La Selva has been a pioneer site in Education, Research, Conservation and Eco-tourism in Cost Rica since 1953 and one of the first private protected areas in the country.
La Selva, situated at the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica, comprises 1,600 hectares
(3,900 acres) of tropical wet forests and disturbed lands. It averages 4 meters (over 13 feet) of rainfall that is spread rather evenly
throughout the year. The Station is bordered on the south by Braulio Carrillo National Park, which contains more than 46,000 hectares of
forest land and is the core conservation unit of the 91,000-hectare Cordillera Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve.
Braulio Carrillo National Park extends down to La Selva through a forest corridor that descends in elevation from 2,906 meters at Volcán
Barva to 35 meters above sea level at La Selva. This reserve, consisting of both La Selva's protected environs and the Park, has four major
tropical life zones and includes more than 5,000 species of vascular plants, of which more than 700 species are trees.
The fauna is similarly diverse. Large predators include jaguars, pumas, and bushmasters. Thousands of arthropod species are being currently
recorded at La Selva, and more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds have been sighted in the reserve, representing almost half of Costa Rica's bird species.
Building on a strong base of systematic biology and evolutionary biology, research at La Selva has diversified to include ecosystem-level projects,
physiological ecology, soil science, and forestry trials of native tree species. These studies have resulted in the publication of more than 1,600
scientific articles, theses, and books and perhaps another 1,000 write-ups of course projects.
La Selva's juxtaposition of protected ecosystems and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities is unique in the world's wet tropics. An extensive trail
system of more than 50 kilometers provides access to a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The entire property has been topographically
surveyed to a high degree of accuracy and 3,000 permanent posts mark the 50 x 100 meter grids.
Two well-equipped laboratories, including a large analytical lab, offer air-conditioned work space, and house common-use equipment. Spatially referenced
data are managed on the Geographic Information System (GIS) and the same work stations service the e-mail and Internet connections.
La Selva can sleep 80 people in comfortable six-person dormitory rooms and cabins. A central dining hall accommodates more than 100 people for meals day
in and day out. A large workshop serves both Station maintenance and researcher needs. These facilities, combined with the forest reserve and Braulio Carrillo
National Park, make La Selva one of the world's premier sites at which to conduct ecosystem research.
A summary of research at La Selva can be found in McDade, L. A., K. S. Bawa, H. A. Hespenheide, and G. S. Hartshorn, eds. 1994. La Selva: ecology and natural
history of a neotropical rain forest. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Principal Biome Main Communities
Located within the tropical and premontane wet forest, the Station has about 73% of its area under primary tropical rain forest.
History
La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations
for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a
private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical
rain forest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site.
Things to take
Prescription medicines as needed, good walking shoes, hot weather clothes, insect repellent, umbrella or rain jacket, flashlight,
binoculars, sun screen, film and camera extra batteries, plastic bags to keep film/paper dry. Most of these items are also found on our gift shop.
Recommendations
Our dinning facilities serve meals according to a schedule and to the number of people expected to attend to each service.
Please provide us with your arrival time so that we can serve you better.
The use of sandals or walking barefooted is not permitted on the trails for safety reasons. Entrance might be prohibited by the administration of the station if this rule is not follow.
Manipulating species (flora and fauna) is not allowed in our biological stations for both conservation and safety reasons.
Children must come accompanied by a responsible adult that must supervise them at all times.
Special Warnings
If you are hypersensitive to insects, bees or wasps, always carry a sting kit with you.
