Cocos Island is a one of the national natural reserves of Costa Rica located about 550 miles from the shore in the Pacific Ocean. This rectangular shaped island is about 23.3 km in perimeter.
Cocos Island in Costa Rica is the home of exotic marine life forms such as rays, dolphins and hammer head sharks, and an ecology which is supported by an extremely humid climate. The awe inspiring marine life forms have fetched the Cocos Island the destinction of being the one of the best scuba diving spots in world. For diving enthusiasts who want to witness the aquatic life from the shortest distance, Cocos Island offers a unique experience. Here one can come across hammerhead sharks and at the same time with smaller and colorful species present in one of the largest and rich reefs in Southeastern Pacific.
The climate of Cocos Island is very humid and sultry with temperatures ranging from 23.6F to 74.5 F. The average annual rainfall in this region is around 275 inches. Its humid climate and high rainfall provide a highly conducive environment for the growth of thick dense tropical vegetation. Because the Island was never connected to a continent the flora and fauna of this island are characteristic to it.
Cocos Island in Costa Rica
Flora of Cocos Island:
The Island is known to have 235 species of flowering plants of which 30% are found only in this region. The flora on this island can be divided into three main classes:
The costal forests: These forests cover the entire sea coast of the island. The main trees under this category are purple coral tree, pond apple, coconut palm, grasses, sedges and herbaceous plants. The costal forests range up to 50 meter elevation.
The inland forests: These forests range cover 50-500 meter elevation of the island. Avocado, Huriki and native Cecropia pittieri are the main canopy trees in these inland forests.
Cloud forests: This forest range dominates the island over the elevation of 500 meters. Native tree Melastoma is predominant here.
Fauna of Cocos Island:
Apart from the rich marine life surrounding waters of Cocos Island, it is known to have 400 species of insects of which about 16% are native. Around 90 bird species in and around the island have been reported. Mammal species like pigs, deer cats and rats have also been known to be present on the island.
Though the exact date of discovery of the island remains unknown, the island was first mentioned in Nicolas Desline’s Cartographic map in 1541. The island is said to have drawn its name because of the abundant coconut palms and fruits that are present on the island.
In order to keep the Island unperturbed from external influences, tourists are not allowed on the Cocos Island. Tourists are allowed only on the shores with special permission from the park rangers. Tourists are prohibited form collecting any fauna flora and minerals from the Island. Tourists are also banned from camping or staying overnight at the island. However the large scale poaching and illegal fishing has taken its toll over this beautiful island. The illegal fishing in this area to fulfill the ever increasing demand of seafood delicacies such as tuna, shark fin soup is posing significant dangers to the delicately balanced ecosystem of Cocos Island.
