A Natural History of Belize

A Natural History of Belize PDF Author: Samuel Bridgewater
Publisher: University of Texas Press
ISBN: 029273901X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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Book Description
A wide-ranging study that draws on local and regional research findings to provide a popular portrait of the biodiverse and resilient Chiquibul. Belize’s Chiquibul Forest is one of the largest remaining expanses of tropical moist forest in Central America. It forms part of what is popularly known as the Maya Forest. Battered by hurricanes over millions of years, occupied by the Maya for thousands of years, and logged for hundreds of years, this ecosystem has demonstrated its remarkable ecological resilience through its continued existence into the twenty-first century. Despite its history of disturbance, or maybe in part because of it, the Maya Forest is ranked as an important regional biodiversity hot spot and provides some of the last regional habitats for endangered species such as the jaguar, the scarlet macaw, Baird’s tapir, and Morelet’s crocodile. A Natural History of Belize presents for the first time a detailed portrait of the habitats, biodiversity, and ecology of the Maya Forest, and Belize more broadly, in a format accessible to a popular audience. It is based in part on the research findings of scientists studying at Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul Forest. The book is unique in demystifying many of the big scientific debates related to rainforests. These include “Why are tropical forests so diverse?”; “How do flora and fauna evolve?”; and “How do species interact?” By focusing on the ecotourism paradise of Belize, this book illustrates how science has solved some of the riddles that once perplexed the likes of Charles Darwin, and also shows how it can assist us in managing our planet and forest resources wisely in the future.

A Natural History of Belize

A Natural History of Belize PDF Author: Samuel Bridgewater
Publisher: University of Texas Press
ISBN: 029273901X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 401

Get Book

Book Description
A wide-ranging study that draws on local and regional research findings to provide a popular portrait of the biodiverse and resilient Chiquibul. Belize’s Chiquibul Forest is one of the largest remaining expanses of tropical moist forest in Central America. It forms part of what is popularly known as the Maya Forest. Battered by hurricanes over millions of years, occupied by the Maya for thousands of years, and logged for hundreds of years, this ecosystem has demonstrated its remarkable ecological resilience through its continued existence into the twenty-first century. Despite its history of disturbance, or maybe in part because of it, the Maya Forest is ranked as an important regional biodiversity hot spot and provides some of the last regional habitats for endangered species such as the jaguar, the scarlet macaw, Baird’s tapir, and Morelet’s crocodile. A Natural History of Belize presents for the first time a detailed portrait of the habitats, biodiversity, and ecology of the Maya Forest, and Belize more broadly, in a format accessible to a popular audience. It is based in part on the research findings of scientists studying at Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul Forest. The book is unique in demystifying many of the big scientific debates related to rainforests. These include “Why are tropical forests so diverse?”; “How do flora and fauna evolve?”; and “How do species interact?” By focusing on the ecotourism paradise of Belize, this book illustrates how science has solved some of the riddles that once perplexed the likes of Charles Darwin, and also shows how it can assist us in managing our planet and forest resources wisely in the future.

A Natural History of Belize

A Natural History of Belize PDF Author: Samuel Bridgewater
Publisher: Univ of TX + ORM
ISBN: 0292739001
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 518

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Book Description
A wide-ranging study that draws on local and regional research findings to provide a popular portrait of the biodiverse and resilient Chiquibul. Belize’s Chiquibul Forest is one of the largest remaining expanses of tropical moist forest in Central America. It forms part of what is popularly known as the Maya Forest. Battered by hurricanes over millions of years, occupied by the Maya for thousands of years, and logged for hundreds of years, this ecosystem has demonstrated its remarkable ecological resilience through its continued existence into the twenty-first century. Despite its history of disturbance, or maybe in part because of it, the Maya Forest is ranked as an important regional biodiversity hot spot and provides some of the last regional habitats for endangered species such as the jaguar, the scarlet macaw, Baird’s tapir, and Morelet’s crocodile. A Natural History of Belize presents for the first time a detailed portrait of the habitats, biodiversity, and ecology of the Maya Forest, and Belize more broadly, in a format accessible to a popular audience. It is based in part on the research findings of scientists studying at Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul Forest. The book is unique in demystifying many of the big scientific debates related to rainforests. These include “Why are tropical forests so diverse?”; “How do flora and fauna evolve?”; and “How do species interact?” By focusing on the ecotourism paradise of Belize, this book illustrates how science has solved some of the riddles that once perplexed the likes of Charles Darwin, and also shows how it can assist us in managing our planet and forest resources wisely in the future.

