Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference: Tundra to Tropics 315–327

CONSERVATION PRIORITY-SETTING IN THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION OF IMPORTANT AREAS

KNUT EISERMANN1 AND CLAUDIA AVENDAÑO

Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología, Ofi cinas del Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social (CALAS), Avenida Mariscal 13-59, Zona 11, Guatemala Ciudad, Guatemala

Abstract. The designation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs), a prioritization scheme developed by BirdLife International, is based on four quantitative ornithological criteria: 1) globally threatened spe- cies, 2) restricted-range , 3) biome-restricted species, and/or (4) fl ocking species. A total of 21 areas in Guatemala fulfi ll international IBA criteria. All IBAs were delimited based on spatial habitat requirements of key species and cover about 48% of the country. Guatemalan IBAs are crucial for the conservation of bird species endemic to the northern Central American highlands. The Guatemalan IBA network covers habitat for eight globally threatened species and 25 restricted-range species. Two sites support >1% of the biogeographic population of waterbird species. Guatemalan IBAs are rather large, ranging from 44 to 21 000 km2, and include not only intact habitat (61% of the area of all IBAs), but also areas where efforts should be invested to restore habitat (38%). Long-term habitat conser- vation in the half of the country is challenging. Guatemala’s human population is growing rapidly, increasing the pressure on natural habitat. All parts of the Guatemalan society are addressed by the designation of large IBAs, which is an opportunity to enhance conservation efforts among the private and communal sectors.

Key words: , Endemic Bird Areas (EBA), globally threatened species, Guatemala, Important Bird Areas (IBA), restricted-range species

PRIORIZACIÓN PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN EN GUATEMALA POR MEDIO DE LA IDENTIFICACIÓN DE IBAS Resumen. La designación de IBAs, un esquema para priorizar sitios de conservación desarrollado por BirdLife International, tiene como base cuatro criterios ornitológicos cuantitativos: (1) especies glo- balmente amenazadas, (2) especies de distribución restringida, (3) especies restringidas a un bioma y (4) especies congregatorias. Un total de 21 áreas en Guatemala cumplen con los requisitos interna- cionales de IBAs. Todas las IBAs fueron delimitadas con base en requerimientos espaciales de hábitat de especies clave y cubren alrededor de 48% del país. Las IBAs de Guatemala son cruciales para la conservación de especies de aves endémicas de las tierras altas del norte de Centro América. La red de IBAs de Guatemala cubre hábitat para ocho especies globalmente amenazadas y para 25 especies de distribución restringida. Dos sitios sostienen >1% de la población biogeográfi ca de especies de aves acuáticas. Las IBAs de Guatemala son particularmente extensas, entre 44 a 21 000 km², e incluyen no solamente hábitat primario (61% del área de todas las IBAs) sino también áreas donde deben inver- tirse esfuerzos para restaurar el hábitat (38%). La conservación de hábitat a largo plazo en la mitad del país es un reto. La población humana de Guatemala está creciendo rápidamente, aumentando la presión sobre el hábitat natural. Todos los sectores de la sociedad guatemalteca están involucrados por la designación de IBAs extensas, lo cual es una oportunidad para aumentar los esfuerzos de con- servación entre los sectores privados y comunitarios.

INTRODUCTION to study, and they are useful indicators to iden- tify important sites for conservation. Saving The main threat to on a global areas critical for the conservation of also scale is the loss of natural habitat due to human benefi ts many other plant and species of activity. Worldwide, birds are the best researched conservation concern (Bibby et al. 1992). and most popular (BirdLife International Extensive data on the distribution and ecol- 2004a), their wild populations are relatively easy ogy of birds led BirdLife International in the

1Present address: Apartado Postal 98 Periférico, Guatemala Ciudad, Guatemala. E-mail: [email protected] 316 Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference

