Kill

Diagnóstico de la Caoba
(Swietenia macrophylla King)
en Mesoamérica
Belize
1999
Diagnóstico de la caoba
(Swietenia macrophylla King)
en Mesoamérica
Belize
Oscar Rosado
Centro Científico Tropical
1999
PROARCA/CAPAS
ACERCA DE ESTA PUBLICACIÓN
Esta publicación y el trabajo descrito en ella fueron financiados por la

Agencia de Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) en el
contexto de CONCAUSA, la declaración Conjunta Centroamérica – Estados
Unidos (Miami, octubre de 1994) sobre la conservación del ambiente en
Centroamérica. Las opiniones e ideas presentadas aquí no son
necesariamente respaldadas por USAID, ni representan sus políticas oficiales.
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
This publication and the work described in it were funded by the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID) in the context of CONCAUSA, the Joint
Central America – USA declaration (Miami, October 1994) on conservation of
the environment in Central America. The views and ideas presented here are
not necessarily endorsed by USAID, nor do they represent USAID’s official
policies.
INDEX
I. Introduction ............................................................................................ 1
2. Physical Features .................................................................................. 1

2.1 Geography ...........................................................................................................1
2.2 Geology ...............................................................................................................2
2.3 Soils .....................................................................................................................2
2.4 Climate.................................................................................................................3
2.5 Flora.....................................................................................................................3
2.6 Forest Cover ........................................................................................................4
2.7 Deforestation .......................................................................................................6
3. Occurrence and Distribution of Mahogany in Belize .......................... 6
3.1 Original Occurrence and Distribution ..................................................................6
3.2 Actual Occurrence and Distribution.....................................................................9
4. Historical Summary of Exploitation and Conservation........................ 13
5. Legal and Institutional Regulatory Framework ................................. 15

5.1 The Legal Framework .......................................................................................15
5.2 The Forest Act ...................................................................................................16
5.3 The Private Forests (Conservation) Act 1945...................................................17
5.4 The Forest Fire Protection Act 1962 .................................................................17
5.5 The National Parks System Act 1981 ...............................................................18
5.6 Other Related Legislation..................................................................................18
6. The Institutional Framework ............................................................... 19
6.1 The Forest Department .....................................................................................19
6.2 Programme for Belize........................................................................................20
6.3 Belize Enterprise for Sustained Technology (BEST) ........................................20
6.4 The Belize Audubon Society .............................................................................21
6.5 Other NGO’s......................................................................................................21
6.6 Forest Policy ......................................................................................................21
7. Analysis of Legislation and Institutional Aspects............................. 23
8. Role of Disturbance in Relation to Mahogany................................... 24
9. System of Exploitation ........................................................................ 25
10. Production and Trade .......................................................................... 25

10.1 Sawmills...........................................................................................................28
10.2 Conservation Status ........................................................................................30
11. Promising Sustainable Management Options ................................... 31
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11.1 Forest Reserves ..............................................................................................31
11.2 Private Land ....................................................................................................32
11.3 Plantations .......................................................................................................33
12. Critical Aspects Threatening the Species.......................................... 34
12.1 IlIegal Logging .................................................................................................34
12.3 Cutting Undersized Trees................................................................................34
12.4 Chain saw Lumber Conversion .......................................................................34
12.5 Proliferation of Sawmills ..................................................................................35
12.6 Proliferation of Licenses ..................................................................................35
12.7 Conflict with Groups ........................................................................................35
12.8 Users of Mahogany .........................................................................................36
12.9 Impact of Fires and Hurricanes .......................................................................36
13. Discussion............................................................................................ 37
Bibliography ................................................................................................ 41
Appendix I .................................................................................................... 42
Forest Policy of British Honduras ............................................................................42
Appendix 2 ................................................................................................... 45
Draft Forest Policy 1994 ..........................................................................................45
Appendix 3 ................................................................................................... 49
List of Sawmills ........................................................................................................49
Appendix 4 ................................................................................................... 52
List of protected areas with mahogany. ..................................................................52
Appendix 5 ................................................................................................... 53
INTERVIEWS ..........................................................................................................53
Appendix 6 ................................................................................................... 62
List of contacts.........................................................................................................62
Appendix 7 ................................................................................................... 64
Maps ........................................................................................................................64
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INDEX OF TABLES
Table 1. Area and percentage of Belize's mainland per Forest Class, LIC (1994). ....5
Table 2. Major Vegetation Assemblage of Belize on the occurrence of Mahogany....8
Table 3. Areas of Broadleaf Forest in Belize. ............................................................10
Table 4. Broadleaf forest inventories 1969-1981.......................................................10
Table 5. Estimates of mahogany densities and volumes in Belize............................11
Table 6. Mahogany occurrence in PSP(1 ha plots). ..................................................12
Table 7. Mahogany Production 1989-1990 (000 cu ft) ..............................................26
Table 8. Domestic Consumption of Mahogany 1989-1998. ......................................27
Table 9. Exports of Mahogany 1989-1998.................................................................27
INDEX OF MAPS
Map 1. Location of Belize. ..........................................................................................65

Map 2. Major Land Forms and Soil Features of Belize..............................................66
Map 3. Original Distribution of Mahogany in Belize. ..................................................67
Map 4. Actual Distribution of Mahogany in Belize......................................................68
Map 5. Map showing locations of Permanent Sample Plots......................................69
Map 6. Belize Protected Areas...................................................................................70
Map 7. Sawmill Locations in Belize. ...........................................................................71
Map 8. Protective Status of Hypothetical Current Mahogany Forests in Belize. .......72
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Diagnóstico de la caoba en Mesoamérica, Belize
CCT
THE SITUATION OF MAHOGANY IN BELIZE
I. Introduction
The Central American Commission on Environment and Development

(CCAD) of which Belize is a member, through its Executive Secretariat,
requested the PROARCA/CAPAS Project whose headquarters is in
Guatemala City, to carry out a study on the actual situation with respect to
Mahogany from southern Mexico to Panama including Belize. The project is
funded by USAID.
This report covers the situation in Belize, taking into consideration

aspects as the original and actual existence, occurrence and distribution of
Mahogany; a historical summary of exploitation and conservation; the system
of exploitation; production and trade, the legal and institutional regulatory
framework; the conservation status; and options for sustainable
management.
Brief geographical, geological and other physical features, and other

relevant information on Belize are included at the beginning to place it in the
regional context.
2. Physical Features
2.1 Geography
Belize is situated in northeastern Central America, boarded by Mexico

in the north, by Guatemala on the west and south and by the Caribbean Sea
to the east (Map 1). Including its territorial waters, Belize´s geographic
coordinates are 15°53' to 18°30' North Latitude and 87°15' to 89°15' West
Longitude. Using an offshore territorial limit of 20 km, the national territory
covers about 46,620 square kilometers of which 49% is land. Belize´s
landmass includes 1065 islands, some of them very small, off the mainland
coast, the barrier reef and atoll system totaling some 690 square kilometers.
There are about 1540 square kilometers of lagoons on the mainland,
reducing effective land area to some 21751 square kilometers.
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The average dimensions of the Belize rectangle are about 260

kilometers north to south, and 180 kilometers east to west, and has 280
kilometers of coastline along the mainland.
2.2 Geology
Belizean geology is largely a study on limestone except for the Maya

Mountains. The northern half of the country consists of heterogeneous
sediments deposited on the Yucatan Platform, containing limestone, chalk,
marl and other sedimentary layers.
The Maya Mountains in south - central Belize, evolved from a large up-
faulted block of intrusive granite and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. The
oldest rocks in Belize are found in the Maya Mountains, which rise to about
1124 meters at Doyle’s Delight, the highest point in Belize.
Additional limestone formations and an area of sedimentary rocks are
found south of the mountains in the Toledo District. The Coastal Plain is
composed of detritus materials derived from the western uplands and is
about 50 kilometers wide in some areas north of the Belize River, reducing
considerably, hardly present at Deep River in the southeast.
2.3 Soils
Soils have been grouped to confirm with the boundaries of the seven
principal landforms recognized in mainland Belize. These are given below:
1. Siliceous soils of the Mountain Pine Ridge;
2. Siliceous soils of the Maya Mountains;
3. Siliceous soils of the Lowland Pine Ridge;
4. Calcareous soils of karst landscapes;
5. Calcareous soils of the Northern Lowlands;
6. Tertiary mudstones, shales and sandstones of the Toledo lowlands;
7. Littoral complex of organic soils and dune sands.
These are further subdivided into soil sub-units and soil series in the
original classification. The percentages of Belize these occupy are given in
Map 2 and can be summarized as follows: Siliceous Soils 37.3%, Calcareous
Soils 50.7%, and the last two groups 12%.
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2.4 Climate
The northern latitudes given for Belize indicate that it lies in the outer
tropics or subtropical geographic belt which have higher extreme and mean
temperatures than which occur in tropical latitudes (0-13°). The highest and
lowest recorded temperatures are 42.8°C (109°F) in the Sibun Hills and
3.3°C (38°F) at Punta Gorda in December.
Mean monthly minimum temperature range from 16-17°C in the cooler

months to 24-25°C in the hotter months. In Belize City, the mean maximum
and mean minimum annual temperatures are 29.9 and 22.1°C respectively.
These are typical of the lowlands. In the Mountain Pine Ridge comparable
figures are 24.8 and 17.9°C. These figures are from a location 1600 feet
above sea level.
Trade winds blow from the east and southeast between February and
September and cooler winds blow from the north. Northeast air masses are
occasionally pushed far to the south from November to February by arctic air
masses. Temperatures are cooler at night in the higher regions.
Rainfall ranges from 1347 millimeters (mm) (53") per year in the north
to 4526 millimeters (178") per year at Barranco south of Punta Gorda.
Relative humidity varies between 80 to 90 percent in the coastal lowlands.
There is a dry season from February to May and a short dry season (less
rainy) period usually in August.
Two climatic events that impact Belizean forests are long dry seasons
and hurricanes. Prolonged dry seasons which are characterized by low
relative humidity allows ideal conditions in which human and lightening
caused fires can advance rapidly with devastating effects to the forests.
Belize has a history of the devastating effects of hurricanes causing

considerable damage to populated and forested areas. In any 100 year
period, the Belize Meteorological service predicts that 33 tropical storms or
hurricanes will strike Belize, with hurricanes expected once every six or seven
years. With Hurricane Mitch in 1998 threatening but sparing Belize, the
longest recorded period between hurricanes striking Belize has been the 20
year period from 1978 to 1998.
2.5 Flora
The flora of Belize has been variously listed, described and classified
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at different times. Standley and Record (1936) were the first to document
this work in the Forests and Flora of British Honduras. Wright -et-al (1959)
classified the vegetation into 18 major types, and through subdivisions, into
77 units in Land in British Honduras. Hartshorn-et-al (1984) applied
Holdridge’s Life Zone System to provide a framework to subdivide the
country into six ecological life zones: (1) Subtropical moist forest; (2)
Subtropical Lower Montane moist forest; (3) Subtropical wet forest; (4)
Subtropical Lower Montane wet forest; (5) Tropical moist forest; and (6)
Tropical wet forest, in the Belize Country Environmental Profile.
More recently Iremonger and Brokaw (1996) based on a system

adopted by UNESCO, classified the vegetation on grounds of physiognomy,
into forest, scrub and herbaceous formations in the National Protected Areas
System Plan for Belize. A total of 49 vegetation types were identified.
It is estimated that there are around 4000 native flowering plants in

Belize of which 2500 are dicots and 1500 are monocots as given by Dywer
and Spellman (1981). Recent figures from the Forest Department Herbarium
indicate that the known number of species in Belize is 3409 with 1219 genera
in 207 families.
The major vegetation types grow on particular landforms and soils.

