Climate Sensitivity and Potential Vulnerability of Guatemalan Fir (Abies guatemalensis) Forests in Totonicapán, Guatemala

Abstract

Despite continued forest loss and extensive demand for wood products throughout Guatemala, the locally managed and protected forests of Totonicapán remain some of the most intact within the country. Here, we study the growth rings of Guatemalan fir (Pinaceae, Abies guatemalensis Rehder, pinabete) at Totonicapán to assess environmental influences on tree growth and the potential vulnerability of these forests to climate change in the western highlands. We find that late summer and dry season precipitation are critical drivers in annual ring-width variability and that tree growth responds negatively to warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the eastern tropical Pacific. Considering our results in light of future climate model projections for Central America, we suggest that these forests will become increasingly susceptible to widespread drying and higher temperatures. Such shifts could fundamentally jeopardize an endemic and endangered tree species that has traditionally been preserved by K’iche' communal governance and that is highly regarded for its ecosystem services and role in the Guatemalan economy.

Publication
Journal of Latin American Geography, 17(1)
Talia Anderson
Talia Anderson
Graduate Student in Geography

I am a PhD candidate in the School of Geography, Development and Environment and in the Laboratory of Tree Ring Research at the University of Arizona. My research focuses on climate variability and change in mountain landscapes across different spatial and temporal scales. I use a variety of data types, from tree rings to satellite imagery, to explore climate impacts in both localized areas and large, multi-country regions.