Mountain ethnobiology and development in Highland Chiapas, Mexico: Lessonsin biodiversity and health

Ethnobiology has a rich tradition of understanding and documenting ecologic al knowledge of traditional peoples living in montane environments. These p eoples and their environments currently face great threats to their continu ed existence. The Highland region of Chiapas, Mexico (Figure 1), in particu lar, is an area of interest to both ethnobiologists and development practit ioners. The montane forests of this region are considered one of Conservati on International's priority megadiversity hot spots. Over the last few deca des, poverty, population pressure, environmental degradation, and political conflict have intensified in Chiapas. Widespread political unrest and viol ence continue despite a "cease-fire" between the Mexican government and sup porters of the Zapatista movement that first appeared in 1994. Despite thes e odds, projects aiming to support traditional indigeneous health care whil e exploring ways of conserving local biodiversity are being continued in Hi ghland Chiapas.