1980s to develop the Important Bird Area (IBA) Criterion A2 program, a worldwide initiative to identify and protect critical areas for bird conservation At least 33% of the species restricted to (Boyla and Estrada 2005). The identifi cation of an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and recorded IBAs is based on quantitative ornithological cri- in Guatemala occur regularly at the site. teria, using the most recent data on the distribu- Restricted-range species have a distribution tion and population size of key species. More range of <50 000 km2. The list of restricted- than 8500 IBAs have been identifi ed worldwide range species was derived from decisions of the so far (García-Moreno et al. 2007), including Central American IBA Technical Committee, those in several countries in the Neotropics; based on up-to-date knowledge on the species for example, (Arizmendi and Márquez- distribution and an initial species set (Howell Valdelamar 2000), the tropical Andean region and Webb 1995, Stattersfi eld et al. 1998). Only (Boyla and Estrada 2005), and Argentina (Di two species restricted to EBA17 (Northern Giacomo et al. 2007). The fi rst IBA account for Central American Pacifi c Slope) are recorded a Central American country was provided by in Guatemala. In this case both species must Angehr (2003) for . occur on a site to qualify as IBA. Stattersfi eld et Important regions for bird conservation on al. (1998) included also the Guatemalan Atlantic a continental scale were identified based on coast in EBA19 (Central American the distribution of restricted-range and glob- Slope). Two species restricted to this EBA occur ally threatened species (Wege and Long 1995, in Guatemala—Gray-headed Piprites (Piprites Stattersfield et al. 1998). To prioritize the most griseiceps) and Snowy ( niti- important sites for bird conservation within dus)—but they do not regularly (Eisermann and these regions, in 2005 BirdLife International Avendaño 2007). Thus, they were not used to began to identify IBAs in all Central American identify IBAs. countries, in collaboration with national part- ner organizations. The objective of this paper Criterion A3 is to assess the global conservation importance of land areas in Guatemala based on avian data At least 33% of the species restricted to a applying Bird Life International’s IBA crite- biome and recorded in Guatemala occur regu- ria, and to present the first list of Guatemalan larly at the site. The classifi cation of Neotropical IBAs. zoogeographic regions by Stotz et al. (1996) was used for this criterion. The list of biome-restricted METHODS species was derived from decisions of the Central American IBA Technical Committee, based on IBA CRITERIA up-to-date knowledge on the species distribution and an initial list of Stotz et al. (1996). Important Bird Areas are identifi ed world- wide using the same standard quantitative Criterion A4i-ii ornithological criteria, based on the presence of globally threatened species (Criterion A1), The site supports at least 1% of the biogeo- restricted-range species (Criterion A2), biome- graphic population of fl ocking water and sea- restricted species (Criterion A3), and fl ocking birds, according to continental estimates by species (Criterion A4). A site in Guatemala Wetlands International (2006) and Morrison et qualifi ed as IBA when at least one of the foll ow- al. (2006), for seabirds del Hoyo et al. (1992) and ing criteria was fulfi lled. BirdLife International (2004b), and recent site estimates (Eisermann 2006, Sigüenza 2007). For Criterion A1 populations of >2 000 000 individuals, a thresh- old value of 20 000 individuals was used. At least one globally threatened spe- cies (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Criterion A4iv Endangered) according to IUCN Red List cri- teria (IUCN 2001, 2007) occurs regularly at The site supports at least 1% of the biogeo- the site (at least one individual of a Critically graphic population at “bottleneck” sites during Endangered or Endangered species, at least 10 migration, according to continental estimates pairs of a ). Species classifi ed by Rich et al. (2004). as Extinct, Near Threatened, or Data Defi cient Criterion A4iii (sites supports at least 20 000 in the IUCN Red List, and species not regularly waterbirds; see Boyla and Estrada 2005) was occurring in Guatemala were excluded from not applied to identify globally Important Bird the analysis. Areas in Guatemala, because this criterion will Important Bird Areas in Guatemala—Eisermann and Avendaño 317 be used for the identifi cation of regional impor- <50% unaltered habitat, and <10% coverage of tant sites. protected areas. Species nomenclature follows AOU (1998) and supplements, AOU (2008) being the last supple- High ment reviewed. In the case of Aratinga holochlora rubritorquis we indicate the subspecies in Site supports at least one globally threatened to refer non-ambiguously to the taxon Aratinga (EN or VU) bird species, has <50% unaltered rubritorquis, used by BirdLife International in the habitat or <10% coverage of protected areas, World Bird Data Base, an online data storage on or coverage of unaltered habitat is assessed to bird populations in IBAs, accessible at . Medium IBA BOUNDARIES Coverage of protected areas is >10%, but site In general, IBA boundaries should comply has <50% of unaltered habitat independent of with conservation requirements of key species the presence of globally threatened species, or and be practical targets for conservation man- site has <10% protected area. agement (Boyla and Estrada 2005). The total area of all IBAs should provide suffi cient habi- RESULTS tat for all key species. In Guatemala, large IBAs were bounded GENERAL ANALYSIS in cases of close proximity between sites with avian data, based on known or assumed large Of the 725 bird species recorded in qualitative and spatial habitat requirements Guatemala (Eisermann and Avendaño 2007), of key species. Borders were defi ned with the 92 species qualifi ed under one or several of the participation of local specialists along reserve IBA criteria A1, A2, and A3. This assemblage limits, rivers, roads, contours, straight lines includes four globally Endangered and four between villages, or habitat borders. Vulnerable species, two restricted-range species of EBA17 and 23 species of EBA18, 12 biome- DATA SOURCE AND ANALYSIS restricted species of the Pacifi c Arid Slope, 49 species of the Madrean Highlands, and 27 spe- We used recent bird records from 1990 to cies of the Gulf Caribbean Slope (Appendix). 2007 for the identifi cation of IBAs, based on a According to the 33% threshold, a site qualifi ed compilation of recent records and a comprehen- as IBA when it supports populations of 8 spe- sive bibliography of publications and unpub- cies of EBA18, 4 species of Pacifi c Arid Slope, 16 lished reports (Eisermann and Avendaño 2006, species of Madrean Highlands, or 9 species of 2007). Additional unpublished information was Gulf Caribbean Slope. Under criteria A4i-ii, 146 compiled during fi ve national IBA workshops water and seabird species were considered, and with local specialists. under criterion A4iv, 212 migratory bird species A recent vegetation mapping on a scale of which occur regularly in Guatemala. 1:50 000 (MAGA 2006), based on aerial photo- A total of 21 IBAs were identifi ed in graphs from 2003, and the most recent human Guatemala, of which 16 support popula- population census data (INE 2002) were used tions of globally threatened species, 9 support for spatial analyses. Software ArcView 3.2 was restricted-range species, and 18 support biome- used for all analyses. restricted species (Fig. 1, Appendix). Only two To classify the urgency of conservation IBAs support more than 1% of the biogeograph- action among IBAs, four indicators were used: ical population of a waterbird species, which 1) presence of globally threatened species, 2) are Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), Bare- coverage of protected areas, 3) ratio between throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum), unaltered and human-altered habitat within and Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) in the the IBAs, and 4) expected considerable decrease IBA Maya-Lacandon (GT001), and American of the coverage of unaltered habitat in the near White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in the future. We classifi ed conservation priority in IBA Manchon-Guamuchal (GT020). Because of three categories: a lack of data on the abundance of migratory landbirds, no site qualifi ed under criterion A4iv. Urgent The network of IBAs includes populations of all but one of the key species of criteria A1, A2, and Site supports at least one globally Critically A3. Black-throated Bobwhite (Colinus nigrogula- Endangered or Endangered bird species, has ris) has been recorded historically in northern 318 Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference

FIGURE 1. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Guatemala. Criteria under which the site applied as IBA are given in parenthesis: A1 (globally threatened species), A2 (restricted-range species), A3 (biome-restricted species), A4i (at least 1% of the biogeographic population of a waterbird species).

Guatemala (van Tyne 1935, Taibel 1955), but has north of the Amazon, with few people living in not been reported recently. the area. The IBA network covers 51 884 km2 (48% of In addition to the 21 IBAs identifi ed, seven Guatemala). The IBA size ranges from 4360 to 2 more sites are considered potential IBAs, 095 087 ha (Table 1). Of the total IBA area, 61.2% including one in pelagic waters off the Pacifi c (31 770 km2) is covered with unaltered habitat coast where two globally threatened seabird (mainly old growth forest, natural scrub, and species (Parkinson’s Petrel Procellaria parkinsoni wetlands), 38.3% (19 885 km2) is covered with and Pink-footed Shearwater Puffi nus creato- human-altered habitat (mainly agricultural pus, both VU) occur apparently regularly (Jehl area and secondary growth scrub), and 0.5% 1974, P. Velásquez and V. Dávila in Jones and (229 km2) with urban area. Habitat distribution Komar 2008). More fi eld data are required to within each IBA is presented in Table 1. assess the magnitude in which these species use The Guatemalan system of protected Guatemalan Pacifi c waters and to identify the areas covers 32% (34 587 km2) of the country most important locations. More data are also (CONAP 2007). Of the 51 884 km2 identified as required for the designation of potential ter- IBA, 60% (31 000 km2) are located within pro- restrial sites, which are Xutilha (center point: tected areas. Consequently, 40% (22 884 km2) 16.24ºN, 89.70ºW), Sierra de Chama (15.73ºN, are unprotected. The coverage of protected 91.06ºW), Visis Caba (15.58ºN, 91.00ºW), areas in individual IBAs ranges from 0% to Tecuamburro Volcano (14.18ºN, 90.46ºW), 100% (Table 1). Suchitan Volcano (14.40ºN, 89.77ºW), and All Guatemalan IBAs have human settle- Sipacate-Naranjo (13.92ºN, 91.10ºW) (Fig. 1). ments. The population density within the IBAs ranges from 3 to 295 persons per km2 (Table 1). PRIORITY-SETTING AMONG AND WITHIN IBAS Population density is highest in the highlands with favorable conditions for agriculture (fertile Because the area covered by IBAs in soils and favorable climate). The northern Petén Guatemala is extensive, we applied a further belongs to the largest Neotropical forest area prioritization among and within IBAs. Based Important Bird Areas in Guatemala—Eisermann and Avendaño 319 4 action medium Priority for Priority for conservation 3 ) 2 62 tion density Human popula- (persons per km 2 1 (%) 107 (ha) for education) Urban area (priority Urban area (priority 2 51 (%) areas., High–Site supports at least one globally threatened (EN or VU) bird species, has areas., High–Site supports at least one globally threatened (EN or VU) bird species, has e considerably in the near future. Medium–Coverage of protected areas is >10%, but site has e considerably in the near future. Medium–Coverage of protected areas is >10%, but site has (priority for (priority for restoration) (ha) 11 468 Altered habitat Altered habitat 2 49 (%) ). S (IBA REAS (ha) 10 919 A Unaltered habitat Unaltered habitat IRD (priority for protection) B 1 MPORTANT I 22 494 (11%) within IBA within Size of IBA (ha) Size of IBA (ha) and % of legally and % of legally UATEMALAN G IN

