Ethnobotanical and Floristic Research in Belize: Accomplishments, Challenges and Lessons Learned Michael J. Balick and Hugh O’Brien Abstract Ethnobotanical and floristic research in Belize was con- Background and Introduction ducted through the Belize Ethnobotany Project which was launched in 1988 as a multi-disciplinary effort of a number Belize is a Central American country located on the Ca- of individuals and institutions in Belize and internationally. ribbean coast, south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. The objectives of the project were the preservation of cul- It has a of population 250,000 inhabitants spread over tural and traditional knowledge, natural products research 8,867 square miles, giving a low population density of 28 (through the National Cancer Institute), technology trans- persons per sq. mile. Over 70% of the country is under fer, institutional strengthening and student training. This natural forest, and protected areas now cover 36 % of the paper discusses the implementation of the project com- land mass. Despite the small size of the country, its eco- ponents, highlighting its accomplishments, challenges systems are varied and its ethnicity diverse, giving rise and lessons learned. A checklist of the flora has been pro- to a rich culture with respect to traditional healing. The duced, and includes 3,408 native and cultivated species ethnic diversity ranges from groups of indigenous Maya found in Belize. The multiple use curve is introduced as a and the Black Caribs (Garinagu), through the Creole de- way of determining the most appropriate sample size for scendants of African slaves, to the more recent Central ethnobotanical interviews/collections. Valuation studies of American and Oriental immigrants. In some of these eth- medicinal plants found in two areas of local forest are de- nic groups (especially the Maya and the Garinagu), the scribed, and compared with values of traditional uses for use of medicinal plants is spiritual and is linked to myths, farming, using a net present value analysis. Studies on rituals and religion. The knowledge acquired by healers the ecology, propagation and sustainable levels of harvest has long ancestral origins that have been the result of of medicinal plants were also initiated in Belize. Our expe- an intimate relationship with nature. However, the influ- rience with the production of a traditional healer’s manual ence of foreign cultures and the continued clearing of land is detailed, and we describe details on the benefit-sharing approach utilized to recognize intellectual property that it contains. Various local efforts at developing forest-based traditional medicine products are described, as is the nat- ural products research and teaching program based on Correspondence Belizean plants. The authors will relate an example of how Michael J. Balick, The New York Botanical Garden Institute negative events can be transformed to have positive re- of Economic Botany, Bronx, New York 10458-5126. U.S.A. sults. Specifically, in the case of conflict over the man- [email protected] agement of the region’s first ethnobiomedical reserve, two competing groups claimed responsibility for its manage- Hugh O’Brien, Ministry of Agriculture, Second Floor, West Block ment. However, the conflict was eventually resolved and Building, Belmopan, BELIZE. [email protected] resulted in two such reserves being established, together representing over 50,000 acres of land set aside for con- servation and use by traditional healers. The perspective of local participants and communities will also be present- Ethnobotany Research & Applications 2:077-088 (2004) ed, including a short video presentation. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/141 78 Ethnobotany Research & Applications for agriculture, industry and rural expansion are threaten- deforestation rate of 2.3 %. Very little or no deforestation ing these cultural and biological resources. Herb gather- occurred on private reserves and protected areas but high ers now claim that they have to travel longer and longer rates of deforestation were reported on private land and distances to obtain medicinal plants as the diversity and leased national lands. Presently the exact estimate of for- availability of medicinal plants are being destroyed. It is est cover is unclear but estimates are generally around evident also that knowledge about the use of plants is it- 70%. self in greater danger of extinction than the plants them- selves. Land clearing for agricultural development has occurred mostly on the fertile plains found along streams and riv- It was against this backdrop that the Belize Ethnobota- ers. In most cases the 66 ft. buffer zone, which is legally ny Project was launched in 1988. The project has been a required