  It is unknown if the current size and shape of protected areas (PA) in Costa
Rica favors retention of viable populations of wildlife. The western border of
Carara National Park (CNP) and its surroundings were characterized at a
landscape level in order to consider their implications for biodiversity
conservation. 54 400 hectares of Costa Rican Central Pacific tree cover were
analyzed (1997, 2000, 2005) to calculate the size of the PAs, mean shape index,
mean patch fractal dimension and edge density. Aside from that, we performed
eight habitat evaluations on the western border of the CNP (costanera-sur
highway) to assess tree composition, regeneration, litter, horizontal
obstruction, and canopy cover. It was determined that the PAs were between 36
and 5 242 hectares long. We observed that the tree cover increased from 21
231,8 hectares in 1997 to 29 006,9 hectares in 2000, and decreased to 26 933,4
hectares in 2005. We found out that most of the tree cover (2005) belongs to
CNP and ZP Cerros de Turrubares, but both of them present high values of edge
density and mean shape index, suggesting that they are susceptible to
alteration and fragmentation. The four evaluated points have a similar
successional stage. In order to maintain the potential of CNP as an area for
biodiversity conservation, we recommend reducing the maximum speed limit in the
region adjacent to the park. It is also important to establish frequent
monitoring of the tree cover and promote reforestation programs to create
corridors that stop the area's fragmentation and facilitate biodiversity
conservation.
