MESOAMERICAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDORS PROJECT
GULF HONDURAS
PRIORITY AREA REPORT
PRELIMINARY DRAFT
BELIZE
December 2000
THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED BY
WILDERNESS GROUP CONSULTING
Evaristo Avella
Allan Herrera
Dr. Edward Boles
Technical Advise: Mr. Rafael Manzanero
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SECTION I - INTRODUCTION6
SECTION II - METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK7
SECTION III- CHARACTERIZATION OF PRIORITY AREA9
3.1Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary9
3.1.1Delineation9
3.1.2Geographic Description9
3.1.3Towns & Villages Present9
3.1.4Bi & Tri-National Linkages10
3.1.5Identification of Priority Areas Declared or Proposed10
3.1.6Identification of Corridor Modalities10
3.1.7Summary of Issues10
3.1.8Environmental Issues10
3.1.9Socio-economic Issues12
3.11Institutional15
3.12Stakeholder Map15
3.13Identified Threats for the Consolidation of the Priority Area15
3.14Environmental Opportunities for the Consolidation of
The MBC16
3.15Selection of the Pilot Work Sites and Key Organizations
To promote the Participative Monitoring of the
Consolidation of the MBC17
3.16Identifying of Information Gaps and Needs Assessment17
3.16Conclusions and Recommendations
3.2THE MAYA MOUNTAIN FOREST RESERVE18
3.2.1Delineation18
3.2.2Geographic Description18
3.2.3Towns and Villages Present18
3.2.4Bi & Tri-National Linkages18
3.2.5Identification of Priority areas declared or proposed18
3.2.6Identification of Corridor Modalities19
3.2.7Summary of Issues19
3.2.8Environmental Issues19
3.2.9Socio-economic Issues19
3.21Institutional21
3.22Environmental21
3.22Stakeholder Map22
3.24Identification of Threats22
3.25Environmental Opportunities for Consolidation of MBC22
3.26Selection of Pilot or Worksites and Key Organizations22
3.27Identifying information gaps22
3.28CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS23
3.3THE BLADEN NATURE RESERVE24
3.3.1Description24
3.3.2Delineation24
3.3.3Geographic description24
3.3.4Towns & Villages Present24
3.3.5Bi & Tri-national Linkages25
3.3.6Identification of Priority areas Declared or Proposed25
3.3.7Identification of Corridor Modalities25
3.3.8Summary of Issues25
3.3.9Environmental Issues25
3.31Socioeconomic Issues27
3.32Institutional28
3.33Stakeholder Map29
3.34Identification of Threats29
3.35Environmental Opportunities30
3.36Selection of Pilot or Worksites30
3.37Identifying Information Gaps and Needs Assessment30
3.38CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS31
3.4THE COLUMBIA RIVER FOREST RESERVE32
3.4.1Description32
3.4.2Delineation32
3.4.3Geographic Description32
3.4.4Towns & Villages Present33
3.4.5Bi & TriNational Linkages33
3.4.6Identification of Priority Areas Declared or Proposed33
3.4.7Identification of Corridor Modalities34
3.4.8Summary of Issues34
3.4.9Environmental Issues34
3.41Socio-economic Issues35
3.42Institutional38
3.43Stakeholder Map38
3.44Identified Threats38
3.45Environmental Opportunities39
3.46Selection of Pilot or Worksites39
3.47Identifying Information Gaps39
3.48Conclusions and Recommendations39
3.5THE DEEP RIVER FOREST RESERVE41
3.5.1Description41
3.5.2Delineation41
3.5.3Geographic Description41
3.5.4Towns & Villages41
3.5.5Bi & Tri-National Linkages41
3.5.6Identification of Priority Areas Declared42
3.5.7Identification of Corridor Modalities42
3.5.8Summary of Issues42
3.5.8.1Environmental Issues42
3.5.8.2Socio-economic Issues43
3.5.8.3Institutional44
3.52Stakeholder Map44
3.53Identified Threats44
3.54Environmental Opportunities45
3.55Selection of Pilot or Workshops 45
3.56Identifying Information Gaps & Needs Assessment45
3.57Conclusions and Recommendations45
3.6THE PAYNES CREEK NATIONAL PARK46
3.6.1Description46
3.6.2Delineation46
3.6.3Geographic Description46
3.6.4Towns & Villages Present46
3.6.5Bi & Tri-National Linkages47
3.6.6Identification of Priority Areas declared or Proposed47
3.6.7Identification of Corridor Modalities47
3.6.8Summary of Issues47
3.6.9Environmental Issues47
3.62Institutional49
3.63Stakeholder Map50
3.64Identified Threats50
3.65Environmental Opportunities50
3.66Selection of Pilot or Work Sites51
3.67Identifying Information Gaps51
3.68Conclusions and Recommendations51
3.7THE PORT HONDURAS MARINE RESERVE52
3.7.1Description52
3.7.2Delineation52
3.7.3Geographic Description52
3.7.4Towns and Villages Present53
3.7.5Bi & Tri-National Linkages53
3.7.6Identification of Priority Areas53
3.7.7Identification of Corridor Modalities53
3.7.8Summary of Issues53
3.7.9Environmental Issues53
3.71Socio-economic Issues55
3.72Institutional56
3.73Stakeholder Map57
3.74Identified Threats57
3.75Environmental Opportunities57
3.76Selection of Pilot or Work Sites58
3.7.1Identifying Information Gaps58
3.78Conclusions and Recommendations58
LIST OF TABLESPAGE
Table 3.1 Provisions of the Basic Services & Infrastructure
To the Buffer Zone Communities of the CBWS14
Table 3.3 Provisions of the Basic Services & Infrastructure
To the Buffer Zone Communities of Bladen
Nature Reserve28
Table 3.4.4Population figures and Trends for Buffer Zone
Communities.33
Table 3.41Basic Services & Infrastructure available to the
Buffer Zone Communities.37
LIST OF ANNEXESPAGE
ANNEX A59
ANNEX B62
ANNEX C63
ANNEX D65
ANNEX E67
SECTION ONE
INTRODUCTION
In the context of natural resource management and conservation within the Central American region, Belize occupies an important position of having the highest percentage of land under some form of protection. With over 40% of the total land area under protection and a national policy to maintain and support its biological diversity and integrity, it is easy to understand why Belize is recognized as playing an important role in regional and international efforts in sustainable development. The result of this conservation effort is that critical vegetation types and endangered animal communities are well represented in these protected areas. The reality however, may be different from the perception. It is well established through research that ecosystems do not function in isolation, and the country’s sensitive ecosystems do not lend to complacency in its management. Furthermore, uncontrolled development is likely to produce fragmentations and ecological “islands” within modified habitats, thereby compromising the ability of the protected areas to safeguard this biodiversity.
To monitor this situation it is always a useful exercise to periodically take stock of conditions on the ground, especially as they relate to the maintenance of the priority areas and their corridor linkages. Updating the information database on the priority areas is especially relevant in the context of the regional and sub regional ecological framework and will assist in the preparation of the strategic plan for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridors Project (MBCP).
As the Mesoamerican Biological Corridors Project takes root and moves from the realm of being a mere concept to a workable reality, it is necessary to take stock of the critical issues which impact the future viability of these areas. These include the environmental, institutional and socioeconomic issues. A well meaning corridor linkage program must take into account the very important role that private and public lands play in maintaining vital corridor linkages, apart from their other roles of protecting watersheds and providing habitats for a host of important flora and fauna. These protected areas and multiple use landscapes are challenging us with the idea that critical linkage areas can provide a range of economic benefits while protecting ecological processes.
SECTION TWO
METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK
The Project Document “Establishment of a Program for the Consolidation of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor” under the section Project Strategy and Implementation Arrangements calls for the subcontracting of certain project activities to nationals within the project areas. In this phase of the project the consultants are being called upon to implement a series of activities to be conducted under the auspices of the National Liaison Officer (NLO) MBCP. The period of the consultancy runs from Oct 1- Dec 15, 2000. The terms of reference include:
(i)Design, organize and implement of a series of workshops with stakeholders and collaborators working within the priority area (identified at the regional level). Three workshops will be held at the local level corresponding to the three priority regions within the Selva Maya and Gulf of Honduras Priority Areas (essentially addressing the northern, central and southern regions of Belize). For these local workshops, the participants list will be compiled from those who attended previous MBC workshops as stakeholders and will include NGOs, CBOs, Government agencies and private landowners. Any previous list will not preclude the addition of new individuals or groups who may have a vested interest in the regional corridor design and implementation. A single National workshop will bring together the main players from the three regions plus NGOs, government agencies and the technical advisory committee (TAC).
(ii)The design of the workshop will fall into the following sessions:
(a)Introduction to the Mesoamerican Biological Corridors Project- it’s concept, justification, organization and objectives
(b)Presentation of the proposed Belize Country Priority Areas and justification within the regional strategy
(c)Presentation on opportunities and commitments of the MBCP to local stakeholders
(d)Identification of the regional lands already included in the priority area and the local justification for inclusion
(e)Discussion on existing and proposed areas within the national interregional context
(f)Question and answer session
At each workshop an aide memoir was prepared for submission as Annex G of the final report that included the main conclusions drawn and list of recommendations made. Annex C is a list of participants for the validation workshops.
