Considered the fifth biodiverse hotspot, there are has 14 ecoregions ranging from mangrove forest (4 species), in both ocean littorals, dry forests and scrublands in the eastern highlands, subtropical and tropical rain forests, wetlands, cloud forests in the Verapaz region, mixed forests and pine forests in the highlands. Over one third of Guatemala (36.3% or about 39,380 km²) is forested (2005). About half of the forests (49.7% or roughly 19,570 km²) is classified as primary forest which is considered the most biodiverse forest type. Tree species include 17 conifers (pines, cypress, including the endemic Abies guatemalensis), which is the most of any tropical country in the world.Â
Currently, there is a 1.7% deforestation rate, which while small, is unsustainable (in 50 years, this would amount to a decrease of 30%, so would take a significant length of time to be lost in entirety, but not for ever).Â
Unfortunately, as a poor country, there is little to no funds to deal with deforestation and biodiversity loss.
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