Maya - Lacandón (20355)
Guatemala, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Maya - Lacandón
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.2458, Longitude: -90.2977
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 650
Area of KBA (km2): 20918.06497
Protected area coverage (%): 49.66
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The extension of the IBA Maya-Lacandon is almost identical to the Maya Biosphere Reserve, which covers the northern part of the province Peten, equaling 19% of the country. This area forms together with forests in Belize and the Mexican states of Campeche and Quintana Roo the largest Neotropical forest north of the Amazon basin. It is an important continental stronghold for species requiring large forested areas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: More than 400 bird species have been recorded in the northern Peten (Beavers 1992). The site is important for 25 species restricted to the Gulf Caribbean Slope. One of the country's largest wetlands–Laguna del Tigre National Park and surroundings–is located in the northwestern part of the IBA. Based on a continental population estimate (Wetlands International 2006) and local estimates (Eisermann 2006), it is assumed that the site holds important parts of regional populations of Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum), Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), and Wood Stork (Mycteria americana).
Other site values: State (National Parks and other protected areas), communal (buffer zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve), and private.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: About 80% of that IBA is covered by humid to semi-deciduous broadleaf forests. Open and human altered habitats cover currently about 17% (MAGA 2006).
Land use: agriculture (8%) | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research (99%) | not utilised | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 8 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 4 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 3 | |
| Forest | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Maya Biosphere Reserve lacks adequate management, leading in some parts to considerable habitat loss by forest fires, illegal logging, unsustainable use of non-timber forest resources, conversion to agricultural land, and oil exploitation (ParksWatch 2002a-d, 2003a-c, 2005). Extensive habitat loss is expected if all of the recently proposed road constructions are carried out (Amor Conde et al. 2007, Ramos et al. 2007), leading to a projected loss of more than 183000 ha of forest by the year 2025 (Ramos et al. 2007).
Additional information
References: Amor Conde, D., I. Burgués, C. Manterola & J. Reid. 2007. Análisis ambiental y económico de proyectos carreteros en la Selva Maya, un estudio a escala regional. Conservation Strategy Fund - Conservación Estratégica. Serie Técnica No. 9. Baker, A. J., D. F. Whitacre & O. Aguirre B. J. 1996. Observations of King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) drinking and bathing. Raptor Research 30: 246-247. Baker, A. J., D. F. Whitacre, O. A. Aguirre-Barrera, J. López A. & C. M. White. 1999a. Observations of a Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus hawking bats. J. Raptor Res. 33: 343-344. Baker, A. J., D. F. Whitacre, O. A. Aguirre-Barrera & C. M. White. 2000a. The Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus in Mesoamerica: a vulnerable, disjunct population? Bird Conserv. Int. 10:29-40. Baker, A. J., O. A. Aguirre-Barrera, D. F. Whitacre & C. M. White. 2000b. First record of a Barred Forest-Falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) nesting in a cliff pothole. Ornitol. Neotrop. 11:81-82. Beavers, R. A. 1992. The birds of Tikal: an annotated checklist for Tikal National Park and Petén, Guatemala. Texas A&M Univ. Press, College Station. Bestelmeyer, B. T. & L. A. Alonso. 2000. A biological assessment of Laguna del Tigre National Park, Petén, Guatemala. RAP Bull. of Biological Assessment 16. Burnham, W. A., D. F. Whitacre & J. P. Jenny. 1994. The Maya Project: use of raptors as tools for conservation and ecological monitoring of biological diversity. En: Meyburg, B. U. & R. D. Chancellor (eds). Raptor Conservation Today. Pp. 257-264. World Working Group on Birds of Prey, The Pica Press. CONAP. 2007. Lista de áreas protegidas inscritas en el SIGAP. Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (CONAP), Guatemala. (Database accessed in June 2007) Eisermann, K. 2005. An observation of foliage-bathing by an Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus) in Tikal, Guatemala. Wilson Bulletin 117: 415-418. Eisermann, K. 2006. Evaluation of waterbird populations and their conservation in Guatemala. Final report. Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología, Guatemala. Online at: www.avesdeguatemala.org/avesacuaticas.htm Eisermann, K. & C. Avendaño. 2006. Diversidad de aves en Guatemala, con una lista bibliográfica. Pp 525-623 In E. Cano (Ed.) Biodiversidad de Guatemala, Vol. 1. Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala. Gerhardt, R. P. 1991. Response of Mottled Owls to broadcast of conspecific call. J. Field Ornithol. 62: 239-244. Gerhardt, R. P. 2004. Cavity nesting in raptors of Tikal National Park and vicinity, Petén, Guatemala. Ornitol. Neotrop. 15: 477-487. Gerhardt, R. P. & D. M. Gerhardt. 1997. Size, dimorphism and related characteristics of Ciccaba owls from Guatemala. En: Duncan, J. R., D. H. Johnson, & T. H. Nicholls (eds). Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd international symposium: February 5-9, 1997, Winnipeg MB. Pp. 190-196 Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, North Central Research Station. Gerhardt, R. P., P. M. Harris & M. A. V. Marroquín. 1993a. Food habits of nesting Great Black Hawks in Tikal National Park, Guatemala. Biotropica 25: 349-352. Gerhardt, R. P., N. Bonilla G., D. M. Gerhardt & C. J. Flatten. 1994a. Breeding biology and home range of two Ciccaba owls. Wilson Bull. 106: 629-639. Gerhardt, R. P., D. McA. Gerhardt, C. J. Flattern & N. B. González. 1994b. The food habits of sympatric Ciccaba owls in northern Guatemala. J. Field Ornithol. 65: 258-264. Gerhardt, R. P., D. M. Gerhardt & M. A. Vásquez. 1997. Siblicide in Swallow-tailed Kites. Wilson Bull. 109:112-120. Gerhardt, R. P., D. M. Gerhardt & M. A. Vásquez. 2004. Food delivered to nests of Swallow-tailed Kites in Tikal national park, Guatemala. Condor 106: 177-181. MAGA. 2006. Mapa de cobertura vegetal y uso de la tierra a escala 1:50,000 de la República de Guatemala, Año 2003 (Incluye 5 cultivos perennes actualizados al año 2005). Memoria técnica y descripción de resultados. Ministerio de Agricultura Ganadería y Alimentación –MAGA– / Unidad de Planificación Geográfica y Gestión de Riesgo –UPGGR–, Guatemala Ciudad, Guatemala. McNab, R. B., N. Solis Monroy, V. H. Ramos, J. López & T. Dubón. 2004. Preliminary report: the current distribution of the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) in Guatemala. Wildlife Conservation Society Guatemala, Flores, Guatemala. (unpublished report). Morales, J. 1993a. Caracterización etnozoológica de la actividad de cacería en la comunidad de Uaxactún, Flores, Petén. Tesis de Licenciatura, Univ. San Carlos, Guatemala. Morales, J. R. 1993b. Descripciones básicas de la actividad de cacería y estimación ad-libitum de la mastofauna observada en el área de inventario forestal de la comunidad de Uaxactún. En: Morales, J. R. Informe final de Ejercicio Profesional Supervisado realizado en Unión Mundial para la Conservación de la Naturaleza. Univ. San Carlos, Guatemala. Morales, C. P. & J. Morales. 1998. Registro de la actividad de cacería en temporada de extracción de resina de chicle en Uaxactún, Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, Petén, Guatemala. Compendio fases I y II. Informe final. Organización para la conservación y el ambiente. Guatemala. ParksWatch. 2002a. Park profile–Guatemala: San Miguel la Palotada Protected Biotope (El Zotz). ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch 2002b. Park profile–Guatemala: El Mirador Río-Azul National Park. ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch 2002c. Park profile–Guatemala: Tikal National Park. ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch 2002d. Park profile–Guatemala: Yaxhá, Nakum, Naranjo Natural Monument. ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch. 2003a. Park profile–Guatemala: Sierra del Lacandon National Park. ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch. 2003b. Park profile–Guatemala: Laguna del Tigre Río Escondido Protected Biotope. ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch. 2003c. Park profile–Guatemala: Cerro Cahuí Protected Biotope. ParksWatch Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org ParksWatch. 2005. Perfil de Área Protegida – Guatemala: Parque Nacional Laguna del Tigre y Biotopo Protegido Laguna del Tigre-Río Escondido. ParksWatch, Guatemala. Online at: www.parkswatch.org Pérez Consuegra, S. G., P. H. Kihn, J. E. Morales, N. A. Castillo, F. Ramírez, E. B. Cano, R. A. García, J. E. Ordóñez, M. E. Flores, A. L. Higueros, M. E. Acevedo, C. R. Vásquez, C. L. Burgos, H. H. Enríquez & H. K. Piérola. 2001. Caracterización ecológica de los biotopos Chocón Machacas, Izabal y Cerro Cahuí, Petén. Informe final. Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas. Programa Universitario de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Ambiente, Dirección General de Investigación. Univ. San Carlos, Guatemala. (unpublished report). Radachowsky, J., O. Aguirre, M. Córdova, C. Marroquín, T. Dubón, G. García & Jeovany Tut. 2004. Birds. Pp. 61-78 In R. García & J. Radachowsky (eds.) Ecological evaluation of the Mirador-Río Azul National Park, Petén, Guatemala. Wildlife Conservation Society, Flores, Guatemala. (unpublished report). Ramos, V. H., I. Burgués, L. Colombo Fleck, B. Castellanos, C. Albacete, G. Paiz, P. Espinosa & J. Reid. 2007. Análisis económico y ambiental de carreteras propuestas dentro de la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya. Conservation Strategy Fund - Conservación Estratégica. Serie Técnica No. 8. Thorstrom, R. 1997. A description of nests and behavior of the Gray-headed Kite. Wilson Bull. 109:173-177. Thorstrom, R. 2000. The food habits of sympatric forest-falcons during the breeding season in northeastern Guatemala. J. Raptor Res. 34: 196-202. Thorstrom, R. 2001. Nest-site characteristics and breeding density of two sympatric forest-falcons in Guatemala. Ornitol. Neotrop. 12: 337-343. Thorstrom, R. 2007. Home ranges of Barred (Micrastur ruficollis) and Collared (M. semitorquatus) forest-falcons during the breeding season in Tikal National Park, Guatemala. Ornitol. Neotrop., 18: 395-405. Thorstrom, R. & L. F. Kiff. 1999. Notes on eggs of the Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor. J. Raptor Res. 33: 244-247. Thorstrom, R. & A. Quixchán. 2000. Breeding biology and nest-site characteristics of the Bicolored Hawk in Guatemala. Wilson Bull. 112: 195-202. Thorstrom, R., C. W. Turley, F. G. Ramírez & B. A. Gilroy. 1990. Descriptions of nests, eggs, and young of the Barred Forest-Falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) and of the Collared Forest-Falcon (M. semitorquatus). Condor 92: 237-239. Thorstrom, R. K., J. D. Ramos & C. M. Morales. 2000a. Breeding biology of the Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis in northeastern Guatemala. Auk 117: 781-786. Thorstrom, R. K., J. D. Ramos & J. M. Castillo. 2000b. Breeding biology and behavior of the Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus in Guatemala. Ornitol. Neotrop. 11: 1-12. Thorstrom, R. K., C. M. Morales & J. D. Ramos. 2001. Fidelity to territory. Nest site and mate, survivorship, and reproduction of two sympatric forest-falcons. J. Raptor Res. 35: 98-106. Thorstrom, R., R. Watson, A. Baker, S. Ayers & D. L. Anderson. 2002. Preliminary ground and aerial surveys for Orange-breasted Falcons in Central America. J. Raptor Res. 36: 39-44. Wetlands International. 2006. Waterbird population estimates. 4th edition. Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Whitacre, D. F. 1998. The Peregrine Fund’s Maya Project: ecological research, habitat conservation, and development of human resources in the Maya Forest. En: R. B. Primack, D. B. Bray, H. A. Galletti & I. Ponciano (eds). Timber, tourists, and temples: conservation and development in the Maya forest of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Pp. 241-266. Island Press. Whitacre, D. F. & C. M. Miller. 1999. Bird survey protocols. En: Carr, A. III & A. C. de Stoll (eds). Biological monitoring in the Selva Maya. Pp. 43-52. U.S. Man and the Biosphere / Tropical Ecosystem Directorate and WCS, Gainesville, Florida. Whitacre, D. F., J. Madrid M., C. Marroquín, M. Schulze, L. Jones, J. Sutter & A. J. Baker. 1993. Migrant songbirds, habitat change, and conservation prospects in northern Petén, Guatemala: some initial results. En: Finch, D. M. & P. W. Stangel (eds). Status and management of Neotropical migratory birds. Pp. 339-345. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experimental Station, Fort Collins, Colorado. Whitacre, D. F., J. López Ávila & G. López Ávila. 2002a. Behavioral and physical development of a nestling Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis). J. Raptor Res. 36: 77-81.
Contributors: Wildlife Conservation Society - Guatemala provided references and unpublished data, and hosted a workshop to identify IBAs in Peten in July 2006. Input of unpublished data and suggestions for the delimitation of the IBA were provided during this workshop by representatives of Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP) - Peten, ProPeten, Wildlife Conservation Society - Guatemala, and Tikal National Park. This first assessment of IBAs in Guatemala was conducted by Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología and BirdLife International in the Americas.