The report on the priority areas will glean the latest published information on the environmental, socioeconomic and institutional factors impacting or have the potential to impact these sites. Relevant documents will include but will not be limited to; the National Population and Housing Census 2000 report, the Abstract of Statistics (1999), Medium Term Economic Strategy Paper 2000-2002, Regional Development Plan for Southern Belize (April 2000), management plans for protected areas and the latest GIS data. Community consultations and workshops will provide additional information, as well as one on one consultations with stakeholders, government agencies and NGOs.
SECTION THREE
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PRIORITY AREA
3.1The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) was established primarily as a place of refuge for the Jaguar population of Southern Belize. It is also an important region for the conservation of watersheds and biodiversity, which is an intrinsic attribute of its varied terrain, including river flood plains, slopes, and ridge crests. The sanctuary also serves the communities in the neighboring communities as a place for recreational and environmental education opportunities. Since 1986 its management has been entrusted to the Belize Audubon Society on agreement with the Belize Forest Department, given the Department’s financial and human resource constraints. Since that time, the area of the sanctuary has been expanded upon twice with the most recent 1997 expansion dramatically increasing the area brought under protection.
3.1.1Delineation of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary:
This protected area falls within the Port Honduras Priority Area, which is one of two priority areas so far identified for Belize. The CBWS is bounded on the north by Sittee River Forest Reserve, on the northeast, east and southeast by public and private properties and communities, on the south by the Maya Mountain Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve and on the west by the Maya Mountain Divide where the Chiquibul National Park is found. The justification for its classification within the Gulf of Honduras Priority Area is partly due to the CBWS being a part of the larger marine transect, and due to its distinct watershed boundary (being separated by the Maya Mountain Divide) draining towards the East South East and emptying into the general area of the Port Honduras.
3.1.2Geographic Description:
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Stann Creek District, an area of South Central Belize, and is centered on latitude 88o40’ W Latitude and 16o45’ N Longitude. The area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1986 and, subsequently, was expanded in 1990 and again 1997 to reach its present total area of 49, 480 ha. The basin is a valley surrounded on four sides by high ridges and low mountains. The eastern side of the basin is relatively flat, whereas the western section is more rugged. To the north the basin is bounded by the Cockscomb range, to the east by the Cabbage Haul Gap, on the south by several ridges and on the west by the main divide of the Maya Mountains. The elevation within the Cockscomb area varies from 92-610 m asl but can rise considerably higher, as in the case of Victoria Peak, which reaches a height of 1,098 m. Two major river systems of the Stann Creek District have their headwaters in this region. They are the South Stann Creek, which drains the eastern half of the CBWS and the Swasey Branch of the Monkey River, which drains the western portion.
3.1.3Towns and villages present:
There are three large communities in the area whose activities are most likely to impact on the CBWS. These villages are Maya Center, Maya Mopan and Red Bank. Maya Center has closest proximity to the sanctuary being about 6 miles due east from the entrance. These communities are predominantly populated by indigenous Mayan agriculturalist who emigrated from the Toledo District into the Stann Creek District after 1975. Besides these three communities, there are also the four smaller communities of Santa Rosa, San Roman, San Pablo and Georgetown. Dangriga Town the main urban area in this region is located about 30 km to the northeast of the sanctuary.
3.1.4Bi-and tri-national linkages:
Although not situated directly on the international frontier, the location and biodiversity that is being protected at the CBWS is important to maintaining any viable corridor linkages between the Coastal Plains to the east and the Maya Mountains to the west. The area is located at the crossroad that feeds from the northern region into the Sarstoon Temash area to the south and the Gulf of Honduras to the southeast. As a wildlife sanctuary it is under a strict designation that will only allow education, research, tourism and recreation. As a part of a larger biogeographical region, the area is similar to the flora and faunal assemblages of the Peten.
3.1.5Identification of priority areas declared or proposed:
The CBWS is a protected area within the Selva Maya Priority Area, one of only 2 priority areas in Belize, the other being the Gulf of Honduras. There are 2 proposed corridor routes leading from Selva Maya North into Selva Maya Central and South. One proposed route would pass through mile 31 on the Western Highway and would put the CBWS at the center of the linkage between the northern and southern regions of the Selva Maya.
3.1.6Identification of corridor modalities:
The CBWS is an area of mostly broadleaf forest, which can be further broken down into riparian, and secondary broadleaf forest and even these can be further broken down into broadleaf variants depending on localized conditions. The adjacent protected areas (Sittee River, Chiquibul, Bladen and Maya Mountain) are also predominantly broadleaf vegetation. The outlying buffer zone areas of the coastal plains include citrus and banana plantations, as well as pine and mixed pine/ hardwood stands.