The siliceous soils of the Mountain Pine Ridge and the lowland Pine Ridges
support pine forests and shrub lands. Mangroves and coastal vegetation
types grow in the organic soils of the littoral zone. In land swamps and
marshes are concentrated in low lands along the Hondo, Booths, New River,
the Belize and Sarstoon River. The remainder of Belize is covered by
broadleaf forests varying in structure and species composition.
2.6 Forest Cover
The figure given for forest cover, which is synonymous with total
forestland given decades earlier, shows a declining figure. In 1971 the figure
was 95.9%, and in 1984 the figure was 93%. Based on a 1989/1992 land
use report, which was issued in 1994, the figure is 79%. The table below
illustrates the situation at present.
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Table 1. Area and percentage of Belize's mainland per Forest Class, LIC
(1994).
Forest Class Area (has) Area (acs) Area Percentage

(sq km) of Land
Area
Broadleaf Forest 1,419,000 3,503,704 14,190.00 65.12
Open broadleaf forest 12,031 29,705 120.31 0.55
Pine forest 57,625 142,283 576.25 2.64
Open pine forest 7,307 18,041 73.07 0.34
Thicket and other 84,838 209,477 848.38 3.89

degenerated broadleaf
forest
Herbaceous and Scrub, 18,859 46,564 188.59 0.87

secondary growth after
clearing
Bamboo and Riparian 11,527 28,462 115.22 0.53

vegetation
Coastal Strand Vegetation 2,483 6,131 24.83 0.11
Mangrove, Medium & Tall 7,820 19,308 78.20 0.36
Mangrove, Dwarf 23,460 57,925 234.60 1.08
Saline swamp vegetation 34,487 85,152 344.87 1.58

with palmetto and
mangrove
Marsh swamp 41,963 103,613 419.63 1.93
Total of Forested Areas 1,721,398 4,250,366 17,213.98 79.00
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2.7 Deforestation
The 1984 Belize Country Environmental Profile said that deforestation

was not a major issue in Belize, but as the figures in forest cover indicate,
this figure has been reversed from almost 97% in 1971 to the present 79% in
about 30 years. Until a study on deforestation in Belize 1989/92 - 1994/96
was conducted, only then was deforestation recognized as very significant.
From the 1989/92 baseline period to 1994, approximately 78,100 ha of

forest and associated woodland cover was cleared. More than 90% of the
total losses in forest cover (>70,000 ha) occurred outside protected areas.
That any loss should have occurred in protected areas is still alarming.
Most losses in forest cover are due to agricultural development

ranging from large citrus orchards, to mixed farming and cropland, to small
individually but cumulatively large areas of milpa farming. There has been a
substantial increase in the rate of clearing of forest and associated
woodlands over the past two to five years (25,000 ha/yr.) relative to
previously published estimates (5,000 - 9,000 ha/yr.) over the past decade
(1981-1990).
There is need to put a moratorium on conversion of forest areas. Any

further developments requiring land should ensure that previously cleared
unused areas are sought out exhaustively before any new areas are
considered.
3. Occurrence and Distribution of Mahogany in Belize
3.1 Original Occurrence and Distribution
Although there were separate sporadic reports about the occurrence

of Mahogany in specific areas in Belize in the 1920s and 1930s, it was not
until the 1950s when a vegetation classification for Belize was done under a
land use study, that Mahogany was specifically mentioned as occurring as
spare to abundant in the following forest types, which at that time occupied
about 55% of Belize (Map 3):
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- deciduous seasonal forest on limestone

- semi evergreens forest on limestone
- broadleaf forest with lime species, and
- tall transitional broadleaf forest.
In the remainder of the forest types classified as follows:
- transitional low broadleaf forest

- shrub land with pine
- pine forest and orchard savannah
- marsh communities - mangrove and littoral forests
- cohune palm forest.
Mahogany was not specifically noted, except in two of the types above. In
one assemblage of transitional low broadleaf type, mahogany is mentioned
as very rare and usually entirely absent. In one assemblage of the Pine
Forest and orchard savanna type which covers all the flattish and undulating
part of the Mountain Pine Ridge where remnants of the limestone sheet is
present, Mahogany is mentioned as occurring less than one to ten acres
(Wright and others 1959).
Weaver and Sabido (1997) present the following table based on the
above information:
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Table 2. Major Vegetation Assemblage of Belize on the occurrence of

Mahogany.
Vegetation Assemblage Average tree Land Area km2

height m
Major commercial mahogany forests
Broadleaf forest rich in lime-loving species

Deciduous seasonal forest on limestone 15-30 5542
Semi-evergreen forests on limestone 24-37 818
Broadleaf forest moderately rich in lime-loving 30-37 323
species
Broadleaf forest with occasional lime-loving 27-37 354
species 27-37 547
High evergreen seasonal forest
High semi evergreen seasonal forest 21-30 856
Broadleaf forest with few or no lime loving 21-30 1786
species
Evergreen seasonal forest 21-27 442
Semi evergreen seasonal forest 21-27 1382
Transitional broadleaf forest
Medium-high deciduous forest rich in lime 21-27 493
loving species
Medium-high semi evergreen seasonal forest 12542
poor in lime loving species
Medium-high evergreen seasonal poor in lime-
loving species
TOTAL
Mahogany minor or non-commercial
Transitional low broadleaf forest 989

Shrub land with pine 184
Pine forests and orchard savannas 2415
Marsh and swamp communities 2896
Coastal formations mangroves and littoral 1026
forests 1247
Cohune palm forest 8757
SUB-TOTAL 1668
Other lands 22967
TOTAL (land area of Belize)
Source: Weaver and Sabido 1997.
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The division given as commercial and non-commercial mahogany

forest is fully justified as in the former case, in all the vegetation assemblages
mahogany has been specifically mentioned as occurring, while in the latter
case, only in two of the vegetation assemblages is mahogany specifically
mentioned.
3.2 Actual Occurrence and Distribution
From the above review, it is evident that Mahogany occurs in broadleaf

forests, the typical plant cover on moderately fertile, freely draining soils in
Belize (Map 4).
This of course, is only where broadleaf vegetation is still in existence.

Where deforestation has taken place to change the land use, mahogany
does not exist. This has occurred in the northern districts where sugar cane
is the prominent crop. This is also the case where other agricultural activities
have taken place, such as in Little Belize in the Corozal District, in the Blue
Creek area for cattle and rice production and in the Shipyard area both in the
Orange Walk district. The situation is similar in the Cayo District where citrus
and cattle activities are on going. In the south part of the country, citrus and
bananas are replacing large areas of broadleaf forests. In addition to this,
there is the milpa type farming which goes on every year in most districts of
Belize.
There is no national or whole country forest inventory, which could

give the actual situation with mahogany today. What there is consists of six
distinct inventories carried out in Belize between 1969 to 1981. These have
been re-analyzed and synthesized and reworked in a report prepared under
the Forest Planning and Management Project, Ministry of Natural Resources,
Belize.
In the report (Alder, 1993) GIS information has been used to identify
broadleaf areas outside existing clearances and the following table has been
produced:
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Table 3. Areas of Broadleaf Forest in Belize.
CATEGORY Km2 TOTAL Km2 %
Protected broadleaf forest

National Parks 1011
Wildlife sanctuaries, etc 873
Forest Reserves, slopes 2616
>25 4500 20.7
Timber Production areas

Forest Reserves, slopes > 965
25 1087
Forested National Lands 981
Forested Private Lands 3033 14.0
Total Broadleaf forest 7533 34.7

Belize Land area
21694 100.0
The six inventories referred to and reworked to produce national estimates of

the forest resource including mahogany are given in the following table with
relevant information about the inventories.
Table 4. Broadleaf forest inventories 1969-1981.
Forest Inventory Year Transect Number Area

size of km2
(km) Transect
Chiquibul main series 1969 8 24 768
Chiquibul mountain series 1971 5 17 200
Columbia/Maya Mountains 1975 5 34 425
Hillbank (Belize estates) 1975 3.6-6 31 988
Cockscomb Basin 1978 4 24 240
Deep River 1981 2 14 28
TOTAL 144 2649
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It was necessary to post-stratify the pooled set of 144 inventory

transects by vegetation types using Wright’ss vegetation maps as the basis
for stratification. It was also necessary to define pooled vegetation types,
which were called Provisional Vegetation Groups (PVGs) such that each
PVG that comprised broadleaf forest included two or more transects.
In the end, applying the 40 year felling cycle and 60 cm diameter

minimum felling limit recommended as the management criteria for broadleaf
3
forests, a final annual allowable cut of 6041m (213307 cu ft) was arrived at
for mahogany.
It should be noted that from the same report, Weaver and Sabido
(1997) have converted figures given, to a per hectare basis, and have
produced the following which is only a section of their original table presented
here:
Table 5. Estimates of mahogany densities and volumes in Belize.
Location of Survey Size Volume Density Source

3
(ha) m /ha Stems/ha
Forest Reserves: Chiquibul,

Columbia 96500 Alder 1993
Maya Mountains (1969-75) 4.2 5.9
> 20 cm d.b.h. 1.0 .4
> 40 cm d.b.h. .6 .1
> 60 cm d.b.h.
Forested National Lands: Deep

River 108700 Alder 1993
Cockscomb (1978-81) 4.7 6.0
> 20 cm d.b.h. 1.5 .5
> 40 cm d.b.h. 1.1 .2
> 60 cm d.b.h.
Forested Private Lands: BEC Alder 1993

(1975) 5.7 7.4
> 20 cm d.b.h. 1.7 .6
> 40 cm d.b.h. 1.1 .2
> 60 cm d.b.h.
In another report (Bird 1998) 30 permanent sample plots (psp) were

established by random methods in hardwood forest. The plot locations are
shown on attached Map 5 and the following table summarizes the occurrence
of Mahogany by diameter classes in the one-hectare plots established.
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Table 6. Mahogany occurrence in PSP (1 ha plots).
PSP NO No. Of Individuals in Stem Diam. classes (cm) Total
10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79
1 7 3 1 0 0 0 0 11
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 5 5 4 0 0 1 0 15
10 1 5 6 0 0 0 0 12
11 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 8
12
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
13 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 5
14 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4
15 12 16 11 4 0 0 0 43
16 8 8 5 0 1 0 0 22
17 13 4 3 3 0 0 0 23
18 5 2 4 0 0 0 0 11
19 6 4 5 2 0 0 0 17
20 5 5 2 1 3 0 0 16
21 11 8 3 0 1 0 0 23
22 3 5 4 2 2 0 0 16
23
3 4 3 0 0 0 0 10
24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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PSP NO No. Of Individuals in Stem Diam. classes (cm) Total

25
10 2 0 0 0 0 0 12
26 5 3 3 0 0 0 0 11
27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
29 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
30 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 107 82 55 12 7 1 1 265
These plots were established in 1992 and do indicate the occurrence

of Mahogany, and its distribution and density. There are very few stems of
merchantable size, the bulk of the stocking being in the smaller diameter
classes. Out of the total of 30 plots, 21 of them contain mahogany, a fairly
significant statistic.
4. Historical Summary of Exploitation and Conservation
In accordance with the terms of reference, this section includes

historical information on exploitation and conservation. Mahogany
exploitation was started in northern Belize where harvesting was limited to
rivers and streams, using these as a means of floating them to the mouth of
the Belize River.
This was given impetus by the mahogany trade in Europe, which

started around 1755, and by 1771 had become the country´s chief product. It
should be mentioned that this activity was not recognized by Spain until 1783
covering only the area between the Belize River to the Rio Hondo. Three
years later, these limits were extended southward to the Sibun River. It was
not until 1798 that exploitation of Mahogany was extended southward to the
Sarstoon River after the Battle of St. George’s Caye. This was when Spain
was finally defeated and what had been merely a timber concession
grudgingly granted by the Spanish, developed into an independent country
with an economy based almost entirely on mahogany exploitation.
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The exploitation of mahogany was intensified with the introduction of

slave labor from Jamaica to haul logs and again after 1800 with the
introduction of oxen.
In the early 1800's logging advanced south along the rivers but not
inland. With the advent of railroads and later tractors additional areas were
opened up in the early 20th century. Major logging operations were delayed
in the south and southwest until all-purpose roads and heavy logging
equipment appeared after World War II.
In 1886, Mr. E.D.M. Hooper of the Indian Forest Department visited

Belize and prepared a report recommending the formation of a forest
department. Thanks to his report, some interesting historical information was
handed down concerning exports of mahogany as given below:
1802 2,280,000 bd ft 1845 10,000,000 bd ft

