Draft Environmental Profile on Belize

摘要

In Belize, environmental conditions are largely the result of the timber industry's historic predominance and the corresponding delayed development of agriculture. So concludes this draft profile of the nation's geography, climate, population, land use, geology and soils, water resources, flora and fauna, and environmental problems. Extensive logging has depleted forests of harvestable mahogany, logwood, and pine trees. Reforestation has been hampered by the loss of extensive areas of coastal forests to hurricanes, fire, and disease. Population surges due to the relocation of the country's capital to Belmopan and the government's encouragement of greater participation in the agricultural sector and migration to augment the small labor force could cause serious environmental problems unless monitored closely. Also of concern is the lack of any officially protected areas; while 13 sanctuaries have been designated, none have been protected. Appended are 61 references (1935-80), a list of A.I.D. programs in Belize, a proposed U.S. National Park Service activity, a list of Belizean mammals, and a 79-item bibliography (1867-1970).