Talamancan and Isthmian Pacific Forests - A Global Ecoregion

Most diverse montane forests in Central America

About the Area
The moist forests of this ecoregion extend from the western lowlands of Costa Rica and Panama, just off the Pacific coast, up to the interior mountain areas.

Many species have restricted ranges within this ecoregion, and are found only along certain ridges or several watersheds.

This area represents a regional center of endemism for a wide range of plant and animal species that are characteristic of Central American moist lowland and montane forests.

Local Species
Plant species include endemic oaks (Quercus copeyensis and Q. costaricensis), whereas important animals include the Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), Crimson fronted parakeet (Aratinga finschi), endemic red-fronted parrotlet (Touit costaricensis), and 10 endemic hummingbirds (Eupherusa nigriventris, Elvira chionura, E. cupreiceps, Lampornis hemileucus, L. cinereicauda, L. castaneoventris, Calliphlox bryantae, Selasphorus flammula, S. scintilla, S. ardens).

Also found are species such as the three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata), endemic black-crowned Antpitta (Pittasoma michleri), threatened and endemic Mountain squirrel (Syntheosciurus brochus), Ocelot (Felis pardalis), and the most likely extinct Golden toad (Bufo periglenes).

Threats
Threats include deforestation from logging, and conversion of land for agriculture.

Resources
• NationalGeographic.com