1803 4,500,000 bd ft 1846 13,750,000 bd ft
1804 6,481,000 bd ft 1860 7, 500,000 bd ft
1805 6,500,000 bd ft 1870 2,750,000 bd ft
1820 3,000,000 bd ft 1874 6,000,000 bd ft
1824 6,481,000 bd ft 1878 3,125,000 bd ft
1837 8,500,000 bd ft 1880 2,125,000 bd ft
From the early days, the method of locating trees in the forest was to
send experienced hunters who roamed the land during the late part of the
year before the next dry season looking for Mahogany trees. They noted the
mahogany trees locations, marked and cut trails to be used for extraction
once the trees were felled and thus knew the number of trees available in the
area for next seasons work. Invariably, trees were missed by this method
and thus conserved by remaining in the forest once the operations moved on.
Later one large private estate cruised mahogany using a mile square
grid with north - south lines lettered and east - west lines numbered for
subsequent location of timber. In the middle 50's in one government reserve
trees were hunted by a gang of seven men, each separated by about a chain
apart, who traversed a swathe of forest starting from a cut line as a base,
noting the locations and size of trees, releasing those of the legal girth size
and thus arriving at the numbers of trees available for harvest.
Early logging operations in Belize were complicated by many factors

including, isolation, weather, labor difficulties and transportation problems.
Logging was carried out during the short dry season and in some areas this
has not changed except where suitable roads have been constructed and
maintained.
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Mahogany trees were felled above buttress requiring the use of

scaffolding to reach above the buttress which resulted in losses of up to three
meters or more of the best timber. Once felled, the trees were crosscut into
logs by two men using eight-foot handsaws. Now a days the trees are much
smaller and chainsaws are used for bucking or cross-cutting into logs.
As already mentioned, floating rafts of mahogany logs was the original

mode of transporting them to the point of shipping. This was later replaced
with the use of railways, and much later with the advent of the tractor for the
construction of roads and hauling logs, road transport was introduced. This
has replaced all previous methods and the railways have long been removed.
Once road construction was possible this opened up previously

inaccessible areas, which until then had numerous large, well-distributed
Mahogany trees within previously exploited forests. These had survived
because they were invariably missed during hunting operations, or because
they had butt rot, or because their large size exceeded the capacity of the
extraction method at the time. Previous loggers left them in the forest where
they were incidentally conserved and served as seed trees.
Apart from the above, early control of trees utilized were by way of
market requirement. Only trees that could render the required size of
squared logs (38 cm) for shipment would be cut. Later with the introduction
of legislation, minimum girth limits for felling mahogany were introduced.
5. Legal and Institutional Regulatory Framework
5.1 The Legal Framework
The principal forest legislation which regulates the forestry sector and
function in relation to the conservation and commercialization of mahogany
are the following: The Forest Act, The Private Forests (Conservation) Act,
The Forest Fire Protection Act and the National Parks System Act.
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5.2 The Forest Act
Originally an ordinance which came into effect in 1927, it became an

Act in 1980 in the advent of independence in 1981. The Act is supported by
Forest Rules and other subsidiary legislation. There are frequently issued
Statutory Instruments which set royalty rates, duly create forest reserves, and
specifies minimum felling girth limits.
The Act defines the powers of forest officials and establishes penalties
for forest offences and allows for the delegation of powers. It empowers the
Minister to apply any of the provisions of the Act to any private land. This has
been done in the case of royalties on private land but this has to be passed
by the House of Representatives. Presently the rates of royalty on private
land are half that on government land and no royalty is levied on private land
under 100 acres.
Forest Rule 5 - stipulates the types of forest licenses which control the
disposal of forest produce including mahogany on government lands. These
are:
- a forest license for sustained yield working of timber. This shall be in such
form, as the Minister shall determine in each case, although there are
standard forms available.
- a forest license not on a sustained yield basis for the working of timber
whether in a salvage area or not.
- a forest permit for the working of timber in a salvage area where the royalty
value does not exceed one thousand dollars.
- a petty permit where the royalty value does not exceed fifty dollars.
Forest Rule 6 - stipulates that the Chief Forest Officer may by notice in
the gazette:
(a) advertise for sale by public auction, forest licenses to cut and remove
forest produce where only one type of produce is to be extracted (timber); (b)
invite tenders for forest licenses.
Forest Rule 6 (2) - stipulates the matters, which must be included in

the Gazette notice. These include the area in which the license is to apply.
The provisions of this rule to apply to areas where the extraction of timber is
conducive to good forest management.
Forest Rule 7 (1) - empowers the Chief Forest Officer to issue licenses
to the person making the highest royalty bid at the auction except where this
is below the rate specified in the Schedule to the Rules. In this case, the
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Chief Forest Officer is required to submit all tenders to the Minister for his
decision.
In practice, the procedures for the issue of licenses were not adhered
to and throughout the last two decades timber harvesting in Belize was
characterized by an industry operating under a large number of short term
licenses covering small areas, thus fragmenting the areas making sustainable
management impossible in many areas. But recently, steps are being taken
to return to the requirements of the law. The Forest Act has been revised
including a revision of the forest license requirements and types. A draft Act
has been waiting to seek Ministerial support by finding the right opportunity to
present it to Cabinet for approval. Already 20 year Forest Management
licenses have been issued in two reserves, which incorporate area control
and a 40-year felling cycle.
5.3 The Private Forests (Conservation) Act 1945
This Act prohibits the felling of any Mahogany or Cedar Tree in any
private land without prior approval of a permit from the Chief Forest Office
that authorizes such felling and specifies minimum felling girth limits. In the
case of land clearing for agricultural purposes, no permit is required for trees
under two feet, except that no mahogany or cedar tree may be sold without a
permit. The administration of the Act, right of entry of forest officers upon
private lands, seizure, forfeiture and disposal of trees felled in contravention
of the Act and penalties are specified. It has no provision for the proper
management of private forests or for any extension services to owners and
no concept of sustained yield. These matters are being addressed in the
revision of the Act.
5.4 The Forest Fire Protection Act 1962
This Act allows for the preparation and implementation of a fire

protection plan which may be necessary for the prevention of forest fires, or
the extinguishing of such fires in any land held in free hold, grant, prescription
or any other form of acquisition or lease of national land.
Where landowners fail to comply with fire protection plans, the Chief
Forest Officer may enter the land and prepare and implement a fire
protection plan and the owner is obliged under the Act to pay the expenses
incurred in execution of the work carried including fire fighting activities.
The Minister is empowered to declare controlled areas where no
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person is permitted to enter or remain in the area without permission of the

Chief Forest Officer. This could happen when conditions are considered
conducive to forest fires as in extended dry seasons, or after a hurricane
where there is considerable fuel left on the ground.
A draft Forest Act has been prepared as has been mentioned earlier
which incorporates the above Act but the Forest Department needs to find
the right moment to get the political support needed to put through these
legislative improvements. The application of this Act helps to protect and
conserve mahogany.
5.5 The National Parks System Act 1981
This Act provides for the declaration of more strict conservation areas.
It defines four types to be designated, i.e., national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries, nature reserves, and national monuments (Map 6). The
relevance of this Act in this study is that no timber extraction is allowed in
these protected areas. Any mahogany existing in these areas, and there is a
certain stocking, are fully protected and conserved and are available as seed
trees. On the other hand, previously available timber production areas have
been locked up thereby reducing the availability of the timber resource to the
timber industry. This has impacted considerably in this area.
5.6 Other Related Legislation
There are a few related Acts which affect the forestry sector and
function in relation to the conservation and commercialization of mahogany
but are not forest legislation directly.
5.6.1 Income Tax Act
Under section 12 (d) of this Act, a deduction is allowed for any sum
expended on the re-afforestation of any timber land with the view of making
good any depletion caused by the felling of timber on any such land. This
has to be to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Income Tax but
encourages replanting of mahogany. The Act provides also for deductions of
any sums expended for the repair and replacement of any plant and
machinery used in the reforestation work. Although the above incentives are
available, there is no known example of this having been taken advantage of.
5.6.2 Customs and Excise Duties Act
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Under Section 23 and advolorem duty of 5% is imposed on the export

of Mahogany lumber and in this way it affects the commercialization of
mahogany.
5.6.3 Stamp Duty Act
Under Section 58 of this Act, a stamp duty is payable on all extraction

license for mahogany and other products. These are nominal charges but
add up to the cost of doing business.
6. The Institutional Framework
6.1 The Forest Department
The Forest Department presently in the Ministry of Natural Resources

and the Environment is the government institution responsible for all forestry
aspects. This includes implementing forest policy, the management of the
Forest Estate, the regulation of felling and removal of mahogany and the
regulation of the forest industry.
It is also responsible for the conservation and management of lands

under the National Parks System. It delegates the management of some of
these areas through formal agreements. The Forest Department is
mandated the above responsibility and empowered under the various
principal Acts already discussed.
The Forest Department has a cadre of professional officers, headed

by the Chief Forest Officer who is assisted by the Principal Forest Officers,
Forest Officers, and other officers at the lower ranks. These are Foresters,
Forest Rangers, Conservation Officers and Forest Guards. All the above
ranks are defined as forest officers under the Forest Act and have the
necessary authority to enforce the forest legislation, including Wildlife
legislation. Besides the above ranks there are ancillary personnel necessary
for the functioning of the Department including mechanics, clerks, drivers,
and other manual workers.
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The need for the strengthening of the Forest Department staff

especially at the lower levels to cope with the necessary monitoring tasks has
been pointed out many times by many reports. It is a question of what the
country can afford, bearing in mind that is has a very low revenue base from
which to fund the many other needs of the country.
The Forest Department is made up of various Divisions, both territorial

and technical divisions, including a conservation division which has been
delegated the responsibility to administer protected areas under the National
Parks System Act.
6.2 Programme for Belize
A private non-government organization, this NGO is the most

important one in Belize in relation to the conservation and management of
mahogany. The overall mission of the Programme for Belize is to assist in
the conservation and economic development of the national resources of
Belize. It manages some 92614 ha of valuable land in north-western Belize,
formerly part of the Belize Estate holdings which it exploited for mahogany
until they found it uneconomic to continue and sold out the vast track of land.
It is now subdivided into three parts of which Programme for Belize is
managing the top part.
With funding from the Massachusetts Audubon Society and other

sources of funds, the above section was purchased and is being managed by
Programme for Belize under a memorandum of understanding with the
Government of Belize for the people of Belize. It is conducting experiments
in Mahogany regeneration using a method of clear felling a wedge shape
area west of seed trees to allow enough cleared areas where seed can
regenerate. It is also involved in sustainable logging in areas zoned for this
purpose and has an agreement with New River Enterprises Ltd. to do all their
log conversion and value added activities.
6.3 Belize Enterprise for Sustained Technology (BEST)
This NGO is involved in a small project funded by PACT, the Protected

Areas Conservation Trust that involves Mahogany. It is a small project in
agroforestry which raises Mahogany seedlings to plant or reforest school
grounds in the Cayo District of Belize. They have prepared a manual about
the use and value of trees in the community. Mahogany happens to be the
National Tree symbol of Belize. They are also looking at getting mahogany
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germ plasm from Costa Rica.
6.4 The Belize Audubon Society
One of the first NGO’s in Belize, the Belize Audubon Society has risen
in prominence in Belize for its work in conservation. It is included in this
study because it is involved in the conservation of Mahogany. It has already
been mentioned that the Forestry Department delegates the management of
some protected areas under the National Parks System. In these protected
areas mahogany is automatically protected because logging of operations
are not allowed.
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) manages six protected areas

under formal agreement with the Forest Department.
6.5 Other NGO’s
There are several small NGO’s that have been delegated or are in
consultation with the Forest Department to be delegated management of
protected areas. These include Friends of Five Blues Lake, Help for
Progress, Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) and
others. The importance of the available mahogany in protected areas is that it
helps in the conservation of biodiversity and the trees can serve as seed
trees which can be used in the propagation of plantation of the species.
6.6 Forest Policy
From 1921 to 1947, forest policy was guided by the Report on the
Forests of British Honduras with suggestions for a far-reaching forest policy
(Humme 1921). The main points in this report were:
1. The strengthening of the existing forest industries.

2. The utilization of secondary hardwoods.
3. Increase growth and reproduction of mahogany in selected
areas.
4. Building of good roads.
5. Collection of information on secondary hardwoods.
6. Granting long term licenses to encourage investment and more
efficient exploitation.
7. Control burning of selected pine forests.
8. Protection and encourage regeneration of rosewood and
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sapodilla.
9. Experiment with teak plantations.
10. Develop the botanical gardens by planting an arboretum.
In 1947, the first official forest policy was published. This policy placed
more emphasis on the protection of watersheds and mentions the
conservation of wildlife. It specifically included the carrying out of timber
inventories, the training of staff, the education of the public to a forest
consciousness, and the dissemination of information on forestry and timber
to the public. The notable omission was the creation of a forest estate,
although at that time several forest reserves were already in existence.
The forest policy as it still exists today was published in 1954. It is

reproduced in Appendix I. Officially, this policy statement is still in force until
a draft policy statement prepared in 1994 is officially approved and adopted.
The intent of this draft policy is to address conservation and environmental
matters not contained in the 1954 document. This draft policy is reproduced
in Appendix II.
In respect to Forest Reserves, the policy has been to place all

exploitable reserves under sustained yield management by carrying out forest
inventories, the calculation of increment or other practical methods of yield
control, by control of exploitation, and by natural or artificial regeneration and
tending operations, so that their yield of timber and other forest produce will
be maintained in perpetuity.
From the beginning, the main difficulty has been implementing the
forest policy, because of lack of sufficiently available funds. In spite of this,
nothing in the existing policy needs to be cut out as has become evident in
the preparation of the draft revised policy which has used the entire previous
text with minor modifications and additions to reflect the change of times.
Although included in the forest policy, there is no provision in the

legislation for any replanting where deforestation occurs either through over
exploitation, or illegal harvesting or other catastrophe.
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7. Analysis of Legislation and Institutional Aspects
It can be seen that there has been early and adequate legislation in
place to regulate forest exploitation, which has been mainly mahogany
exploitation. License types have been defined, procedures for issue of
licenses included, cutting limits instituted, but it has not all been followed
according to the requirements of the law.
In some cases, the forest legislation does not give the Forest
Department enough control over the exploitation system and the Department
has been unable to deploy all the powers the legislation does provide. For
example, the forest license for logging allows the Department to direct the
loggers to log in a defined part of his license area under some types of
licenses, but this power to define annual coupes and logging blocks were not
being used or where used were not monitored adequately.
In areas where coupes or blocks are not used, even if the licensee
reports his output, the Department cannot associate the output with the
specific parts of the license area and so compare inventory volumes and
sizes with output log volumes and sizes. Again without block closing
inspections and diagnostic sampling, the Department cannot know the state
of the forest after logging.
The need to revise concession agreements has been stated to cope

with situation changes and inflation. In the case of royalties and penalties,
they do not seem to bear any relation to the costs of collection, the nature of
the offence or the value of the activity.
Some remedies are being introduced with the new management

licenses issued for three forest reserves, and a differentiation into a forest
land management fee and a royalty on natural products is just being
introduced.
As previously stated, the forest policy puts emphasis on the

management of forest reserves and previous management plans have been
prepared in the past for some reserves but not all have been implemented
and adhered to. With the new series of management plans prepared for
three reserves, there will be a need for continued vigilance in the application
of the plans and the concession agreements. Priority needs to be given to
these responsibilities.
With these moves already implemented certification needs to be
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followed up. New River Enterprises needs to be certified. Presently only

Programme for Belize is certified under the combined Smart Wood
Certification Program and the European Certification Program. There are
steps emerging in this direction under the Selva-Maya concept.
8. Role of Disturbance in Relation to Mahogany
The presence of mahogany in Belize has been explained by a

combination of hurricanes and fires but before that during the Mayan
occupancy the forest was completely stripped from the land. After they left it
grew back to forest containing pre-climax species, for example mahogany,
and a predominance of species favored by the Mayas, e.g., Brosimum for its
nuts, sapodilla for its fruits and chicle, and cohune palm for its oil.
There is a clear correlation between the above species, signs of Maya

occupation and limestone soil. Mahogany occurs and grows well on a well
drained acid soil, but does not occur in the same profusion as on the
limestone soils which indicate that we have the Mayas who cultivated the
limestone soils to thank, for causing the increase in Mahogany.
It has been noted that large areas of natural regeneration after large
forest fires in the Chiquebul Forest have resulted in large concentration of
Mahogany regeneration. This occurred after fires in 1945 and in the period
1954-1959 silvicultural improvements to enhance the growth of Mahogany
were being applied yearly in 1000-acre blocks. This was discontinued due to
lack of funds.
The impact of hurricanes has received more attention recently. The

map of hurricane paths indicated that hurricanes have at sometime passed
over most of the entire length of the country. In some instances, it has
provided more suitable conditions for regeneration where it has exposed soils
(provided clearings). This allows receiving seeds from mahogany trees,
which have survived fairly well and appeared to be relatively wind resistant in
some cases depending on the distance from the center of the storm.
In the process of natural regeneration of mahogany it appears that

disturbances providing gaps and clearings especially to the lee-side of seed
trees is necessary for regeneration to take place. This is the process that
needs to be mimicked in silvicultural techniques to be used in regenerating
mahogany. This is what is being done in the Programme for Belize lands
with provided wedge shape clearings downwind of mahogany seed trees in
their research work.
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9. System of Exploitation
Traditionally, mahogany logging has been the felling of the best trees.
Trees too large to cut remained in the forest incidentally serving as seed
trees. A 30-40 year period of inactivity followed the next cutting cycle. This
approach fortunately resulted in a simple but effective management system.
This in effect is the selection system. This was done by applying minimum
diameter or girth limits and worked well where the cutting cycle was long. At
one time, the country was divided into three zones from north to south with
smaller diameters applying from north to south but starting larger than the
present cutting limits. Girth limits have fluctuated from 11'0" to the present
6'6"; with 7'6", 8'6" and 9'6" applying at various times.
Various pressures were applied to the government to reduce the girth

limits especially from large landowners such as Belize Estates arguing the
economic viability of their operations. Unfortunately, as the girth limits were
reduced so were the cutting cycles. Along with the use of girth limits was the
use of forest licenses as part of the system.
Unfortunately, selective logging was the wrong system to apply as this

led to creaming of the best trees which led to degrading of the forest since
repeated logging to reach the trees that come to the legal girth size limit
causes damage to the remaining trees which are the future crop.
10. Production and Trade
Some historical production and trade figures have already been given
in an earlier section. This section deals with production and trade figures for
the last ten years (Table 7). As can be seen these clearly indicate the
general downward trend showing that mahogany production is steadily
declining.
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Table 7. Mahogany Production 1989-1990 (000 cu ft)
Year Production
1989 518000
1990 466000
1991 867000
1992 607000
1993 428000
1994 378000
1995 376000
1996 302000
1997 331000
1998 292000
Source: Central Statistical Office
Domestic consumption and export figures as available from the

Central Statistical Office showing prices are given below. But some
adjustment needs to be made for the export prices given since these are not
much better than the Domestic prices. In fact during some of the interviews
higher prices paid locally were revealed. The point is that the government
has not been getting the true revenue from the export of mahogany.
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Table 8. Domestic Consumption of Mahogany 1989-1998.
Year >000 bd ft Price/bd ft Bz

Dollars
1989 1288 1.20
1990 998 1.20
1991 2456 1.20
1992 -178 1.20
1993 -175 1.20
1994 603 1.20
1995 866 1.22
1996 708 1.24
1997 86 1.25
1998 88 1.30
Table 9. Exports of Mahogany 1989-1998.
Year >000 bd ft Price/bd ft Bz

Dollars
1989 2029 0
1990 1983 0
1991 3091 0
1992 4050 1.38
1993 2866 1.42
1994 3788 1.78
1995 1481 2.03
1996 2206 1.88
1997 2063 1.98
1998 1779 2.32

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Export prices for 1989-91 are not available. Mexico had been the
main buyer of mahogany from Belize. But this has reduced from 93% of the
export quantity going to Mexico down to 38% and according to some of the
interviewees; Mexico is not importing presently. The USA is the second
largest buyer during the period, with Jamaica and the Caribbean in third
place. Canada and Ireland only came into the picture during the last two
years in the period under review. It should be mentioned that Cedar makes
up 7.6% of the export figures.
Alder (1993) calculated the sustainable Annual Allowable cut for

3
Mahogany to be 6041m or 213,307 cu ft, which at that time was grossly
exceeded by a factor of 3:1. It can be seen that while the annual allowable
cut is still being exceeded up to 1998 it has been reduced considerably and is
following the desired trend.
Over-cutting is probably being encouraged by the export market

although the prices shown for export are not much better than those going on
the local market. The prices given locally during some of the interviews
range from $1.75 to $3.00 a bd ft which are even better than those given for
the export price. It is quite likely that the true export prices have not been
properly declared so that an adjustment needs to be made to these figures.
However, it indicates that the government is not getting the proper revenues.
The Forest Department has been instituting measures to reduce the

exportation such as reducing the dimensions of lumber to be exported from
2" x 24" to 1" x 12", and it is also considering applying export quotas based
on the Annual Allowable Cut figure and give preference to the industries
which have value added facilities.
But it should first carry out a study of the local market requirements to
ascertain the drastic reduction on the domestic consumption table. Only the
surplus could be exported and more intense monitoring applied. An outright
ban has been given consideration but it is not considered suitable because it
would undermine the value and importance of Mahogany. It is also not a
popular move with the industry. Stricter controls are needed at the point of
export to get the true value obtained for the product so that government can
get its fair revenue share. Some mechanism of checking the true market
prices obtained for the product needs to be put in place and constantly
reviewed.
10.1 Sawmills
The number of sawmills in Belize has remained constant over the last
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decade at around 45. Only five of these are band mills, the rest being old,
portable circular mills that yield low quality lumber with considerable waste.
All of them would convert Mahogany if they can obtain the logs. Annual
production and conversion rates are not available even though there are
production statistics that saw millers are required to submit with relevant
information but these have seldom been adhered to.
Since figures have revealed in 1993 that Mahogany is being over cut
by a factor of three times the allowable cut, it is clear that there are too many
sawmills. Such a large number of sawmills would encourage production and
over cut with the pretext of providing jobs, but this is at the expense of
depleting the resources. Although it might not be politically expedient to
reduce the number of sawmills, drastic measures are required to better
manage and conserve the resources.
Licensing of sawmills is a measure that is required immediately. The

standards set should be high so that only bandmills and a few newer circular
mills with the necessary ancillary equipment for the proper conversion of
lumber meet the criteria for licensing. There should be regulations that
mahogany should only be converted into lumber by bandmills; no circular
saws should be used and the use of chain saw for this purpose should be
banned. Conversion of mahogany logs into rotary and sliced veneer should
be enhanced.
The felling and sawing of undersized trees should be rigidly enforced

at the peril of cancellation of the license and/or closure of the sawmill at the
first offence. Illegal logging should be stamped out and a system devised
and enforced to trace the origin of the logs. Only legal salvage operations
e.g. after fire or hurricane, and legally approved conversion operations should
be exempt from removing under sized trees, but conversion of all mahogany
should be restricted to band mills or veneer.
The adoption of the proposed draft legislation should greatly improve

this situation but only if proper monitoring, and enforcement is followed up.
A study covering 28 sawmills six years ago (Plumtree 1993) arrived at

a conversion rate - logs to lumber of 42% for circular sawmills while of
bandmills the rate was 63.7%. The report also found that reliable statistics
on the performance of sawmills were difficult to find, inventory information,
input to mills and output from them were incomplete and in many cases
unreliable. It said that it was difficult to assess the sustainability of forest
management or the efficiency of the industries in utilizing the forest. Except
where sustainable logging has been introduced which can be tied to three
sawmills there has been no change with respect to the other sawmills.
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In addition, to the sawmill industry mentioned above, there are two

functioning veneer and plywood plants and a large number of small furniture
manufacturing entities using Mahogany. In the Shipyard region of Orange
Walk, there are 35-40 such operations using mahogany in addition to those
in other districts although the trend in the furniture industry is said to be away
from mahogany to other decorative hardwoods. The veneer and plywood
plants use mahogany as the decorative face of the plywood.
Appendix III gives a list of the sawmills by Districts and their approximate
location is given in the attached sketch Map 7.
10.2 Conservation Status
In November 1995, Belize listed mahogany in Appendix III of the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This
requires that a certificate of origin accompany all exports of mahogany
including sawnwood and veneer.
New River Enterprises Ltd. maintains that they were not certified, but
would consider getting certification for the Chiquibul part of the operation.
This reserve is being worked under a management plan, and logging is being
under a 40-year cycle with area control felling one block per year.
Sustainable logging is being instituted in this reserve.
Programme for Belize is the only operation which is certified under

both Smart Wood (USA) and Wood Mark (UK). There is a project presently
looking at Belize being certified under the Selva Maya concept and the three
reserves operating under management plans with area control are being
assessed with certification in mind.
Recent attempts have been made to list Mahogany in Appendix II. If

mahogany is listed in Appendix II, trade volumes must be documented and
trade must be compatible with conserving the species at a level consistent
with its role in the ecosystem in which it occurs throughout its range.
Appendix II in CITES does not ban trade, but requires that management is in
place compatible with conserving the species as already mentioned. Belize
has not supported the listing of mahogany in Appendix II and maintains its
current position.
As has been mentioned previously, where mahogany is likely to exist

in protected areas, this is a major step in the conservation of the species. A
list of these areas is attached in Appendix IV and Map 8 shows the Protected
Areas in Belize.
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11. Promising Sustainable Management Options
This is covered in relation to what is being done in three forest

reserves and one private estate in natural broadleaf forest. Plantations are
included as another option.
11.1 Forest Reserves
The selective logging system with minimum cutting diameter

restrictions removed the largest specimens thus removing seed sources,
create openings too small for regeneration, and favors less valuable shade
tolerant species.
It is not appropriate for an intolerant species such as mahogany. This

situation has led to a dramatic decline in both abundance and size of
mahogany stocking. It was aggravated by reducing the minimum felling girth
limits from the original instituted. It had long been recommended that the
above system is not appropriate for Belize.
The production broadleaf forest require proper management with

management plans which include stock taking requirements, specified cutting
cycles, girth limit, intensive yet careful logging, leaving scattered superior
seed trees for regeneration and post logging inspections.
This is now taking place in three forest reserves. Here selection-felling

techniques are being applied. This is not the same as the selective logging
system which is indiscriminate logging and liquidation of the merchantable
growing stock, irrespective of the consequences to regeneration, structure,
functionally and productivity of the forest which does not fit the criteria of
sustainability.
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Selection felling is the selection, marking and directional felling of trees

under strict silvicultural rules in a harvesting system which is ecologically and
environmentally compatible, and is in strict accordance with traditional rules
of good forest management and the principles of sustainability.
The system involves the harvesting of six merchantable stems per

hectare over 60-cm d.b.h. compared to the traditional 0.25 stems per hectare.
There is a maximum girth limit (around 100 cm) to preserve the structure of
the forest and trees are selected on silvicultural criteria rather than minimum
diameter. The felling cycle is 40 years, the area divided into 40 blocks, with
one block cut per year.
It is expected that the more intensive felling will provide gap sizes large
enough to encourage the growth of mahogany regeneration. Stock taking is
carried out prior to felling operations, which then identifies which trees are to
be removed and which are to remain for the next crop. It is all controlled
under a management plan and a 20-year logging license. It should be
mentioned that this applies to the productive areas of forest reserves, which
are areas with slopes < 25°. Areas in forest reserves with slopes > 25° are
protective areas and cannot be logged. Where mahogany exists in these are
they protected as in National Parks, wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves, and
natural monuments.
11.2 Private Land
Programme for Belize is applying a modification of the selection felling

system to encourage natural regeneration of mahogany in their production
area comprising 24039 hectares. The balance of the area some 81214
hectares are for conservation activities.
There is a management plan and the production area is divided into

