Isthmian–Pacific moist forests

The ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the central mountains of Costa Rica and Panama: the Cordillera Central in Costa Rica at the northern end, extending into Panama as the Cordillera de Talamanca. The mean elevation in the ecoregion is , reaching from sea level to heights of . The strip of lowlands runs for 500 km west to east, and typically only 50 km wide. The higher elevations in the mountains to the east are in the Talamancan montane forests ecoregion. The mountains are an active volcanic zone, and most of the soils are derived from the parent basalt bedrock. == Climate ==

The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Am)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year (all months being greater than average temperature), and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than (100-(average/25) mm. This climate is mid-way between a tropical rainforest and a tropical savanna. Rainfall averages 2,500 mm/year in Panama, higher in Costa Rica. == Flora and fauna ==

The region is one of high biodiversity, as the area is the meeting zone where North and South American floral and fauna communities mixed when the continents were connected three million years ago. The mangrove hummingbird (Amazilia boucardi) and yellow-billed cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae) are mostly endemic to the adjacent Moist Pacific Coast mangroves, but occasionally range into coastal forests and shrublands. Endemic amphibians include the Airstrip caecilia (Oscaecilia osae), so-called because it is only found near the La Sirena airstrip on the Osa Peninsula, the critically endangered Golfito robber frog (Eleutherodactylus taurus), and the endangered Golfodulcean poison frog (Phyllobates vittatus). == Protected areas ==

11% of the ecoregion is officially protected. These protected areas include: • Chirripó National Park • Corcovado National Park • Volcán Barú • Manuel Antonio National Park == References ==