Integrating social and land-use/land-cover data to assess the success of community-based conservation goals for riparian forest conservation. A study of the Community Baboon Sanctuary, Belize

Abstract

Based on a study of the Community Baboon Sanctuary, Belize, the presentation assesses the land use/forest cover changes and black howler monkey conservation outcomes of a project in the riparian forest, inland from Belize City. The conservation initiatives of nature based tourism and pledges; the socioeconomic characteristics of the population living within the sanctuary; research methods; and the main threats to Howler habitat (cattle, agriculture and urban growth), are outlined. Deforestation and the ineffectiveness of pledges as a conservation tool are identified