120 compartments on a 40-year cycle with three compartments worked per
year. A stock survey is carried out ahead of felling and seed trees are
identified. At least 20 mahogany seed trees per 100 hectares including the
single largest mahogany tree and all mahogany trees under 50 cm d.b.h.
must be retained. Directional felling techniques are used and harvesting
intensity is low, an average of 1.6 items per hectare for all species. This
translates to 170,000 bd. ft of which 60% is mahogany; the balance includes
5-8 species.
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As the disturbance of both canopy and undergrowth is considered to

be insufficient for mahogany regeneration, wedge-shaped clear felled
patches are made down wind of mahogany seed trees to allow more light to
reach the forest floor and regenerating seedlings. This increases the cost of
operations but the concentration of mahogany in this area is higher to warrant
the modified system to encourage mahogany regeneration but it is a viable
option, which could be applicable in similar situations.
11.3 Plantations
Besides the considerable amount of work done by the Forest

Department on natural mahogany regeneration improvement in various
Forest Reserves, a lot of attention was diverted to plantations. Among the
techniques used to establish plantations included line planting nursery stock
in secondary bush, direct seeding mahogany with subsistence crops
(taungya) and planting seedlings in small clusters (Anderson groups). Mixed
experimental plantings of mahogany identified suitable species including:
Vochysia koschnyia, Virola merondonis, Aspidospermum megalocarpum and
Calophyllum brasiliense. Successful establishment of mahogany by under
planting a natural stand of 10 year old Belotia sp is also documented.
The point is that successful plantation establishment is a viable

alternative or option in Belize. This has been recognized and stated in the
literature. Recommendations were made in 1959 against continuing
establishing plantations, and again similar views were expressed in the late
1980's. Establishment of mahogany plantations is a viable option in Belize,
but it is necessary not to repeat the past mistakes in yielding to land
pressures for agriculture rather than respecting the investment in plantations.
Of a total of 1280 ha of mahogany plantations that were established by

1985 only 104 hectares were remaining in the Columbia River Forest
Reserve. These were already issued under license to liquidate them in 1997
but the Forest Department was able to save them after convincing the
powers that be that they are valuable research materials where sample plots
are being monitored.
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12. Critical Aspects Threatening the Species
During the course of the study a few aspects have surfaced which are
threatening the species. These include illegal logging, cutting undersized
trees, chain saw and too many sawmills, too many licenses, and conflict with
groups among others.
12.1 IlIegal Logging
This might take two forms. Although there has not been any recent
reports of transborder illegal logging this has occurred on the western border
along the Cayo/Orange Walk and the Toledo Borders section. There recently
has been more contact with cross border authorities so that any situations
are more manageable but the situations needs to be monitored.
The other form is in country illegal logging. This takes the form of
individuals not having licenses as in one report given for the Manatee Forest
Reserve. The other form is where the individual has a license but enters
adjacent private land to remove trees. Stricter monitoring and applying
penalties under the law including cancellation of license are necessary.
12.3 Cutting Undersized Trees
Where this occurs and the culprits are caught, harsh penalties need to
be enforced including cancellation of licenses. There is a loophole in the
case of land clearing for agriculture where not even a license is needed to
remove trees less than two feet. This law needs to be amended and better
monitoring is needed. The paper trail required to trace the origin of logs
needs to be enforced. The Forest Department is vigilant in this area as could
be seen on one occasion when the writer visited Orange Walk and saw
confiscated undersized logs being disposed of. Stepping up of this vigilance
needs to be more widespread.
12.4 Chain saw Lumber Conversion
There have been numerous reports of the chain saw being used for
the conversion of logs into lumber. While this was not the intention behind
chain saw permits being issued the matter needs to be addressed. Besides
the excessive waste in converting logs into lumber, there are reports of illegal
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use of chain saw in the forests.
In addition to this, the chain saw has facilitated access to few

individual mahogany trees remaining in the forest which could serve as seed
trees. These were left because the last time logging operations were carried
out they would not have been felling size, or were in inaccessible positions.
Now that the chain saw is around these trees are cut and sawn into lumber
in-situ. It is even reported that some of these operations take place at night.
12.5 Proliferation of Sawmills
These are for too many sawmills in the country, the majority of them
being old circular mills that cannot produce quality lumber and cause a lot of
waste in the process. It has been mentioned that once the draft Forest Act is
put into effect, this situation will be remedied with the need to license
sawmills and should include the requirement that conversion of mahogany
logs should be only with the use of band saws apart from the use for veneer
for plywood. The existence of too many sawmills is being used to pressure to
be allowed to provide employment.
12.6 Proliferation of Licenses
Over the past decade the production areas including national lands
have been fragmented by dividing them into smaller areas to allow more
individuals to work the areas. While this might be expedient with the excuse
of providing more employment and an increase in economic activity, it is not
expedient for sustainable management of the forest. Reduction in the
number of licenses is urgently needed to be able to amalgamate the
production areas into forest management units of sufficient sizes to be able
to apply sustainable management techniques. This has already started in
three areas but need to be extended to other areas.
12.7 Conflict with Groups
Recently there has been conflict between a foreign logging entity and
a Maya group in the south part of the country in the Toledo District. In Belize,
the indigenous people situation is not the same as in other parts where the
people actually live inside the forest in the wild.
There are Indian reserves that were put aside for them to practice the
milpa system of agriculture as a community but the trees remain under the
jurisdiction of the government. The conflict has arisen because the people
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claim that the logging operations are affecting their water supply source in
that logging is blocking the streams at crossings and polluting the water. The
situation has led to the suspension of the license while a committee was
investigating and reporting. The committee recommended reissue of the
license with conditions included to address the concerns of the people. The
matter is under public discussions with the people aiming to arrive at
conditions that will solve the concerns, and the logging entity can reapply for
the license if it agrees with the new requirements.
12.8 Users of Mahogany
There are some concerns among some of the individuals involved in

using mahogany that they cannot obtain the quality lumber they need for their
operations. Some say that the saw millers are exporting the best lumber and
will not sell them the better quality lumber. Some say that what is available is
at a high price. Producers say that there is not enough local market for their
production and so they have to export. The fact is that, over production is still
taking place fueled by exports, which is diminishing the mahogany stocks and
is threatening the species.
12.9 Impact of Fires and Hurricanes
Where mahogany exists fires do not have a devastating impact unless

it occurs after a long intense dry season where the fires would occur with
such intensity to kill the trees, but this is not a frequent occurrence. On
occasions where fires have occurred in broadleaf forest, where mahogany
grows it has in fact been beneficial because good regeneration has occurred
as a result of sufficient seed trees. Hurricanes can be another matter
depending on the strength of such hurricanes. Past hurricanes such as Janet
in the north and Hattie in the south have had devastating effects especially
nearer to the center of the eye of the hurricane where the destruction has
been more severe. Hurricanes would be more devastating in the situation
with pure mahogany plantations and this has been one reason why
plantations have not been advocated in Belize.
There are other views emerging concerning the impact of hurricanes in

broadleaf forest where mahogany occurs in low density, scattered
populations of trees. In some situations, mahogany has survived well
compared to other trees and this is attributed to the buttress habit of the tree
and the fact that it defoliates easily causing less resistance to the wind. But
where the wind damage has left wide enough gaps to encourage natural
regeneration from the remaining trees once these recover the result has been
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beneficial.
13. Discussion
After approximately 250 years of exploitation of the species, what is

the situation with mahogany in Belize? The fact that this exploitation has
continued for such a long time and there is still some mahogany remaining,
has a lot to say for the resilience of the species, as well as the interventions
which has been made and put in place for the continuation of the species,
however, inadequate these interventions might appear to have been.
What we do know is that over that period of 250 years there has been
a drastic reduction of the mahogany resources of the country, first due to
logging and secondly and more recently due to land use changes which have
taken place for agriculture. Some areas of mahogany have been wiped out
in the process of deforestation, which has taken place. We also know that
there is little mahogany left of merchantable size and that large over mature
mahogany trees are a thing of the past. Where an isolated tree might have
remained in the forest due to inaccessibility or other reason, these are being
wiped out with the use of the chainsaws.
There is no national or whole country forest inventory, which could

give more accurate information on the situation with mahogany. What we
have are six regional broadleaf forest inventories carried out between 1969 to
1981 which included four forest reserves at that time and one area of private
land. These being the only inventories available, although several years old,
have been re-analyzed and reworked in a report by Alder (1993), the main
objectives being to arrive at national estimates of the forest resources in
Belize including mahogany and to calculate an Annual Allowable Cut (AAC)
for sustainable logging.
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In the report, the areas of broadleaf forest by categories of

management are as follows:
Timber Production Areas

2
Forest Reserves, slopes < 25° 965 km
2
Forested National Lands 1087 km
2
Forested Private Lands 981 km
The balance was all classified as protected broadleaf forest.
Appendix A of the report gives inventory tables for categories of

forestland as shown above. For each of the above category, two tables are
2
given; one for tree numbers per km by cm diameter classes, which in effect
gives density in three cumulative classes > 20; > 40; > 60 cm. The other
3 2
tables gives tree bole volumes m per km in the same cumulative classes
with the diameters > 60 cm being the harvestable diameter classes.
3
The report arrived at an Annual Allowable Cut of 6041m or 213308 cu
ft for mahogany and cedar. It also stated that the cutting of Mahogany and
Cedar grossly exceeds the sustainable AAC for these species by a factor of
3:1. As shown by the production figures available from the Central Statistical
Office, the AAC is still being exceeded up to 1998, although a downward
trend is clearly discernable.
However, closer scrutiny of the report reveals that the figures used in
the inventory tables given are not exclusively for mahogany but cover an elite
species group which includes seven other hardwoods species.
The situation with mahogany alone would appear to be worse than

indicated. The trees bole volume figure used to multiply each land category
area to arrive at stock volumes of mature trees, which are > 60-cm diameter
per land category is for the whole elite group. The equivalent figure for
mahogany alone is about 50% of the group figures in two of the three land
categories. The AAC in the case of mahogany alone could be as low or
lower than 50% of the original AAC given in the report.
This means that over cutting is a far more serious situation than it has
been stated and more drastic measures are necessary to reduce the over
cutting in line with a much lower AAC if the species is to be sustainably
managed.
Similarly, the density of mahogany in the three land categories is very

low, being in the order of 0.1 and 0.2 stems per hectare for merchantable
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size (> 60 cm d.b.h.). It is still below 1 stem per hectare, ranging from 0.4 to
0.6 in the > 40 cm d.b.h. class. Only in the > 20 cm d.b.h. class where the
density is 5.9, 6.0 and 7.4 stems per hectare in the three categories
respectively can thus be considered satisfactory. If these numbers can be
maintained to maturity, the density of mahogany would be comparable to
densities recorded elsewhere in the species range.
In the very early 20's, it was recognized that mahogany was

approaching exhaustion and that the lack of regeneration would lead to a
decline of mahogany and that improving logged over forest could remedy the
situation. Stand improvement operations aimed at increasing mahogany
growth and regeneration were initiated. These efforts were abandoned due
to increased costs and other reasons in favor of plantations. Again
plantations were not carried through because of financial constraints. Had
these efforts continued, Belize’s mahogany situation would be in much better
situation now than the present,
In the sector review for the TFAP for Belize the various problems in the
forestry sector were highlighted. With the implementation of the Forest
Planning and Management Project, which followed, the Government of Belize
began addressing some of the problems.
The boundaries of some forest reserves were consolidated. Forest

Management plans were prepared for two of these. Sustainable logging was
instituted using the management criteria of 40-year cycle, area control and
minimum felling girths. The terms and conditions of forest licenses were
revised and used in these two areas. With the stock taking requirement prior
to logging as annual compartment and the system of logging applied the
structure of the forest is being improved.
In addition to the above, the Forest Policy has been revised and so
has the Forest Act consolidating other laws, which will require the licensing of
sawmills. The Department now needs to get the political support needed to
adopt the Forest Policy and the draft Forest Act and once approved, the
Department needs to apply the laws, improve the monitoring for compliance
and stop the illegal and undersized cutting of mahogany, Forest management
needs to be extended to the other reserves to bring them into sustainable
logging. There is a need to stop the fragmentation of logging areas by not
renewing some licenses. Forest management units need to be formed where
sustainable logging can be implemented, as the area needed has to be large.
Sustainable logging is not feasible on small areas, as they are too small to
produce a workable amount of timber.
The Department needs to re-think its policy on reforestation. There is

a need to get back to plantations in agroforestry and the improvement of
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mahogany regeneration including enrichment planting in the forest reserves.

