DOCSLIB.ORG

Global Environment Facility

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Global Environment Facility WWF - GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY PROJECT DOCUMENT Project Title: Integrated Ridge to Reef Management of the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion (MAR2R) GEF Project ID: 5765 WWF-US Project ID: G003 Countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Project Duration: 60 months Project Type: Full Size GEF Trust Fund: GEFTF GEF Focal Area: International Waters GEF Focal Area Objectives: IW-1, IW-2, IW-3 Project Executing Organization: Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) Executing Project Partners: Ministries of Natural Resources in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico GEF Project Cost: $9,018,349 GEF Agency Fee: $811,651 Total GEF STAR: $9,830,000 Project Co-financing: $51,277,908 Total Project Cost: $61,107,908 WWF-US Point of Contact: Herve Lefeuvre WWF Department/Organization: WWF US Link to WWF’s Global Program Mesoamerican Reef-WWF Global Programme Framework: Framework regional priority Version Date: March 23 2017 i Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 1 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 1: BACKGROUND AND SITUATION ANALYSIS ............................................................. 5 1.1. Background and Context .............................................................................................................. 5 1.2. Global Significance ...................................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Overview of Threats and Drivers ................................................................................................. 8 1.4 Stakeholder Analysis ................................................................................................................. 10 1.5 Sectoral and National Policies ................................................................................................... 14 1.6 Baseline Analysis and Gaps ....................................................................................................... 18 1.7 Opportunities and Linkages (GEF and non-GEF interventions) ................................................ 27 SECTION 2: GEF INTERVENTION STRATEGY ................................................................................ 29 2.1. Project Scope and Vision (GEF Project Objective) ................................................................... 29 2.2. Conservation Targets Rationale (including GEF Global Environmental Benefits) .................... 38 2.3. Situational Analysis: Direct and Indirect Threats (Reference to Ratings Table in Appendix 2) 38 2.4. Project Strategies (GEF Project Components) and Expected Results ........................................ 41 2.5. Risk Analysis and Risk Management Measures (Project Risks) ............................................... 60 2.6. Consistency with National Priorities or Plans ............................................................................ 62 2.7 Consistency with GEF Focal Area/Fund Strategies ................................................................... 64 2.8 WWF Comparative Advantage and Consistency with WWF Programs ..................................... 65 2.9. Incremental Cost Reasoning ...................................................................................................... 66 2.10. Innovativeness, Sustainability, and Cost-Effectiveness ............................................................. 68 2.11. Communication Strategy............................................................................................................ 70 SECTION 3: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ... 72 SECTION 4: STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION ................................................................................ 82 SECTION 5: MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN .................................................................. 89 SECTION 6: PROJECT FINANCING AND BUDGET ......................................................................... 92 6.1. Project Budget ............................................................................................................................ 92 6.2. Project Budget Notes ............................................................................................................... 100 ii 6.3. Project Co-financing ................................................................................................................ 137 Appendix 1: Project Map(s) .................................................................................................................. 138 Appendix 2: Threats Rating .................................................................................................................. 142 Appendix 3: Watershed Prioritization Matrix ....................................................................................... 143 Appendix 4: Conceptual Model ............................................................................................................ 144 Appendix 5: Results Chains .................................................................................................................. 145 Appendix 6: Logical Framework Matrix ............................................................................................... 150 Appendix 7: Organizational Chart ...................................................................................................... 