The Selva Maya as seen from the ruins of Becan, Campeche

The Selva Maya extends through Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.  Comprising more than 5 million hectares, it is the largest contiguous tract of tropical forest in Central America, and second only to Amazonia in the New World. Much of the intact forest in Amazonia is conserved in parks, reserves, and other types of protected areas under government control. In contrast, over half of the forest in the Selva Maya is owned communally by ejidos. The forest are maintained because the local communities have chosen to maintain them.   There are valuable lessons to be learned here.