Some incentives needs to be considered and introduced for the private
forests, such as some form of dedication scheme to leave areas in forests
and do improvements on them and to encourage the planting of mahogany in
boundary areas, and unused tracts of lands.
If such measures are encouraged and given the necessary impetus

the future of mahogany can be restored in time. In the final analysis a
conscious effort should be made to find out what the country’s requirements
are at present with Mahogany lumber. A survey needs to be carried out by
district to obtain the needs of all present mahogany users. It should be
widely publicized prior to carrying out the survey so as to obtain maximum
participation. The uncertainty of the Annual Allowable Cut figure is a serious
situation that needs to be addressed. The local consumption of mahogany
including the amounts going into value added operations presently, will be a
good base figure as to what the country needs are. This can be compared
with the indicated Annual Allowable Cut and the necessary adjustments
made.
If the requirements arrived at are within the present Annual Allowable

Cut, then the situation can remain stable; if not adjustments need to be
made. If there is no surplus for export in lumber form then this should be
stopped.
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Bibliography
Alder, D. 1993 An Assessment of Broadleaf Forest Resources and

Sustainable Yield in Belize, FPMP Consultancy Report
No.11, Ministry of Natural Resources, Belmopan,
Belize
Anonymous 1968 History of Forestry in British Honduras, Internal Forest

Department Paper
Bird, N.M. 1998 Sustaining the Yield, Improved Timber Harvesting

Practices in Belize 1992-98, Chatham, U.K., Natural
Resources Institute
Hartshorn, G.S. et al 1984 Belize Country Environmental Profile, A Field Study,

Belize City, Belize USAID 151 p
King, R.B. et al 1992 Land Resource Assessment of Northern Belize, Bulletin

43, Natural Resource Institute 513 p
Lamb, F.B. 1966 Mahogany of Tropical America: Its Ecology and

Management, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor
Mayhew, J.E and

Newton, A.C. 1998 The Silviculture of Mahogany, CABI Publishing: CAB
International, Wallingford, Oxon, U.K.
Plumptree, R.A. 1993 Report of the Sawmill Specialist, FPMP Consultancy

Report No.7, Ministry of Natural Resources, Belmopan,
Belize
Weaver, P.L. and

Sabido, O.A. 1997 Mahogany in Belize: A Historical Perspective, General
Technical Report IITF-2, USDA Forest Service,
Institute of Tropical Forestry, Puerto Rico
Wright, A.C.S. et al 1959 Land in British Honduras Colonial Research

Publication 24, London, U.K. HMSO 327 p
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Appendix I
Forest Policy of British Honduras
The following Forest Policy of the Government of British Honduras as

approved by the Governor in Council is published for general information:
The Forest Policy of the Government of British Honduras is:
1. To establish, preserve for all time and develop a Crown Lands Forest
Estate consisting of areas of Crown Land in any of the following
categories:
a. land unsuitable for permanent agriculture but supporting or
capable of supporting forest.
b. land capable of producing a greater sustained financial return, if
retained or developed as forest than if used for other purposes.
c. land which is best kept or put under forest for the better
protection of watersheds, catchment areas, drainage basins,
steep hill slopes and for the prevention of erosion, the control of
run-off, the regulation of steam-flow and the stabilization of the
climate.
d. areas which are required for the production of fuelwood for use
in towns and villages or by local industries, or for the production
of rough building and fencing materials for local use.
e. areas which from time to time may be set aside as nature
reserves.
2. In order to establish the Forest Estate, to survey, demarcate, and
constitute as Forest Reserves by proclamation, all Crown Land areas
described in paragraph 1 above. Forest Reserves once constituted
will only be dereserved wholly or in part by the Governor in Council as
a result of some over-riding public necessity.
3. In order to preserve the Forest Estate, to maintain demarcated
boundaries by clearing of traces and maintenance of boundary marks
as may be necessary to afford protection to the forests from fire,
animals, insect pests of diseases, trespass and illicit felling, removal of
or damage to forest produce, by such measures including legislation
as the Government may deem advisable and practicable; and to place
all exploitable surveys, and calculation of increment or other
practicable methods of yield control of exploitation, and by natural or
artificial regeneration and tending operations, so that their yield of
timber and other forest produce will be maintained in perpetuity.
4. In order to develop the Forest Estate, and thus ensure an adequate
and increasing supply of timber and other forest produce at a
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reasonable price to the people, industries and timber trade of British

Honduras, and for export; to establish intensive regeneration centres
in selected forest reserves. At these regeneration centres,, the aim
will be to create fully stocked forests or plantations of mahogany,
cedar, pine or other species including exotics by artificial or intensively-
assisted natural regeneration over areas adequate to supply in
perpetuity a sawmill or processing plant of economic size at or near
each centre.
5. To increase production from Forest Reserves by ensuring full

utilization of prime hardwoods and pine, and encouraging the use of
secondary hardwoods and other forest produce; by developing local
and export markets for small dimension stock of prime hardwoods and
pine; for secondary hardwoods and other forest produce; by exploring
the possibilities of other forms of Forest utilization, for example for
paper pulp.
6. To raise the quality of sawn lumber exported to world markets by the
institution of Timber grading, the encouragement of seasoning and of
accurate sawing and machining to specification, in order to achieve
assured markets for British Honduras timber abroad.
7. To promote the practice of forestry on freehold lands, by the control of
felling of mahogany, cedar and such other species as the Government
may deem advisable, by the inspection and marking for felling of trees
of these species to specified minimum girth limits; encouraging and
assisting landowners to draw up and implement simple working plans
for the sustained yield management on approved lines of their forest
land in the categories described in 1 a, b, c and d above; and by
encouraging and assisting afforestation on private lands.
8. To control the exploitation of forests and forest produce growing
outside Forest Reserves on Crown Land not yet taken up for
Agriculture by the issue of Forest produce licenses framed in such a
way that these forests, which are a wasting asset on land allocated to
agriculture, will continue to augment the yield form Forest reserves for
as long as time as possible during the period when Forest reserves
are being brought up to full production.
9. To bring about an increased appreciation of the need for and aims of
forest conservation amongst the general public by propaganda over
the British Honduras Broadcasting Station, and to the schools.
10. To maintain a Forest Department of sufficient strength and supplied
with sufficient funds to carry out the Forest policy set forth in 1 to 9
above; supported by an adequate research programme; and to staff
the Forest Department with personnel recruited locally so far as
possible and trained at established University schools of Forestry, or at
Forester training schools, or locally, as may be appropriate to the
different grades.
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Dated this 28th day October, 1954.
By Command,
P. M. Renison T. D. Vickers
Governor Colonial Secretary
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Appendix 2
Draft Forest Policy 1994
The Forest Policy of Belize seeks to:
a. Achieve an equilibrium between conservation of forest related natural

resources (biodiversity, water, soil and oxygen) with the productive
development of the forest sector, within the framework of sustainable
development.
b. Adapt forestry administration to focus on promotion and support,

making the technical and administrative procedures efficient, in order
to enhance the productive process.
c. Conserve and support the increase of natural forest products and

establish and regulate protected forests. At the same time, increase
the national forest inventory through the recuperation of areas with
good forest potential, based upon technical criteria.
d. Develop a forest management plan which will demarcate conservation

areas for forest reserves and facilitate the transfer of land, where this
is appropriate, between forestry and agriculture and for agro-forestry.
e. Examine ways to assist in the development of a more efficient and

competitive forest industry through modernization of the industrial
process, adequate methods of commercialization, forest pricing, the
elimination of restrictive barriers and the gradual elimination of industry
protectionism.
f. Raise the value added of forest resource by promoting the

establishment of industries, such as furniture production, veneers.
g. Increase the capacity of forest management through investigation,

training and forestry extension; accomplished in coordination with the
public and private sectors and with universities through mechanisms of
technological transfer.
h. Establish long term sustainable forest licenses which are governed by

comprehensive management plans.
I. Ensuring that environmental considerations are taken into account in

the formulation and implementation of forest management practices.
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j. To raise public awareness on forestry conservation practices and

regeneration methods.
In order to implement its forest policy the Government of Belize will:
1. Establish, preserve for all time and develop a State Lands Forest
Estate consisting of areas of state land in any of the following
categories:
a. land unsuitable for permanent agriculture but supporting or

capable of supporting forest.
b. land capable of producing a greater sustained financial return, if

retained or developed as forest than if used for other purposes.
c. land which is best kept or put under forest for the better
protection of watersheds, catchment areas, drainage basins,
steep hill slopes and for the prevention of erosion, the control of
run-off, the regulation of streamflow and the stabilization of the
climate.
d. areas which are required for the production of fuel wood for use
in the towns and villages or by local industries, or for the
production of rough building and fencing materials for local use.
e. areas which from time to time may be set aside as nature

reserves.
2. In order to establish the forest estate, to survey, demarcate and

constitute as Forest Reserves by proclamation, all State Land areas
described in paragraph 1 above. Forest Reserves, once constituted
will only be dereserved by:
a. consultation with the public;
b. consultation with the Department of the Environment.
3. In order to preserve the Forest Estate, to maintain demarcated

boundaries by clearing of traces and maintenance of boundary marks
as may be necessary to afford protection to the forests from fire,
animals, insect parts or diseases, trespass and illicit felling, removal or
damage to forest produce, by such measures including legislation as
the government may deem advisable and practicable; and to place all
exploitable Forest Reserves under sustained yield management by
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enumeration surveys and calculation of increment or other practicable

methods of yield control; by control of exploitation and by natural or
artificial regeneration and tending operations, so that their yield of
timber and other forest produce will be maintained in perpetuity.
4. In order to develop the Forest Estate, and thus ensure and adequate
and increasing supply of timber and forest produce at a reasonable
price to the people, industries and timber trade of Belize, and for
export; to establish extensive regeneration centres in selected forest
reserves. At these regeneration centres, the aim will be to create fully
stocked forests or plantations of mahogany, cedar, pine or other
species including exotics by artificial or intensively assisted natural
regeneration over areas adequate to supply in perpetuity a sawmill or
processing plant of economic size at or near each centre.
5. To increase production from Forest Reserves by ensuring full

utilization of prime hardwoods and pine, and encouraging the use of
secondary hardwoods and other forest produce; by developing local
and export markets for small dimension stock of prime hardwoods and
other than pine; for secondary hardwoods and other forest produce; by
exploring the possibilities of other forms of forest utilization, for
example for paper pulp.
6. To raise the quality of sawn lumber exported to world markets by the

institution of timber grading, the encouragement of seasoning and of
accurate sawing and machining to specification, in order to achieve
assured markets for Belizean timber abroad.
7. To promote the practice of forestry on freehold lands, by the control of

felling or mahogany, cedar and such other species as the government
may deem advisable, by the inspection and marking for felling of trees
of these species to specified minimum girth limits; encouraging and
assisting landowners to draw up and implement simple working plans
for the sustained yield management on approved lines of their forest
lands in the categories described in 1 a, b, c and d above; and by
encouraging and assisting afforestation on private lands.
8. To control the exploitation of forests and forest produce growing

outside forest reserves on State Lands not yet taken up for agriculture
by the issue of forest produce licenses framed in such a way that
these forests, which are a wasting asset on land allocated to
agriculture, will continue to augment the yield from Forest Reserves for
as long a time as possible furing the period when forest reserves are
being brought up to full production.
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9. To bring about an increased appreciation of the need for and aims of

the forest conservation of amongst the general public.
10. To maintain a Forest Department of sufficient strength and supplied

with sufficient funds to carry out the Forest Policy set forth in 1 to 9
above; supported by an adequate research programme; and to staff
the Forest Department with personnel recruited locally so far as
possible and trained at established University Schools of Forestry, or
at Forester training schools, or locally, as may be appropriate to the
different grades.
11. To encourage the development of forestry industry in Belize by:
a. regulating and licensing sawmills; and
b. encouraging the manufacture of timber and the development of

timber products.
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Appendix 3
List of Sawmills
District Location Name Type of Sawmill

