According to Project Wetlands carried out by SINAC-PNUD-GEF, seven of the country’s wetlands produce US$3 billion for the country annually.

The study considers the Northeast Caribbean Wetland which includes the Tortuguero National Park, Barra del Colorado, and the Corredor Fronterizo Norte; the Las Baulas Marine Park; the Gandoca-Manzanillo wetlands in the Caribbean; Caño Negro, Maquenque, Térraba-Sierpe and the Palo Verde Wetland.

To come up with the US$3 Billion dollar  figure, the calculation took into consideration details such as “food (fish, fruit, grains), fresh water, fibers and fuels, bio-chemicals (medicine) and genetic material”, explained the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

“This first study on the monetary value of the services that are provided by the wetlands’ ecosystems in Costa Rica, reaffirm the importance that these protected areas represent for the country, the large number of services that offer these ecosystems and the importance of continuing with their protection and adequate management”, mentioned Olman Segura, investigator of the International Center of Economic Politics for Sustainable Development (CINPE)

The ecosystemic services produced by the Northeast Caribbean Wetland are valued in over US $1,137 billion a year; this is the most extensive group of wetlands with over 75 thousand hectares. While the Maquenque Wildlife National Refugee in the North region of Costa Rica encompasses over 59 thousand hectares and generates services with an average value of US$800 million.

Palo Verde Wetlands with 29 thousand hectares generate $654 million a year; Terraba-Sierpe represents $380 million, while the Caño Negro wetlands, Gandoca Manzanillo and Marino las Baulas generate US$133 million, $90 million and $19 million respectively.

Thousands of families depend on the resources provided by the country’s wetlands which generate water, fuel, food, wood, eco-tourism and other products and services.