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"A tidy garden is often a lifeless garden. A slightly wild garden is a healthy one"

Living in Harmony with the Rainforest and Sea

 

​1. Living responsibly on Land

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One Tree, Hundreds of Lives

A mature tropical tree is far more than wood and leaves—it's an entire ecosystem.

One tree can provide food, shelter, nesting sites, and travel routes for hundreds of species, including sloths, monkeys, birds, frogs, butterflies, bees, orchids, fungi, and countless insects.

When a mature tree is removed, it's not just one tree that's lost—it's an entire community of life.

 

Why it matters

•  Sloths use connected trees to move safely.

•  Monkeys travel through the canopy.

•  Birds nest in branches and hollows. Butterflies lay eggs on specific plants.

•  Fungi recycle nutrients back into the soil.​

• Tropical trees generally have shallow, wide-spreading root systems because most nutrients are found in the top 20–30 cm of soil.

• Many species develop buttress roots and sinker roots instead of deep taproots.

• The roots of neighbouring trees often intermingle and overlap, creating a stronger, more stable forest. While they are not literally woven together like ropes in every case, the forest acts as a community where neighbouring trees help stabilize the soil and reduce wind forces on each other.

• When several trees are removed, the remaining trees become much more susceptible to wind throw (being blown over), even years after logging.

This phenomenon has been documented throughout tropical forests.

 

Buttress roots are designed for stability

One of the classic studies from the Journal of Experimental Botany compared buttressed and non-buttressed rainforest trees.

The researchers found that:

• Buttressed trees had almost twice the anchorage strength of non-buttressed trees.

• Buttresses work together with lateral and sinker roots to resist strong winds.

• They are an adaptation to keeping very tall trees standing in shallow tropical soils.

 

Trees depend on the surrounding forest

Scientists studying tropical forests have found that isolated trees are much more likely to fall than trees growing within an intact forest, neighbouring trees:

• reduce wind speeds,

• share the mechanical load of storms,

• help stabilize surrounding soil,

• reduce erosion around each other's roots.

When logging creates forest edges, wind damage increases dramatically because the remaining trees were never adapted to stand alone.​

 

Turn Your Garden into a Wildlife Habitat, Protect the undergrowth.

The layer of leaves, fallen branches, shrubs, and ground plants (known as the undergrowth) provides food, shelter, moisture, and breeding sites for hundreds of species.

Plant native trees, orchids, epiphytes, leave some leaf litter, reduce pesticides, and keep mature trees whenever possible.

Even a small garden can become a safe place for birds, butterflies, frogs, bees, and other wildlife.

Together, thousands of wildlife-friendly gardens create one connected ecosystem.

 

Who lives in the undergrowth?

Native Bees – Pollinate flowers, fruit trees, and many rain forest plants.

Fireflies – Their larvae live in moist soil and leaf litter, feeding on snails and other small invertebrates. They need darkness and undisturbed habitat to survive.

Butterflies – Lay eggs on specific plants. Their caterpillars need native vegetation to survive.

Frogs – Need damp leaf litter to stay moist and lay eggs. Many species spend their entire lives on or near the forest floor.

Lizards – Hunt insects, hide from predators, and regulate pests.

 Snakes – Shelter beneath leaves and fallen logs while helping control rats, mice, and other small animals.

Land Crabs – Dig burrows that aerate the soil and help recycle dead leaves.

Snails & Slugs – Break down decaying plants and return nutrients to the soil.

Earthworms – Improve soil structure, increase water infiltration, and enrich the soil with nutrients.

Ants – Recycle organic matter, disperse seeds, and provide food for birds, frogs, and lizards.

Beetles – Many species feed on dead wood and leaves, speeding up decomposition.

Caterpillars – A vital food source for birds, reptiles, frogs, and other wildlife.

Spiders – Naturally control mosquitoes, flies, and other insects.

Scorpions – Shy predators that help control insects and other small invertebrates.

Crickets & Katydids – Important food for birds, frogs, bats, and reptiles.

