Osa Waters River Mining Crisis affecting Ecotourism, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Osa Peninsula Rivers, from the Mountains to the Sea, - A Multidisciplinary Study Project
Project Goals
To provide a definitive and carefully integrated multidisciplinary study of the riparian and coastal marine zones of the Osa Peninsula that would:
1) to establish riparian corridor reserves from the mountains to sea for native animals, such as the jaguar and fresh-water
fish species, to traverse in relative safety to assist with their genetic viability
2) to safeguard the biodiversity of the peninsula
3) to protect the rivers from destruction via excessive mining for minerals and building materials
4) to arrest the excessive sedimentation of the coastal marine waters and the destruction of mangrove habitat and coralreefs
5) assist various fish species to regenerate their populations
6) to aid the ailing fishing sector of the economy
7) to protect property values of peninsula residents

Project Study Area

Primary target area: the Osa Peninsula bordering the Golfo Dulce. New studies would target the Tigre and Agujas River watersheds and adjoining coastal marine environments. The project would attempt to coordinate any ongoing studies within the primary target areas with the project studies.

Project Management

To ensure that the various studies are properly coordinated and integrated and accomplished in a timely fashion, a local part to full-time overseer or Project Manager would be appointed and perform at least the following tasks:
1) maintain contact through the process with all of the study teams and assist with the proper presentation and
dispersement of study findings to the appropriate academic institutions and publications.
2) chair regular meetings where the study teams would present progress reports, keep the teams focused and to
encourage open discussion to allow for the multidisciplinary process to evolve as needed
3) coordinate previous ongoing studies with the project studies
4) draft regular progress reports to the donor team

Project Study Teams

To increase the acceptance and recognition of the validity of the studies, grants would be offered first to Costa Rican scientists directly or via the various major universities. If there is a lack of qualified or available Costa Rican scientists, outside scientists would be hired.

To encourage the acceptance of the establishment riparian corridor reserves with the local population, the study teams will be encouraged to use upper level local grade school and high school students to assist with data collection. Any employment opportunities and purchasing of study materials, when possible, should be purchased locally to assist the local economy.


Project Studies

1) River Hydrology Study headed by a Hydrologist to determine the present conditions of the targeted rivers.

2) Riparian Zone Ecological Study headed by a Limnologist (preferably a Landscape Limnologist). The study would focus on the Tigre and Agujas riparian zones.

3) Biodiversity Study headed by a Biologist and Botanist team that focuses on the animal corridor creation/restoration.

4) Coastal Marine Ecological Study headed by a Marine Biologist or Ecologist that would focus on the effects of river sedimentation and increased temperatures on mangrove and coral reef ecosystems and fish populations dependant on those habitats. http://www.osatv.com/eco-tourism/osa-blog.php

Category:

Education

Tags:

• ecotourism
• osa
• peninsula
• river
• conservation
• tigre
• rivers
• costa
• rica
• corcovado
• national
• park
• puerto
• jimenez
• wildlife
• monkeys
• turtles
• marine
• life
• reserve
• preserve
• animals
• beach
• environmental
• environment
• conserve
• water
• green