to be left intact, is also cleared, and this is threat- collaborative endeavor involving the Ix Chel Tropical Re- ening the survival of contribo (Aristolochia tribolata L.), search Foundation, Belize Center for Environmental Stud- which grows only in this habitat. The full effect of riverine ies, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the deforestation on medicinal plants is unknown at this time, University of Belize, Agriculture Research and Develop- but it is likely to destroy the habitat of medicinal plants ment Station in Central Farm, The Belize Zoo and Tropi- such as greenstick (Eupatorium morifolium Mill.), provi- cal Education Center, Belize Forestry Department, Be- sion bark (Pachira aquatica Aubl.), fig (Ficus radula Willd.) lize Association of Traditional Healers, Traditional Heal- and callawalla (Phlebodium decumanum (Willd.) J.Sm.). ers Foundation of Belize, and the Institute of Economic Botany of The New York Botanical Garden. The most sig- Many trees that are used for medicinal purposes are also nificant goal of the project was to conduct an inventory used for timber, and continued logging of natural stands of the ethnobotanical diversity of Belize, a country with has significantly reduced their populations. Mohogany significant tracts of intact forest. The project carried out (Swietenia macrophylla King), which is a high priced lum- over 100 collection trips to various locales, and collect- ber, is harvested and exported raw or used locally for fur- ed over 8,000 plant specimens by the end of 2000. The niture making. Cedar (Cedrela odorata L.), balsam (My- specimens have been deposited at the Faculty of Agricul- roxylon balsamum L.) Billy Webb (Acosmium panamense ture and Natural Resources of the University of Belize, (Benth.) Yakolev), copalchi (Croton niveus Jacq.) and the Belize Forestry Department Herbarium (BRH), as well sapodilla (Manilkara zapota L.), which are all used in local The New York Botanical Garden (NY) and U.S. National medicine, are also logged heavily. Herbarium (US). The Belize Ethnobotany Project involved gathering of traditional knowledge provided by dozens of In recent times, the use and trade of medicinal plants and traditional healers and bushmasters of Mopan, Yucateca, their products have increased in Belize. Rainforest Res- and Kekchi Maya, Ladino, Garinagu, Creole, East Indian, cue and Rainforest Remedies, two locally registered com- and Mennonite descent. Another significant objective was panies, prepare dried products, salves and herbal extracts to help increase respect for traditional knowledge and fos- for the local and tourist market, and export some of their products to the United States. Agape Herbs, another local ter its teaching and use. Additionally, the project aimed company, is also active in selling packaged forms of me- at promoting conservation of knowledge and biodiversity, dicinal plants on both the local and export market. More through various local initiatives including displays, semi- recently, Arum Ltd., a subsidiary of a US cosmetic com- nars, post-secondary classes, youth camps, school com- pany, succeeded in the development of cosmetic products petitions, field trips, and guest lectures. A major output using locally available backyard plants. A number of indi- of these local initiatives was the establishment of Terra viduals, especially in the city and district towns, make their Nova, one of the first reserves established in the world living by selling medicinal herbs. These activities have giv- that is dedicated to the conservation of medicinal plants. en rise to herb gathering as a way of life for some locals This paper outlines other achievements of the project and and since the trade is often restricted to few species, the highlights some outputs of the collaboration it has fos- pressure on natural supplies is increasing. tered. The increased demand for medicinal plants has resulted Threats to Medicinal Plant Diversity in some herb gatherers (especially those concerned only with economic gain) practicing unsustainable harvesting. Up until the early 1980’s, 93% of Belize was classified as In the Cayo district, at least 10 instances have been seen ‘forest land,’ but land clearing for the expansion of agricul- or reported where whole balsam (M. balsamum), billiweb ture (i.e. mostly corn and grains, citrus and pasture), land (A. panamensis), and copalchi (C. niveus) trees of varying prospecting, and the expansion of rural and urban com- sizes have been found cut down to facilitate the harvest- munities has contributed and continues to contribute to ing (or stripping) of bark from the stems and branches. In the reduction of forests. A recent study indicated that ap- other cases, especially for older trees, harvesting of the proximately 250,000 acres of forest