A phytosociological study of the juniper (locally called huito), pine
(locally called sacch), pine-alder and fir forests of the Sierra de lo
s Cuchumatanes and Cadena Volcanica in Guatemala was carried out. The
Zurich-Montpellier approach was followed. In total 119 releves were sa
mpled and the data were organised in phytosociological tables to disti
nguish vegetation clusters. TWINSPAN was used to evaluate major differ
ences among plant communities. Seven zonal plant communities were dist
inguished and described, namely: (1) Relbunium microphyllum-Agrostis t
olucensis, (2) Werneria nubigena-Agrostis exserta, (3) Lachemilla vulc
ania-Pinus hartwegii, (4) Holodiscus argenteus-Pinus hartwegii, (5) Hy
pnum cypressiforme-Juniperus standleyi, (6) Agave hurtei-Alnus firmifo
lia and (7) Sabazia pinetorum-Abies guatemalensis. This paper provides
a thorough floristic characterisation of each community and outlines
the major anthropogenic activities. To conclude, ecologic and floristi
c (dis)similarities between plant communities of the study area and th
ose of Central Mexico, like the different altitudinal distribution of
fir forests and the establishment of mid-successional communities such
as the Agave hurteri-Alnus firmifolia were discussed.