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Forestry in belize

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Nicole Hamilton
Nicole Hamilton

Forestry has historically been an important industry for Belize's economy, but unsustainable logging practices have depleted many of its native tree species. While the government has taken steps toward reforestation and regulations, Belize continues to lose about 1-1.5% of its forest area annually due to illegal logging and other issues. The forestry sector now focuses on exporting wood products from introduced pine and mahogany plantations.

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Forestry in belize
Forestry is the science or practice of planting and taking care of forests.
Promotes rainfall Prevents soil erosion Prevents flooding Maintains the composition of the atmosphere Reduces noise pollution Wind protection Medicinal remedies Recreation Logging
Forestry in belize
Belize is a sparsely populated enclave on the Caribbean coast of Central America. The northern half is low-lying swamp, the south a high corrugated plateau, while offshore lies the world’s second biggest coral reef.
Tropical climate Large forests – originally full of tropical hardwoods but now including many faster growing species Port facilities to export tree products Wood processing factories
Gallon Jug in Orange Walk District Millionaria Maya Mountains in Cayo District Mountain Pine Ridge NB: Most of Belize’s land mass is made up of forested areas
The species of trees grown in Belize include: Mahogany Pine Rosewood Cedar Bulletwood
Forestry in belize
The availability of transport has determined the areas that could be exploited. In Orange Walk District, for example, the trees are felled in three main areas, transported by trucks or tractors to the New River and then floated to the mill near Orange Walk Town. Formerly, rail, tractors, trucks, rafts and bullocks were used to get the logs to the sawmills in Belize.
Today the railway system has fallen into disuse and most logs are moved by road. Several feeder roads have been built to link areas of operation, such as that between Millionario and Augustine. All logging is completed by late May - early June. Even the special trucks, called ‘caminos’, cannot operate in the muddy terrain once the heavy rains start.
Traditional products using tropical hardwoods, such as furniture, are being replaced by woodfuel and tree products used in the industry from non-native, introduced species.
The major problem is getting the cut trees t one of several sawmills operating in the country. The availability of transport has therefore determined the areas that could be exploited. Changing tastes from Western buyers concerned about the use of traditional tropical hardwood species Over-foresting of old species, almost to extinction – use of trees now needs to be sustainable Competition from foreign countries, especially those in South-east Asia with large forests of tropical hardwoods, e.g. Indonesia
The Forestry Department in Belize has taken steps to replant stands of pin and mahogany following indiscriminate harvesting in the last few decades. Although the best timber was removed in the 1950s and 1960s, reforestation in the Cayo, Stan Creek and Toledo districts is taking place, but Belize is still losing an estimated 1 – 1.5% of its forest area annually.
Since 1993, the Government of Belize has granted 16 long-term logging concessions in lands occupied by native peoples (the Mayas), and logging companies that are cutting trees in prohibited areas, bulldozing in prohibited areas to build roads, and cutting during the rainy season.
Belize's economy depended on forestry until well into the 20th century. Logwood, used to make dye, was Belize's initial main export. However, the supply outstripped the demand, especially as Europeans developed man-made dyes which were less expensive. Loggers turned to mahogany, which grew in abundance in the country's forests. The wood was prized for use in cabinets, ships, and railroad carriers. While many merchants and traders became wealthy from the mahogany industry, ups and downs in the market had a large impact on the economy. In addition, new mahogany trees weren't being planted, because mahogany trees grow slowly; the rate of natural regrowth necessitated a large, long-term investment in tree farming, which was not made. As the 19th century progressed, loggers were forced to go deeper into the forests to find the trees, increasing labour costs.
The forestry is a multi-million- dollar activity in Belize. Lumber and resins are exported from Mountain Pine Ridge to the USA, although in recent years the chicle- producing industry has almost disappeared owing to the development of chemical substitutes.
Even with the new logging activities, lumbering is in decline in Belize. In 2000, the country exported US$3.627 million or forest products, but it imported US$4.166 million of plywood, sawnwood and veneer sheets.
Many governments have designated certain areas as forest reserves. In such areas logging is strictly prohibited. Controlled cutting of trees (only mature trees) A massive re-afforestation programme which necessitates replanting of trees in areas where forests once flourished. An education programme to inform the public of the importance of forests Strict and severe penalties for illegal logging.
Done By: Nicole Hamilton Jonelle McPherson Cameika Davis Rikki Bowen

