Brand-new Publikation!
Cultural and Natural history of the Golfo Dulce Region (2008)
The present volume gives an overview of the Golfo Dulce
region by providing a selection of aspects of natural and cultural
history, in the knowledge that no single book can be comprehensive in its
coverage. The first series of papers deals with abiotic characteristics,
such as geography, climate and geology. The bulk of the papers refer to
biological aspects, starting with plant biology (flora and vegetation) and
animal biology, followed by animal-plant-interactions. The last large
section covers human aspects. The start is with the human history of the
region and the historical roots of nature exploration. Several papers are
devoted to nature conservation and current protection projects. Finally,
the papers on ecotourism may give an idea of the problems of the local
people and the potential for a sustainable development in the region.
Generally, papers are arranged in groups of special scientific information
around a more open and indroductory survey paper.
For the first time a detailed vegetation map of the Piedras Blancas
Nationalpark and adjacent areas (255 km2) was compiled (Weissenhofer et
al.). The
coloured map shows the distribution of the ecosystematic vegetation
units. Scale 1:50.000
Date of publication: October 2008
Publisher: Biologiezentrum der OÖ Landesmuseen, Stapfia, Nr. 88
> ...contents of the book (pdf, 300kb)
Scientific editors: Anton WEISSENHOFER, Werner HUBER, Veronika MAYER,
Susanne PAMPERL, Anton WEBER, Gerhard AUBRECHT
768 pages + map, illustrated (colour), papers mainly in English, all
abstracts also in Spanish.
Price: 60,- Euro (plus postage), 20% reduction for members of the “Verein
zur Förderung der Tropenstation La Gamba”
Ordering: tropenstation.botanik@univie.ac.at
Tel.: ++43 1 4277 54083
23.9.2008
At the same time with the book, the chapter "Ecosystems" was published separately together with the detachable Vegetation map:
Ecosystem diversity in the Piedras Blancas National Park and adjacent areas (Costa Rica), with the first vegetation map of the area
The Golfo Dulce region is botanically one of the most
diverse areas in Central America. During the last 15 years, research plots
have been established in the Piedras Blancas National Park and its
surroundings, for the investigation of species composition, vegetation
structure, growth patterns, reproductive ecology and forest dynamics. This
paper presents an overview of the vegetation units that have so far been
recognised in the region. Altogether, 28 ecosystems, ranging from
untouched primary to secondary and anthropogenic vegetation, can be
distinguished. Of these, 15 can be classified as natural, 5 as
semi-natural and 8 as anthropogenic. For each ecosystem, a brief
description of species diversity, vegetation structure and
significance/abundance in the region is given.
For the first time a detailed vegetation map of the Piedras Blancas
Nationalpark and adjacent areas (255 km2) was compiled. The coloured
map shows the distribution of the ecosystematic vegetation units.
Scale 1:50.000
> ...contents of the book (pdf, 300kb)
Written by: Anton WEISSENHOFER, Werner HUBER, Tatjana KOUKAL, Markus
IMMITZER, Eva SCHEMBERA, Susanne SONTAG, Nelson ZAMORA & Anton WEBER
36 pages + map, illustrated (colour), English, abstract also in Spanish
Costs: 12,- EUR (+ Porto), 20% reduction for members of the “Verein zur
Förderung der Tropenstation La Gamba”
Ordering: tropenstation.botanik@univie.ac.at
Tel.: ++43 1 4277 54083
24.9.2008
Scientific sensation:
For the first time a nest of the endemic bird Habia
atrimaxillaris (Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager) was discovered
In February 2008 for the first time in history of science collaborators of the Field Station detected a nest of the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Habia atrimaxillaris. The nest was located in a forest part of the station site, where adult birds are observed regularly. Breeding behaviour of this bird species was formerly unknown. Now nest and nestlings, and first observations on breeding behaviour could be described and compared with other Habia species. Aspects include new findings like a non-breeding helper involved in rearing the juveniles.
Download of publication (Brenesia 2009, in print): 
(pdf, 334kb), 
(doc, 350kb)
28.3.2008
Discovery of a new Lycaste species (Orchidaceae: Maxillariinae) of Costa Rica
A formerly unknown species of orchids of the genus Lycaste was discovered by the botanist Diego Bogarín1) in 2007: Lycaste bruncana, a close relative of L. tricolor, of which L. bruncana is distinguished by floral morphology. The most important distinguishing mark to other Costa Rican orchids is the contorted gynostemium. The type document of the new species comes from the "Rainforest oft the Austrians" in La Gamba. Lycaste species are well known for the beauty of their flowers and for their horticultural merit.
1) Botanical Garden Lancester of the University of Costa Rica and Centro de Investigación en Orquídeas de los Andes “Ángel Andreetta” of the University Alfredo Pérez Guerrero, Ecuador
Download of publication:
(pdf, 2,3MB)
22.1.2008