Amid the roads, buildings and industrial areas of Heredia, wildlife continues to find spaces where it can survive. A biodiversity monitoring survey conducted in 2025 documented 167 wildlife species in green spaces associated with industrial facilities and their surroundings, while also identifying 60 new records for the local inventory. The results, published in October 2026, highlight the importance of conserving the natural spaces that remain part of the urban landscape.

The initiative was developed as part of Eco-Conexión Urbana, a monitoring and conservation project linked to the Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor. Its objective is to gain a better understanding of the wildlife present in these spaces and generate information that can guide future environmental protection efforts.

167 Species Recorded in an Urban Environment

The monitoring survey documented different groups of animals living in the green spaces studied. The findings include birds, bats and other mammals, as well as reptiles, amphibians and insects.

The inventory includes 83 bird species, 12 bat species, nine other terrestrial mammal species, 12 reptile species and six amphibian species. These records are complemented by insects belonging to 45 families.

In total, the project recorded 167 wildlife species. The 60 new records refer to additions to the inventory of the study area, rather than the discovery of 60 species previously unknown to science. This information expands our understanding of the animals present in the area.

These findings also help illustrate the variety of organisms that can coexist with human activities. Although cities transform natural habitats, certain areas with vegetation and water resources can continue to provide favorable conditions for different species.

Water and Vegetation: Key Elements for Wildlife

One of the most significant findings of the monitoring survey was the greater biological richness observed in areas with riverside vegetation and bodies of water. These environments can provide food, shelter and suitable conditions for many animals to move around.

The presence of rivers and streams surrounded by vegetation can also help maintain connections between green spaces that might otherwise become isolated by roads, buildings and other infrastructure.

An academic study by the National University of Costa Rica, focusing on the Bermúdez River micro-watershed in Heredia, had already highlighted the importance of riverside vegetation for urban biodiversity. The study recorded 171 bird species and 66 tree species in the area analyzed, and found differences in species richness and biological diversity between urban and peri-urban areas.

This research helps put the recent findings into context: preserving vegetation and maintaining habitat connectivity are important factors in supporting wildlife in urbanized areas.

What Role Do These Animals Play in the Ecosystem?

The recorded diversity is valuable for more than simply the number of species present. Different groups of animals also contribute to essential ecological processes that keep ecosystems functioning.

Birds and bats can help disperse seeds and, in the case of certain species, pollinate plants. Insects contribute to processes such as pollination, the decomposition of organic matter and the natural control of other populations. Reptiles and amphibians, meanwhile, form part of food webs and help maintain the balance between different species.

For this reason, understanding which animals live in green spaces helps us better understand how these areas function and identify the conditions that could support their conservation.

However, the presence of numerous species does not necessarily mean that their populations are increasing or that all of them are safe from extinction. Additional data and ongoing monitoring are needed to determine their conservation status and how their populations change over time.

The Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor and Habitat Connectivity

The Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor aims to improve ecological connectivity across a landscape that combines urban areas, residential neighborhoods, green spaces and other land uses in parts of Heredia and Alajuela.

Unlike a national park, an interurban biological corridor incorporates different types of land and human activities. Its importance lies in promoting conservation and connecting habitats within a transformed landscape, where wildlife can encounter obstacles when moving from one place to another.

In this context, parks, riverbanks, gardens and other vegetated areas can play a complementary role. Although a small green space cannot replace a natural forest, preserving it can provide shelter and resources for certain species while helping maintain connections between areas of greater ecological value.

The findings of the Heredia monitoring survey provide useful information for identifying which spaces offer favorable conditions for wildlife and where additional conservation measures may be needed.

Citizen Participation Also Contributes to Monitoring

The Eco-Conexión Urbana project incorporated citizen science activities, involving 117 volunteers in biodiversity monitoring initiatives, including birdwatching sessions.

This type of participation can complement the work of specialists and bring scientific knowledge closer to people who live or work in the areas being studied. Observing and systematically recording animals can also help identify species that might otherwise go unnoticed in everyday life.

According to information released about the project, the next stage involves expanding knowledge of local flora and fauna, identifying potential areas where ecological connectivity could be improved and developing environmental education activities.

Continuing the monitoring process will be important for comparing results over time and determining how biodiversity evolves in these spaces.

Nature Conservation Also Begins in Cities

Costa Rica is internationally known for its national parks, tropical forests and diverse ecosystems. However, biodiversity conservation does not depend solely on what happens within protected natural areas.

The findings from Heredia show that there are also opportunities to study and protect wildlife in industrial and residential environments. Preserving trees, riverside vegetation and small green spaces can help maintain habitats and ecological connections within cities.

The challenge is to turn the information collected into concrete measures adapted to the needs of each location and supported by ongoing scientific monitoring. Understanding which species are present is a first step toward determining how they coexist with urban development and which actions can help ensure their continued presence.

In Heredia, biodiversity is not limited to natural landscapes far from the city. It is also part of the everyday environment, where conserving each green space can help maintain the connection between people and nature.

Sources of Information

• The Tico Times. “Costa Rica Wildlife Survey Reveals 60 New Species Records in Urban Heredia.” October 20, 2026.
• National University of Costa Rica (UNA). Academic repository: research on birdlife and riverside vegetation in the Bermúdez River micro-watershed.
• Central American Journal of Geography, National University of Costa Rica. Research on urban green spaces and biodiversity in a micro-watershed in Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area.
• BiodataCR. Costa Rica’s biodiversity information system.
• Delfino.cr. Information published in October 2026 about the Eco-Conexión Urbana project and the Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor.