Biodiversity in Guatemala : biological diversity and tropical forests assessment

Key points include the following. (1) Guatemala"s ecosystems are small but exceptionally diverse. The country"s location between two continents and two oceans make it one of Latin America"s foremost repositories of biodiversity. (2) The majority of the population depends directly on renewable natural resources. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing - all of which depend on the maintenance of biodiversity - provide more than half of Guatemala"s jobs and more than half of its export earnings. (3) Physical, demographic, and economic pressures are altering the natural environment rapidly. Tropical forests are being depleted at ominous rates, hillsides are being converted to farmland, and the fishing industry is threatened by chemical pollution and the destruction of mangroves. (4) The government and people of Guatemala are receiving only limited information on these realities. Environmental management and conservation are not priorities, and positive attempts at change are hindered by shortages of money and trained personnel. (5) Major donors are only beginning to help Guatemala address these problems. The assessment concludes with some 20 pages of detailed policy and project recommendations. Appendices include cost data, descriptions of 25 priority existing or proposed protected areas, and specific recommendations for A.I.D.