Ramsar currently has over 158 members and over 1,755 wetlands that make up the Wetland List of the most important wetlands in the world. Costa Rica is a member of Ramsar and has a total of 11 wetlands recognized by Ramsar.
This year’s annual convention was held in South Korea at which Costa Rica presented the documents to include the Maquenque Wetlands in the Ramsar list. In order for a wetland to be considered as a candidate, it must comply with Ramsar’s regulations. The submitted wetland must be either a unique area or be of importance for the conservation and protection of the area’s biodiversity.
The Maquenque Wildlife Refuge is located in the northern region of the province of Heredia in Sarapiqui. The Maquenque protected area occupies a great portion of the Costa Rican protected territory that is to be integrated with the Nicaraguan protected territory for the formation of a bi-national biological corridor.
The Maquenque Wildlife Refuge is home to over 80 species of fish, 81 species of reptiles, 48 species of amphibians, 515 bird species, 139 mammals and over 350 tree species.
And most important of all, the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge protects one of the last Green Macaw population and almond trees that are crucial for the macaw’s survival and reproduction.
To be accepted as part of the Ramsar Wetland List, the Maquenque Wetlands will join other Costa Rican wetlands such as Caño Negro, Gandoca-Manzanillo, Isla del Coco, Palo Verde, Terraba-Sierpe and six other wetlands.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
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