USAC Professor Series: Prof. Marcela Eduarte Rodriguez, M.A. and Dr. Germain Esquivel-Hernández, Ph.D. of USAC Heredia, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s ecological story is both inspiring and cautionary, it’s an example of how a nation can be a leader in sustainability while still facing environmental challenges. While it is considered a “green country,” largely due to its great use of renewable energy and exceptional biodiversity, the country still has its share of environmental problems to solve.
Between the 1800s and the 1950s, agricultural expansion resulted in a decline of forest cover from 91% to 64%. From 1950 to 1987, this coverage further diminished from 64% to 25%. Even though it is a small nation with an ocean territory bigger than its continental territory, it is home to nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity.
In this University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Professor Series, Green world: climate and environmental issues in Costa Rica, Marcela Eduarte Rodriguez, M.A. and Dr. Germain Esquivel-Hernández, Ph.D., professors at Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA), present the various ecosystems of Costa Rica and help us understand the issues they face today concerning their preservation.
Prof. Marcela Eduarte Rodriguez is a biologist and an educator who is strongly committed to environmental education and the preservation of natural resources. She teaches several courses such as Introduction to conservation biology, Plants and People, and Tropical Ecology. Dr. Germain Esquivel-Hernández is a professor of analytical chemistry at UNA, and his research focuses on the application of stable isotopes of water and carbon, radon, nutrients, dissolved organic carbon, and other trace elements to study hydrological processes. He is dedicated to improving the management of water resources in tropical regions. Some of his courses include Water in Tropical Landscapes and theory and field study labs.
Different ecosystems can be found in Costa Rica: tropical rain forest, tropical dry forest, cloud forest, mangrove forest, wetlands, coral reefs, subalpine tropical wet paramus… There is also an extensive diversity of animal species and plants, and new ones continue to be identified.
In response to the decline in forest cover, protective areas were established. These areas are now managed by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), founded in 1994. However, environmental challenges such as river pollution, ecosystem degradation, and the threat to species persist.
The country is actively addressing its climate issues by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Aichi targets set by the United Nations. Efforts are underway to incorporate biodiversity considerations into social and economic development strategies. This approach also emphasizes the inclusion of vulnerable populations in decision-making processes.
USAC offers multiple courses designed to educate students on various environmental issues. These courses include field visits to national parks and reserves to bring them closer to nature and communities. The professors give us exclusive access to these courses. Students collect samples such as lake water, surface water, and groundwater during field excursions to analyze them in labs to gather meaningful insights. These procedures help them better understand the environmental processes over time and space.
By studying Costa Rica’s ecosystems firsthand, students are encouraged to think critically about global environmental issues. Discover more about the USAC Heredia program on our website.
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