An environmental profile of Guatemala; assessment of environmental problems and short and long-term strategies for problem solution

The environmental problems of Guatemala are well known and are typical of many highly populated nations. Degradation of forest, soil, water, and air resources are common denominators in all nations, but the intensity of stress on the resource differs depending upon population size, size of resource, alternative socio-economic choices, and the closeness of the coupling of the man-nature system. Given that all these problems are known, the major task is to provide solutions to the environmental problems, so that man will have sustained use of the resource. We have identified major environmental problems and have proposed solutions to these problems and methodologies to lead to the solutions. We have suggested short-term and medium-term action recommendations to begin solutions to agricultural, forest, soil, and watershed problems. As a long-term recommendation, we suggest establishing an Institute that would focus on the environmental problems of the country and which would attack these problems through research, policy, and education. We also propose some alternative economic strategies to replace subsistence agriculture which, if successful, will reduce people-pressure from the impacted national resources. The schemes proposed are realistic and do not require new governmental structure. What is required is an integration of human expertise to develop the programs and to convey the technology to the users so that they become the teacher/practitioners

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	58800 COOLEY, J.L., 66520 FARNWORTH, E.G., 81602 JORDAN, C.F., 78870 HOY, D.R., 20594 University of Georgia (EUA). Institute of Ecology
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	[sl], 1981
Subjects:	CLIMA, SUELOS, ASPECTOS SOCIOECONOMICOS, DEMOGRAFIA, DEFORESTACION, CONTAMINACION AMBIENTAL, POLITICAS, LEGISLACION, GUATEMALA,
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