Ultraviolet radiation at Isla del Coco (Cocos Island) National Park, Costa Rica.

Research at Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica, reveals significant variations in ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, critical for understanding ecosystem dynamics and protecting coral reefs. The study found that UV index (UVI) averages ranged from 14 to 3 on sunny versus cloudy days in Chatham Bay, and 12 to 4 in Wafer Bay, with the sunniest conditions peaking at UVI 16. High UV exposure occurred between 9:00–15:00 in Chatham and 9:00–14:30 in Wafer during sunny periods. The study used automatic Davis weather stations to measure UV radiation over multiple expeditions (2008–2012), providing valuable data for modeling ecosystem impacts, ranger operations, and tourism planning.

Vargas, J. L., & Alfaro, E. J. (2016). Ultraviolet radiation at Isla del Coco (Cocos Island) National Park, Costa Rica. Revista de Biología Tropical, 64(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v64i1.23412