Estimation of water replenishment to nature in forest cover within the Central Valley watersheds in Costa Rica
Estimation of water replenishment to nature in forest cover within the Central Valley watersheds in Costa Rica
The project seeks to return the water used in productive activities to the environment through conservation and landscape restoration actions in the Central Valley watersheds of Costa Rica. Two main schemes are implemented: forest protection, where landowners commit to maintaining forest cover for five years to prevent erosion and runoff; and natural regeneration, where degraded or grazing lands are allowed to recover naturally over the same period to increase infiltration and reduce erosion.
The estimation of replenished water was conducted with the consulting firm Limnotech, using the **SWAT (Soil & Water Assessment Tool)** model, analyzing edaphological and meteorological factors such as soil texture, temperature, and daily precipitation with at least 10 years of records. For the year 2026, a total of **767.5 hectares** were accounted for, achieving a replenishment of **798,000 m³** across those 767.5 ha, distributed among 10 private farms within five micro-watersheds of the Virilla and Grande rivers.
As a research and monitoring component, Fundecor collaborated with the Universidad Nacional on a methodology based on **stable isotopes (oxygen-18)** to determine the relationship between precipitation and the surface and groundwater systems. Additionally, physicochemical water parameters—such as **pH, conductivity, phosphates, nitrites, and bacteriological contamination**—are monitored, along with soil texture and composition at georeferenced sampling points.
Costa Rica
Partners:
Coca Cola FEMSA
Client:
10 Client Families
Project progress:
Start: 2014
Completion: 2026
Multimedia
Copyright © 2026 FUNDECOR. All rights reserved.