Contribution to the knowledge of urban biodiversity in Central America: A checklist to the species of Guatemala City

Abstract

This short communication synthesizes biodiversity records of urban green spaces in Guatemala City. The research was conducted in the “Cinturón Ecológico Municipal”, or “Municipal Ecological Green Belt”, which consists of ravines covered with natural vegetation within Guatemala City. Available information from digital biodiversity platforms, previous studies and a short biological survey resulted in a checklist of 1688 terrestrial species, classified in 112 families of invertebrates (463 spp.), 77 families of vertebrates (348 spp.), 29 families of fungi (90 spp.), and 132 families of plants (787 spp.). A total of 113 species (7%) have some degree of vulnerability according to international and national lists of threatened species. The ongoing degradation of urban ecosystems demands urgent attention to increase biological surveys to support biodiversity conservation efforts and stricter protection measures as well as restoration of damaged areas.