WWF in the Guianas: Threats

The Guianas Moist Forests form one of the world's largest continuous tracts of pristine tropical rainforest. Until the last decade, these forests had escaped the logging and mining activities which caused significant damage to other tropical regions.

However, economic problems, especially in Suriname and Guyana, have propmpted governments to increase these activities. Gold mining in particular is causing negative environmental, health, and social impacts throughout the region.

Despite increasing threats, the mangrove forests of the Guianas coast are among the most important and least degraded forests in the world. The coasts serve as the wintering grounds for millions of migratory birds from North America.

The Guianas coast has become one of the most important nesting areas for marine turtles and the last refuge for half of the world's viable population of leatherbacks. Unfortunately, turtles nesting in the Guianas are constantly under threat from over-harvesting of turtle eggs and incidental catch by near shore fishermen and shrimp trawlers.