Corozal Shipstern Ellis Eiley Circular
Corozal Little Belize Mennonites Circular
Orange Walk Camp 2 Shipyard1 Peter Fehr Large Circular
Orange Walk Camp 2 Shipyard Juan Nicolait Large Circular
Orange Walk Camp 7 Shipyard Issac Olfort Large Circular
Orange Walk Camp 9 Shipyard Juan Wall Large Circular
Orange Walk Camp 9 Shipyard Enrique Large Circular
Banman
Orange Walk Camp 1 Shipyard John Klassen Small Circular
Orange Walk Camp 4 Shipyard Juan Penner Small Circular
Orange Walk Camp 7 Shipyard Jacobo P. Small Circular
Theissen
Orange Walk Camp 20 Shipyard Joe Hanimham Small Circular
Orange Walk Camp Shipyard Issac Newfield Small Circular
Orange Walk Trial Farm Saul Garcia Circular
Orange Walk Orange Walk Town New River Band
Enterprises
Ltd.
Orange Walk Tower Hill Antonio Circular
Rosado
Orange Walk Orange Walk Natalia Circular
Campos
1
Mennonite Community.
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Orange Walk Guinea Grass Road Joe Briceno Circular
Belize Burrell Boom Mr. Cadle Circular
Belize Sandhill Ind. Ltd. Sandhill/Mask Circular
all Road
Cayo Yalbac Yalbac Ranch & Circular
Cattle Corp.
Cayo Spanish Lookout Midwest Ltd. Circular
Cayo Spanish Lookout David Reimer Circular
Cayo Spanish Lookout George Plett Circular
Cayo Spanish Lookout Tropical Woods Circular

Ltd.
Cayo Iguana Creek Belize Timber Band Resaw

Ltd.
Cayo Central Farm Pine Lumber Circular

Co.Ltd.
Cayo Camalote The Wood Depot Circular
Cayo Mile 47, Western Highway Alcala Band
Stann Creek Sagitun South Stann Creek Antonio Zabaneh Circular
Stann Creek George Town Junction K & W Sawmill Circular
Stann Creek Near George Town Polin Requena Circular
Stann Creek Red Bank Road Riverdale Co.Ltd. Circular
Stann Creek August Creek Joseph Estephan Circular
Stann Creek near Silkgrass Cornelius Circular

Sawmill
Stann Creek Silkgrass Samuel Bailey Circular
Toledo Las Lomitas Yong Lumber Band

Ltd.
Toledo Nelson Hill Thomas Gomez Circular

& Sons
Toledo Thousand Creek Armando Carillo Circular
Toledo Deep River-Medina Bank Magnus Carcamo Circular
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Toledo South of Deep River Everett Genus Circular
Toledo Big Falls Atlantic Band

Industries Ltd.
Toledo The Dump Gilbert Tulcey Jr. Circular
Toledo Esso Landing Rio Grande Band

Industries
Toledo Jacinto Ville Wallace Edwards Circular
Toledo Pine Hill Mennonites Circular
51
Diagnóstico de la caoba en Mesoamérica, Belize CCT
Appendix 4
List of protected areas with mahogany.

NAME STATUS AREA IN ACRES AREA IN SQ. KM. LOCATION
Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve 6720.88 27.21 Cayo District
Bladen Nature Reserve 99329.50 402.14 Toledo District
Shipstern Private Reserve 18775.43 76.01 Corozal District
Rio Bravo Conservation & Management Area2 Private Reserve 200598.56 812.14 Orange walk District
Monkey Bay National Park 1792.45 7.25 Belize District
Aguas Turbias National Park 8761.45 35.46 Orange Walk District
Five Blues Lake National Park 4047.17 16.38 Cayo District
Blue Hole National Park 662.23 2.68 Cayo District
Chiquibul National Park 285288.09 1155.01 Cayo District
Temash Sarstoon National Park 41753.55 169.04 Toledo District
Cockscomb Basin Wildlfe Sanctuary 133797.38 541.47 Stann Creek/Toledo Districts
Caracol Archaeological Reserve 4309.77 17.44 Cayo District
2
Includes the Conservation area only.
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Appendix 5
INTERVIEWS
March 3, 1999 Mr. Oswaldo Sabido, Acting Chief Forest Officer Forestry
Department, Belmopan
• when he thinks of Mahogany, he thinks of the North of Belize.

• export of Mahogany should be by quota based on the Annual Allowable
Cut.
• a study was made to look at exporting of Mahogany and it was not
recommended that this be stopped.
• need to be careful not to devalue Mahogany which could happen if export
is stopped.
• chainsaw is a problem.
March 16, 1999 JRC Enterprises Ltd., Forest Drive, Belmopan
• manufactures furniture and wood products.

• Mahogany lumber not readily available, especially first quality, because of
exportation of quality lumber.
• still allowed without due regards for the local industry.
• 1" lumber difficult to get - critical position.
• Mahogany is the basis of his manufacturing of wood products. It is a
natural resource for which the whole country should benefit in integrated
industry.
• should stop being providers to the outside world.
• management of resources - program needed.
• seed trees need to be left.
• chainsaw situation is a problem - should not have been allowed.
Reapers of the country – guat’s, salva’s, Mennonites buying chainsaw

lumber, stock and sell at high prices. Comprehensive management plan
needed involving the relevant parties.
Uses 1000 bd ft a month - up to 30,000 bd ft a year of all lumber species -

70% being Mahogany at $1.75/bd ft for chainsaw lumber - $2.25 - $3.00/bd ft
reg sawmill Mah lumber.
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March 16, 1999 Jaguar Imports Ltd., John Briggs, Forest Drive,
Belmopan
• uses 1000 bd ft a week of Mahogany lumber.

• prices paid $1.75/$2.25/$2.40 a bd ft.
• dries 7500 bd ft every 10 days for use by himself, JRC and Medina
furniture.
• would want to get out of Mahogany use and use other species.
March 15, 1999 Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST) -

Frank Smith
• have a PACT funded project involving Mahogany replanting school

grounds in the Cayo District.
• use of trees in Agroforestry - have obtained Mahogany germ plasma from
Costa Rica.
March 15, 1999 Help for Progress Ltd., Forest Drive, Belmopan
• nothing on going
• informed that one Gabino Canto has a nursery of mahogany at BCA
March 15, 1999 Central Statistics Office, Mr. Willoughby
• assisted with production and export figures on Mahogany.
April 7, 1999 Melvin Hulse Sr., Roaring Creek, Cayo
• we have little Mahogany left, should stopcutting under 8'6" girth.

• few mahogany remaining.
• petty permit should be stopped.
• no clear cut of Mahogany should be allowed.
• small sawmills should be closed down only need a few sawmills, only three
needed for the country.
• power saw to convert Mahogany into lumber should be stopped.
• planting and regeneration of Mahogany - Pine, Rosewood, Zericote should
be done.
• Bladen area should have some Mahogany left.
• exporting of Mahogany lumber should be stopped - use in value added the
little that is left.
• no seed trees are being left - being cut out by chainsaw.
• salvage permits should be stopped.
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April 8, 1999 Spaceline Upholstery & Cabinet Co.Ltd., Hubert Usher,

Dangriga, Stann Creek District
• difficult to obtain Mahogany lumber.

• uses 5-1500 bd ft a month
• around Stann Creek is $2.00 bd ft; Belmopan and Punta Gorda $2.50-
$2.75 a ft.
• Mahogany for furniture and doors is the demand.
• trend is other hardwoods for lockers.
April 8, 1999 Belize Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Kevin Herrera, Belize

City, Belize
• he knows of the supply problem with Mahogany lumber.

• also licensing problem - cutting and processing.
• people getting licenses who have no equipment and just flog out the
licenses.
• see Dr. canton.
April 8, 1999 Carter Upholstery Ltd., Darrel Carter, 21 Dolphin Street,

Belize City, Belize
• 14 years in the business when BFC was sole supplier and producer of
Mahogany lumber in Belize City,
• base for furniture - price $2.25 a ft.
• now only use it for special purposes, for antique furniture, legs and turning
- spend $400.00 a month buying Mahogany lumber (about 200 bd ft).
• quality Mahogany lumber difficult to obtain.
• use other woods more as an alternative, e.g. pine, other hardwoods.
• Mahogany is at an all time premium.
April 8, 1999 Medina Furniture, Mr. Medin, 3 - 16th Street, San

Ignacio, Cayo
• uses 5000 bd ft a month Mahogany and 3000 mixed hardwood.

• mahogany difficult to get.
• problem is that sawmillers want to export the best and not sell to
Belizeans.
• cutting young Mahogany, not good for export, leave inferior lumber for
home use.
• in 10 years there will be a problem with mahogany.
• association needed
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• Forest need to be managed better

• export of Mahogany need to be stopped
• should cut only mature trees
April 9, 1999 Gabourel Custom Cabinet, Mr. Swift, 1745 Coney Drive,
Belize City, Belize
• Mahogany lumber procuring problem mentioned being the securing of kiln

dried lumber for small operations, large operators who can afford an
inventory could negotiate with kiln drivers - Loskot, Belize Timber for their
needs.
• suppliers are Belize Timber Ltd & Yalbac Manufacturers Assn has
agreement with Yalbac to obtain FAS for members.
• Price $2.30 bd ft or there about
• plywood - mahogany - framing - quality of local plywood is a problem
• cotton plywood soaks the glue
• impact of pricing - Loskot would put more Mahogany into plywood than in
lumber - problem!
• regeneration package was pursued in the original concession but got
nowhere
April 15, 1999 Belize Timber Ltd, John Roberson, Iguana Creek, Cayo
District
• They had the BEC Lands, 600,000 acres in extent and were going through
10,000 acres per yaer, removing 600,000 bd ft of Mahogany of
merchantable size (6'6" girth). This yielded 60 bd ft per acre and this
would be sustainable since it would return to the original 10,000 acres and
the yield would have been slightly better than 60 bd ft a year. This
production would be the highest for the country as anywhere else would
not have the stocking.
April 23, 1999 Linda Vista Lumber Yard, Frank Plett, Spanish Lookout,
Cayo District
• Has a circular and Band mills resaw. Production of mahogany has been
low the past two years. 27-28,000 bd ft from the Manatee Reserve which
he has on an annual license. Last year 1998 he bought 24,000 bd ft at
$1.50 bd ft which came from the same area. Selling price is $2.25 bd ft for
the better grade. Chain saw lumber 30" wide is $3.00 a ft. All the 1"
lumber goes fast, there is a good demand for this.
• He says that about 40,000 bd ft is available in the mountains in the
Manatee Reserve where there is no road and only can be taken out by
chain saw operation.
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• The Mennonites have 25,000 acres in the Yalbac area already subdivided
into different ownerships. They have started replanting in this area by
regeneration. This is done by cleaning west of the seed tree and allowing
seeds to fall and regenerate. Mahogany is there, but 1/3 of the western
part has all gone in illegal logging. The area was bought but is being left
having removed the large trees about half the area has been logged.
• In the north of the country only small Mahogany are being removed. This
is not good. Chainsaw operations are causing havoc with Mahogany. It is
easy to view their operations from the air, mostly all illegal. Chainsaw
permit is a problem which is affecting the legal aspect of logging
mahogany. The price of Mahogany is going down because chainsaw cut
lumber is available cheaply as they pay no royalty and are doing the
operation at night.
• He suggests that reforestation should be done. Mahogany should be
planted along pasture boundaries 500 acre pasture. Planting should
include Cedar. He said that there should be TV commercials to encourage
planting in small areas not used in farming. He is encouraging that this is
done more in Spanish Lookout. The attitude is changing there about the
wholesale clearing that used to be done at the start, and they are being
encouraged to plant Mahogany along boundary lines and in small corners
of the field.
• He said that they were working with an American with reference to
Mahogany regeneration where they were clearing to the west of Mahogany
seed tree s for seeds to fall and germinate. This is in the Yalbac lands
belonging to the Mennonites.
April 30, 1999 Camp 4, Heinrich Hildebrand, Shipyard, Orange Walk

