They occur across a wide range of climatic zones, and include trees such as conifers and holly in cold climates, eucalyptus , live oak , acacias , magnolia , and banksia in more temperate zones, and rainforest trees in tropical zones. Coniferous temperate evergreen forests are most frequently dominated by species in
350-564: Is unique in the Lauraceae in that its members are parasitic vines . Most laurels are highly poisonous. The family has a worldwide distribution in tropical and warm climates. The Lauraceae are important components of tropical forests ranging from low-lying to montane . In several forested regions, Lauraceae are among the top five families in terms of the number of species present. The Lauraceae give their name to habitats known as laurel forests , which have many trees that superficially resemble
385-427: The matK chloroplast gene, as well as sequences of chloroplast and nuclear genomes, reveal close relationships between the two tribes. Embryological evidence does not support a clear division between the two tribes, either. Genera such as Caryodaphnopsis and Aspidostemon that share embryological characteristics with one tribe and wood and bark characteristics or inflorescence characteristics with another tribe blur
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#1733202830979420-557: The palaeontological succession and climate change that followed the breakups of the supercontinents. These genera include some of the best-known species of particular commercial value: Loss of habitat and overexploitation for such products has put many species in danger of extinction as a result of overcutting, extensive illegal logging , and habitat conversion. Conversely, some species, though commercially valuable in some countries, are regarded as aggressive invaders in other regions. For example, Cinnamomum camphora , though
455-685: The temperate mid-latitudes of Siberia , Canada, Australia, Africa , Scandinavia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, Himalayas and western ghats of India and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Broadleaf evergreen forests occur in particular in southern China, southeastern Brazil, parts of southeastern North America, and in countries around the Mediterranean Basin , such as Lebanon and Morocco. Other evergreen forests (or tropical rainforests ) are usually found in areas receiving more than 234 cm of rainfall and having
490-466: The Esquinas rainforest. You are likely to encounter spectacularly colored frogs such as the red-eyed leaf frog or poison-arrow frogs, tree frogs, glass frogs, rain frogs and cane toads. The nocturnal concert of frog calls at Esquinas Lodge is unforgettable. Basilisks and iguanas frequent the streams, anole lizards can be seen in the garden, and geckos can be seen chasing insects in the main lodge building at nighttime. The most common and most dangerous snake
525-400: The Lauraceae are evergreen trees in habit . Exceptions include some two dozen species of Cassytha , all of which are obligately parasitic vines . The fruits of Lauraceae are drupes , one-seeded fleshy fruit with a hard layer, the endocarp , surrounding the seed. However, the endocarp is very thin, so the fruit resemble a one-seeded berry. The fruit in some species (particularly in
560-410: The Lauraceae is not fully resolved. Multiple classification schemes based on a variety of morphological and anatomical characteristics have been proposed, but none are fully accepted. According to Judd et al. (2007), the suprageneric classification proposed by van der Werff and Richter (1996) is currently the authority. However, due to an array of molecular and embryological evidence that disagrees with
595-405: The Lauraceae, though they may belong to other plant families such as Magnoliaceae or Myrtaceae . Laurel forests of various types occur on most continents and on many major islands. Although the taxonomy of the Lauraceae is still not settled, conservative estimates suggest some 52 genera worldwide, including 3,000 to 3,500 species. Compared to other plant families, the taxonomy of Lauraceae still
630-594: The Tertiary strata of Europe and North America, but they virtually disappeared from central Europe in the Late Miocene . Because of their unusual fragility, the pollens of Lauraceae do not keep well and have been found only in relatively recent strata. Deciduous Lauraceae lose all of their leaves for part of the year depending on variations in rainfall. The leaf loss coincides with the dry season in tropical, subtropical, and arid regions. Laurel wilt disease, caused by
665-457: The division of these groups. All available evidence, except for inflorescence morphology and wood and bark anatomy, fails to support separate tribes Laureae and Perseeae. The tribe Cryptocaryeae is partially supported by molecular and embryological studies. Chloroplast and nuclear genomes support a tribal grouping that contains all the genera circumscribed by van der Weff and Richter (1996), as well as three additional genera. Partial support for
700-407: The families Cotingidae , Columbidae , Trogonidae , Turdidae , and Ramphastidae , amongst others. Birds that are specialised frugivores tend to eat the whole fruit and regurgitate seeds intact, thereby releasing the seeds in favourable situations for germination ( ornithochory ). Some other birds that swallow the fruit pass the seed intact through their guts. Seed dispersal of various species in
735-525: The families. The trees include: Pinaceae and Cupressaceae . Broadleaf temperate evergreen forests include those in which Fagaceae, such as oaks and ferns are common, those in which Nothofagaceae predominate, and the eucalyptus forests of the Southern Hemisphere. There also are assorted temperate evergreen forests dominated by other families of trees, such as Lauraceae in laurel forest . Coniferous temperate evergreen forests are found largely in
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#1733202830979770-591: The family however, occur pantropically in general lowland and Afromontane forest, and in Africa for example there are species endemic to countries such as Cameroon , Sudan , Tanzania , Uganda and Congo . Several relict species in the Lauraceae occur in temperate areas of both hemispheres. Many botanical species in other families have similar foliage to the Lauraceae due to convergent evolution , and forests of such plants are called laurel forest . These plants are adapted to high rainfall and humidity, and have leaves with
805-488: The family is also carried out by monkeys , arboreal rodents , porcupines , opossums , and fishes . Hydrochory occurs in Caryodaphnopsis . The leaves of some species in the Lauraceae have domatia in the axils of their veins . The domatia are home to certain mites . Other lauraceous species, members of the genus Pleurothyrium in particular, have a symbiotic relationship with ants that protect and defend
