Natural Resources
Water Resources
Savegre S.R.L.’s forestlands are located at the heart the upper Savegre watershed, which is the cleanest and most well-conserved watershed in Costa Rica and in all of Central America, according to the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE, 2004) and the Friends of Nature of the Central and Southern Pacific Coast (ASANA, 2016).
Video: One of the natural springs originating within Savegre S.R.L.'s forestlands.
Recognition of Savegre S.R.L.'s Protection of Water Resources
In 2012, Savegre S.R.L. received recognition from the Santa Eduviges Páramo Association of Development for their life’s work of protecting the water sources originating within and running through their property. The declaration, which was sent to the Association of the Savegre Watershed, states that:
“Savegre S.R.L. conserves and protects the natural springs of the Upper Savegre River [and] these are the cleanest waters in the country.”
Hydro-geological Study
In 2010 Savegre S.R.L. conducted a hydro-geological study of various natural water sources that originate within and run throughout their forestlands. The study focused on four high-volume sources, and the total estimated water volume produced by these four sources was 1,231.42 cubic meters of water per hour (Perforadora Costarricese, 2010).
Carbon Stock & Secuestration
The National Forest Inventory of Costa Rica (2014-2015) states that primary forests store more carbon dioxide per hectare than any other type of forest, at an average of 1,036.7 tons of carbon dioxide per square hectare. This means that Savegre S.R.L.’s 580.9 hectares of primary forestland hold an average of 602,219.03 tons of carbon dioxide in their diverse biomass, which includes trees, other plants, leaves, roots and soil. By the same calculation, Savegre S.R.L.’s entire 1,500+ hectares hold an average 1,555,050 tons of carbon dioxide.
According to the World Bank, the entire country of Costa Rica had a total of 7,755,540 kilotons or 7,755,540,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2014.
To mitigate climate change, it is vital that these and other primary forestlands be conserved in perpetuity to prevent the release of additional carbon into the atmosphere.
Climate
Savegre S.R.L.’s forestlands enjoy a humid tropical forest climate with an average annual temperature between 10-20° Celsius (50-68° Fahrenheit). They also receive great quantities of rainfall, primarily during the 3-4 month long rainy season, with average annual precipitation of between 2,000-2,500 millimetres (78-98 inches) (INBio, 2002)
