Chiquibul Forest BRIM Framework A Biodiversity Research, Inventory and Monitoring (BRIM) Framework for the Chiquibul Forest 1 Chiquibul Forest BRIM Framework Acknowledgements This working document has been a process by itself counting with many persons throughout its development. The park manager, Derric Chan has been the key person in pushing for the development of a Biological Research, Inventory and Monitoring framework for the Chiquibul Forest and took the bold move to develop the first working draft. To Jan Meerman, we are thankful for assisting in the review and sharing his experiences. In 2011, with the opening of the Research Coordinator post at FCD, Mr. Boris Arevalo finally gave the exact spin needed to make this framework a practical and realistic plan. To him we are indebted for taking the original ideas, adding new essence and finalizing the product. His experience and discipline can be appreciated on the multiple pages of this document. To the FCD field staff, we are also grateful for the openness and enthusiasm demonstrated to embark on yet another important program in the Chiquibul forest. Finally, and no less important, to PACT for the financial support provided in making this product possible. 2 Chiquibul Forest BRIM Framework Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………………………………..2 TABLE OF CONTENT…………………………………………………………………………..3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………..5 TABLE INDEX…………………………………………………………………………………...6 FIGURE INDEX………………………………………………………………………………….7 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS………………………………………………..8 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 9 2 Biodiversity Research Framework ....................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Study the status, trends and distribution of habitats and species within the Chiquibul Forest 12 2.2 Study the impact of the most significant stresses (and sources of stress) on biodiversity and how these can be prevented or mitigated. ............................................................................................... 13 2.3 Study governance, policy and tools to address biodiversity loss and its impacts. ................. 13 3 Biodiversity monitoring plan design .................................................................................................... 15 4 Description of study area ...................................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Climate ............................................................................................................................................. 19 4.2 Geology and soils ........................................................................................................................... 20 4.3 Hydrology ........................................................................................................................................ 20 4.4 Biodiversity of the CNP ................................................................................................................ 20 4.5 Stress and sources of stress analysis ............................................................................................. 24 5 Conservation Targets ............................................................................................................................. 32 5.1 Broadleaved Tropical Forest ......................................................................................................... 32 5.1.1 Definition ................................................................................................................................ 32 5.1.2 Justification .............................................................................................................................. 32 5.1.3 Key attributes to consider ..................................................................................................... 32 5.1.4 Stress and sources of stress ................................................................................................... 32 5.1.5 Attributes to be monitored and indicators ......................................................................... 33 5.1.6 Description .............................................................................................................................. 33 5.2 Timber species communities......................................................................................................... 35 5.2.1 Definition ................................................................................................................................ 35 5.2.2 Justification .............................................................................................................................. 36 5.2.3 Stresses and sources of stress ............................................................................................... 37 5.2.4 Attributes to be monitored and indicators ......................................................................... 37 5.2.5 Description .............................................................................................................................. 38 5.3 Xaté populations ............................................................................................................................. 39 5.3.1 Definition ................................................................................................................................ 39 5.3.2 Justification .............................................................................................................................. 39 5.3.3 Key attributes to consider ..................................................................................................... 39 5.3.4 Stress and sources of stress ................................................................................................... 39 5.3.5 Description .............................................................................................................................. 41 5.4 Game species communities ........................................................................................................... 42 5.4.1 Definition ................................................................................................................................ 42 5.4.2 Justification .............................................................................................................................. 42 5.4.3 Key attributes .......................................................................................................................... 42 3 Chiquibul Forest BRIM Framework 5.4.4 Stresses and sources of stress ............................................................................................... 42 5.4.5 Attributes to be monitored and indicators ......................................................................... 43 5.4.6 Description .............................................................................................................................. 43 5.5 Aquatic systems ............................................................................................................................... 44 5.5.1 Definition ................................................................................................................................ 44 5.5.2 Justification .............................................................................................................................. 44 5.5.3 Key attributes .......................................................................................................................... 45 5.5.4 Stress and sources of stress ................................................................................................... 45 5.5.5 Attributes to be monitored and indicators ......................................................................... 45 5.5.6 Description .............................................................................................................................. 46 5.6 Scarlet Macaw ( Ara macao cyanoptera ) population ........................................................................ 47 5.6.1 Definition ................................................................................................................................ 47 5.6.2 Justification .............................................................................................................................. 47 5.6.3 Key attributes .......................................................................................................................... 47 5.6.4 Stress and sources of stress ................................................................................................... 47 5.6.5 Attributes to consider and indicators .................................................................................. 48 5.6.6 Description .............................................................................................................................. 49 6 Implementation of the Monitoring Framework ................................................................................ 50 6.1 Sources of information .................................................................................................................. 50 6.1.1 Implementation strategies for sources of information ....................................................