UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Trifinio Fraternidad
General information
The Trifinio Fraternidad transboundary biosphere reserve is a tri-national biosphere reserve located between El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. It is the first transboundary biosphere reserve in Central America and represents a major contribution to implementation of the Mesoamerican Corridor. It includes key biodiversity areas, such as Montecristo National Park and a variety of forest ecosystems. A key function of this mountain area is guaranteeing water supply for local communities. It also plays an important role in regional development through the promotion of coffee activities, conifer forest extraction and agro-tourism. This biosphere reserve has received strong support at high political levels (vice-ministers of the three countries), as well as the involvement of local communities in promoting sustainable development.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2011
Country
Total population
263950
Area
Surface
278,753.00 ha
Total terresterial area
278,753.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 14.7397 - Longitude: -89.0798
Ecological Characteristics
The Trifinio region is home to a wealth of valuable biodiversity and is important for the water supply of all three countries, as the source of the three largest rivers in Central America. The predominant ecosystems in this biosphere reserve are cloud forest, stationary subtropical dry forest, pine-oak forest and complex wetland features such as Lagunar G眉ija, an International Ramsar site and a haven for more than 45 globally threatened species.The rich biodiversity includes faunal species such as the white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), baird鈥檚 tapir (Tapirus bairdii), northern crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) and the endangered Geoffroy鈥檚 spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi).
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The tri-national biosphere reserve has a population of approximately 600,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom live in El Salvador and Honduras. The main economic activities are the cultivation of basic grains and coffee, livestock breeding, and tourism and ecotourism.The area contains many archaeological sites of the Maya's which attract many tourists.