Distrct
• furniture manufacturing part time

• He obtains his mahogany supply from Little Belize area and a little from
Shipyard but it is scarce. It is difficult to obtain Mahogany. Only small logs
are available. When lumber was available in Shipyard it was all for export
to Mexico. There is also not the quality of lumber available, only narrow
lumber available which you have to glue together to make wider pieces.
For example, 6 pieces are needed for a 34" wide table.
• He uses about 6000 bd ft a year but it is difficult to obtain as only narrow
lumber with pin worm is available which has to be cut even narrower to get
the best. Price is about $1.50 a ft to buy. Sometimes occasionally
selected pieces (wider) would be $2.00 a ft. It is expensive even at $1.50
because they are narrow and you have to cut out what it not good and it
gets narrower. The quality is not too good as it is young lumber.
• He sees difficulty in continuing the business because of the difficulty in
getting lumber. He thinks that the export of Mahogany should be stopped.
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Some people get land for agriculture and get permission to clear out but
really only take out the Mahogany and leave the area. He used to grieve a
lot when the exportation was more rampant as he thought it should be left
for Belizeans to use, to conserve (save) it for Belizeans. He says there are
about 35 to 40 furniture makers in the Shipyard area who would say similar
things on the Mahogany situation.
May 4, 1999 Natalie and Alvaro Campus, Orange Walk Town, Orange
Walk
• This is not an all year round operation. They have a forest license in the
Bomba area, Belize District. Mahogany is difficult to get only 10 to 12 inch
diameter trees are available which the legal size is 6'6". There seems to
be a lot of Mahogany but all small size.
• From January to now they have cut about 15,000 bd ft. They have
problem with the license. The Bomba people want to be paid for use of
the road. The village council is asking for $15,00 a trip per truck load.
They export to the USA, the maximum size lumber for export is 1x12".
• This family says they depend on the lumber business. They get no orders
from Belize - no one wants to buy much locally, although some have been
sold to Belmopan at $1.85 a ft. They have problem to get rid of the lumber
locally yet the Furniture Association complains that they cannot get
lumber. They are against stopping the export of Mahogany, although there
are no exports to Mexico.
• They suggest planting 10 trees for everyone being cut like it is done in
Mexico. Forestry should start a nursery to have plants available. There is
more lumber (Mahogany) than the local market can take so there is no
need to stop the export. Replanting should have been taking place long
ago. They think they have 3-4 years more logs available from the Bomba
area. There is plenty of 5'6" size trees more than the 6'6". They have
been in the business for about 40 years.
May 4, 1999 New River Enterprises Ltd., J.B. Loskot, Orange Walkt
Town, Orange Walk
• He has undergone a gradual transformation in the business from lumber to

value added; from primary species to lesser known species. This is to put
less pressure on Mahogany. He has license areas in the Chiquebul and
the Toledo District. The Chiquebul license is being worked under a
Management plan. He also processes for Programme for Belize who are
certified both by Smart Wood and the European side. They do flooring
and plywood for Programme for Belize.
• The export market is picking up in all value added areas, louvre doors,
doors, flooring, plywood. Also there is a good local demand. He uses
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about 10% mahogany out of 1,200,000 bd ft of lumber used annually in the

business. He also purchases some timber. He has his own private land
(10,000 acres) which he uses sparingly - saving it.
This area has a lot of merchantable mahogany. There is no problem
getting mahogany.
• From the Toledo license area he is getting mostly soft broadleaf timber
used in veneer. The biggest impact is the way sustainable logging is being
done. Regeneration is taking place especially in Programme for Belize
lands. Cannot suddenly run out of Mahogany. Using more of the lesser
known species is resting the mahogany. The seaboard Mahogany (closer
to the coast) is all small trees in the Orange Walk District.
• Programme for Belize has 283000 acres with lots of mahogany
regeneration and with sustained yield harvesting Mahogany will not run
out. Sustained yield harvesting is the right way and it is doing the right
thing at the right time and just in time to save the situation. CITES should
stay in Appendix III where it is now. NRE were not really certified from the
start. For certification you need a large area where you can work two or
more coupes at a time to get a mixture of species. Presently he is
depending on Programme for Belize who are certified. He has found
market for several hardwoods for flooring. He might look for certification
for certain parts of the business, e.g., the Chiquebul production being
managed under a management plan and can get higher price for the
product.
• Plantations is the thing to go into and he will go into this as this is
automatic certification. He is glad he did not go into it the way he had
thought earlier. It is not good to clear forest to put in plantations. It is
better to use previously cleared land such as old pastures and other
cleared land. He will be buying such land when available close of his
manufacturing facilities to have the supply near at hand.
May 7, 1999 Belize Timber Ltd. Mr.Canton, Iguana Creek, Cayo

District
• There is not much mature mahogany left; there is mostly nothing left in
National lands. All chainsaw Mahogany being supplied in the local market.
We are not even certain they have permits or if they pay royalty for the
trees. This chainsaw situation is causing havoc in the industry. It is
happening in the Columbia Forest Reserve where you have a
management plan which is being worked but the chainsaw thing is
rampant.
• Cutting of undersized trees should be stop. Persons applying for license
should be told no undersize trees to be cut, and no use of chainsaw for
converting into lumber since there are no mature legal size trees they will
have to stop and go out of business. This is what the industry needs.
59
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More newspaper notices should be put out to educate the public.

• Certification should be looked at carefully because it seems that it is about
certification of other things and not wood. Once someone is working and
adhering to a management plan, certification should be automatic.
May 10, 1999 Belize Audubon Society, Osmany Salas, Belize City,
Belize
• He was appraised of the study and since the Belize Audubon Society is
involved in the management of six protected areas where these contain
mahogany then mahogany is protected. The scope of the study was
outlined and he was asked to express opinions on this and on CITES.
May 10, 1999 Programme for Belize, Dr. Palacio, Belize City, Belize
• There is on going research on Silvicultural treatment for Mahogany

regeneration to find the best way for mahogany to regenerate being
conducted by Laura Snook. Open gaps seems to be the best way.
• Openings of gaps of various size and ways: (1) cleared by bulldozer,
followed by planting the clearing down wind from seed trees; (2) chainsaw
clearing, this emulates timber harvesting; (3) girdling; (4) control area. The
sizes of gaps used are 500, 1000, and 5,000 square meters.
Measurement of sun light availability is carried out 3-4 times a year at
every equinox.
• Permanent Sample Plots have also been established and are being
monitored in areas where felling has taken place and where no felling has
taken place.
• The entire property is 260,000 acres, of this 59401.2 logged on a 40 year
cycle divided into 120 compartments. No inventory on the entire area has
been carried out. The area being sustainably logged is 24049.0 on a 40
year cycle would be working a total of 600 ha per year. In practice three
compartments are worked yearly or an area of 400 ha year as the balance
is lost in leaving buffer areas along roadsides, waterways, and marshes.
• This annual coupe yield 170,000 bd ft of timber of which 60% is mahogany
and the rest includes 5-8 species. New River Enterprises Ltd does the
conversion based on sales by the marketing officer. The allocation of the
yearly cutting blocks is also based on the sales made by the marketing
officer.
• The difference between 260,000 acres - 59401 acres = 200,599 acres or
(105,263 ha - 24049.0 has = 81214.1 ha).
• Sustainability of mahogany under certification does not support restricting
exportation. Present certification is under Smart Wood (USA) and Wood
Mark (UK) for which a better price is obtained. There is no full inventory
for the areas, but stock survey is an ongoing activity two years ahead of
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cutting.
In addition to the above, the writer had consultations with forest officers
especially the ones in charge or Orange Walk and Belize City as they
supplied information on sawmill locations.
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Appendix 6
List of contacts
1. Mr. Oswaldo Sabido 2. Mr. Juan Coye

Acting Chief Forest Officer JRC Enterprises Ltd.
Forest Department Belmopan, Belize
Belmopan, Belize Tel: 501-8-20186
Tel: 501-8-23412
3. Mr. John Briggs 4. Mr. Frank Smith

Jaguar Imports Ltd. BEST
Forest Drive Hummingbird Highway
Belmopan, Belize Belmopan, Belize
Tel: 501-8-23494 Tel: 501-8-23043
5. Mr. Willougby 6. Mr. Melvin Hulse Sr.

Central Statistical Office Roaring Creek
New Administration Building Cayo District, Belize
Belmopan, Belize Tel: 501-8-22856
Tel: 501-8-22207
7. Mr. Hubert Usher 8. Mr. Kevin Herrera

Spaceline Upholstery & Cabinet Belize Chamber of Commerce
1506 S/C Valley Road 63 Regent Street
Dangriga, Stann Creek, Belize Belize City, Belize
Tel: 501-5-22048 Tel: 501-2-73148
9. Mr. Carter 10. Mr. Medina

Carter Upholstery Ltd. Medina=s Furniture
21 Dolphin Street 3-16th Street
Belize City, Belize San Ignacio, Cayo District,
Belize
Tel: 501-2-75140 Tel: 501-9-22546
11. Mr. Swift 12. Mr. John Roberson

Gabourel Custom Cabinet Belize Timber Ltd.
1795 Coney Drive Iguana Creek
Belize City, Belize Cayo District, Belize
Tel: 501-2-20596 Tel: 501-8-12010
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13. Mr. Frank Plett 14. Mr. Heinrich

Linda Vista Lumber Yard Hildebrand
Spanish Lookout Shipyard, Camp 4
Cayo District, Belize Orange Walk District, Belize
Tel: 501-8-30257
15. Natalie and Alvaro Campus 16. Mr. J. B. Loskot

Belize Road New River Enterprises Ltd.
Orange Walk Town 14 Westby Alley
Orange Walk District, Belize Orange Walk Town, Orange
Walk, Belize
Tel: 501-3-22225
17. Mr. G. Canton 18. Mr. Osmany Salas

Belize Timber Ltd. Belize Audubon Society
Belize City Lumber Yard 12 Fort Street
2 Mapp Street Belize City, Belize
Belize City, Belize Tel: 501-2-34533
Tel: 501-2-45716
19. Dr. Palacio

Programme for Belize
1 Eyre Street
Belize City, Belize
Tel: 501-2-75616
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Appendix 7
Maps
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Map 1. Location of Belize.
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Map 2. Major Land Forms and Soil Features of Belize.
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Map 3. Original Distribution of Mahogany in Belize.
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Map 4. Actual Distribution of Mahogany in Belize.
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Map 5. Map showing locations of Permanent Sample Plots.
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Map 6. Belize Protected Areas.
70

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Diagnóstico de la Caoba

(Swietenia macrophylla King)

Esta publicación y el trabajo descrito en ella fueron financiados por la

ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

2. Physical Features .................................................................................. 1

5. Legal and Institutional Regulatory Framework ................................. 15

8. Role of Disturbance in Relation to Mahogany................................... 24

9. System of Exploitation ........................................................................ 25

10. Production and Trade .......................................................................... 25

Map 1. Location of Belize. ..........................................................................................65

THE SITUATION OF MAHOGANY IN BELIZE

The Central American Commission on Environment and Development

This report covers the situation in Belize, taking into consideration

Brief geographical, geological and other physical features, and other

Belize is situated in northeastern Central America, boarded by Mexico

The average dimensions of the Belize rectangle are about 260

Belizean geology is largely a study on limestone except for the Maya

Mean monthly minimum temperature range from 16-17°C in the cooler

Belize has a history of the devastating effects of hurricanes causing

More recently Iremonger and Brokaw (1996) based on a system

It is estimated that there are around 4000 native flowering plants in

The major vegetation types grow on particular landforms and soils.

2.6 Forest Cover

Forest Class Area (has) Area (acs) Area Percentage

Broadleaf Forest 1,419,000 3,503,704 14,190.00 65.12

Open broadleaf forest 12,031 29,705 120.31 0.55

Pine forest 57,625 142,283 576.25 2.64

Open pine forest 7,307 18,041 73.07 0.34

Thicket and other 84,838 209,477 848.38 3.89

Herbaceous and Scrub, 18,859 46,564 188.59 0.87

Bamboo and Riparian 11,527 28,462 115.22 0.53

Coastal Strand Vegetation 2,483 6,131 24.83 0.11

Mangrove, Medium & Tall 7,820 19,308 78.20 0.36

Mangrove, Dwarf 23,460 57,925 234.60 1.08

Saline swamp vegetation 34,487 85,152 344.87 1.58

Marsh swamp 41,963 103,613 419.63 1.93

Total of Forested Areas 1,721,398 4,250,366 17,213.98 79.00

The 1984 Belize Country Environmental Profile said that deforestation

From the 1989/92 baseline period to 1994, approximately 78,100 ha of

Most losses in forest cover are due to agricultural development

There is need to put a moratorium on conversion of forest areas. Any

3. Occurrence and Distribution of Mahogany in Belize

3.1 Original Occurrence and Distribution

Although there were separate sporadic reports about the occurrence

- deciduous seasonal forest on limestone

In the remainder of the forest types classified as follows:

- transitional low broadleaf forest

Table 2. Major Vegetation Assemblage of Belize on the occurrence of

Vegetation Assemblage Average tree Land Area km2

Major commercial mahogany forests

Broadleaf forest rich in lime-loving species

Mahogany minor or non-commercial

Transitional low broadleaf forest 989

The division given as commercial and non-commercial mahogany

3.2 Actual Occurrence and Distribution

From the above review, it is evident that Mahogany occurs in broadleaf

This of course, is only where broadleaf vegetation is still in existence.

There is no national or whole country forest inventory, which could

Table 3. Areas of Broadleaf Forest in Belize.

CATEGORY Km2 TOTAL Km2 %

Protected broadleaf forest

Timber Production areas