In the cloud forest reserve in Monteverde, we witnessed the competing interests of productivity, conservation, and sustainability. Evelyn Herrera from the Monteverde Institute provided interesting detail into the different approaches each group takes as they look out for their interests in the region. Today there is minimal agriculture in the region, but it does still exist and owners of those lands likely would be concerned about predators that could come from surrounding protected lands and hurt their livestock. Conservationists prioritize protecting lands and species to continue and expand the tradition of tourism in the region. Those interested in utilizing the area for sustainable purposes often take into account the interests of locals and educate them on how to use less and reuse resources.
Climate change is an issue effecting all of Costa Rica, but in Monteverde it has a unique downside. The forest is shifting away from being a cloud forest slowly, as there is less and less cloud cover every year. The clouds are higher in the sky and are not sitting on the forest as they used to most days because temperatures are consistently warmer. This is already having effects on the wildlife, shown by the golden toad and many other species’ extinctions. Costa Rica overall is beginning to face water issues because of climate change. The dry season is now usually around 4 months rather than 1 due to climate change.
If I were to prioritize one approach towards the management of the forest, I would choose sustainability because it involves conservation, responsible use of the land for agriculture and business, and considers the needs of locals. This holistic approach is best suited for a changing environment with many factors at play because it considers the interests of multiple groups. With more people backing a plan, it will be better thought out and implementation will be more widely supported.