PRIORITIES

ONSERVATION Based on the national registry of protected areas (CONAP 2007). Based on a vegetation mapping scale of 1:50 000 (MAGA 2006). Based on the most recent national population census (INE 2002). Urgent–Site supports at least one globally Endangered bird species, has <50% unaltered habitat, and <10% coverage of protected <50% unaltered habitat or <10% coverage of protected areas, ratio between vs. altered is assessed to chang less than 50% of unaltered habitat independent the presence globally threatened species, or site has <10% protected area. TABLE 1. C IBA GT001 Maya-LacandonGT002 Rio La PasionGT003 ChiquibulGT004 CuilcoGT005 CuchumatanesGT006 Cerro El AmayGT007 SacranixGT008 Lachua-Ikbolay 2 095 087 (99%)GT009 Candelaria-Campur 1 743 345GT010 Yalijux 185 206 (100%)GT011 Guatemalan Caribbean SlopeGT012 Sierra de las Minas-Motagua 83GT013 Tacana-Tajumulco 88 633 145 036 (100%) 303 813 (2.4%) 465 945 (35%)GT014 Santiaguito Volcano 45 173 (10%)GT015 Atitlan 426 957(57%) 186 987 (0%) 350 161 148 013 74 859 127 773 (0%)GT016 Antigua Guatemala 286 127 211 746 (7.3%) 48GT017 Cerro Miramundo 296 729 17 26 075GT018 Montecristo 71 429 (0.3%) 49 52 62 926 97 407 61GT019 Lago de Güija 20 241 95 863 148 499 (12%)GT020 Manchon-Guamuchal 121 461 (21%) 70 1581 58GT021 Monterrico-Rio La Paz 155 511 32 417 52 34 163 393 (1.9%) 175 900 46 68 9771 16 137 862 (30%)2 35 209 127 110 34 811 513 19 062 38 0 48 454 123 740 33 677 114 138 107 408 710 5 564 (0%) 30 35 092 24 42 29 20 659 (6.1%) 66 54 276 869 (51%) 289 3917 84 1200 38 949 21 22 114 (98%) 0 3118 26 112 227 4 360 (0%) 3 171 11 918 125 096 85 314 55 3 129 398 36 320 202 0 1 1 125 76 96 372 70 8 588 1 57 58 45 79 1 780 0 0 0 63 16 0 1062 70 39 1337 150 042 77 2 375 8 698 35 20 317 41 high 0 6398 51 54 1 13 235 43 42 1 39 105 53 31 0 medium 2 580 60 1731 5 medium medium urgent 59 19 44 240 75 medium 258 1 292 medium medium medium 92 high 0 0 295 0 1 medium medium medium 265 0 40 28 medium high 60 medium 12 medium high medium medium 320 Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference on the presence of globally threatened spe- EBA have a range restricted to the highlands cies, low coverage of protected areas, and high of Guatemala and , Mexico (Horned percentage of altered habitat, or an expected , Bearded Screech-, Pink-headed considerable decrease in the coverage of unal- Warbler, Azure-rumped Tanager, and Black- tered habitat in the near future, the IBAs capped Siskin; scientific names are listed in Cuchumatanes, Maya-Lacandon, Cerro El the Appendix), which highlights the responsi- Amay, Yalijux, and Cerro Miramundo have the bility of Guatemala and the international com- highest priority for conservation efforts (Table munity for the survival of these species. 1). The IBA Maya-Lacandon, despite being Compared with other countries, IBA iden- almost entirely protected as Maya Biosphere tifi cation in Guatemala resulted in a rather Reserve and several national parks, has a high high coverage of almost half of the country. In priority for conservation because a loss of 183 Ecuador, for example, IBAs cover about 36% of 000 ha of forest (10% of this IBA) is expected if the country (Boyla and Estrada 2005). To focus all of the recently proposed road constructions conservation efforts in Guatemalan IBAs exclu- are carried out (Ramos et al. 2007). sively on remaining unaltered habitat – which In most IBAs, land ownership is a mixture equals 61% of the IBA area or 29% of the coun- of state (e.g., national parks), communal (e.g., try – is very likely insuffi cient for the long-term municipal parks and forest reserves of indig- survival of all 97 key species of criteria A1, A2, enous communities), and private property. and A3. The habitat of several species (e.g., Unaltered habitat is fragmented throughout and Azure-rumped Tanager) Guatemala, covering in each IBA between 16% has been considerably reduced by human activ- and 83% (Table 1). The total area of unaltered ity. Until reasonable population viability assess- habitat within IBAs amounts to 31 770 km2 (29% ments indicate the contrary, we must assume of the country), which has protection priority. that habitat restoration is necessary for the sur- In areas within IBAs currently covered with vival of these populations. This is challenging in altered habitat (19 885 km2; 18% of the coun- an agricultural country with a rapidly growing try), habitat restoration should be the pursued. human population. The Guatemalan population Urban area covers between 0% and 4.6% of each has increased 35% from 1994 to 2002 (INE 2002), IBA. The IBA Antigua Guatemala, for example, and it is expected to double from 2010 to 2050 to includes the town of Antigua which is sur- a total of 27.9 million (CEPAL 2007). rounded by important highland forests. Towns We believe that the designation of large and rural settlements within IBAs have priority IBAs, including those in or with altered habitat, for environmental education and the develop- has advantages for conservation in Guatemala. ment of alternative economic income in order to Because of the mixed land ownership in the lower the pressure on natural habitat. IBAs, all parts of the Guatemalan society are involved in this conservation effort. BirdLife DISCUSSION International’s designation of IBAs carries no legal status. It is rather a certifi cation of globally This fi rst assessment of IBAs in Guatemala important sites that can encourage more private is mainly based on distributional data of glob- landowners to take pride and protect habitat. ally threatened, restricted-range, and biome- The high number of recently declared private restricted bird species. Only two IBAs qualifi ed nature reserves in Guatemala (79 of 94 new under the A4-criterion, supporting at least 1% protected areas established from 2001 to 2006, of the biogeographical population of waterbirds CONAP 2007), indicates that the private sector or migratory landbirds. Because of a lack of is sensitive to conservation concerns. The affi lia- quantitative data, none of the IBAs qualifi ed as tion of a property within an IBA can be useful to bottleneck site for migrating landbirds. promote alternative land uses, for example low Guatemalan IBAs are crucial for bird con- impact tourism (e.g., birdwatching) or conser- servation in because most vation science research. sites support populations of globally threat- The principal conservation goals in ened species. Populations of restricted-range Guatemalan IBAs are to 1) lower the rate of species, the second most critical assemblage loss of unaltered habitat, and 2) increase the for conservation, are exclusively supported coverage of restored habitat. National veg- by highland IBAs. Approximately 37 500 km2 etation cover mappings like MAGA (2006) (35%) of Guatemala belong to the high- and future updates may serve as monitoring lands above 900 m, which is about 25% of tools, together with local bird monitoring pro- the Endemic Bird Area (EBA) North Central grams. Some areas are currently in the focus of American Highlands (Stattersfield et al. regional conservation funding, e.g., the volcanic 1998). Some of the species restricted to this belt, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Sierra de las Important Bird Areas in Guatemala—Eisermann and Avendaño 321