Mosquito larvae predators – Dragonflies, frogs, fish, and many insects thrive in healthy gardens and naturally help keep mosquito populations in balance.

Fungi – Break down dead wood and leaves, returning nutrients to the soil that plants need to grow.

Microorganisms – Invisible bacteria and fungi recycle nutrients and keep the soil healthy.

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How You Can Help

• Leave a layer of fallen leaves under trees.

• Keep some fallen branches and logs in quiet corners. Plant native shrubs and ground cover.

• Avoid unnecessary pesticides and herbicides.

• Leave patches of natural vegetation whenever possible.

• Let nature do some of the gardening.

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In fragmented landscapes like the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, private gardens can become important stepping stones that help wildlife move safely between larger forest areas

 

2 Living Responsibly Over the Ocean

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Living over the sea is a privilege. Simple choices can help protect the coral reefs, sea grass, fish, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life beneath your home.

Reduce Grey water Pollution

Even soapy water can affect marine life.

Avoid allowing water containing:

• detergents,

• bleach,

• disinfectants,

• degreasers,

• or harsh cleaning chemicals

to flow directly into the sea.

Choose biodegradable products where possible, but remember that even biodegradable soaps should not be discharged untreated into marine ecosystems. All grey and black water must be treated.

 

Treat Wastewater Properly

Never discharge sewage directly into the sea.

Untreated wastewater can:

• Spread harmful bacteria.

• Fuel algae growth.

• Reduce oxygen in the water.

• Damage coral reefs.

• Harm fish and shellfish.

A properly designed wastewater treatment system protects both the environment and public health

 

Choose Reef-Friendly Sun Protection

When swimming from your dock:

• Wear UV-protective clothing.

• Choose mineral-based sunscreens when sunscreen is needed.

• Avoid products containing ingredients known to be harmful to coral reefs.

 

Protect Sea grass

Avoid dropping anchors into sea grass beds.

Sea grass:

• stabilizes the seabed,

• stores carbon,

• provides food for turtles,

• serves as a nursery for juvenile fish,

• improves water clarity.

One anchor can leave scars that take years to recover.

 

Protect Coral Reefs

Never stand on coral.

Never tie boats to coral.

Never collect coral.

Coral grows extremely slowly—many species add only a few millimetres to a few centimetres each year. A single careless step can destroy decades of growth.

 

Choose Sustainable Building Materials

When building or repairing docks:

• Use sustainably sourced timber.

• Consider recycled or long-lasting materials where appropriate.

• Avoid wood treatments that may leach harmful chemicals into the water.

• Replace damaged structures before they become marine debris.

 

Reduce Light Pollution

Lights shining into the water can:

• disturb fish,

• attract insects unnaturally,

• disrupt nocturnal marine life,

• affect nesting sea turtles on nearby beaches.

Use:

• warm-coloured lights,

• downward-facing fixtures,

• timers or motion sensors,

• only the light you actually need.

 

Feed Wildlife Naturally

Avoid feeding fish or other marine animals.

Artificial feeding:

• changes natural behaviour,

• increases disease transmission,

• can attract predators,

• disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem.

 

Keep Plastic Out of the Ocean

Secure loose items during storms.

Even small objects such as:

• cable ties,

• bottle caps,

• rope,

• fishing line,

• plastic packaging

can injure or kill marine wildlife.

 

Respect the Water Below You

Everything that falls from your deck eventually reaches the marine ecosystem.

That includes:

• food scraps,

• paint,

• oil,

• cigarette butts,

• cleaning chemicals,

• plastics,

• construction debris.

What seems small to us can have lasting effects beneath the surface.

 

Live Quietly

Keeping noise levels low also helps preserve the natural experience enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Excessive noise from:

• loud music,

• generators,

• machinery,

• frequent boat traffic

can disturb fish, dolphins, and other marine life, especially in sheltered bays.

 

Best Practices Checklist

• Treat all sewage and wastewater properly.

• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.

• Reduce unnecessary lighting at night.

• Never throw anything into the sea.

• Protect seagrass and coral when boating.

• Maintain your dock to prevent debris and pollution.

• Choose durable, environmentally responsible building materials.

• Respect the wildlife living beneath your home.

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3. TURN OFF LIGHTS : Why Darkness Matters

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Nature has evolved with millions of years of predictable daylight and darkness. Artificial lights can confuse wildlife, disrupt natural behaviours, and affect entire ecosystems.

 Insects

Most nocturnal insects navigate using moonlight.

Bright lights can:

• Attract insects away from food and breeding areas.

• Exhaust them as they circle lights for hours.

• Make them easy prey for predators.

• Reduce pollination of night-blooming plants.

A single bright light can attract thousands of insects every night.

 Fireflies

Fireflies use flashes of light to find mates.

Bright artificial lighting can:

• Make their signals difficult to see.

• Reduce successful mating.

• Cause local populations to decline.

This is one reason fireflies are disappearing in many parts of the world.

 Bats

Many bats avoid brightly lit areas.

Artificial lights can:

• Disrupt feeding routes.

• Separate bats from food sources.

• Reduce pollination and seed dispersal.

Some insect-eating bats may feed around lights because insects gather there, but many forest-dwelling species avoid illuminated areas altogether.

 Sloths

Sloths are active during both day and night, depending on the species and individual.

Bright lights near trees may:

• Disturb normal activity patterns.

• Increase stress.

• Make sloths more visible to predators.

• Alter their movement through the canopy.

 Frogs

Many frogs call only at night.

Bright lights can:

• Reduce breeding calls.

• Change feeding behaviour.

• Increase exposure to predators.

 Sea Turtles

Artificial lighting is one of the biggest threats to nesting turtles.

Lights can:

• Discourage females from nesting.

• Confuse hatchlings, causing them to crawl inland instead of toward the ocean.

• Increase deaths from dehydration and predators.

Even lights hundreds of metres from the beach can affect turtles.

 Birds

Many birds migrate or hunt at night.

Bright lights can:

• Disorient migrating birds.

• Increase collisions with buildings.

• Interrupt sleep and breeding behaviours.

 Night-Pollinating Plants

Not all pollination happens during the day.

Many tropical plants rely on:

• Moths

• Bats

• Beetles

Artificial lighting can reduce nighttime pollination, affecting seed and fruit production.

 Plants

Plants use the natural cycle of light and darkness to regulate growth and flowering.

Excessive night lighting can alter these natural rhythms, although the effects vary between species.

Marine life

Lights shining into the water can:

• disturb fish,

• attract insects unnaturally,

• disrupt nocturnal marine life,

• affect nesting sea turtles on nearby beaches.

Use:

• warm-coloured lights,

• downward-facing fixtures,

• timers or motion sensors,

• only the light you actually need.

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How You Can Help

• Use warm-coloured lights (amber or warm white) instead of bright blue-white LEDs.

• Point lights downward and shield them so they illuminate only the area you need.

• Turn off unnecessary lights when you go to bed or when areas are not in use.

• Use motion sensors instead of leaving lights on all night.

• Keep beachfront lighting to a minimum, especially during sea turtle nesting season.

• Preserve dark areas around forests, mangroves, and waterways.

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Living with Wildlife

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Wildlife has lived here long before we did.

If a sloth, monkey, snake, crab or other wild animal enters your property, remember that you are sharing its habitat.

Observe from a distance.

Never feed wild animals.

Keep dogs under control.

Drive slowly, especially at dawn and dusk.

If an animal appears injured, contact a recognised wildlife rescue organisation or MiAMBIENTE rather than attempting to handle it yourself.

Remember

Every property in Bocas del Toro forms part of a much larger ecosystem. Small actions by individual property owners—protecting trees, reducing pollution, preserving darkness and respecting wildlife—collectively make one of the biggest differences to the future of the Archipelago.

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