Costa Rica’s territory only represents a 0.03% of the world’s surface which makes the amount of species found in its territory quite a big deal. According to biologists, a total of 1.8 species are found within every squared kilometer.
When the numbers are broken down by species, it reveals even more impressive statistics when compared to the rest of the world. Within the world’s 228 countries, Costa Rica comes in among the top 30 when categorized by species. Costa Rica comes in 13th place when it comes to amphibians, 17th in vegetation, 20th in reptiles, 24th in birds and 32nd in mammals.
The InBio scientists have stated that if the real numbers where to be registered, Costa Rica’s rank would shockingly increase. Scientists have stated that Costa Rica has an approximate 500,000 species of which only an 18% (91,100) are accounted for. The remaining species that have not been properly accounted for include an estimate 71% for butterflies, 13% for fungus and 5% for bacteria (mostly water).
The InBio has stated that thanks to the collaboration of State Universities, Costa Rican National Museum and foreign researches, an average of 2 new species are identified per day.
Scientists mentioned that the country’s location within the tropical section of the American Continent as well as the its diverse microclimates contribute to the species habitat.
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