Compilación y análisis de las investigaciones científicas sobre temas marinos y atmosféricos en el Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica

Abstract

The North Pacific coast of Costa Rica extends from Bahía Salinas, bordering with Nicaragua on the north to Islas Negritos in the Golfo de Nicoya on the south This region is biologically rich and economically very important for the country. The far north of this region experiences a seasonal upwelling, related to the increase in the Trade Winds (from December to April-May). As a result of the upwelling water temperature decreases while nutrients concentrations and CO2 in the surface waters increase. These oceanographic changes have important consequences for the marine organisms, for example the seasonal growth of macroalgae. This paper aims to compile all the publications available on marine and atmospheric research on the North Pacific of Costa Rica. A total of 587 documents were located and analysed. Most of the publications are on biodiversity, followed by ecological studies, and there are few publications on other topics. Mangroves are the coastal ecosystem, with most papers, followed by coral reefs. Of other coastal ecosystems there are few publications if at all. The best studied groups are the marine turtles, decapod crustaceans and gastropods, followed by bivalves and fishes. By far the most studied area is Bahía Culebra, followed by Bahía Santa Elena. Most of the publications are scientific papers in journal with 487. There is also an important number of thesis, 36. The number of publications and the diversity of topics for the North Pacific is relatively high, but more studies are needed in other geographic areas and topics, and monitoring should be reinforced and extended. The North Pacific of Costa Rica is a region that is changing rapidly and we must have the scientific information to manage the marine environments in a sustainable way.