Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing and Degazettement in Costa Rica

Abstract

Protected areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. Despite the assumption that protected areas (PAs) are permanent fixtures on the landscape, previous studies document widespread legal changes — protected area downgrading, downsizing and degazettement (PADDD) events — that undermine protected area durability. Costa Rica hosts 6% of the world's biodiversity and is recognized for its pioneering conservation policies, large PA estate, and being the poster child of ecotourism. Costa Rica's environmental consciousness coupled with a strong economic incentive to protect its PAs may position the country to be less vulnerable to PADDD events. In order to further understand the mechanisms and extent of PADDD, I investigated PADDD events in Costa Rica from 1955-2021. During this time, the government of Costa Rica enacted 22 PADDD events and proposed an additional 9 PADDD events. Collectively, enacted PADDD events affected 2.1% of the terrestrial PA estate (302 km2) while proposed events risked downgrading an absolute total area of 13,242 km2, representing 93% of the PA estate. Most PADDD events were associated with infrastructure development (n = 12, 46%), specifically geothermal plants (n = 5). Despite relying on the efficacy of its protected areas, Costa Rica is still vulnerable to PADDD; however, the ecological impacts remain unknown. Policy responses and government transparency are needed to address PADDD and support effective protected areas.