wildlands conservation

THE SIERRA CARAL OF GUATEMALA

The Sierra Caral of Guatemala is one of the world’s top priorities for conservation, and the single most important biodiverse areas in the country. Extending southwest from near the Caribbean along the border with Honduras, the Sierra Caral’s remaining forests are home to many endangered species. Foremost due to their endemicity, are the 12 amphibians classified as Threatened with extinction on the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened species, five of them listed as Critically Endangered. Three of these are salamander species found only in the remaining forests of the Sierra Caral, and five of the Threatened frogs are found only in Guatemala. New amphibian species, probably more endemics, are anticipated from the Sierra Caral, if the global conservation community can secure the forests before they are lost.

The Sierra Caral is also an important area for bird diversity, providing an ideal refuge for many migratory Neotropical species due to its geographic location and orientation. Along with other forested sites in the region, the Sierra Caral contains critical overwintering and stopover sites for 120 species of Nearctic migratory birds, including 33 priority migratory species with declining populations. This forest harbors 13 bird species considered as regional endemics and 40 species listed in global conservation priority lists.

The spectacular Blue Pitviper (Bothriechis thalassinus) is endemic to the Sierra Caral. Its recent description indicates that additional reptiles, as yet unknown to science, likely occur in these mountains. Furthermore, the remaining forests are an important component of the “Paseo Pantera”, the proverbial path of the panther, conceived as a biotic corridor through the narrow Central American isthmus between South and North America. Notable mammals include the Endangered Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) and the Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi).

The largest tract of remaining forest in the Sierra Caral, 2,610 hectares, is in imminent risk of being lost. Cattle barons have already purchased properties adjacent to these forests and clear-cut them for pastureland. Within the past year, these barons have bought a tract of forest known as Quebradas. The conservation community had been working for over 2 years to raise the funds to buy this specific parcel, which was known to harbor populations of several threatened species.

The 2,610 hectare forest, contained in two adjacent properties, is the largest tract of core forest habitat remaining in the Sierra Caral. The conservation of this forest is being supported by FUNDAECO, GWC, the International Conservation Fund of Canada, Our Children's Earth Foundation, the American Bird Conservancy, the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, World Land Trust-US, Nature and Culture International, Conservation International, the University of California–Berkeley, and the Museum of Natural History of the National University of Guatemala, as well as individuals including Andrew Sabin, George Meyer and Maria Semple. These organizations and individuals are supporting the Guatemalan NGO, FUNDAECO, to implement a regional land acquisition strategy in order to protect key habitats in the Sierra Caral. The project continues to raise funds for the imminent purchase of this core land.