Language: English with Spanish summary
The Golfo Dulce region is botanically one of the most diverse areas in Central America. During the last 15 years, research plots have been established in the Piedras Blancas National Park and its surroundings, for the investigation of species composition, vegetation structure, growth patterns, reproductive ecology and forest dynamics. This paper presents an overview of the vegetation units that have so far been recognised in the region. Altogether, 28 ecosystems, ranging from untouched primary to secondary and anthropogenic vegetation, can be distinguished. Of these, 15 can be classified as natural, 5 as semi-natural and 8 as anthropogenic. For each ecosystem, a brief description of species diversity, vegetation structure and significance/abundance in the region is given.