Messages from the Gods

Messages from the Gods PDF Author: Michael J. Balick
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199965765
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 554

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Book Description
Despite its small size, Belize is one of the most ecologically diverse nations in Central America. Over 3,400 species of plants can be found here, within six different ecological life zones. Because of this, Belize is paradise for ecotourists, hosting over 300,000 visitors annually, who enjoy the natural habitat and friendly people of this nation. Many of the plants of Belize have a long history of being "useful," with properties that have served traditional herbal healers of the region as well as modern medicinal applications. With Messages from the Gods: A Guide to the Useful Plants of Belize, Drs. Michael Balick and Rosita Arvigo give us the definitive resource on the many species of plants in Belize and their folklore, as well as the natural history of the region and a detailed discussion of "bush" uses of plants, including for traditional healing. Both Balick and Arvigo bring important perspectives to the project, Balick as ethnobotanical scientist from The New York Botanical Garden, and Arvigo as a former apprentice to a Belizean healer and an experienced physician. The book has been decades in the making, a culmination of a biodiversity research project that The New York Botanical Garden has had in motion since 1987. Drs. Balick, Arvigo and their colleagues have collected and identified thousands of plants from the region, and have worked extensively with hundreds of Belizean people, many of them herbal healers and bushmasters, to record uses for many of the species. This collaboration with local plant experts has produced a fascinating discussion of the intersection of herbal medicine and religion in the area, and these interviews are used to compliment and contextualize the numerous species accounts presented. The book is both a cultural study and a specialized field guide; information is provided on plants used as food, medicine, fiber, in spiritual practices and for many other purposes. Richly illustrated with over 600 images and photographs, Messages from the Gods: A Guide to The Useful Plants of Belize will serve as the primary reference and guide to the ethnobotany of Belize for many years to come.

A Geography of Belize

A Geography of Belize PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Belize
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description


Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan, and Belize

Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan, and Belize PDF Author: Jonathan A. Campbell
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 9780806130668
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description
Frogs, toads, salamanders, caecilians, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, and numerous species of snakes in the Petén region of northern Guatemala and adjacent terrain in Mexico and Belize are illustrated and profiled in this first field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the area. The 160 species of creatures range from the enormous, dramatic, and potentially dangerous--such as the common venomous snake called the barba amarilla (yellow beard) and the now endangered American crocodile--to diminutive tree frogs, anoles, geckos, and skinks, and the secretive snakes of the forest floor. With 176 color photographs plus line drawings and maps, this guide is designed for use both by scientists and by interested tourists and armchair travelers. Notes on where animals are likely to be found and English and Spanish identification keys help anyone wishing to spot and recognize animals in the field.

A Belizean Rain Forest

A Belizean Rain Forest PDF Author: Robert H. Horwich
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description
Describes the Community Baboon Sanctuary and the northern forest of Belize, with examples introducing the complexities of the tropical rainforest.

Becoming Belize

Becoming Belize PDF Author: Mavis Christine Campbell
Publisher: University of West Indies Press
ISBN: 9789766402464
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 425

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Book Description
Explores early Spanish attempts to colonize the area, positing an alliance between British logwood cutters and the Miskito Indians to counterbalance Spain's power. Looks at how social relations under forestry slavery resulted in less violence and outward resistance than was the case in British sugar colonies.

A History of Belize

A History of Belize PDF Author: Robert Leslie
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 142

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Book Description
"A History of Belize, Nation in the Making traces the history of our country. It focusses [sic] on how we became what we are today. it travels through time and gives us the opportunity to study the complex society which we have inherited. History is never complete for we create history each day. The people, places and events presented in this book show us how important history is to a nation. We cannot move constructively into the future unless we understand the past and benefit from that knowledge. This book helps us to do just that.''--p. 4 of cover.

A Guide to the Reptiles of Belize

A Guide to the Reptiles of Belize PDF Author: Peter J. Stafford
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
"Key Features: published in association with the Natural History Museum London; numerous line drawings and diagrams; over 180 color photographs; identification keys for all species."--BOOK JACKET.

Maya Atlas

Maya Atlas PDF Author: Toledo Maya Cultural Council
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1556432569
Category : Mayas
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
Covers human, natural, and cultural resources, history, rainforest management, and current problems in Maya lands.