The geomorphic landscape of the Barva volcano, Costa Rica

Abstract

Volcanoes have a beneficial role in human development; however, this
\nbalance could turn to hazardous processes or even environmental
\ndisturbances. Costa Rica is a volcanic country. The people of Costa
\nRica live upon these landscapes and take advantage of the benefits
\nafforded, such as water recharge, the fertile soils for agriculture purposes,
\nand world-renowned ecological tourism. The Barva volcano is
\na complex andesitic shield located in the Central Volcanic Range of
\nCosta Rica. Its southern slopes bound the Greater Metropolitan Area
\n(GAM) that contains 65% of the country’s population. We performed
\na geomorphic landscape analysis which delineated seven landforms
\nthat consider the climatic, edaphic, hydrologic, and land use characteristics
\nthat describe the largest volcanic massif in Central America. This
\nwork is a basic input for environmental, disaster risk, and land use
\nplanning for tropical volcanic landscapes under urban and rural pressures.
\nThis methodology could facilitate the natural resources management
\nin developing countries where baseline information is scarce.

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