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Forestry in belize

  • 2. Forestry is the science or practice of planting and taking care of forests.
  • 3. Promotes rainfall Prevents soil erosion Prevents flooding Maintains the composition of the atmosphere Reduces noise pollution Wind protection Medicinal remedies Recreation Logging
  • 5. Belize is a sparsely populated enclave on the Caribbean coast of Central America. The northern half is low-lying swamp, the south a high corrugated plateau, while offshore lies the world’s second biggest coral reef.
  • 6. Tropical climate Large forests – originally full of tropical hardwoods but now including many faster growing species Port facilities to export tree products Wood processing factories
  • 7. Gallon Jug in Orange Walk District Millionaria Maya Mountains in Cayo District Mountain Pine Ridge NB: Most of Belize’s land mass is made up of forested areas
  • 8. The species of trees grown in Belize include: Mahogany Pine Rosewood Cedar Bulletwood
  • 10. The availability of transport has determined the areas that could be exploited. In Orange Walk District, for example, the trees are felled in three main areas, transported by trucks or tractors to the New River and then floated to the mill near Orange Walk Town. Formerly, rail, tractors, trucks, rafts and bullocks were used to get the logs to the sawmills in Belize.
  • 11. Today the railway system has fallen into disuse and most logs are moved by road. Several feeder roads have been built to link areas of operation, such as that between Millionario and Augustine. All logging is completed by late May - early June. Even the special trucks, called ‘caminos’, cannot operate in the muddy terrain once the heavy rains start.
  • 12. Traditional products using tropical hardwoods, such as furniture, are being replaced by woodfuel and tree products used in the industry from non-native, introduced species.
  • 13. The major problem is getting the cut trees t one of several sawmills operating in the country. The availability of transport has therefore determined the areas that could be exploited. Changing tastes from Western buyers concerned about the use of traditional tropical hardwood species Over-foresting of old species, almost to extinction – use of trees now needs to be sustainable Competition from foreign countries, especially those in South-east Asia with large forests of tropical hardwoods, e.g. Indonesia
  • 14. The Forestry Department in Belize has taken steps to replant stands of pin and mahogany following indiscriminate harvesting in the last few decades. Although the best timber was removed in the 1950s and 1960s, reforestation in the Cayo, Stan Creek and Toledo districts is taking place, but Belize is still losing an estimated 1 – 1.5% of its forest area annually.
  • 15. Since 1993, the Government of Belize has granted 16 long-term logging concessions in lands occupied by native peoples (the Mayas), and logging companies that are cutting trees in prohibited areas, bulldozing in prohibited areas to build roads, and cutting during the rainy season.
  • 16. Belize's economy depended on forestry until well into the 20th century. Logwood, used to make dye, was Belize's initial main export. However, the supply outstripped the demand, especially as Europeans developed man-made dyes which were less expensive. Loggers turned to mahogany, which grew in abundance in the country's forests. The wood was prized for use in cabinets, ships, and railroad carriers. While many merchants and traders became wealthy from the mahogany industry, ups and downs in the market had a large impact on the economy. In addition, new mahogany trees weren't being planted, because mahogany trees grow slowly; the rate of natural regrowth necessitated a large, long-term investment in tree farming, which was not made. As the 19th century progressed, loggers were forced to go deeper into the forests to find the trees, increasing labour costs.
  • 17. The forestry is a multi-million- dollar activity in Belize. Lumber and resins are exported from Mountain Pine Ridge to the USA, although in recent years the chicle- producing industry has almost disappeared owing to the development of chemical substitutes.
  • 18. Even with the new logging activities, lumbering is in decline in Belize. In 2000, the country exported US$3.627 million or forest products, but it imported US$4.166 million of plywood, sawnwood and veneer sheets.
  • 19. Many governments have designated certain areas as forest reserves. In such areas logging is strictly prohibited. Controlled cutting of trees (only mature trees) A massive re-afforestation programme which necessitates replanting of trees in areas where forests once flourished. An education programme to inform the public of the importance of forests Strict and severe penalties for illegal logging.
  • 20. Done By: Nicole Hamilton Jonelle McPherson Cameika Davis Rikki Bowen