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Contour Lines – Contour Planting & Sustainable Agriculture Hub in the Guatemalan Highlands
Trust T1
- Climate Zones
- Tropical highland.
- Regenerative Focus
- Ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, erosion control.
About this land node
Contour Lines revitalizes degraded highland soils through contour planting and agroforestry, supporting Maya Kaqchikel farmers and restoring steep landscapes for long-term resilience.
Overview
- Project Vision
- Restore degraded land and support sustainable farming systems via contour planting.
- Project Purpose
- Restore degraded land and support sustainable agriculture through contour planting, agroforestry, and community training, improving soil health and water retention.
- Project Title
- Contour Lines
- Political Location
- Chimaltenango Department, Guatemala
Ecology & biodiversity
- Flora & Fauna
- Corn, avocados, quetzals, jaguars, howler monkeys.
- Keystone species
- Jaguars (apex predators) reflect ecological integrity.
- Biodiversity context
- Adjacent to Sierra de las Minas biosphere reserve.
- Ecological corridors
- Links Sierra de las Minas to Atitlán Volcano.
- Natural boundaries
- Located in the Motagua River watershed and Guatemalan highlands.
- Ecosystem unity
- Tropical highland landscape of steep slopes, valleys, and volcanoes supporting diverse crops and wildlife.
Climate & water
- Climate Zones
- Tropical highland.
- Rainfall patterns
- Rainy May–Oct (~200 mm/month); dry Nov–Apr.
- Average Rainfall
- 800–1,200 mm/year
- Temperature Extremes
- 10°C to 25°C
- Average Temperature
- 17°C average
- Watershed
- Motagua River watershed draining into Caribbean.
- Aquifers & groundwater
- Sustainable aquifers; rain harvesting.
- Nearby water bodies
- ≈20 km to Motagua River; ≈50 km to Lake Atitlán
Land & terrain
- Elevation & slope
- 1,500–2,500 m; steep slopes.
- Landforms
- Rugged mountains and terraces.
- Soil Types
- Volcanic loam soils fertile but susceptible to erosion; improved with contour planting.
- Soil health
- Moderate organic matter, increasing through mulching.
- Erosion risk
- High erosion risk; mitigated by contour planting and terraces.
- Natural resources
- Water, fertile soils, biodiversity.
- Renewable resource potential
- Solar energy, water harvesting, biomass from highlands.
People & history
- Land Acknowledgements
- Honours Maya Kaqchikel culture.
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Maya contour farming and agroforestry.
- Human Cultures
- Maya Kaqchikel communities, farmers, eco‑tourists.
- Cultural continuity
- Maya Kaqchikel communities, eco-tourists, researchers
- Cultural landscapes
- Contour-planted fields, restored highlands, and community spaces.
- Recent land history
- Soil erosion and deforestation now reversed.
Regenerative practice
- Regenerative Focus
- Ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, erosion control.
- Regenerative Methodologies
- Contour planting, agroforestry, community-led conservation.
- Environmental objectives
- Reduce soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, restore water cycles.
- Community objectives
- Support local livelihoods, provide education, foster resilience.
- Community engagement
- Workshops, eco‑tours, community training.
- Economic Model
- Donations, eco‑tourism, agricultural sales.
Impact
- Expressed Impact
- Converted 80 ha, reduced erosion by 20%, trained 100+ farmers.
- Key impact metrics
- Ha planted, erosion reduced, farmers trained.
Visiting & links
- Nearest urban centres
- ≈40 km from Antigua.
- Website
- https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/community/contour-lines-guatemala/
- Social media
- https://www.instagram.com/ecosystemrestorationcommunities