Guatemala's Maya Reserve Sees Forest Growth

Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) is experiencing a positive trend in forest management, with local communities playing a pivotal role in both sustaining and increasing forest cover. Over the past 20 years, community forestry concessions (CFCs) have become crucial in halting decades of deforestation in the region, acting as 'green islands' within the larger reserve. While the reserve as a whole has seen some natural cover loss, these community-managed areas have maintained near-zero deforestation, according to the National Council of Protected Areas (Conap).

Sustainable Harvesting and Strict Management

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The MBR, a 2.1 million-hectare area recognised by Unesco, is divided into different zones, including a multiple-use zone where sustainable economic activities are permitted. Within this zone, 12 community forestry concessions operate under 25-year contracts, collectively managing 400,000 hectares. The Carmelita cooperative, for instance, manages a 43,000-hectare concession, adhering to strict protocols. They harvest only two trees per 1,000 hectares on a rotational basis, with every tree meticulously mapped and selected based on size and abundance. This careful approach ensures the forest's preservation and allows for natural regeneration. Forestry engineer Hedy Godinez Pulido highlighted that the selection of younger trees informs decisions on how many older trees can be felled, a stark contrast to previous chaotic logging practices by private companies.

These concessions are required to meet strict Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards, ensuring responsible sourcing that allows for timber export. Auditors regularly inspect harvesting sites to assess the quality of the cuts and the angle of tree falls. Bayron Chub, a forestry technician, noted that traditional knowledge, passed down from fathers, emphasizes living harmoniously with the forest without causing harm.

Restoration Efforts in La Pasadita

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In the community of La Pasadita, efforts are focused on restoring degraded land. After a previous suspension of their concession contract in 2009 due to illegal logging, the community has been working with the Rainforest Alliance to implement a restorative production plan. This initiative centres around a community nursery, the largest in the MBR, which has nurtured over 120,000 seedlings from 23 different tree species. This project has created numerous jobs and is actively reintroducing tree cover to former pastureland, mitigating wildfire risks. Walbi Cardona, the former president of the village association, expressed gratitude for the restoration, noting significant participation from women and youth, which has brought social benefits and income back to the community. He credited the nursery's success to using high-quality seeds, proper planting, and ample space for growth.

The success of these restorative projects is evident in data from Conap, which indicates a net increase in forest coverage of 105 hectares in La Pasadita, with restored forest replacing pastureland. Similar positive results are seen in other concessions, such as Uaxactún, where forest cover has grown by 113 hectares. Conap is now exploring how to leverage these successes to inform national policies on productive restoration.

Future Outlook

The ongoing success of community forestry concessions and restoration projects in the Maya Biosphere Reserve suggests a promising future for the region's forest ecosystems. These initiatives not only protect biodiversity but also provide sustainable livelihoods for local populations, demonstrating that conservation and economic development can go hand in hand. Conap's interest in national policy development based on these models indicates a potential for wider replication of these successful strategies.