Thirty years of community forest management in the maya biosphere reserve: A review of its successes and challenges for conservation and governance of tropical forest socio-ecological systems

Abstract

Researchers and policymakers a promoted Community Forest Management (CFM) as an effective strategy for tropical forest conservation and the sustainable development of local communities. However, the literature suggests mixed results, with CFM performance below expectations globally. Besides, determining the long-term effectiveness of CFM is always a challenge in tropical landscapes. Therefore, this study conducts a bibliometric and content review of CFM implementation in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala, a long-term pioneer model in the tropics. We analyzed its impact on forest conservation and the socioeconomic well-being of community concessionaires. Analyzing 181 scientific publications indexed in Scopus, we identified key research trends and predominant indicators in CFM evaluation. The results show that the model has significantly contributed to reducing deforestation and generating local economic benefits, yet it faces challenges related to governance, land tenure security, gender empowerment, and pressure from external actors. Despite its achievements, the literature suggests that CFM assessments have been fragmented, often prioritizing specific aspects without a comprehensive approach. Based on these findings, we propose the inclusion of new evaluation indicators and emphasize the need for interdisciplinary monitoring to enhance the model’s socioecological sustainability.