1523 Appendix 8: Work Plan and Schedule .................................................................................................. 155 Appendix 9: Terminal Evaluation TOR ................................................................................................ 159 Appendix 10: Draft Procurement Plan .................................................................................................... 179 Appendix 11: ESIA Decision (Final Decision Disclosure) ..................................................................... 179 Appendix 12: Monitoring & Evaluation Plan (GEF Results Framework) .............................................. 180 Appendix 13: GEF Focal Area Tracking Tool(s) .................................................................................... 186 Appendix 14: Summary Budget .............................................................................................................. 186 Appendix 15: Co-Financing by Source (GEF Table C) .......................................................................... 187 Appendix 16: Co-Financing Commitment Letters .................................................................................. 188 Appendix 17: Endorsement Letters of GEF Operational Focal Points ................................................... 202 Appendix 18: Stakeholder Consultations Lists ....................................................................................... 207 Appendix 19. References ......................................................................................................................... 213 iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion (MAR) shared by Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico includes the world’s largest transboundary barrier reef, spanning more than 1,000 km of coast and covering an area of 464,263 km2 of ocean, coasts, and watersheds draining into the Caribbean. Globally important habitats and ecosystems make the MAR a biodiversity hotspot; it is considered one of richest ecoregions and most diverse coral reefs in the Western Atlantic. It contains cloud and tropical forests, large rivers, karstic hydrogeological systems, fertile lowlands, coastal wetlands, lagoons, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. The ecoregion provides livelihoods to communities, and contributes to the national economies of the four countries through agricultural commodities, shrimp aquaculture, commercial fishing, and a rapidly growing tourism sector, sustaining more than 12 million people. However, land use change and inadequate agricultural and development practices cause sedimentation and pollution, which in turn affect freshwater quality of rivers that originate in the mountains and lowland aquifers and make their way to the coasts and into the sea. In addition, mass tourism and associated development industries along the coast are expanding beyond control clearing mangrove forests and impacting the coral reefs while unsustainable fisheries threaten fish populations, ecosystem integrity and livelihoods. These anthropogenic threats have an impact from “ridge to reef” with consequences for freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems compromising their ecological integrity. In 1997 the heads of the four MAR countries identified the MAR region as a shared transboundary ecoregion and declared it a priority conservation area, expressing their commitment to work together for its improved conservation and management by signing the Tulum Declaration in 1997, and reconfirmed their commitment via the Tulum+8 Declaration. In these instruments, the countries commissioned the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) to lead their joint efforts. Despite strong political support from member countries, weak capacity and inadequate financial resources continue to limit CCAD’s leading role. Thus the MAR continues to be predominantly managed in a fragmented way, with insufficient collaboration between authorities
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Environmental Statistics for Belize, 2012 Is the Sixth Edition to Be Produced in Belize and Contains Data Set Corresponding to the Year 2010
    Environmental Statistics for Belize 2012 Environmental Statistics for Belize 2012 Copyright © 2012 Lands and Surveys Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The Lands and Surveys Department would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this report as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other form of commercial use whatsoever. DISCLAIMER The information contained in this publication is based on information available at the time of the publication and may require updating. Please note that all efforts were made to include reliable and accurate information to eliminate errors, but it is still possible that some inconsistencies remain. We regret for errors or omissions that were unintentionally made. Lands and Surveys Department Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture Queen Elizabeth II Blvd. Belmopan, Belize C. A. Phone: 501-802-2598 Fax: 501-802-2333 e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Printed in Belize, October 2012 [ii] Environmental Statistics for Belize 2012 PREFACE The country of Belize is blessed with natural beauty that ranges from a gamut of biodiversity, healthy forest areas, the largest living coral reef system in the world, ancient heritage and diverse cultures. The global trend of industrialization and development for economic development has not adequately considered the natural environment. As a result, globally our natural resources and environment face tremendous pressures and are at high risk of further disruption.
