The urgent need for forest conservation in highland Guatemala

More species of conifers, especially pines, are present in highland Guatemala than in any other area of equally low latitude. Thus, the arborescent flora of highland Guatemala constitutss a unique genetic resource for use in afforestation projets of other tropical montane areas. This valuable genetic resource is seriously threatened by an alarming rate of deforestation. Although the past 30 years have been the period of most rapid population growth in Guatemalan history, the demise of the highland forests cannot be regarded simply as a consequence of the post-World War II demographic explosion. Significant pressure on resources can be traced back to the pre-Hispanic period; as early as the 18 th century, erosion resulting from forest destruction and over-grazing by sheep was a critical problem in highland Guatemala. The safest strategy for preserving the unique genetic resources of the absorescent flora of highland Guatemala probably lies in a massive programme of seed and pollen collection for storage in seed-banks and in the establishment of ex situ conservation stands.