840-699: The genera Ocotea ) are partly immersed or covered in a cup-shaped or deep thick cupule , which is formed from the tube of the calyx where the peduncle joins the fruit; this gives the fruit an appearance similar to an acorn . In some Lindera species, the fruit have a hypocarpium at the base of the fruit. Because the family is so ancient and was so widely distributed on the Gondwana supercontinent , modern species commonly occur in relict populations isolated by geographical barriers, for instance on islands or tropical mountains. Relict forests retain endemic fauna and flora in communities of great value in inferring
875-454: The groupings, it is not fully accepted by the scientific community. Their classification is based on inflorescence structure and wood and bark anatomy. It divides Lauraceae into two subfamilies, Cassythoideae and Lauroideae. The Cassythoideae comprise a single genus, Cassytha , and are defined by their herbaceous, parasitic habit. The Lauroideae are then divided into three tribes: Laureae, Perseeae, and Cryptocaryeae. The subfamily Cassythoideae
910-931: The huge amount of variation within the family poses a major challenge for developing a reliable classification. The adaptation of Lauraceae to new environments has followed a long evolutionary journey which has led to many specializations , including defensive or deterrent systems against other organisms. Phytochemicals in the Lauraceae are numerous and diverse. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids include aporphines and oxoaporphines , as well as derivatives of morphinans . Essential oils include terpenoids , benzyl benzoates , allylphenols , and propenylphenols . Lignans and neolignans are present, along with S -methyl-5-O- flavonoids , proanthocyanidins , cinnamoylamides , phenylpyrroles, styryl pyrones , polyketides ( acetogenins ), furanosesquiterpenes , and germacranolidous , heliangolidous , eudesmanolidous and guaianolidous sesquiterpene lactones . Recent taxonomic revisions of
945-555: The levels of periodic floods that drown competing plants which lack such adaptations. Paleobotanists have suggested the family originated some 174±32 million years ago (Mya), while others do not believe they are older than the mid- Cretaceous . Fossil flowers attributed to this family occur in Cenomanian clays (mid-Cretaceous, 90-98 Mya) of the Eastern United States ( Mauldinia mirabilis ). Fossils of Lauraceae are common in
980-619: The lodge garden, whereas howler monkeys are usually heard and seen on the Golfo Dulce coast and spider monkeys have been regularly sighted since 2006. Five species of American opossums have been recorded, including the Mexican mouse, the gray four-eyed, and the common opossum. Rodents include the agouti paca and several species of mice, squirrels and rats. With 53 different species, bats are the richest mammal group in Piedras Blancas NP. Most of
1015-466: The rest of the family (with one exception) develops a nuclear-type endosperm. Kimoto et al. (2006) suggest Cassytha should be placed in the tribe Cryptocaryeae because it shares a glandular anther tapetum and an embryo sac protruding from the nucellus with other members of the Cryptocaryeae. The tribes Laureae and Perseeae are not well supported by any molecular or embryological studies. Sequences of
1050-503: The species are fruit eaters like Artibeus watsoni and Carollia perspicillata. The vampire bat is a real blood feeding animal and was found foraging in open habitats near La Gamba. Several scientists and students have undertaken studies in Piedras Blancas National Park, using La Gamba Field Station as a base for their investigative trips. They have produced a booklet with descriptions of 37 amphibian and 42 reptile species of
1085-859: The sunlight does not reach the ground. Numerous species of trees are found in these forests. In some regions, some types of trees shed their leaves at different times of the year. Therefore, these forests always appear green and are known as evergreen forest. Lauraceae Many; see § Genera Lauraceae , or the laurels , is a plant family that includes the true laurel and its closest relatives. This family comprises about 2850 known species in about 45 genera worldwide. They are dicotyledons , and occur mainly in warm temperate and tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America . Many are aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs, but some, such as Sassafras , are deciduous , or include both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, especially in tropical and temperate climates. The genus Cassytha
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1120-434: The total protected area within the park to more than 80%. Austrian researchers studying the mammals of Piedras Blancas NP in 2003 and 2004 compiled a list of 96 species sighted or caught in camera traps. The 14 species of carnivores include raccoons, coati, kinkajou, olingo, skunks, grison, tayra and five species of cats (jaguar, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi and puma). It is, however, highly unlikely that tourists will encounter
1155-485: The tree. Some Ocotea species are also used as nesting sites by ants, which may live in leaf pockets or in hollowed-out stems. Defense mechanisms that occur among members of the Lauraceae include irritant or toxic sap or tissues that repel or poison many herbivorous organisms. Trees of the family predominate in the world's laurel forests and cloud forests , which occur in tropical to mild temperate regions of both northern and southern hemispheres. Other members of
1190-471: The tribe is also attained from the matK sequences of chloroplast genes as well as embryology. Challenges in Lauraceae classification The knowledge of the species comprising the Lauraceae is incomplete. In 1991, about 25-30% of neotropical Lauraceae species had not been described. In 2001, embryological studies had only been completed on individuals from 26 genera yielding a 38.9% level of knowledge, in terms of embryology, for this family. Additionally,
1225-515: The virulent fungal pathogen Raffaelea lauricola , a native of southern Asia , was found in the southeast United States in 2002. The fungus spreads between hosts via a wood-boring beetle, Xyleborus glabratus , with which it has a symbiotic relationship. Several Lauraceae species are affected. The beetle and disease are believed to have arrived in the US via infected solid wood packing material, and have since spread to several states. Classification within
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