Kristen Nelson

Salt Lake Community College

Costa Rica Study Abroad Program
June 15, 2016

Climate Change Service Learning Student Project

In 1955 Deborah and David Clark purchased the land that would become the La Selva
Biological Research Station. Then in 1968 OTS (the Organization of Tropical Studies) came to
La Selva.
La Selva was one of the first protected areas in Costa Rica. Thirty percent of the country
is now protected. However, there are more pesticides used per hector in Costa Rica than China,
thats the most pesticides in the world!
In the last forty years, pineapple and banana farms have played a huge part in the
deforestation of Costa Rica. Decomposition, deforestation, and fossil fuel use releases CO2 and
livestock, namely cows, produce huge amounts of methane which is released into the
atmosphere. These are just a few of the things that impact climate and produce long-term
changes in tropical ecosystems.
Decreasing tropical forest efficiency could produce a large increase in atmospheric CO2,
expediting global warming. Diminished tropical forest productivity would threaten most species
in these ecosystems, thus greatly reducing world biodiversity.

Net plant productivity (photosynthesis and cellular respiration) powers the existence and
activities of all organisms. Declining tropical forest productivity would minimize the resources
required for survival and growth by all the inhabiting plants and animals.
La Selva has 2,077 species of plants, 469 species of birds, 125 species of mammals, 72
species of bats, 48 species of amphibians, 87 species of reptiles, 45 species of fish, 7,000 species
of moths, and 500 species of ants.
There are 61 kilometers of trails, 10,000 specimen in the herbarium, and 40 meter MRI
towers (one of the three towers fell so they are currently working to rebuild it). There are 150
research projects, 300 scientists, and 140 to 200 scientific publications every year at La Selva.
Technology is giving us greater access to data and information. Long-term data sets are
critical in order to make predictions and recommendations for the future. La Selva is a unique
place to continue the research that will change the way we view, use, direct, and protect tropical
forests.

Day 1 May 17th, 2016: Climate Change

We collected climate and tree growth data (measurements) for six species of trees. The
specialists at La Selva will analyze the data we collected and add it to the ever growing data they
have there at La Selva. 60 years of climate and tree growth data has already been collected.
Students and their teachers are creating a Legacy Dataset for documenting the effects of
climate change in the growth of trees at La Selva. This data will be tantamount with long-term
research and will be available for study on the La Selva website.

Day 2 May 20th, 2016: Non-native Species Removal

Our professor, Melissa Schaefer, and 8 Salt Lake Community College students (Kristen,
Sierra, Antone, Ali, Alex, Whitney, Kiera, and Candace) removed the non-native species known
as the Brazilian Red Cloak from a total area of 226.25 meters squared.
Day 3 May 23rd, 2016: Reforestation (Planting Native Trees)
We planted a total of 150 native almond trees on private property that was donated by the
land owner for reforestation purposes.
Everything went perfectly! The Climate Change Workshop was very interesting and
engaging. Thats where I learned about Deborah and David Clark, La Selva, and some of the
history of Costa Rica. Then we went to the Arboretum to collect the data using a compass,
measurement instruments, and a map. At the end of the class we were given the advice to Make
it personal. Our speaker had been diagnosed with cancer as a child and his cure had come from
a plant found at La Selva!
The Non-native Species Removal was also very interesting. Our guide explained how one
non-native plant can spread like wildfire. Problems arise when a non-native plant drops its seeds
or is consumed by an animal. It spreads very quickly and takes up the area the native plants need,
diminishing the native plant species that already grow in that area. The native flora no longer
has room to grow and the non-native flora change what the fauna consumes, thus leading to the
endangerment or extinction of native plants and wildlife.
The reforestation process was my favorite part! We worked quickly and had the almond
trees planted in a very short time. We would have done more if we hadnt run out of trees to
plant.

Our project can extend into the future as long as the field school continues to be offered
to other students. The study abroad program was an incredible experience and I know it can
change the lives of the students who are able to participate, like it did mine.
I can also continue on my own by informing my friends, relatives, peers, and community
about the negative effects of planting non-native plant species and the positive effects of planting
native species. I had so much fun planting trees in Costa Rica that I wouldnt mind volunteering
my time to more service projects here in my own community.
The final expenses were $300. $100 for each day. I paid for my project with the $300
Service Learning Scholarship I was awarded (interdepartmental billing).
Id like to end with a much deserved Thank you! to our community partners: La Selva
Biological Research Station, Costa Rica; under the direction of the Organization for Tropical
Studies. And also to Salt Lake Community College, the Study Abroad program, and its staff!