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Chiquibul Forest Reserve

This reserve was originally designated in December 1956 (SI 55/56) consisting of what are now the Chiquibul National Park and Forest Reserve; and covering an extent of 456,960 acres (this excluded the Caracol Crown Reserve designated May 1950). As a result of lobbying by conservationists, in December 1991 the Forest Reserve was split up and the larger portion was re-designated a National Park under the National Parks System Act (SI 166). In May 1995 (SI 54/95) the boundaries of the present Chiquibul Forest Reserve and National Park were simultaneously re-evaluated under the auspices of the Forest Planning and Management Project (FPMP) and subsequently changed according to environmental, biodiversity and timber production characteristics. This left a Forest Reserve of 147,823 acres. The boundaries were re-drawn to encapsulate the core timber production area. This Forest Reserve currently encompasses a healthy mosaic of old growth and young forest set aside for the sustainable production of forest goods and services such as timber and xate.

The Reserve’s boundary is relatively unambiguous, bounded by the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to the north and the Chiquibul National Park to the east, west and south. In the theme of core conservation areas the Reserve is much to the contrary being nestled in the centre of the National Park. This current boundary configuration is mainly related to the topography of the Chiquibul area with the relatively flat and undulating terrain centered in the middle. Mechanized logging is only allowed on the flatter and rolling terrain.

The site has a long history of selective logging, with timber extraction reported in the area by Hummel (1921). Forest Inventories were conducted in the area in the 1950’s to guide logging. Hurricane Hattie in 1961 had a substantial impact on the forest, and in its aftermath, systematic logging switched to so-called salvage logging, where timber operators worked with few controls. Renewed efforts at continuing management were made in the 1970s, following inventories in 1969 and 1971 (Johnson and Chaffey 1973)¹. Felling operations stopped in the reserve in 1983. A new start to sustainable timber production began in 1994 with the development of landscape zoning under the FPMP, based on environmental, biodiversity and logging characteristics of the area. The Reserve was placed under a ‘Restoration Felling Programme’ aimed at restoring the biological and economic value of the forest as a source of high grade timber. Under this regime, the forest will be sustainably logged for selected species, such as Mahogany, Yemeri, Nargusta and Santa Maria, whilst fulfilling watershed and wildlife protection role, and allowing for tourism. The area zoned for timber production is 98,840 acres, sub-divided into 80 cutting blocks of 1,235 acres each, two of which are to be logged annually. This allows for the logging of only 1/40th of the production area in any one year. The logged blocks are then left for 39 years before they are cut again. The goal of this management is to sustainably extract timber and promote forest use that is compatible with conservation.

A notable feature of the Forest Reserve is the Las Cuevas Forest Research Station which is located in the centre of the Reserve. This station was established in 1995 to host research scientists from all over the world who come to Belize to investigate the wonders of our tropical forests. As a result of the placement of this research station, there exists much information on the forest in the Reserve and very little research has been done in the National Park. Landmark features of the Forest Reserve include natural monuments such as the Natural Arch (Puente Natural) and cave openings such as the Belize and Chiquibul Chambers which form part of the Chiquibul Cave System.

This site is administered by the Forest Department and is currently under a long-term co-management license for sustainable forest management.

Additional Information:

HABITATS: Broadleaf, including riparian forest, and large cave systems.

HOLDRIDGE LIFE ZONE: Subtropical Moist

1. Johnson and Chaffey 1973