Costa Rica Species
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Seagrasses
AquaticIn ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow.

Seagrasses

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Anonymous Curator

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Under Review

Last modified by

Gerardo Venegas

Detailed Description

Seagrasses are critical marine ecosystems composed of angiosperm plants that have evolved to colonize the saline underwater environment. Unlike algae, these grasses possess roots, stems, flowers, and produce seeds. In Costa Rica, they are mainly located in the Southern Caribbean (Cahuita and Gandoca-Manzanillo) and in specific Pacific patches such as Golfo Dulce. They function as ecosystem engineers, stabilizing seafloor sediments with their dense rhizome networks and filtering nutrients from the water. They are the primary foraging site for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Caribbean manatee, as well as being extremely efficient Blue Carbon sinks that help mitigate the effects of the global climate crisis.

Climate Metrics

Altitude (m)Elevation above sea level in metres. Higher altitude means lower temperatures and pressure, shaping which species can survive.-20 – 0 m
Precipitation (mm/year)Total annual rainfall in millimetres. A key driver of vegetation type — tropical rainforests typically exceed 2 000 mm/year.1,500 – 5,000 mm
Temperature (°C)Average annual temperature range in degrees Celsius. Together with precipitation, it defines the Holdridge life zone and resident species.23 – 30 °C

Basic Identification

Habitat TypeBroad ecological classification: Terrestrial (land-based), Aquatic (water-based), or Mixed (both).Aquatic
Holdridge Life ZoneHoldridge Life Zone System — classifies world climates into discrete zones based on biotemperature, annual precipitation, and humidity. Developed by Leslie Holdridge in 1947.N/A (Marine Ecosystem)
Water TypeFor aquatic habitats: whether the water body is freshwater, marine (saltwater), or brackish (mixture of both).Saltwater

Locations in Costa RicaGeographic regions of Costa Rica where this habitat or species has been documented.

CahuitaGandoca-ManzanilloGolfo DulceBahía Culebra

Best Season to VisitBest times of year to visit or observe this area at its most biodiverse.

FebruaryMarchAprilSeptemberOctober

Climate & EnvironmentTypical weather patterns, temperature ranges, and seasonal rainfall affecting this location.

Marine tropical climate with high solar incidence. Seagrasses require clear, shallow waters to perform photosynthesis efficiently. They are vulnerable to excessive water turbidity caused by terrestrial runoff.

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