Minas, and Maya Biosphere Reserve, supported and National Society (http://ebird. by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and org/content/guatemala/). Tropical Forest Conservation Act. Other areas We hope that the IBAs will be useful as have been ignored so far, like the highlands of a guideline to focus conservation efforts in the provinces Quiché and Alta Verapaz (IBAs Guatemala, be it on the national level, for Cerro El Amay, Lachua-Ikbolay, Candelaria- instance by focusing incentives for primary for- Campur, Sacranix, and Yalijux). est conservation and reforestation paid by the No general recipe can be given to achieve National Forest Institute, or on the international the conservation goals, because local conditions level by providing funding for conservation vary widely among the Guatemalan IBAs (e.g., action. human population density, cultural traditions, landownership, local economies, and habitat dis- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS tribution). To fi nd common denominators among local interests requires the involvement of all The identifi cation of Guatemalan IBAs local stakeholders—local government agencies, was possible through information provided community councils, non-governmental organi- by all authors and their supporting institu- zations, enterprises, and academic institutions. tions publishing about Guatemalan birds. We A basic requirement for IBA conservation is appreciate the input of unpublished informa- to raise the education level of the Guatemalan tion by participants of the IBA workshops in society. Currently, 28% of the Guatemalan Guatemala, critical discussions by the partici- population aged 15 years and older are illiter- pants of the Symposium “Important areas for ate, which is the second highest rate in Latin conservation (IBA–Important Bird Areas and America and the Caribbean (CEPAL 2007). An KBA–Key Biodiversity Areas) in Mesoamerica” increased education level will most likely lead (X Congress of the Sociedad Mesoamericana to a smaller rate of population increase, elevate para la Biología y la Conservación, Antigua the environmental awareness, and consequently Guatemala, 1-2 November 2006), comments lower the pressure on natural habitat. on a preliminary report provided by Jaime Some IBAs require urgent action in the short García-Moreno, Jason Berry, Matt Foster, and term to be saved. Governance needs to be re- Ruth Jiménez of Conservation International, established in the northwest of the IBA Maya- Washington D.C.; Estuardo Secaira of The Lacandon (ParksWatch 2005), and reserve Nature Conservancy-Guatemala, Raquel management needs to be initiated or improved Sigüenza of San Carlos University, Guatemala in several protected areas. Agricultural diver- City; and Mario Jolón. Regional adaptations sifi cation with high value crops may lead to a of the methodology were facilitated by the more effi cient land use, decreasing the pressure Central American IBA Technical Committee on natural areas. The cultivation of bio-fuel (–Bruce Miller, –Juan Criado crops needs to be regulated, otherwise exten- and Julio Sánchez, –Oliver Komar, sive forest areas are threatened to be converted Guatemala–Knut Eisermann, Panama–George into bio-fuel fi elds. Angehr). We thank Rob Clay and David Díaz of Tourism may contribute to conservation if BirdLife International for guiding the IBA iden- conducted in a responsible manner. Recently, tifi cation in Central America, and Rob Clay for birding tourism is becoming more popular in presenting this paper at the IV International PIF Guatemala. Involved people need to be edu- Conference in McAllen, TX. The identifi cation of cated about how to avoid negative impacts IBAs in Guatemala was funded by U.S. Fish and (Sekercioglu 2002), especially on threatened Wildlife Service, Critical Ecosystem Partnership species. To increase funds for conservation, the Fund, BirdLife International, Conservation value of biodiversity needs to be further pro- International, Wildlife Conservation Society- moted on the political level, both nationally and Guatemala, PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring internationally. Program, IUCN Mesoamerica, Partners in Flight Research focused on population dynam- (PIF) Mesoamerica, Sociedad Guatemalteca ics may provide deeper insight in species’ de Ornitología, Audubon Panama, Ramsar requirements for their long-term survival. It is a Regional Center for Training and Research on responsibility of scientists to provide this infor- Wetlands in the Western Hemisphere (CREHO), mation, not just within scientifi c circles, but also International Cooperation Department of the among the general public and the state’s execu- Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), tive power. Birdwatchers can contribute to the and Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas study of Guatemalan birds by submitting bird (CONAP), Guatemala. We appreciate the records to eBird Guatemala, an online data stor- review of the manuscript by Terrell D. Rich and age developed by Cornell Lab of the improvements in English usage made by 322 Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference

