Scientists are researching bats and caves located in the Brunca Region, in the south of the country.
The researchers, along with students of the Doctorate in Science of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), and the Anthros Speleological Group (GEA), have visited 35 caves in Alto Laguna, Miramar de Abrojo, Ciudad Neily, Río Claro, Piedras Blancas and Uvita. Some of the caves studied are Caverna Corredores, Emus, Gran Galería, Carma, Alma, Laguna Perdida, Los Sueños, among others.
They have also identified 15 species of bats. In Costa Rica there are about 115 species of bats. Most of them eat insects, fruits, fish, and flower nectar, frogs, birds and rodents. They are key to achieving equilibrium in ecosystems.
The Southern Zone is known for having unique ecosystems in the country and the most complex cave systems where bats inhabit in colonies of thousands of individuals.
These colonies are responsible for providing nutrients to cave ecosystems, promoting the presence of countless other organisms. They also reduce insect populations that can be regarded as pests, or consume fruits and nectar that benefit the dispersion of seeds and pollen.
Gloriana Chaverri, a professor at the UCR in the region and main researcher of the project, said that they seek to contribute to the protection of bats.
The idea is that the results of this work allow to determine which are the caves that have a high diversity of species, that are rare or threatened.
Then recommendations will be made to the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae) and the National Conservation System (Sinac), to get protection for those who have a special or particular condition.