    [Show full text]
  • Fcdtracks BRIM Training in Chiquibul
    Page 4 Friends of Vaca F.R launched hy create Friends of the Vaca Forest At the launching of Friends of the Vaca Forest Reserve? The Vaca Forest Reserve has Reserve, which has taken several months to FCD Tracks W The Official Newsletter of Friends for Conservation and Development a diverse set of challenges and opportunities, organize, 20 persons became members. With as outlined in the recently finalized Landscape the support of the Forest Department and Management Strategy. The strategy indicates CATIE, it is expected that the group will receive December 2011, Issue #14 Promoting Core Conservation that management of this area can only occur training in areas of management, alternative successfully with the participation of local land use methods and pilot restoration projects. Inside people. FCD recommends a stewardship role This initiative comes at a time when farmers for farmers and other users of the reserve. In have been trained; have better recognized Employee of the Quarter 2 Delegates visit Chiquibul this regard, Friends of the Vaca F.R. provides the challenges and are more cognizant of the right avenue for a structured and organized the need for community participation in forest Wildlife Bits 2 n order for people to understand the magnitude of the form of participation. management and conservation. Iproblem in the Chiquibul forest, FCD is taking a proactive Partner’s approach in welcoming people to visit the area and providing spotlight 2 a first-hand description of the state of affairs. Organic Honey BRIM Training In Chiquibul Production 2 As a result, on the 1st of December 2012, a high level delegation visited the Chiquibul forest.
    [Show full text]
  • A Baseline Analysis of Poaching in Chiquibul National Park
    A BASELINE ANALYSIS OF POACHING IN CHIQUIBUL NATIONAL PARK BY KATHERINE GROFF A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Fisheries and Wildlife ABSTRACT A BASELINE ANALYSIS OF POACHING IN CHIQUIBUL NATIONAL PARK BY KATHERINE GROFF Illegal hunting of wildlife, also known as poaching, in Chiquibul National Park (CNP) may be contributing to decreasing wildlife populations. Management strategies are limited due to a lack of information on the extent of poaching and motivations of poachers. The objectives of this research are to assess the extent of poaching, to address Guatemalan border community residents’ understanding of wildlife in CNP and what animal species are targeted by hunters, and to investigate factors affecting poaching in CNP and Guatemalan border residents’ perceptions about poaching in CNP. These objectives were addressed by (1) synthesizing information found in CNP Ranger field notebooks and reports, (2) interviewing Guatemalan border community residents, and (3) interviewing authorities in Guatemala and Belize. Guatemalan border community residents perceived a lower level of poaching in the CNP than CNP rangers, but both thought that poaching has decreased over the years. CNP rangers considered poaching to be a danger to wildlife in the area, and they thought that wildlife numbers have suffered due to poaching. This research demonstrated little support for the hypothesis that legal regulations and the enforcement of regulations are factors that contribute to whether respondents view other community members as contributing to poaching. However, the subsistence needs of hunters and their families is an important factor affecting residents’ decision to poach.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2011 - 2012
    PROTECTED ARE A S C ONSERV A T I O N T RUST A NNU A L R E P ORT 2011-2012 Annual Report 2011 - 2012 Published by: The Protected Areas Conservation Trust Design and Layout - Protected Areas Conservation Trust, Belize Printed in Belize, Central America PHOTOS Copyright © 2012, The Protected Areas Conservation Trust © 2012, The Protected Areas Conservation Trust, Belize Note: All dollar figures in this report are in Belize Dollars. $2 BZ Dollars is equivalent to $1 US Dollar. PROTECTED ARE A S C ONSERV A T I O N T RUST A NNU A L R E P ORT 2011-2012 S LEE P I N G G I A NT Hummingbird Highway N A TURE ’ S T A TTOO table of C O N T EN ts Message from the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development. ..i Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors. ii Message from the Acting Executive Director. .. iii Board of Directors and Advisory Council. iv PACT Staff.....................................................................v Organizational Chart...........................................................v Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles. .. vi What is PACT?...............................................................vii Highlights...............................................................2 Grants Program me.....................................................2 New Grants...........................................................2 Grants Application, Selection and Approval Process. 3 Large Grants Program. 4 Medium-Sized Grants. 6 Small Grants Program. 8 Environmental Support Grants. 10 Capacity Building Program.