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MORRISON, R. I. G., B. J. MCCAFFERY, R. E. GILL, SIGÜENZA, R. 2007. Informe de conteos de S. K. SKAGEN, S. I. JONES, G. W. PAGE, C. L. Anátidas en Guatemala, temporada 2006– GRATTO-TREVOR, AND B. A. ANDRES. 2006. 2007. Report to Ducks Unlimited. Fundación Population estimates of North American Defensores de la Naturaleza, Guatemala. shorebirds, 2006. Wader Study Group STATTERSFIELD, A. J., M. J. CROSBY, A. J. LONG, AND Bulletin 111:67–85. D. C. WEGE. 1998. Endemic bird areas of the PARKSWATCH. 2005. Perfi l de Área Protegida – world: priorities for biodiversity conserva- Guatemala: Parque Nacional Laguna del tion. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. Tigre y Biotopo Protegido Laguna del Tigre- BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. Río Escondido. Guatemala. ParksWatch. STOTZ, D. F., W. FITZPATRICK, T. A. PARKER III, AND [Online.] D. K. MOSKOVITS. 1996. Neotropical birds: (25 October 2008). ecology and conservation. University of RAMOS, V. H., I. BURGUÉS, L. COLOMBO FLECK, B. Chicago Press. Chicago, IL. CASTELLANOS, C. ALBACETE, G. PAIZ, P. ESPINOSA, TAIBEL, A. M. 1955. Uccelli del Guatemala con AND J. REID. (2007). Análisis económico y am- speciale riguardo alla regione del Peten rac- biental de carreteras propuestas dentro de la colti dal Maggio al Settembre 1932. Atti de la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya. Conservation Societa Italiana di Scienze Naturali 94:15–84. Strategy Fund—Conservación Estratégica. VAN TYNE, J. 1935. The birds of northern Petén, Serie Técnica No. 8. Guatemala. University of Michigan Museum RICH, T. D., C. J. BEARDMORE, H. BERLANGA, P. J. of Zoology, Miscellaneous Publications 27. BLANCHER, M. S. W. BRADSTREET, G. S. BUTCHER, WEGE, D. C., AND A. J. LONG 1995. Key areas for D. W. DEMAREST, E. H. DUNN, W. C. HUNTER, threatened birds in the Neotropics. Birdlife E. E. IÑIGO-ELIAS, J. A. KENNEDY, A. M. Conservation Series 5. Birdlife International, MARTELL, A. O. PANJABI, D. N. PASHLEY, K. V. Cambridge, UK. ROSENBERG, C. M. RUSTAY, J. S. WENDT, AND WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL. 2006. Waterbird popu- T. C. WILL. 2004. Partners in Flight North lation estimates. 4th ed. Wetlands Interna- American Landbird Conservation Plan. tional, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Ithaca, NY. SEKERCIOGLU, C. H. 2002. Impacts of birdwatch- ing on human and avian communities. Environmental Conservation 29:282–289. 324 Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference

APPENDIX. GLOBALLY THREATENED, RESTRICTED-RANGE, AND BIOME-RESTRICTED SPECIES CRITICAL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF APPENDIX. CONTINUED. IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS IN GUATEMALA.

Number of Globally threatened IBAs where (A1)/Restricted- the species range (A2)/Biome- occurs IBAs where the species Species1 restricted (A3)2 regularly occurs regularly3 Plain –/–/GCS 12 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT004, GT005, Ortalis vetula GT006, GT007, GT008, GT009, GT010, GT011, GT012 White-bellied Chachalaca –/EBA17/PAS 6 GT014, GT015, GT018, GT019, GT020, Ortalis leucogastra GT021 Highland Guan VU/EBA18/MAH 12 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT011, Penelopina nigra GT010, GT012, GT013, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Horned Guan EN/EBA18/MAH 7 GT005, GT006, GT012, GT013, GT014, Oreophasis derbianus GT015, GT016 Ocellated Turkey –/–/GCS 1 GT001 Meleagris ocellata Black-throated Bobwhite –/–/GCS 0 – Colinus nigrogularis Ocellated Quail –/EBA18/MAH 3 GT010, GT013, GT015 Cyrtonyx ocellatus White-faced Quail-Dove –/–/MAH 9 GT006, GT007, GT011, GT010, GT012, Geotrygon albifacies GT014, GT015, GT017, GT018 Red-throated Parakeet –/EBA18/MAH 1 GT0012 Aratinga holochlora rubritorquis Orange-fronted Parakeet –/–/PAS 6 GT004, GT012, GT014, GT015, GT019, Aratinga canicularis GT021 Yellow-lored Parrot –/–/GCS 1 GT001 Amazona xantholora Yellow-headed Parrot EN/–/– 1 GT011 Amazona oratrix Lesser Ground-Cuckoo –/–/PAS 1 GT012 Morococcyx erythropygus Pacifi c Screech-Owl –/–/PAS 2 GT020, GT021 Megascops cooperi Whiskered Screech-Owl –/–/MAH 2 GT015, GT018 Megascops trichopsis Bearded Screech-Owl –/EBA18/MAH 2 GT004, GT010 Megascops barbarus –/EBA18/MAH 5 GT010, GT012, GT014, GT015, GT018 fulvescens Yucatan Poorwill –/–/GCS 1 GT001 yucatanicus Yucatan –/–/GCS 1 GT011 Caprimulgus badius Great Swallow-tailed Swift –/–/MAH 1 GT016 Panyptila sanctihieronymi Wedge-tailed Sabrewing –/–/GCS 4 GT001, GT008, GT009, GT011 Campylopterus curvipennis Rufous Sabrewing –/EBA18/MAH 3 GT013, GT015, GT016 Campylopterus rufus Emerald-chinned –/–/MAH 7 GT007, GT010, GT012, GT014, GT015, Abeillia abeillei GT016, GT017 White-eared Hummingbird –/–/MAH 11 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Hylocharis leucotis GT012, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Blue-tailed Hummingbird –/EBA17/PAS 3 GT014, GT015, GT016 Amazilia cyanura Buff-bellied Hummingbird –/–/GCS 1 GT001 Amazilia yucatanensis Green-fronted Hummingbird –/–/PAS 2 GT004, GT005 Amazilia viridifrons Important Bird Areas in Guatemala—Eisermann and Avendaño 325

