La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

© Greg Basco/Minden Picture

Info. The rainforest canopy of La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica

We’re in north-east Costa Rica, a nature lover’s paradise. The misty rainforest pictured here is part of La Selva Biological Station, an internationally renowned centre for tropical forest research that's associated with universities and research institutions from the United States, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. The scientists chose a prime location to do their studies. Covering nearly 1,600 hectares, this is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world. Researchers and students at La Selva Biological Station can study at least 2,000 species of plants, 125 species of mammals, 87 species of reptiles and tens of thousands of insects, arachnids and other arthropods. And don’t forget the 470 species of birds. Can you see the black-mandibled toucan in our image?