Biodiversity is defined as all living things in the planet or an ecosystem. Costa Rica is home to 5% to 6% of the worlds known biodiversity due to its vast ecosystems and microclimates, however, it being threatened.

Reports have found land use change will be the biggest driving factor in biodiversity loss in the tropics with CO2 concentration barely following behind. For Costa Rica, it is found to be the same case with traditional cacao agroforestry systems being replaced for more lucrative and economically sustainable cash crops such as plantains or bananas. Additionally, the abandonment of traditional shade tree practices within the remaining cacao systems are devastating to local forest communities.

Traditional shade tree practices are including native tree species creating a forest canopy that can sustain life while producing economic income for the land owner. Without biodiversity, ecosystems will collapse due to holes being formed within the niche systems of this system.

In this video, learn about biodiversity through the eyes of a tree in Costa Rica, where it witnesses the impact of humans on its environment — from canopy loss to animal migration.