3.1.7Summary of issues
3.1.8Environmental Issues:
In the Holdrige Life Zones, the CBWS occurs within the Subtropical Wet with some Subtropical Lower Montane Wet to the west and Tropical Moist to the east. The area falls into the median range rainfall pattern for Belize of about 2500-3000 mm. per annum. The entire basin is underlain with shallow siliceous soils of low fertility formed over granite rock and is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Group metamorphic rock. The area displays clear relationship patterns between soil types, elevation and plant cover.
Flora. In 1984 Hartshorne et al divided the CBWS into 2 major vegetation types. They are;
(a)Transitional Broadleaf Forest, poor in lime loving species, consisting mainly of semi-evergreen forest, found in higher elevations.
(b)Broadleaf Forest with few lime-loving species consisting mainly of semi-evergreen seasonal forest, which is found over the larger part of the basin.
Kamstra (1987) further distinguished seven sub-vegetation types for the basin, the most productive in terms of overall diversity being the flood land shrubbery. The forest displays dense medium height growth, probably as a result of the rugged terrain and the poor soil conditions. The numerous timber concessionaires that have operated in the reserve in the past have removed most commercially important timber from the area. The characteristic forest types produce trees such as Banak, Waika Swivelstick, Quamwood, Yemeri, Negrito, Santa Maria and Rosewood. Elfin forest grows on some of the steeper slopes of the Maya Mountains at higher altitudes. Although most of the area is covered by mature forest, there is a small area of secondary regeneration (about 44.5 ha.), which is the remains of abandoned milpa made by a band of Maya settlers who were removed before the sanctuary was declared.
Fauna. Studies on the faunal assemblage of the CBWS go back to the original jaguar studies that provided the impetus for the area to be declared a wildlife sanctuary. It is assumed that the representation of fauna in this area should be among the most diverse in Belize and the current list of 322 species can be expected to expand considerably with further studies. Because of the climatic and topographic factors that predominate in this area, it is quite likely that new species endemic to Belize or rare in the Central American region will be discovered. The sanctuary is known to contain at least 24 species of animals listed as rare or endangered in Belize. Besides the historical study on the jaguar populations, this site is also identified with the first ever relocation of Black Howler Monkeys to replace a previous extinct population.
Invertebrates. Data on invertebrate diversity and populations are incomplete, but sampling efforts have shown species that are indicative of undisturbed wet forest. Preliminary work on the sanctuary’s lepidoptera has identified 44 species in a seven-day period and 27 species of odonata in a three-day period. Low species count was attributed to the timing of the study in January, one of the most inactive periods. However, identified specimens established new distribution records, one species (Prepona dexamensis) only reported as far north as Costa Riva and another (Xylophanes undata) occurring only as far north as Panama.
Fish. There is little available information on fish populations within the CBWS, although it is assumed that they will be representative for the region as a whole. With the protected area designation, active management presence and relative isolation from large population centers, it is expected that populations should be intact. However, commercialized agricultural activity downstream is an area for concern.
Herpetofauna. Surveys on herpetofauna have recorded mass breading sites in several locations but with especially heavy populations along the more wet and rugged western region. Expert opinion is that up to 70% (80 species) of the country’s identified herpetofauna species may exist in the park with 53 species now positively identified. Two frog species identified, Smilisca cyanostica and Gastophyrne elegans, are considered rare for Belize.
Avifauna. Up to 290 species of birds have been identified in the CBWS, but this number is more indicative of surveying efforts than of site quality. Of all the species documented, 18% are considered to be seasonal Nearctic and Neotropical migrants. The reported presence of Scarlet Macaws within the Sanctuary is of importance to the conservation efforts in Belize and the region. This bird is endangered throughout its range and in Belize is hanging on tenuously in certain localized areas, some of which are earmarked for development. Other birds of national and international interest identified within the sanctuary are the Agami Heron, Solitary Eagle, Black and White Hawk Eagle, Currasow and Peregrine Falcon.
Mammals. Studies going back to 1984 showed that the Cockscomb Basin Area had a healthy population of 25-40 jaguars as well as a good representation of the other cats, such as Ocelot, Margay, Jaguarondi and Puma all included in the CITES red list. Another important species common in the sanctuary was the endangered Baird’s Tapir. So far 55 species of mammals have been identified, but again this is more an indication of limited surveying efforts than an indication of site quality. One of the most significant developments in wildlife conservation in Belize took place when Black Howler Monkeys were reintroduced into the park. Originally endemic to the area, they were absent for over 30 years, probably due to a combination of factors, but most likely attributable to Hurricane Hattie and the resultant ravages of disease trailing in the wake of the storm. A total of 62 howlers were reintroduced into the basin after being translocated from the Community Baboon Sanctuary, an area with a successful Howler conservation program. Post Howler introduction surveys showed a 90% survival rate and multiplications in the number of troop sightings.