Tropical forestry action plan : Belize conservation issues and recommendations

Much of the country is unexploited and wildlife species endangered or extinct elsewhere in Central America are fairly common. Opportunities to protect and manage this estate are enhanced by the fact that the government owns more than half of the country"s land, including 6,322 sq km in forest reserves. The government also owns the marine continental shelf, which contains the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere. This study describes the state of Belize"s habitats and organisms, current conservation policies, the protected areas system, the roles of various institutions and organizations in conservation practice, and major conservation problems. Included is an elementary gap analysis which indicates the deficiencies and the most glaring gaps in Belize"s terrestrial reserve system. The final section provides recommendations in the areas of environmental economics and planning, laws and conventions, institutions, reserves, biological diversity and land use outside the reserves, tourism, environmental research, a conservation data center, environmental education, and the role of foreign aid. Proposals for three conservation-related projects are appended. Includes bibliography.