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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. Floral diversity includes 7,754 species of recorded plants, 40% that are endemic to Mesoamerica. Faunal diversity displays a similar pattern, for example Guatemala hosts 2% of all species of the family Scarabeidae. There are 2,027-recorded vertebrate species in Guatemala, 62 of which are endemic.

Guatemala also hosts a large amount of forest, which is important not only for subsistence purposes, but for many national traditions as well. Almost 51% of the country’s 10,889,369.52 ha is covered with forest. The main threats faced by the forests are agricultural expansion and forest fires. The main forest conservation strategy is through the implementation of forest concessions, as local communities and private enterprises manage the majority of forestland. Currently, this modality takes into account approximately 375,000.00ha of forestland.

Guatemala contains 300 bodies of water, which are home to several local and migratory bird populations and 12 species of endemic fish. Of particular importance are the 70,000 km2 of marine area.

According to Vavilov, Guatemala is part of the Mesoamerican centre of crop genetic diversity and also a place of domestication of important crops, like maize, and beans. In the case of maize, 52% of the races known in Mesoamerica are present in Guatemala. For bean species (Phaseolus spp), the country recorded 24% of all species as well as 43% of pumpkin species (Cucurbita spp). Moreover, Guatemala has many genetic materials unique to the country, such as the yuca (Manihot spp).

The export of some biodiversity resources, such as several bromeliad species (Thillandsia spp), is of high economic importance to the Guatemalan economy. Several of the plant species found in Guatemala form part of a multi-million dollar industry worldwide. Some of these species are also key elements, not only for the economic development of some countries, but also for subsistence purposes.

CONAP, as a representative governmental agency, has the responsibility to formulate, implement and disseminate the National Biodiversity Strategy, and after careful revision, the main gaps in its application were established. For this reason, the project “Definition of National Priorities and Assessment of Capacity Building Needs of Biodiversity in Guatemala” was conducted. The project was implemented in two phases: i) establishment of capacity building needs in biodiversity, and ii) implementation of a Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM). The first phase encompass four components: a) a follow-up and evaluation program, with a focus on taxonomy; b) implementation of activities for in situ and ex situ conservation, and the sustainable use of biodiversity, c) development of conservation incentive measures, d) actions to address access and benefit sharing to genetic resources, as well as a proposal for both a national agenda on research of wild and neglected species and an agenda on conservation of genetic resources. The second phase consists of the initiation of the CHM, and its link to the information system of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

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 = 31.042407 %. This data does not include protected areas that are themselves included within (or inside) other protected areas of higher management category (official data). Details also available on the CONAP web portal.

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. Guided by several fundamental principles, such as a respect for all life in all its manifestations, Guatemala developed their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in a very straightforward, efficient and precise manner. This plan focuses on each of the aforementioned issues and then describes several areas of strategic action for each one. Each strategic action is assigned a main objective, followed by several areas of action or short-term action plans and the persons responsible for the implementation of each action plan. As of 2007, the same law that approved the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan states that the strategy must be re-evaluated and implemented every five years. In this sense, the first implementation of the NBSAP will begin in 2007. The implementation process is being developed based on four steps: a) an analysis of the planning structure, b) an analysis and review of the thematic content, c) a monitoring and evaluation exercise on the implementation of the strategy is executed, and d) an evaluation of the action plan. Subsequently, a consultation process will be developed in order to finalize the implementation.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (Spanish)

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. The CONAP as government developed management strategies for Areas of High Biological Importance, with application guidelines for Sierra del Lacandón National Park and the Maya Biosphere Reserve. There exist several incentives at the species monitoring level (e.g. sea turtles, manatees, macaws, spider monkeys, several arthropod species). However, many of these are based on the wants/needs of the stakeholders rather than the needs of the country. Studies were carried out on the flora/fauna of Sarstun-Motagua Conservation Region and the natural populations of Guatemala fir (Abies guatemalensis r.), which served as the basis for the development of a conservation strategy for this species. Several studies in various fields, including economics, sociology, biodiversity and environment have been carried out in order to present baseline data for policy and decision-makers.

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. Furthermore, a few national laws regarding access to genetic resources, which are currently implemented by other countries, are also being analyzed. Recognizing the important role of Guatemala’s cultural richness, an exploration into the conduct of two sociolinguistic groups regarding access and benefit sharing was conducted. Finally, a short proposal of key elements to be considered for a national law on access and benefit sharing was prepared.

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. As well, several parks and plans incorporate local areas of special significance into their management strategies. For example, the management plans for natural resources in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve incorporates measures for the protection of ceremonial sites. The Master Plan for the Atitlán Basin was developed under a consultation process that incorporated themes like: sacred sites, customs and indigenous rights. In accordance to the CBD’s Article 8j, CONAP has created the “Unit for Coordination of the Indigenous People and Civil Society.” Currently, the unit has its own operational strategy plan, and is regulated through the OTECBIO and the Consulting Council of Indigenous People.