Guyana’s conservation & global leader in biodiversity

At the just concluded Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, the spotlight turned toward Guyana, once again underscoring its vital role as a global leader in biodiversity preservation. The revelation of 33 new fish species, alongside two amphibian and bird records discovered during a 2024 scientific expedition in the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor, reinforces Guyana’s unique position as a custodian of one of the world’s most intact and vibrant ecosystems.
The month-long rapid biodiversity assessment, led by a team of more than 50 experts from the Chicago Field Museum, the University of Guyana, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), and other partners, marks a milestone in scientific exploration and ecological stewardship. Situated in the south-eastern region of the country, the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor has now been further established as a biodiversity hotspot of international significance.
The expedition yielded far-reaching results. Beyond the discovery of the new fish species, including Potamotrygon boesemani, Microglanis sp., and Pseudoplatystoma cf. reticulatum – the research team recorded 40 new additions to Guyana’s national fish list. A new avian record, the Speckled Spinetail, and an estimated population of 400 jaguars added further scientific weight to the ecological importance of the region. Additionally, an estimated 10 million emergent trees were catalogued, enriching global data on tropical forests and carbon storage potential.
The findings directly support Guyana’s policy vision of sustainable development rooted in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. The documented richness of flora and fauna in the Acarai-Corentyne region strengthens the foundation for expanding the country’s network of protected areas and contributes toward the global “30 by 30” goal – protecting 30 per cent of the planet’s land and marine areas by 2030.
Guyana’s leadership in environmental conservation is further reflected in its embrace of cutting-edge tools for biodiversity monitoring and decision-making. During the summit, one of the panels examined the integration of scientific and digital technologies for ecosystem tracking. Presentations by experts from institutions such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Yale Centre for Biodiversity and Global Change underscored how satellite-based data and AI-driven models are being utilised to measure biodiversity trends and inform policy decisions. Such alignment between local conservation efforts and global scientific innovation reinforces Guyana’s practical stance in preserving nature.
Critically, the expedition also showcased the success of community-integrated conservation models. Local Indigenous knowledge was central to the successful identification and collection of species, demonstrating that conservation is strongest when it embraces both traditional ecological wisdom and modern science. The local involvement exemplifies Guyana’s commitment to inclusive environmental management, with communities as beneficiaries as well as active stewards of biodiversity.
The discoveries also highlight the immense ecological value of regions that have remained under-explored. The Acarai-Corentyne Corridor, once largely unknown to global science, now stands as a powerful reminder that some of the most important biodiversity reserves are still hidden within pristine rainforests. This reinforces the urgency of conserving such areas before they are affected by human encroachment or climate change.
These findings contribute directly to building resilience against climate risks. By safeguarding intact forests, Guyana continues to secure vital ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, freshwater regulation, and soil fertility, that benefit both local populations and the global climate system. The preservation of biodiversity is a secondary objective and central pillar in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
As the world confronts escalating ecological crises, Guyana’s example offers both inspiration and evidence that conservation efforts can yield extraordinary outcomes. The discoveries made in the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor reaffirm the country’s crucial role in global biodiversity governance and sustainable development. It is a reminder that nature, when protected and studied with care, continues to reveal its secrets and its solutions.
In an era when biodiversity loss is accelerating worldwide, Guyana is setting a standard for scientific discovery and ecological foresight.