APPENDIX. CONTINUED.

Number of Globally threatened IBAs where (A1)/Restricted- the species range (A2)/Biome- occurs IBAs where the species Species1 restricted (A3)2 regularly occurs regularly3 Green-throated Mountain-gem –/EBA18/MAH 13 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT011, Lampornis viridipallens GT010, GT012, GT013, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Amethyst-throated Hummingbird –/–/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Lampornis amethystinus GT012, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Garnet-throated Hummingbird –/–/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Lamprolaima rhami GT012, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Slender Sheartail –/EBA18/MAH 4 GT007, GT010, GT016, GT018 enicura Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird –/–/MAH 5 GT007, GT011, GT010, GT014, GT015 Tilmatura dupontii Wine-throated Hummingbird –/EBA18/MAH 6 GT007, GT010, GT012, GT014, GT015, Atthis ellioti GT018 Mountain –/–/MAH 9 GT004, GT005, GT007, GT010, GT012, Trogon mexicanus GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017 Blue-throated Motmot –/EBA18/MAH 10 GT004, GT006, GT007, GT010, GT012, Aspatha gularis GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Russet-crowned Motmot –/–/PAS 2 GT004, GT012 Momotus mexicanus Keel-billed Motmot VU/–/GCS 5 GT001, GT003, GT008, GT011, GT012 Electron carinatum Chestnut-colored Woodpecker –/–/GCS 6 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT007, GT008, Celeus castaneus GT011 Tawny-winged Woodcreeper –/–/GCS 7 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT005, GT007, Dendrocincla anabatina GT008, GT011 Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet –/–/GCS 7 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT007, GT008, Ornithion semifl avum GT009, GT011 Belted Flycatcher –/EBA18/MAH 2 GT005, GT015 callizonus Greater –/–/MAH 9 GT004, GT005, GT011, GT010, GT012, Contopus pertinax GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Flycatcher –/–/MAH 3 GT005, GT010, GT015 Empidonax affi nis Buff-breasted Flycatcher –/–/MAH 7 GT005, GT006, GT010, GT012, GT015, Empidonax fulvifrons GT016, GT018 Yucatan Flycatcher –/–/GCS 1 GT001 yucatanensis Nutting’s Flycatcher –/–/PAS 3 GT012, GT019, GT021 Myiarchus nuttingi Couch’s Kingbird –/–/GCS 4 GT001, GT007, GT008, GT009 Tyrannus couchii Lovely Cotinga –/–/GCS 5 GT001, GT007, GT008, GT009, GT011 Cotinga amabilis White-collared Manakin –/–/GCS 8 GT001, GT002, GT005, GT007, GT008, Manacus candei GT009, GT011, GT010 Long-tailed Manakin –/–/PAS 2 GT014, GT015 Chiroxiphia linearis Chestnut-sided -Vireo –/–/MAH 6 GT004, GT010, GT014, GT015, GT016, Vireolanius melitophrys GT018 White-throated - –/–/PAS 7 GT004, GT012, GT013, GT014, GT015, Calocitta formosa GT019, GT021 Bushy-crested Jay –/EBA18/MAH 9 GT006, GT007, GT010, GT012, GT013, melanocyaneus GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Yucatan Jay –/–/GCS 1 GT001 Cyanocorax yucatanicus Black-throated Jay –/EBA18/MAH 9 GT004, GT005, GT007, GT010, GT012, pumilo GT014, GT015, GT017, GT018 326 Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference

APPENDIX. CONTINUED.