    [Show full text]
  • Villa Del Agua Region: Playa Del Carmen Sleeps: 8
    Villa del Agua Region: Playa Del Carmen Sleeps: 8 Overview Located in Puertos Aventuras, Mexico, in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, stands the luxury oceanfront property, Villa Del Agua. This stunning four bedroom property accommodates up to 8 guests and features stunning boho- beach-luxury style, private terraces, ocean and jungle views, and of course, a private infinity pool. Villa Del Agua is secluded and quiet, with only two private residences for neighbours, and yet has shopping, golfing, and scuba diving facilities all on your doorstep, conveniently within one resort. Upon arriving at the villa guests won’t fail to be amazed by this little slice of paradise, set right on the beach and surrounded by tall coco palms, Villa Del Agua oozes boho-beach luxury; from the stunning palapa roof, hammocks swinging in the trees, and the sun loungers set out on the white powdery sands. Guests can enjoy a dip in their private, heated infinity pool, before retiring to the covered dining area that seats 8 guests, and making the most of the outdoor grill. The villa boasts an outside sound system, so you’ll be able to enjoy an evening bbq before cranking up the sounds and enjoying some cocktails on the beach. Villa Del Agua boasts an interior that is equally beautiful and luxurious, with spacious, open plan living areas, stunning handcrafted furniture, and a rustic palapa design. The decor is very ‘beach-chic’, with lots of wood-on-white, handwoven mexican textiles, and plush cream sofas and lounge areas.The most has been made of natural shades and materials, with exquisite bath tubs crafted in light-coloured polished stone, rich wooden floors and open air shower rooms featuring lush green tropical plants, all offering an exotic touch.
    [Show full text]
  • JAPAN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND Public Disclosure Authorized “Promoting Sustainable Natural Resource-Based Livelihoods in Belize”
    JAPAN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND Public Disclosure Authorized “Promoting Sustainable Natural Resource-Based Livelihoods in Belize” CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION Public Disclosure Authorized AND PARTICIPATION PLAN Public Disclosure Authorized BELIZE ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY AND THE WORLD BANK September 2013 Public Disclosure Authorized 0 ___________________________________________________________________________________ CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION PLAN Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................2 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Project Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Project Components and Activities ................................................................................................. 3 3.0 INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK ...............................................................................5 3.1 Indigenous People ................................................................................................................................. 5 3.2 Mandate of Village Councils................................................................................................................. 7 3.3 Mandate of Town Boards ……………………………………………………………………………………
    [Show full text]
  • H1098 - WATER FRONT HOUSE on 2.44 ACRES - Orchid Garden Estate on Sol Y Mar Lane, Four Mile Lagoon , Northern Corozal
    $477,000USD H1098 - WATER FRONT HOUSE ON 2.44 ACRES - Orchid Garden Estate on Sol Y Mar Lane, Four Mile Lagoon , Northern Corozal Location: Sol Y Mar Lane - Corozal Beds: 2 | Baths: 2 | Living Area: 2000 | Land Area: 106286 | Frontage: Water-Front The Property:- SUPER WATER VIEWS – SPACIOUS - ORCHID GARDEN ESTATES, located on Sol Y Mar Lane on 4 Mile Lagoon, sits on approximately 2.44 ACRES of lagoon front land and has direct road access to the rear of the property through main Philip Goldson Highway in northern Corozal in a tranquil environment along the Lagoon. Here, the calm waters are warm and fresh, making a safe swimming environment. Four Mile Lagoon has direct boat access to the Corozal Bay and Chetumal Bay through the Rio Hondo (River). The lagoon is a natural harbor for small crafts. From the property, it is a short 10 minutes drive by road to the Santa Elena, Belize/Mexico border. This lagoon front house is a single storey house measuring 2,000 Sq. Ft., of covered living space and 900 Sq.Ft. wrap around terrace. The terrace is an ideal area facing the lagoon and orchid garden. It is the area commonly used to entertain large groups of family and friends. It has a great flow and connection to the Orchid Garden. The freshwater swimming pool is snuggly located between the house and the lagoon. The property has access to a short docking area. The ground floor of the houseAgent: comprises Lincoln ofEiley one master suite with master... contact agent RE/MAX 1st Choice E-Mail: [email protected] Main Road for more info.
