Timber, tourists, and temples : conservation and development in the Maya forest of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico

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 effort Timber, 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. Timber, Tourists, And Temples Brings Together The Leading Biologists, Social Scientists, And Conservationists Working In The Maya Forest To Present In A Single Volume Information On The Intricate Social And Political Issues And Complex Scientific And Management Problems To Be Resolved There. It Explores Methods Of Supporting The Biological Foundation Of The Region And Keeping Alive Its Unique And Diverse Ecosystem. 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.--jacket. A Regional Approach To Conservation In The Maya Forest / Chris Rodstrom, Silvio Olivieri, And Laura Tangley -- One Forest, Two Nations : The Chiquibul Forest Of Belize And Guatemala / Sharon Matola And Elizabeth Platt -- The Maya Forest Of Quintana Roo / Hugo A. Galletti -- Forest Management In Quintana Roo, Mexico / Henning Flachsenberg And Hugo A. Galletti -- Sustaining Harvests Of Mahogany (swietenia Macrophylla King) From Mexico's Yucatán Forests / Laura K. Snook -- The Maya Forest In Campeche, Mexico / Deocundo Acopa And Eckart Boege -- Forestry Policy And Protected Areas In The Petén, Guatemala / Ismael Ponciano. Community Forest Concessions : An Economic Alternative For The Maya Biosphere Reserve In The Petén, Guatemala / Steven P. Gretzinger -- Forest Management And Conservation In Belize / Elizabeth Platt -- Nontimber Forest Products In Community Development And Conservation : Desmoncus Sp. (tie-tie) In Gales Point, Belize / Jill M. Belsky And Stephen F. Siebert -- Governmental And Customary Arrangements Guiding Chicle Latex Extraction In The Petén, Guatemala / Barbara L. Dugelby -- The Impact Of Hunting On Wildlife In The Maya Forest Of Mexico / Jeffrey P. Jorgenson -- Monitoring Nontimber Forest Product Harvest For Ecological Sustainability : A Case Study Of Huano (sabal Mauritiiformis) In The Río Bravo Conservation And Management Area, Belize / Jennifer L. O'hara. Buffer Zone Management : Lessons For The Maya Forest / James R. Barborak -- Toward Sustainable Forestry In Belize / Nicholas V. L. Brokaw ... [et Al.] -- The Peregrine Fund's Maya Project / David F. Whitacre -- Dynamics And Ecology Of Natural And Managed Forests In Quintana Roo, Mexico / Dennis F. Whigham, James F. Lynch, And Matthew B. Dickinson -- The Global Environment And Galacia, The New Ejidal Population Center, Marqués De Comillas Zone, Ocosingo, Chiapas / Juan Marroquín -- What Is The Forest To A Small Farmer? : Interview With Raymundo Terrón Santana / Interviewer, Hugo A. Galletti -- Organic Coffee Production And The Conservation Of Natural Resources In Las Margaritas, Chiapas / José Luiś Plaza Sánchez. The Bio-itzá Reserve / Reginaldo Chayax Huex ... [et Al.] -- Community-based Ecotourism In The Maya Forest / Ruth Norris, J. Scott Wilber, And Luís Oswaldo Morales Marín -- Community-based Development As A Conservation Tool : The Community Baboon Sanctuary And The Gales Point Manatee Reserve / Robert H. Horwich And Jonathan Lyon -- Illuminating The Petén's Throne Of Gold / Conrad Reining And Carlos Soza Manzanero -- The Belize Zoo / Rafael Coc, Laura Marsh, And Elizabeth Platt. Edited By Richard B. Primack ... [et Al.]. Errata Inserted. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Stretching over 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.