Environmental profile of Guatemala : executive summary

Patterns and trends in resource use and environmental protection are also described, including demographic, socioeconomic, legal, and institutional issues. The report then identifies the country"s principal environmental problems: (1) deforestation; (2) accelerated soil erosion; (3) contamination by agrochemicals; (4) air, water, soil, and food contamination resulting from population pressures and other factors; (5) inappropriate water resources development and river basin management; (6) loss of wildlife areas and biological variety; (7) damage to marine, coastal, and fish resources due to inappropriate fishing methods, lake basin pollution, inappropriate importation of exotic species, and excessive pesticide use; (8) industrial pollution; (9) misuse or overuse of energy sources; and (10) adverse land use practices. The report illustrates how the country"s substantial development opportunities could be lost if timely measures to combat environmental degradation are not taken. A long-term (year 2000) natural resource management strategy is presented, as well as short-term objectives and measures. A table summarizes recommended environmental projects.