Restoring Ecosystem Balance in the Face of Deforestation

Towering volcanic mountains, dense and lush forest canopy, a cacophony of sounds from the creatures that can be found amid the trees. The Western Highlands of Guatemala are a magical experience that enlivens the senses. Beyond natural wonder, it is also a place where culture and tradition thrive — a region particularly rooted in Mayan history and customs that span thousands of years. The beauty and history of the Western Highlands is punctuated by the forests found here — forests that are struggling to survive in the wake of human destruction.

The beauty and history of the Western Highlands is punctuated by the forests found here — forests that are struggling to survive in the wake of human destruction.

The highland forestland is a hub of biodiversity — ensuring the survival of some of the rarest and most unique life on the planet, from salamanders to pumas to brightly colored birds. Because of this, Guatemala has been officially designated as a biodiversity hotspot by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. But challenges abound for the trees that can provide so much abundance. The land is being cleared at an alarming rate for cattle ranching, and mangroves are being removed to make room for commercial shrimp farms — culminating in Guatemala losing around 1.5% of forest cover every year.

Other threats to the land then crash in like falling dominoes. Without the trees, landslides become a frightening reality, and rivers fill with sediment as the soil is washed away. That leads to flooding because the waterways are overflowing with sediment. And the terrain left in the aftermath is devoid of fertile soil, meaning nothing will grow.

What’s left of the forests are clearcut areas in a degraded state with no ability to regenerate naturally. Loss of wildlife habitat means that many species will struggle to survive. Lack of tree canopy leads to a shift in the microclimate, leading to warmer temperatures and less moisture.