Conservation of Mahogany phenotypes and testing of forest enrichment techniques in North-eastern Belize
Precious Forests Foundation is proud to share the evaluation report 2014-2021 of the Sustainable Forest Management & Rehabilitation Project in the Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve, Belize. This work allowed for the gathering of information about the forests of Freshwater Creek, the testing of various methods in the field, a much better knowledge on local Mahogany phenotypes and their cultivation, and, last but not least, the transfer of know-how on how to approach modern and sustainable silviculture. This will be a huge asset towards the future implementation of sustainable management of forests within multiple-use zones in Belize and other depleted forest areas in the tropics.
The project has shown that the enrichment of gaps within natural forests with locally produced Mahogany trees is possible, through to at least young regenerating forest stages. The project also showed that a proper tending of forests is necessary, at least in the early years, in order to achieve silvicultural goals in terms of growth, quality, vitality and stability. Had this project not been implemented, the critical situation around the Mahogany phenotypes specific to the forests of Freshwater Creek may not have come into light.
