In what consist this project? |
This research consists of an evaluation of solid waste on the beaches of the Las Baulas National Marine Park in Guanacaste and Tamarindo beach. We make samples by counting marine debris on the beaches and determine the degree of pollution; as well as to estimate the amount of macroplastics and mesoplastics present. These samples will be taken at specific points (transects) along each beach. Both on Carbón and Tamarindo beaches, the samples will be taken at the beginning, middle and end of the beach; Grande and Ventanas, as these are sea turtle nesting beaches, we will be taking more than three transects per beach.
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General objective |
Create a sampling methodology and database to monitor the presence of marine debris and its interaction with wildlife on the beaches of Las Baulas National Marine Park and Tamarindo.
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Specific objectives |
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fIELD tRIPParticipate in this educational experience, in the form of a workshop, of the monitoring we do on the presence and impacts of marine-coastal waste in protected natural sites, through citizen science and awareness raising.
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In what consist this Field Trip? |
An educational experience about the presence and impacts of marine-coastal debris in natural areas, through citizen science and awareness.
The trip begins with a welcome and explanation about Las Baulas National Marine Park, its ecosystems, the problem of solid waste pollution and conservation efforts. Subsequently, we will do a walk around the National Park facilities, the collection center and then we will begin with the field work. We will do a sampling at different points in Playa Grande to collect the present waste. Then we will separate it by material, and analyze if the trash has biotic interactions to deduce their origin. The field trip will finish with a discussion about the found results and a final reflection about consumption. |
Why is this important? |
Pollution by plastics and cigarette butts in Playa Grande is already permanent. This site is important for nesting sea turtles at risk of extinction, as well as other migratory species.
Citizen science is an important tool to involve the community in conservation efforts through data collection, and in turn, to make the problem visible through field work and seek solutions together. This activity is part of a trip in NatGeo Expedition: Costa Rica Wildlife & Conservation. More information. |
WE CONTRIBUTE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTThis project seeks to significantly reduce the generation of waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse activities; as well as to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular that produced by activities carried out on land, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
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Consider |
It is considered a walk of at least 2 km (1.24 miles) on the beach. Not recommended for small children under 9 years old. 
High sun exposure. Wear sunscreen and a hat. 
This is an experience for everyone. Please indicate the presence of people with disabilities. |
ITINERARY of activities**Time depends upon the tide.
30 min Welcome and presentation of the National Park 1 hour Walk around the National Park facilities and the collection center 30 min Field work in Playa Grande 20 min Discussion and analysis in National Park facilities 10 min Final reflection and farewell *If you consider a full day activity, you must consider another field trip or expedition. |
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WHATO TO BRING
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RESERVATION
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Contact |
what is going on?
Background |
Marine debris includes any solid and persistent manufactured or processed material, disposed of or abandoned on the coast or in the sea. It can be found from the surface of the sea, on sandy beaches and even on the seabed (Hidalgo-Ruz and Thiel, 2013). Although there are various types of marine debris, such as glass, paper, cardboard, metal, fabric, fishing-related waste, among others, multiple studies have found that plastics represent more than 80% of this.
Its use is as diverse as its application, but its disposal continues to be a global problem, especially single-use waste (Thompson, R. C. et al., 2009). Its presence has come to severely affect life, as it is currently a mortality factor in wildlife, as well as its implications for human health (Derraik, J. G., 2002; Gregory, M. R., 2009). Data from the European Environment Agency indicates that only 15% of marine debris floats on the surface of the sea, another 15% remains in the water column and the remaining 70% rests on the seabed (Rojo-Nieto and Montoto, 2017). In the Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park (PNMBG), since 2016, with the support of neighbors, volunteers and park officials, clean-up days have been held on Playa Grande, Ventanas and Carbón where the quantity and type of collected materials are counted, as well as the weight of said solids; this has been useful to have a general overview of how these areas are doing in terms of litter. In January 2020, the PNMBG was invited to take part in the workshop of the Latin American Network of Litter Scientists, which was held at the Universidad Católica del Norte, in Coquimbo, Chile. There, training was provided to carry out a standardized methodology for sampling marine debris (RECIBA manual, 2019). Recently, Angélica Astorga (2020) carried out her thesis work in which the presence of microplastics in marine and coastal species of the PNMBG is determined, the first study in the area that indicates the presence of this material in crustaceans and fish in Playa Grande and in the Tamarindo Wetland. Even so, it is difficult to determine the source of the plastic, it is considered that it is mainly rivers, beaches and the sea. Tamarindo Beach, being a beach with a high level of commercial development, unlike the others in the park, it is necessary to consider it within the study area, to visualize the problem of the presence and management of waste in an unprotected tourist area in contrast to the rest of the beaches belonging to the PNMBG. The implementation of actions and legislation to promote proper management of plastic waste, the development of environmentally friendly materials as substitutes, environmental education and discouraging demand are the main recommendations given as a means to reduce the presence of plastic in marine-coastal ecosystems. In the area there is a lack of precise information on the type of plastic that is most abundant on these beaches, as well as an indicator that measures the progress of the activities carried out by the different actors to reduce the solid waste present in the area and the results of management and conservation decisions. |
IN COLLABORATION WITH
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P45-gira-en
