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The relatively small area of this park
contains, like Costa Rica itself, an amazing diversity of habitats. At
least 13 different vegetation associations can be mapped, ranging from
floating herbaceous swamp in the center of the Corcovado Lagoon to the
mangroves along the coast, to high forest on the plateau and the
mountains. High diversity of tree species is characteristic of most
habitats within the park. However, one also finds striking examples of
Giant Anacardium excelsum trees (Anacardiaceae) characterize the alluvial plain of Corcovado and Cryosophila guagara palms (Palmae), as well as many other tree species. Here one finds beautiful examples of periodically flooded, poorly drained and well drained forests, where huge lianas ascend some of Central America's tallest trees (70-80 meters).
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Corcovado is an irreplaceable part of the
natural wealth of Costa Rica. A lagoon set in a forested alluvial plain
which opens to the Pacific on the west, flanked by mountains on the east
and south by a low plateau to the north, Corcovado's 43,735 hectares is
home to at least 800 species of birds, 139 of mammals, 116 of amphibians
and reptiles, plus over 6,000 insect species. It is a major refuge for the
American Crocodile, jaguar, tapirs, Squirrel Monkeys, giant anteaters,
Harpy Eagles, Scarlet Macaw, and Red-throated Caracaras. Some of the
forested areas, such as the Llorona Plateau, with high densities of large
trees, are as species-rich as any in the Neotropics (over 100 species of
trees per hectare). The canopy height reaches 55-60 meters, the tallest in
Costa Rica.
monospecific stands, such as the Raphia palm swamp which surrounds the
central lagoon, or the Pterocarpus swamp forest near the mouth of the
Llorona River.