    [Show full text]
  • Illegal Logging in the Chiquibul Forest an Economic and Ecological Valuation Assessment
    Illegal Logging In The Chiquibul Forest An Economic and Ecological Valuation Assessment For more information contact: Friends for Conservation and Development San José Succotz, Cayo District Tel: 823-2657 Email: [email protected] website: www.fcdbelize.org Mitigating and Controlling Illegal Logging in the Chiquibul Forest From: Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) Supported by: The Forest Department, Institute of Archaeology, and the Chiquibul Joint Forces Unit Institutions Prepared by: **Boris Arevalo, Derric Chan Financed by: FAO/FLEGT Programme Co-�inanced by: PACT September 2012 **Corresponding Author Mitigating and Controlling Illegal Logging in the Chiquibul Forest ABSTRACT The Chiquibul Forest is the largest single block of protected forest in Belize and is part of the Chiquibul- Maya Mountains Key Biodiversity Area. Like many protected areas within Belize and with no exception to the Mesoamerican region it is faced with increasing anthropogenic threats, such as illegal logging. The main objectives of this study were to i) calculate the volume and economical value of timber illegally extracted and ii) quantify the ecological impact being caused by illegal logging. The Smalian’s formula was used to calculate timber volume, from illegally logged trees along 300m wide transects, ranging from 1 to 4.6 km in length. The results indicate that primarily Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) and Cedar (Cedrela odorata L) were targeted, having mean diameter at cut height of 0.57 m (± 0.13). The data shows that an average of 627.42 and 909.15 board feet of mahogany and cedar respectively has been extracted from each logged tree. This means that within the Chiquibul Forest an estimated 5,803,538 board feet of lumber 34,188.74 ha.
    [Show full text]
  • Changes in the Fish Community of a Western Caribbean Estuary After the Expansion of an Artificial Channel to the Sea
    water Article Changes in the Fish Community of a Western Caribbean Estuary after the Expansion of an Artificial Channel to the Sea Juan J. Schmitter-Soto * and Roberto L. Herrera-Pavón El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +52-983-835-0440 (ext. 4302) Received: 30 October 2019; Accepted: 2 December 2019; Published: 6 December 2019 Abstract: Increased connectivity between coastal lagoons and the sea is expected to entail a greater proportion of marine species in the former. Chetumal Bay, estuary of the Hondo river into the Caribbean, had a limited access to the sea until the opening of the Zaragoza Canal. We sought changes in the fish community from 1999–2001 (just after an expansion of the canal) to 2015–2018. The same fishing gear was used, in the same localities, during all seasons. Total fish abundance and mean local richness decreased, although total abundance increased in the polyhaline zone. Diversity was greater in the oligohaline zone in 1999–2001, and in the mesohaline zone in 2015–2018. Three guilds were absent in 2015–2018: Medium-sized herbivores, large piscivores, and medium-sized planktivores. Abundance of small benthivores decreased by decade; medium-sized piscivores and small planktivores became more abundant in 2015–2018 in the polyhaline zone. These changes may be due to the opening of the channel, but illegal fishing outside the bay may explain the decrease in juveniles of large piscivores, and erosion in the innermost part may be destroying important habitats.
    [Show full text]
  • Blancaneaux Lodge
    BLANCANEAUX LODGE FACT SHEET ADDRESS: Blancaneaux Lodge Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Cayo District Belize WEBSITE: https://www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/blancaneaux-lodge PHONE: Belize country code (011) (501) 824-3878 RESERVATIONS: Toll Free from U.S and Canada: (800) 746-3743 Local: Belize country code (011) (501) 824-4912/14 Email: [email protected] LOCATION: Blancaneaux Lodge is located in the Northwest corner of the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in western Belize’s Cayo District. The lodge itself is nestled on the banks of Privassion Creek and is set among tropical pines, oaks, palmetto, craboo, and ancient melastome shrubs. Within a couple of miles of the lodge lie the steep limestone hills and valleys of the 13,000-acre Noj Kaax Meen Elijio Panti National Park. The dense jungle, steep ravines, spectacular waterfalls and fast flowing rivers are home to many rare or endangered species of flora and fauna. Beyond the Mountain Pine Ridge lies the vast uninhabited network of 14 protected areas that comprise the 1.2 million acre Maya Mountain Massif. Less than an hour's drive along dirt roads to Guacamallo Bridge, the granite bedrock and red soils of the Mountain Pine Ridge meet the karst limestone and moist tropical broadleaf forests of the 264,000- acre Chiquibul National Park and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. HISTORY: Francis Ford Coppola discovered Blancaneaux Lodge in 1981 while searching for a jungle hideaway in the Maya mountains of Pine Ridge. When he came upon the Lodge, it was abandoned. He jumped into the falls of Privassion Creek and thought it was a wonderful place to write.
