Guatemala Biodiversity facts for kids
Guatemala is a country in Central America known for its incredible nature and many different types of living things. Experts say it's one of the top five places in the world with the most diverse plant and animal life. This means it has a huge variety of species and natural environments, making it a very special place on Earth.
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Guatemala's Amazing Nature
Guatemala is home to 14 different types of natural areas, called ecoregions. These range from wet mangrove forests along the coasts to dry forests and scrublands in the eastern highlands. You can also find steamy rain forests, misty cloud forests, and cool pine forests in the mountains. This wide range of environments allows many different plants and animals to thrive.
Forests and Trees
A big part of Guatemala, more than one-third of the country, is covered in forests. About half of these are primary forests. These are old, untouched forests that have the most different kinds of plants and animals. Guatemala is special because it has 17 types of conifer trees, like pines and cypresses. This is more than any other tropical region in the world! One unique conifer, called Abies guatemalensis, only grows in Guatemala.
Important Wetlands
Guatemala also has seven important wetlands that are recognized internationally. These wetlands are part of the Ramsar Convention, which is an agreement to protect these watery areas because they are so important for wildlife and the environment.
Incredible Animals and Plants
Guatemala is bursting with life! It has about 1,246 known types of amphibians (like frogs), birds, mammals, and reptiles. A small number of these, about 6.7%, are endemic. This means they live only in Guatemala and nowhere else in the world. Sadly, about 8.1% of these animals are threatened species, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever.
The country also has at least 8,681 types of vascular plants (plants with roots, stems, and leaves). Of these, about 13.5% are endemic to Guatemala. This shows how unique and special Guatemala's plant life is.
Protecting Guatemala's Wild Places
Guatemala is a leader in protecting its natural treasures. It has 123 protected areas, covering more than 29% of the country's land. This is the largest percentage of protected land in all of Central America!
One of the most famous protected areas is Tikal National Park. It was created in 1955 and was the first place in the world to be named a "mixed" UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's important for both its natural beauty and its historical value, as it contains ancient Mayan ruins. Protecting these areas helps keep Guatemala's amazing plants and animals safe for the future.
See also
In Spanish: Biodiversidad de Guatemala para niños
