Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Yalijux is located in the Atlantic slope mountain range of Guatemala. Bordered by the rivers Cahabon and Polochic, this IBA includes forest fragments extending from cloud forest at 2600 m elevation to rainforest at 50 m.
Yalijux is an important site for birds restricted to the North Central American Highlands (16 species recorded) and biome-restricted species of the Madrean Highlands (39 species). The site supports populations of three globally threatened species, the resident Highland Guan (
Penelopina nigra) and Pink-headed Warbler (
Ergaticus versicolor), and Golden-cheeked Warbler (
Dendroica chrysoparia) during migration. Ornithological research has been focused on the high-elevation areas of this IBA (Eisermann 1999, 2001, 2005, Renner 2003), Renner et. al 2006, Eisermann et al. 2006).
Humid evergreen broadleaf and mixed forest cover has been reduced to 18% within the IBA (MAGA 2006). Deforested land is used for small-scale agriculture run by families and small enterprises (77% of the IBA), mainly for corn fields (19%), coffee (10%) and cardamom plantations (8%), including secondary growth scrub (31%). Alternative perennial crops (fruit trees) and reforestations have been established recently in order to lower the pressure on the primary forest.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Slash-and-burn agriculture is common in the area, threatening the forest by fires and conversion to agricultural land. Although pressure on natural habitat has been lowered on the short term by providing forest easements and other alternative income among local farmers (agriculture, research, tourism), long-term protection in uncertain, because the Guatemalan human population is growing rapidly.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Cloud forest in the Yalijux mountain is being protected by providing forest easements and the establishment of alternative crops in Maya Q'eqchi' villages (fruit trees). Fruit tree plantations are established as fire protection belt around the primary forest. Local tourism programs are developed by several communities, which also provide alternative income. Bird populations are monitored since 2006 by PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring Program.
Currently only 1.9% of this IBA are legally protected (CONAP 2007), including four Private Nature Reserves, one National Park and a Natural Monument. Several private landowners receive forest easement and are committed to a 5-years forest conservation.
The land is mainly privately and communal owned.
PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring Program provided unpublished ornithological data. Input of unpublished data and suggestions for the delimitation of the IBA was provided during a workshop in Cobán, in August 2006, by representatives of Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP) - Las Verapaces, Asociación de Proyectos Evaluados Raxmu (PROEVAL RAXMU), Peace Corps, Cooperativa Sanimtaca, Cooperativa Samac, and Comité Central Menotita. This first assessment of IBAs in Guatemala was conducted by Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología and BirdLife International in the Americas.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Yalijux (Guatemala). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/yalijux-iba-guatemala on 23/12/2024.
