Conservation of threatened trees of the Usumacinta River basin

Conservation actions for the threatened tree species in the low basin of the Usumacinta River in Tabasco, Chiapas and Guatemala.

Partner: Conservación de la Biodiversidad del Usumacinta A.C.
Years: 2022-2024

This project aims to conserve the threatened tree species in the low basin of the Usumacinta River in Tabasco, Chiapas and Guatemala through research and species monitoring, community restoration efforts and awareness raising.

Collection of seeds – Tabasco

The main goal of this project is to establish the first program for the propagation of globally threatened tree species to carry out reforestation and restoration on the banks of the lower basin of the Usumacinta River in Tabasco and Northern Chiapas, Mexico and in Guatemala. The project will focus on 4 aspects:

1) To implement a research program to study the targeted tree species (genetic determination) and carry out botanical explorations in areas of conservation importance in the lower basin of the Usumacinta and San Pedro Martir rivers, including the lagunas del tigre in Guatemala to identify mature individuals;

2) Undertake the first propagation program for threatened tree species in the region. Reforestation will be carried out to include an additional 30 tree species that offer soil restoration potential;

3) In situ conservation of key areas for the target species through restoration activity in the riparian zones covering more than 30 hectares and following the rules defined by Di sacco et al. 2020 and

4) Community workshops to raise their awareness about the value of the target species and to promote their participation in reforestation activities and the protection of the banks of the lower Usumacinta basin.