Guatemala - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Guatemala is considered as a country with great biodiversity at all levels. At the cultural level, 25 sociolinguistic groups have been identified, with each one possessing distinctive traditional knowledge. At the ecological level, Guatemala hosts 7 biomes, and 14 ecoregions, among them the unique Thorny Scrub of the Motagua Valley... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

As of January 2012, Guatemala’s protected areas system comprises the following data: (a) total number of protected areas = 220; (b) total hectarage of protected areas = 3,482,765.71; (c) total hectarage of terrestrial protected areas = 3,380,176.71; (d) total hectarage of maritime protected areas = 102, 589.00; (e) total percentage of the country declared as protected areas = 31... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The analysis of the current status of biodiversity in Guatemala led to the identification of 6 fundamental issues leading to biodiversity loss within the country. These are: institutional weakness and State of Rights; inconsistencies and/or non-existence of land rights, land and natural resource exploitation and associated knowledge; no integrated management of natural resources and landscapes; little to no valuation of biodiversity; insufficient research, information and knowledge concerning all biodiversity related issues; and fierce demand, pressure and threats on biodiversity... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

No national targets concerning protected areas have been set, although several national and sectoral projects are already in place. Many indicators in different fields are used to evaluate management of protected areas. They are: 12 social, 17 administrative, 10 natural resource, 6 legal and political and 3 economic indicators... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

Baseline data regarding the issue of fair and equitable sharing of benefits was developed by the government of Guatemala in the document, “Elements to be considered for developing a law proposal on access to genetic resources.” The document encompasses; 1) an inventory of the national legal norms linked to access to genetic resources, 2) traditional knowledge, 3) and intellectual property rights... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Several studies concerning different aspects such as genetic resources, medicinal plants and access and use of natural resources were conducted throughout the country. The data from these studies has been used in the formation of several legislations and policies that help protect the traditional knowledge and innovations of the local communities... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Ing. Manuel Benedicto Lucas López	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP
Mr. Francisco Ramiro Batzin Chojoj	Traditional Knowledge NFP
Licda. Gloria Marina Apén	Traditional Knowledge NFP
Licda. Yasmín Odette Nelisa Quintana Morales	GTI NFP
Ing. Helmer Dagoberto Ayala Vargas	ICNP ABS NFP (ONLY)
Lic. Jorge Benjamín Jiménez Barrios	GSPC NFP
M. Sc. Estuardo Solórzano Lemus	CHM NFP
Lic. Mercedes Violeta Barrios Ruiz	GTI NFP
Mr. Fernando Castro	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

M. Sc. Estuardo Solórzano Lemus	BCH NFP
Dr. César Augusto Azurdia Pérez	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP