Las Cruces Research Station (OTS)

Las Cruces Research Station, nestled in Coto Brus County, Southern Costa Rica, safeguards one of the largest remaining portions of tropical wet premontane forest.  It boasts the renowned Wilson Botanical Garden, housing an extensive collection of palms, tropical plants, and endangered species from across the globe.  The station’s ecological significance lies in its rugged terrain, fostering a rich biodiversity including over 2,000 plant species, 113 mammal species, 400 bird species, and numerous reptiles and insects.  The mosaic landscape provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of forest fragmentation and biological corridors.  Las Cruces can accommodate up to 100 people and provides amenities like dining, trails, and a broader range of research and educational infrastructure.  Research at Las Cruces focuses on global change, landscape restoration, agroecology, and human-nature dynamics.  Las Cruces serves as a vital site for pioneering research on forest fragmentation, corridors, and restoration in tropical landscapes.  It actively engages with local communities, striving for sustainable livelihoods and landscape preservation.