AGROECOLOGICAL ZONATION ALONG AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT IN THE MONTANE BELT OF THE LOS-SANTOS-FOREST-RESERVE IN COSTA-RICA

This study focuses on agro-ecological zonation along an altitudinal gradient in the montane oak forest belt of the Los Santos Forest Reserve in Costa Rica. Above 2,000 m three major zones were distinguished: (i) a lower montane fruit-tree zone (2,000-2,300 m); (ii) an upper montane potato zone (2,300-2,700 m); and (iii) an upper montane charcoal zone (2,700-3,000 m). This zonation is determined by changes in both climate and anthropogenic conditions. Socioeconomic well-being (measured as monthly income per farm) changes with altitude, the fruit-tree zone being the most productive and the charcoal zone the most marginal. At lower altitudes fuelwood is becoming scarce and erosion risks are high due to a history of indiscriminate deforestation and the present uncontrolled use of herbicides. Reforestation activities at the farm level are few and involve mainly exotic species as well as native alder. Deforestation is continuing at higher elevations, but at a slower pace than two-to-three decades ago. Fragments of oak forest still provide peasants with sufficient fuelwood. When this region is compared and contrasted with similar Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian human-occupied mountain areas, a greater agro-ecological affinity with the Andes becomes evident.