Copan has many unique features not found elsewhere at Maya sites, many of which are in remote areas, in the depths of the jungle or far away from modern human settlements. This is also true of Copan's Ecology. Since the 19th century Copan has been the object of constant study, of human migration and it also has seen a growth of population specifically around the park that is not seen at other sites. The presence of many people deriving their livelihoods directly from the park has had a profound impact on the region's ecology. Just imagine the environmental cost of turning these once vast forests into human habitations!

The largest settlements, in the Copan River Valley, however, correspond to the Maya's timeframe, when centuries ago they were occupying this space. Then as today the valley's rich soils were used for farmland (the main economical activity of the populace), for this purpose the existing forest had to be cut down, with the entailing consequences of deforestation and reduction of natural habitats, thus affecting the often delicate balance between the flora, fauna and the environment as a whole. In the case of the Copan Valley the reduction of this habitat has impacted biodiversity directly, both the flora & the fauna. On the following pages you will find a partial list of the species still found at the Valley, many of them are in the CITES Endangered Species List. Some others are very hard to spot at present time, while still others are quite common and have adapted well to their modern day environment.

Great efforts have been made by local authorities to reintroduce several species of trees (mainly) that had virtually disappeared. Visitors will get a feeling of what the Early Explorers witnessed when first entering these ancient remains of a great civilization! And as these efforts continue, the very landscape of the Copan Valley may change for the better…