INTRODUCTION Agricultural encroachment for “milpa” farming (slash and burn agriculture) is the main cause of deforestation within the Chiquibul Forest. Slash and burn agriculture (is a shifting farming system in which cleared fields are cultivated for fewer years than fallow) supports the livelihood of many, usually poor populations in the tropics. This practice is also […]

INTRODUCTION The genus, Chamaedorea (locally referred to as xate) is the largest palm genus in Central America (Henderson et al. 1995) with an estimated 75% of the species being threatened. In Belize, there are 12 reported species, including the three most favored species in the floral industry (Chamaedorea elegans, C. ernesti-augustii and C. oblongata) and […]

Visiting QCC in London The Queens Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) has been heralded as one of those unique endeavors championed by the Queen of England aimed at bringing together the family of Commonwealth nations to protect their forest resources. For Belize, the Chiquibul National Park was accepted as part of the QCC initiative. Since its acceptance, […]