    [Show full text]
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    1982003641 JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PASADENA, CALIFORNIA o ----o_,=-..=_=_. ....... ........................................' i , III _ I1( I II I I nl II [I]]r I1'1 1982003641 -TSA03 4 # .,_,' :, RAI_ARHAP|'ING,Alx....t,llA|,,Ol,OL,ANI_A_NL, '.LI._INT,ANI)tISI,', IN Till"_,b\YAl,Oi_l,ANl_S R. 1".. W. Admire, W. F,. I_rm_n, ,lr., mid T. P_triek t:ullmrt & 1g82f10. IR 1._T.qa nA | _"' RADAR MAPPINGS, AR(',ItAEO1,O_Iy, AND AN(IIENT I,AND IlBE _,_,, •t,, ' R.E.W. Adams_ W. E. Brown, ,Ir., and T. Patrick Culbert ff _' A severe itlcongrttity has ].ong existed between tile well-known complt;xlty of : ancient blaya civilization and the relatively feeble economic base Which could be reconstructed fen: it. Recont field work has indicated mttch more intensive sub- sistence patterns than had been previously found, lloWever, limitations of at- i chaeological wot'k have combined with heavy Jungle covering to restrict samples of information on ancitant intensive cultivation patterns. Data fro_l the use of :synthetic aperture radar in aerial survey of the southt:rn Maya lowlands suggest the. presence of very large areas drained by ancient canals for the purpose of intensive cultivation. Preliminary ground checks in several very limited areas have confirmed the existence of canals. Excavations and ground surveys by several scholars have provided valuable comparative information. Taken together, the new data suggest that Late Classic period Maya civilization was firmly grounded in large-scale and intensive cultivation of swampy zones. The Archaeological Problems The large area of ancient civilizations now kl_own as Mesoamerlca contains the remains of ninny cultural traditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Paths in the Market Insertion of Forest Communities in South Eastern Mexico: First Insertion (1900 to 1944)
    European Scientific Journal March 2016 edition vol.12, No.8 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 Historical Paths In The Market Insertion Of Forest Communities In South Eastern Mexico: First Insertion (1900 To 1944) Rene A Forster Francisco Guemez-Ricalde Jose Luis Zapata Universidad de Quintana Roo, Mexico doi: 10.19044/esj.2016.v12n8p316 URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj.2016.v12n8p316 Abstract The southern state of Quintana Roo, Mexico has been, for almost a century, stage of a colonization strategy based on community forestry. To consolidate this initiative, forest product marketing is of central importance. To understand related problems, it has proven useful to see them as embedded in value chains. The present study aims at understanding the main determinants in the changes in value chains that imply improvement or deterioration in the position of forest communities. To this purpose, a historical approach has been chosen. Based on archival studies and bibliographical research, four aspects of value chain development – land uses, governmental action, value chain actors, and external demand – have been analysed for the first half of the 20th century. Two major value chains were identified for this period. The first concerned the production of chewing-gum base, elaborated from the sap of Manilkara sapota, a tree species very common in the region. The second concerned mahogany logs. While communities were able to insert themselves in the first value chain, mahogany log production remained in the hands of private companies throughout the time analysed. The insertion of communities was made possible due to a bold governmental effort and the relative negotiating weakness of international buyers, which were exposed to strong competition in a quickly concentrating market.
    [Show full text]