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Central American Biodiversity pp 351–389Cite as

Mammalian Biodiversity Conservation at Two Biological Stations in Nicaragua and Costa Rica

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Abstract

Central America is home to some of the world’s most diverse landscapes including at least 20 life zones, 22 ecoregions, and five major tropical forest types. As a constricted, natural corridor between North and South America, Central America hosts a variety of mammalian species from both continents and is also home to several endemic species. At least 17.8 % of the world’s known mammal species can be found only in Central America. The region’s complex mosaic of ecosystems, populations of endemics, and its unique mixture of species from North and South America make Central America one of the world’s most important mammalian biodiversity hot spots.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Renee Molina and her entire family for their effort in promoting wildlife conservation and education in the region and allowing us to conduct our field studies with the MRC. Thank you to Peter Skylstad and Anthony Oliverio for collecting and contributing numerous mammal records from La Suerte and Ometepe. The EWHALE lab provided material and various in-kind support. We are also indebted to Cynthia Resendez for support in obtaining permits and translating documents, as well as to Kate Clearly for helpful comments and edits on the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 99775, Fairbanks, AK, USA

    Andrew P. Baltensperger & Casey L. Brown

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  1. Andrew P. Baltensperger
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  2. Casey L. Brown
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Correspondence to Andrew P. Baltensperger .

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  1. Dept. Biology & Wildlife, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

    Falk Huettmann

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Baltensperger, A., Brown, C. (2015). Mammalian Biodiversity Conservation at Two Biological Stations in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In: Huettmann, F. (eds) Central American Biodiversity. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2208-6_15

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