The topography and geology of Guatemala allows the formation of various permanent and seasonal wetlands. At this time, seven wetlands are recognized by the Ramsar Convention, an institution that studies, explores and contributes to the protection of these rich ecosystems.


Laguna del Tigre National Park
It is located in Peten and its size varies with the seasons. You slow flowing rivers, permanent lagoons and is the largest wetland. It is surrounded by Mayan archaeological sites and their main threat is human advancement, archaeological predation, livestock breeding and oil exploration. In 1990, the area was declared a National Park and is administered jointly by the CONAP CECON-USAC.



Lachuá Region
Includes National Park and around Lake Lachuá. The area contains humid regions of accumulation and circulation of water. This sanctuary has abundant living things, howler monkeys inhabit it, tapirs, snakes, fish and a variety of birds. His biggest danger is the stroke of a road that crosses part of its territory breaking into the buffer zone. It is located in Alta Verapaz and the region as a National Park was legalized in 1976.



Guamucha Manchón
It is a sanctuary for migratory birds in the western Pacific in Retalhuleu and San Marcos. The flora allows Living space invertebrate species and the area is like a whole fish and shrimp breeding. Excessive fishing is their main threat.



Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo  National Park
It is a few kilometers from Tikal (Petén) and is a wetland covered by forests. It has ponds and small lakes inhabited Moreleti crocodile, turtles and various fish species.



The area has not yet been fully explored and their biological diversity is not yet cataloged. The remoteness of its location and its size make it difficult for your protection and there have been numerous incidents of illegal logging and depletion of its archaeological sites. Yaxhá The area was declared a private nature reserve in 2001.




Punta Manabique
It is located in Izabal and has many coastal ecosystems, land and mostly marine.



The sandy areas than coral regions, but is itself a refuge for manatees. Zaraguate are also monkeys, tapirs and jaguars. The mouth of polluted streams poses a serious threat to ecosystems, as well as progress of the tourism industry.




Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Reservation
It is one of the most important regions of subtropical rain forest. It is located in Izabal, in the abundant variety of wetland birds, large plants and larger mammals.



Now it is a sanctuary of unique species preservation for many years in Guatemala, which were found in other regions of the country. Human advancement and hunting are the main threats. Wildlife Refuge was declared in 1998.





Multiple Use Reserve Sarstoon River
Bordering  Belize, it is located in the department of Izabal and is a buffer zone. It contains numerous natural and artificial wetlands. It has a biodiversity that includes monkeys, tapirs, turtles, fish, birds and mammals of small to medium size. It is the second largest mangrove system in the Caribbean in Guatemala. Livestock, agriculture and hunting are the major threats to its ecosystem.



Wetlands are in danger
Climate change affects the microclimate of Guatemala that have been stable for years, change the temperature of their ecosystems and undertakes the delicate natural balance of wetlands, but the progress of man that creates more impact.


Predation
The search for water, oil drilling and natural species typical of wetlands threats the entire ecosystem. The increasingly valued exotic species are in the sights of trafficking and, in the case of Guatemala, the looting of archaeological sites and excessive logging.



Crop Progress
Not all land is exploited for all types of crops, but agricultural activity progresses apace in the department of Petén. The search for land for livestock and the exploitation of all fertile ground for planting is a hazard. Wetlands are a wealth of life that makes the land fertile, but these are nothing if not allowed to renew.

The land around the wetlands contains abundant microbial life, which is usually translated almost immediately into fertile soil for cultivation, but they need rest or renewed because after seed predation and it is impossible to reconstruct.

Most agricultural methods involve the use of chemicals, this is a negative impact on nearby wetlands because the polluters and seriously alter their characteristics and end in unbalance their fragile balance.


Text: Héctor Roldán
Sources: National Council of Protected Areas.
Ramsar Convention of Wetlands - RAMSAR.ORG
Zoology Guatemala - First Edition 2005 - Toledo José Ordóñez, Guatemalan Association of Natural History.