Stretching across southern Mexico, northern Guatemala, and Belize, the Maya Forest, or Selva Maya, constitutes one of the last large blocks of tropical forest remaining in North and Central America. Home to Mayan-speaking people for more than 5,000 years, the region is also uncommonly rich in cultural and archaeological resources.Timber, Tourists, and Temples brings together the leading biologists, social scientists, and conservationists working in the region to present in a single volume information on the intricate social and political issues, and the complex scientifc and management problems to be resolved there. Following an introductory chapter that presents GIS and remote sensing data, the book: considers perspectives on managing forest resources and the forestry and conservation policies of each nation examines efforts by communities to manage their forest resources explains the connections between resource conservation and use by local people highlights research projects that integrate baseline biological research with impact assessments explains the need to involve local people in conservation effortTimber, Tourists, and Temples explores methods of supporting the biological foundation of the Maya Forest and keeping alive that unique and diverse ecosystem. While many areas face similar development pressures, few have been studied as much or for as long as the Maya Forest. The wealth of information included in this pathbreaking work will be valuable not only for researchers involved with the Maya Forest but for anyone concerned with the protection, use, and management of tropical forest ecosystems throughout the world.
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Maya Forest
PART I. A Regional Approach to the Maya Forest Chapter 1. A Regional Approach to Conservation in the Maya Forest Chapter 2. One Forest, Two Nations: The Chiquibul Forest of Belize And Guatemala
PART II. Forest Policy and Management and the Emergence of Community Forestry Chapter 3. The Maya Forest of Quintana Roo: Thirteen Years of Conservation and Community Development Chapter 4. Forest Management in Quintana Roo, Mexico Chapter 5. Sustaining Harvests of Mahogany ( Swietenia Macrophylla King) From Mexico's Yucatán Forests: Past, Present, and Future Chapter 6. The Maya Forest in Campeche, Mexico: Experiences in Forest Management at Calakmul Chapter 7. Forestry Policy and Protected Areas in the Petén, Guatemala Chapter 8. Community Forest Concessions: An Economic Alternative for the Maya Biosphere Reserve in the Petén, Guatemala Chapter 9. Forest Management and Conservation in Belize: A Brief Background
PART III. Nontimber Forest Products in Conservation Strategies Chapter 10. Nontimber Forest Products in Community Development and Conservation: The Palm Desmoncus Schippii in Gales Point, Belize Chapter 11. Governmental and Customary Arrangements Guiding Chicle Latex Extraction in Petén, Guatemala Chapter 12. The Impact of Hunting on Wildlife in the Maya Forest of Mexico Chapter 13. Monitoring Nontimber Forest Product Harvest for Ecological Sustainability: A Case Study of Huano (Sabal mauritiiformis) in the Río Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize Chapter 14. Buffer Zone Management: Lessons for the Maya Forest
PART IV. Biodiversity Research for Conservation Chapter 15. Toward Sustainable Forestry in Belize Chapter 16. The Peregrine Fund's Maya Project: Ecological Research, Habitat Conservation, and Development of Human Resources in the Maya Forest Chapter 17. Dynamics and Ecology of Naturaland Managed Forests in Quintana Roo, Mexico
PART V. Community Development, Conservation, and Ecotourism Chapter 18. The Global Environment and Galacia, the New Ejidal Population Center, Marqués de Comillas Zone, Ocosingo, Chiapas Chapter 19. What Is the Forest to a Small Farmer? Interview with Raymundo Terrón Santana Chapter 20. Organic Coffee Production and the Conservation of Natural Resources in Las Margaritas, Chiapas Chapter 21. The Bio-Itzá Reserve: History of An Indigenous Effort to Conserve the Maya Itzá Community of San José, El Pet&eaccute;n, Guatemala Chapter 22. Community-based Ecotourism in the Maya Forest: Problems and Potentials Chapter 23. Community-based Development as a Conservation Tool: The Community Baboon Sanctuary and the Gales Point Manatee Project Chapter 24. Illuminating the Petén's Throne Of Gold: The ProPetén Experiment in Conservation-Based Development Chapter 25. The Belize Zoo: Grassroots Efforts in Education and Outreach
Common Terms and Names Common Acronyms Name Index Subject Index