Number of Globally threatened IBAs where (A1)/Restricted- the species range (A2)/Biome- occurs IBAs where the species Species1 restricted (A3)2 regularly occurs regularly3 Unicolored Jay –/–/MAH 5 GT005, GT012, GT014, GT015, GT018 unicolor Black-capped Swallow –/EBA18/MAH 10 GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, GT012, Notiochelidon pileata GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Banded –/–/PAS 3 GT004, GT012, GT014 Thryothorus pleurostictus Rufous-browed Wren –/EBA18/MAH 11 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Troglodytes rufociliatus GT012, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Nightingale Wren –/–/GCS 5 GT005, GT007, GT008, GT009, GT011 Microcerculus philomela Brown-backed Solitaire –/–/MAH 11 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Myadestes occidentalis GT012, GT013, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017 Slate-colored Solitaire –/–/MAH 10 GT005, GT006, GT007, GT008, GT011, Myadestes unicolor GT010, GT012, GT014, GT015, GT018 Black Thrush –/–/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Turdus infuscatus GT012, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Rufous-collared Thrush –/EBA18/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT007, GT010, GT012, Turdus rufi torques GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Blue-and-white Mockingbird –/EBA18/MAH 7 GT007, GT010, GT012, GT014, GT015, Melanotis hypoleucus GT016, GT018 Gray Silky-fl ycatcher –/–/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT010, Ptilogonys cinereus GT012, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017 Olive Warbler –/–/MAH 7 GT004, GT007, GT010, GT012, GT014, Peucedramus taeniatus GT015, GT016 Crescent-chested Warbler –/–/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT010, GT012, GT013, Parula superciliosa GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Golden-cheeked Warbler EN/–/– 1 GT012 Dendroica chrysoparia Cerulean Warbler VU/–/– 2 GT001, GT011 Dendroica cerulea Red-faced Warbler –/–/MAH 5 GT004, GT010, GT015, GT016, GT018 rubrifrons Pink-headed Warbler VU/EBA18/MAH 8 GT004, GT005, GT010, GT012, GT014, Ergaticus versicolor GT015, GT016, GT017 Painted Redstart –/–/MAH 6 GT004, GT005, GT012, GT015, GT016, Myioborus pictus GT018 Golden-browed Warbler –/–/MAH 11 GT004, GT005, GT007, GT010, GT012, belli GT013, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Gray-throated Chat –/–/GCS 3 GT001, GT002, GT008 Granatellus sallaei Black-throated Shrike-Tanager –/–/GCS 6 GT001, GT002, GT007, GT008, GT009, Lanio aurantius GT011 Rose-throated Tanager –/–/GCS 1 GT001 Piranga roseogularis Crimson-collared Tanager –/–/GCS 8 GT001, GT005, GT006, GT007, GT008, Ramphocelus sanguinolentus GT009, GT011, GT010 Passerini’s Tanager –/–/GCS 8 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT005, GT007, Ramphocelus passerinii GT008, GT009, GT011 Azure-rumped Tanager EN/EBA18/MAH 3 GT013, GT014, GT015 Tangara cabanisi Cinnamon-bellied -piercer –/–/MAH 10 GT004, GT005, GT007, GT010, GT012, Diglossa baritula GT014, GT015, GT016, GT017, GT018 Green-backed Sparrow –/–/GCS 7 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT007, GT008, Arremonops chloronotus GT009, GT011 Important Bird Areas in Guatemala—Eisermann and Avendaño 327

APPENDIX. CONTINUED.

Number of Globally threatened IBAs where (A1)/Restricted- the species range (A2)/Biome- occurs IBAs where the species Species1 restricted (A3)2 regularly occurs regularly3 White-eared Ground-Sparrow –/EBA18/– 3 GT014, GT015, GT016 Melozone leucotis Black-vented Oriole –/–/MAH 6 GT004, GT005, GT006, GT015, GT016, Icterus wagleri GT018 Bar-winged Oriole –/EBA18/MAH 3 GT015, GT016, GT018 Icterus maculialatus Black-cowled Oriole –/–/GCS 7 GT001, GT002, GT007, GT008, GT009, Icterus prosthemelas GT011, GT012 Yellow-winged Cacique –/–/PAS 2 GT020, GT021 Cacicus melanicterus Montezuma –/–/GCS 7 GT001, GT002, GT003, GT007, GT008, Psarocolius montezuma GT009, GT011 Olive-backed Euphonia –/–/GCS 6 GT001, GT002, GT007, GT008, GT009, Euphonia gouldi GT011 Blue-crowned Chlorophonia –/–/MAH 10 GT005, GT007, GT011, GT010, GT012, Chlorophonia occipitalis GT013, GT014, GT015, GT016, GT018 Black-capped Siskin –/EBA18/MAH 5 GT005, GT010, GT014, GT015, GT016 Carduelis atriceps Hooded Grosbeak –/–/MAH 8 GT005, GT007, GT010, GT014, GT015, Coccothraustes abeillei GT016, GT017, GT018 1Nomenclature according to AOU (1998) and supplements, AOU (2008) being the last supplement reviewed. 2Globally threatened species according to IUCN (2007): VU–Vulnerable, EN–Endangered; Restricted-range species according to Stattersfi eld et al. (1998), and decisions of the Central American IBA Technical Committee: EBA17–North Central American Pacifi c Slope; EBA18–North Central American Highland; r-r–restricted range outside of Endemic Bird Areas; Biome-restricted species according to a classifi cation by Stotz et al. (1996) and a revision of the Central American IBA Technical Committee: GCS–Gulf Caribbean Slope; PAS–Pacifi c Arid Slope; MAH–Madrean Highland. 3IBA code according to Table 1.