Portasol Biological Reserve
What is the Portasol Biological Reserve?
The Portasol Biological Reserve (PBR) is a territory located in the Coastal Range of Costa Rica. It is not just a forest; it is a biological corridor that connects the Central and South Pacific with the Talamanca Mountain Range, addressing the issue of biological corridor fragmentation.
The land is within the UNESCO-declared Savegre Biosphere Reserve.
Biodiversity
More than 143 plant species and 100 animal species have been recorded, in addition to around 200 bird species. There is a high diversity of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, with the presence of top predators such as the Puma and the Ocelot, as well as primates like the Spider Monkey, Howler Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, and White-faced Monkey.
Relevant species falling into the Endangered, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, and Least Concern classifications are documented.
Scientific studies
The Portasol Biological Reserve has been a site for international scientific research, including two peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (Biological Journal of the Linnean Society and Evolution) that document a globally unique population of the granular poison frog (Oophaga granulifera), recognized for its significance in the study of evolution and animal communication. In addition, an ongoing wildlife monitoring program using camera traps has recorded species such as the puma, ocelot, Baird’s tapir, and spider monkey for nearly a decade, alongside a field inventory of nearly 200 bird species and a technical carbon study with permanent plots accumulating 18 years of data on forest growth. This body of scientific evidence positions Portasol as one of the best-documented private reserves in Costa Rica.
