Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve (RBAMB in Spanish) was formed on August 5th, 1993, by Executive Order No. 7354, which was published in La Gaceta on August 20th, 1993, to protect and maintain biodiversity in the canton of San Ramón in Alajuela. It was created as a Forest Reserve in 1975 by Executive Order No. 4960-A, and was redefined as a Protected Area in San Ramon on January 24th, 1991, by Executive Order No. 20 172-M, making it vulnerable to mining and logging, so it now has the status of a Biological Reserve, managed by the University of Costa Rica's West Campus. Protects a tropical forest region in the Tilaran Mountains, which surrounds San Ramon, and which protects a tropical forest area near San Ramon. 

What makes Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve special?

Another of its primary goals is to preserve natural processes so that the area can be used for studies and scientific research, environmental monitoring, education, and the preservation of water, soil, and genetic resources in a state of free and dynamic evolution for the benefit of current and future generations. 

About the location of Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve:

The Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve is located on the Atlantic slope of the Tilarán Mountain Range to the south and east of Quebrada Grande in Los Angeles of San Ramon, in the San Lorenzo River basin, and is part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range Conservation Area. To the northwest, the reserve borders the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Children's Eternal Rainforest. The reserve is managed by the Costa Rican University and the Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Telecommunications (MINAET). 

This reserve is known for its fragmented and rocky mountain system that runs along to the main rivers, with very steep slopes, fragile rainforest soils, and important natural ecosystems. The volcanic relief can be seen in the northeast and southeast regions, as well as the mountain ranges that run parallel to rivers in the San Lorenzo River basin. It is also an area with a wide range of heights, ranging from 600m to 1700m (1970 to 5580ft), resulting in a variety of extremely hot and cold weather.

The weather is likewise constantly changing, but temperatures are mild, ranging from 17 to 25 degrees Celsius (62 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), with an average of 21 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit). 

The reserve has a dry season from January to May, but it is extremely rainy virtually the entire year, with an average annual rainfall of 3,500 mm (138 in). As a result, the area's numerous springs serve as a source of water for both human and industrial consumption as well as energy generation.

With waterfalls, springs, and a great number of rivers (San Lorenzo River, San Lorencito River, Jamaical River, Palmital River, and Quebrada Grande), its water wealth is priceless, prompting the construction of hydropower dams in the buffer zone. The ICE (Costa Rican Electricity Institute) considers the San Lorenzo River watershed to have significant hydropower potential. 

The relief of the Tilaran Mountain Range is critical for precipitation, as orogenic rain occurs here as a result of moist air rising from the lowlands along the mountain slopes, which cools as it climbs, forming clouds that eventually precipitate as fog and drizzle, to which must be added the region's abundant rains. 

The role of the University of Costa Rica

The University of Costa Rica's West Campus has been involved in conservation and research since its inception as a Forest Reserve. The fact that the administration is under the control of the University of Costa Rica has given the institution a strong international reputation, notably as a natural laboratory. The surrounding communities now have a better understanding of the university's activity in three areas: teaching, research, and social action based on true sustainable development. There have also been numerous investigations that have resulted in the discovery of dozens of new species of flora and wildlife. It has even uncovered a new plant family as well as several new generation. 

Researchers and students at the Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve have the opportunity to work in a lush, diverse forest. The presence of endemic species found only in the reserve and nearby sites, such as the showy Ramonean Heliconia (Heliconia ramonensis), as well as many trees, including the exotic Passion Flower Tree (Passiflora tica), Loquat or Japanese plum (Eriobotrya japonica), Styrax or Benzoin (Styrax argenteus).

Biodiversity you will find at Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve

In fact, the reserve vegetation here is one of the best known characteristics in terms of biodiversity, both from previous collections made by Dr. Alberto Manuel Brenes and from long-term investigations conducted by botanists Dr. Jorge Gomez Laurito and M.Sc. Rodolfo Vargas Ortiz, with the help of biologist Victor Mora. These researchers discovered 1150 vascular plant species scattered throughout 500 different tree and shrub species, 400 different epiphytes, and 100 different vines and lianas.

Wildlife at Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve

There are 60 species of mammals found in the Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, with eight of them being endangered. Howler and capuchin monkeys (Allouatta palliata and Cebus capucinus), tapirs (Tapirus bairdii), bushy-tailed olingos (Bassaricyon gabbii), Red Brocket (Mazama americana), Spotted Pacas (Cuniculus paca), peccaries (Tayassu tajacu), kinkajous (Po There are also 35 reptile species, 22 of which are snakes, including the Fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper), Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii), Picado's jumping pitviper (Atropoides picadoi), and Coral Snake (Micrurus mosquitensis), as well as 13 lizard species, 29 frog and toad species, and at least one species of salamander (Noto (Morpho peleides). 

It also emphasizes the presence of 233 different bird species in the reserve, with 80 percent of them in primary forest, 7.7% in "charral," 5.5 percent in open areas, and 1.7 percent soaring aloft. They found 19 endangered species, including the Bare-necked Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis), as well as many others, including the Great Black Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga), Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus), Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata), White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis), Resplendent Quetzal.

Facilities Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve offers to researchers

The Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve allows researchers and students to work in a virgin forest with notoriously unique plants while staying in the comfort of a Biological Station whose main feature is being immersed in the forest. This station is a 450m2 building on the right bank of the San Lorencito River with restrooms, a dining room, a large living room used as a classroom/lab, computer equipment, audiovisual equipment (TV, VCR, slide and overhead projectors), communication equipment via radios, luggage transport service, and its own power plant consisting of a hydroelectric generator capable of producing up to 12 kW, a large living room used as a classroom/lab, computer equipment, audio (2625 to 4920ft). The effect of environmental conditions on the diversity of flora and the structure of the forest can be observed and studied thanks to the altitudinal gradient). 

For your peace of mind, the Biological Station has a complete set of rescue equipment, including mattresses, cardiac resuscitation tables, splinting, an oxygen tank, a briefcase, and a first-aid kit with the essentials. However, it is recommended that you carry change of clothes, mud-resistant rubber boots or shoes, raincoats, coats, repellant, towel, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrush. 

Because entry to the reserve is limited, it can only be used for control and protection operations, as well as teaching and research. Official access is via the road to Colonia Palmarea, where the Biological Station of the San Lorencito River is located, with prior reservation at the Biological Reserve Directorate's Western Campus.