Guatemala rainforest in trouble – Help save this remnant

Endemic species under threat

December 2010. Sierra Caral is the single most bio-diverse forest remnant in Caribbean Guatemala, and is an unparalleled centre of endemism for amphibians, reptiles, and insects. It is probably the top conservation priority for acquisition in the country, and possibly in the Caribbean slope of northern Central America. Seven endemic species of amphibians have recently been discovered in the region, plus the arboreal Blue Pit Viper - Bothriechis thalassinus (named for its amazing blue tonality).

Thirty five percent of the amphibians of Sierra Caral are listed as threatened by IUCN, with ten either Critically Endangered species (Cryptotriton wakei, Nototriton brodiei, Agalychnis moreletii, Duellmanohyla soralia, Ptychohyla hypomykter) or Endangered.

Deforestation, illegal cross-border logging activities and expanding cattle ranching
Sierra Caral is threatened by deforestation, illegal cross-border logging activities and expanding cattle ranching that is rapidly fragmenting a once continuous forest across the Merendón Mountain Ridge. Although our partner FUNDAECO has successfully designed a protected area and has mobilized community support for its legal declaration by the National Congress, the Decree for a new protected area could take many years to be passed. By then, this much of the species diversity that makes Sierra Caral exceptional could be lost. In this context, land acquisition is an immediate need. FUNDAECO has a Land Acquisition Strategy to buy and protect 5,436 acres of key properties strategically located across Sierra Caral.

Immediate action required

World Land Trust partner is working to purchase several private properties in three strategic areas that are under threat and the most biologically important. In total, FUNDAECO needs to raise just over $1 million to protect the entirety of the Sierra Caral site. Right now, we urgently need $100,000 to put a down payment on several critical properties at Sierra Caral before it is too late. Please help us take a stand for this region's incredible biodiversity by giving generously while there is still forest to protect.

Sierra Caral background
Located on the Guatemala-Honduras border, Sierra Caral is consistently identified as the highest conservation priority in the region. This area's unique biogeographic conditions, including a diverse terrain and climate, makes it a hotspot of endemism for amphibians, reptiles, and insects in northern Central America. Of the amphibians, nine Critically Endangered or Endangered species are found here, five of which are found nowhere else in the world. Sierra Caral is also one of the most threatened forests in Caribbean Guatemala - as logging and agriculture continue to take a terrible toll on this unique ecosystem.

WLT partner in Guatemala, FUNDAECO, has been involved in grassroots conservation actions and land protection projects in the region for years. With WLT-US support, FUNDAECO will acquire several strategic private properties that are currently earmarked for logging or clearing and are high-priority sites for Critically Endangered species. But it is essential that we act quickly. Each day that we delay action, more of this spectacular forest habitat is lost. If this forest is destroyed, with it will go an incredible diversity of plant and animal life found nowhere else on the planet.

This area's unique biogeographic conditions, including a diverse terrain

and climate, makes it a hotspot of endemism for amphibians, reptiles,

and insects in northern Central America. Of the amphibians, nine

Critically Endangered or Endangered species are found here, five of which

are found nowhere else in the world.

Please donate today and help us put a stop to this tragedy.

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