| Monteverde is a community on the Tilarán Cordillera of Costa Rica, Its economy is driven by ecotourism of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve (MCFP) that holds a rare habitat with unique species of plants and animals. The main attractions are the birds, especially the quetzal. Many of these species follow the fruiting of a few tree species in an altitudinal migration. Consequently, they leave protected habitat to feed on unprotected forest patches. Ecotourism has caused unprecedented growth in the area. As land is developed to accommodate for more visitors and residents, it threatens to eliminate critical unprotected habitat and cause local extinctions. This project develops recommendations for the future growth of Monteverde in order to preserve rare habitat and its species. The process creates a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database for the study area, and takes into account Costa Rican law, conservation principles and landscape ecology theory to promote areas of reforestation, conservation, and development. The conclusions suggest methods to implement this environmental plan. |
