Restoring Ecosystem Resilience: Costa Rica's Role in the Global Fight Against Biodiversity Loss
At COP16, the global climate conference, biodiversity conservation took center stage as nations came together to address pressing environmental challenges. For Costa Rica, conservation has always been a priority, and this event reinforced goals to restore the integrity, connectivity, and resilience of ecosystems and halt species extinction.
The United Nations highlighted that one million species face extinction at a rate 100 times faster than the natural pace. The loss of key species, like bees, has visible consequences; without bees, many plants go unpollinated, reducing fruit production and straining food systems. Each species plays a distinct role in ecosystem health, underscoring the need to protect biodiversity.
The global biodiversity crisis is evident in numerous ways: rising numbers of endangered species, the spread of invasive species, overfishing, and weakened ecosystem connections. To counter these issues, Costa Rica has made significant progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s objectives, which focus on preserving ecosystems and their essential interconnections.
At COP16, Costa Rica introduced an updated study on “conservation gaps,” identifying unprotected or underprotected regions that could expand protected areas or establish new conservation zones. As a country bridging North and South America, with a neotropical climate and diverse ecosystems, Costa Rica ranks among the top 20 countries for species diversity, harboring about 6% of the world’s biodiversity. The country also lies within one of the planet’s 36 biodiversity hotspots.
Biodiversity hotspots are regions of exceptional species diversity, with many endemic species found nowhere else. However, these areas are under threat; more than 70% of their natural habitats have been lost due to land-use change and climate shifts, making their conservation a global priority.
Costa Rica’s conservation efforts increasingly include local and indigenous communities, whose deep connection to the land and sustainable practices are vital. Their participation is critical in creating long-term conservation strategies that protect biodiversity while supporting local ecosystems. By involving communities, Costa Rica aims to ensure that conservation efforts remain resilient, effective, and inclusive.
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