Belize's Forest Cover

Belize is one of the most heavily forested countries in Central America, with forests covering between 61.1% and 62.7% of its land. However, deforestation poses a significant threat to the country's biodiversity and carbon stocks. Between 1990 and 2010, Belize lost an average of 9,650 hectares of forest per year, and the rate of deforestation has increased since then.

61.1% of Belize is forested

Belize is a small country in Central America, lying east of Guatemala along the Atlantic coast. According to the U.N. FAO, 61.1% of Belize is forested, which is around 1,393,000 hectares. This makes Belize one of the most heavily forested countries in Central America. Of this forest cover, 43% (599,000 hectares) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Belize's forests contain 171 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass.

Belize is home to a variety of forest ecosystems. Broadleaf deciduous forests thrive in the limestone soils of northern Belize, while tropical rainforests flourish in the wetter areas in the south. Along the eastern coastline, mangroves line the shores, and in the southwestern Maya Mountains, pine forests grow in well-drained, acidic soils.

However, these forests are under threat. Between 2001 and 2023, Belize lost 3,020 square kilometres (1,170 square miles) of forest cover, a decrease of 17%. This is an area nearly the size of Rhode Island. Since 1980, deforestation has amounted to an area the size of Rhode Island, with forests cleared at a rate of nearly 10,000 hectares per year.

The causes of deforestation in Belize are varied. In central and northern Belize, in the Orange Walk District, sugar cane farming has been a major driver of forest loss. Mennonite farming communities, such as Shipyard and Blue Creek, have also contributed to deforestation as their populations have grown and they have established new communities. Additionally, wildfires, insect infestations, and hurricanes have degraded forest areas.

Despite these losses, Belize has made some progress in recent years. The rate of deforestation, excluding losses associated with wildfires, insects, or other natural factors, has been trending downward. Furthermore, protected areas have been highly effective in curbing deforestation, with forests inside these areas relatively untouched over the past 30 years.

43% is primary forest

Belize is a small country in Central America, lying east of Guatemala along the Atlantic coast. It is one of the most heavily forested countries in Central America, with forests covering approximately 62% of its land area. To be more precise, according to the U.N. FAO, 61.1% or about 1,393,000 hectares of Belize is forested. Of this, 43% (599,000 hectares) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. This means that around 28.27% of Belize is covered in primary forest.

Belize is home to a variety of forest ecosystems. Broadleaf deciduous forests thrive in the limestone soils of the country's northern regions, while tropical rainforests flourish in the wetter areas in the south. Along the eastern coastline, mangroves line the shores, and in the southwestern Maya Mountains, pine forests grow in areas with well-drained, acidic soils.

Despite being known for its forests, Belize has experienced significant deforestation over the past few decades. Between 2001 and 2023, the country lost 3,020 square kilometres (1,170 square miles) of forest cover, a decrease of 17%. This is nearly the size of Rhode Island. The rate of deforestation has decreased slightly in recent years, with an average loss of 80 square kilometres per year over the past decade.

The causes of deforestation in Belize are varied. One of the main drivers is agriculture, particularly the expansion of farmland for crops such as sugar cane and livestock rearing by Mennonite communities in the country's central and northern regions. Additionally, forests have been degraded by fires, insect infestations, and hurricanes.

The Belizean government has taken steps to protect its forests, with 28.6% of the country's land area falling under IUCN protected categories I-V. These protected areas have been highly effective in curbing deforestation, with forests inside them remaining largely untouched over the past 30 years.

28.6% of forests are protected

Belize is a small country in Central America, boasting a wide variety of forests. Broadleaf deciduous forests thrive in the limestone soils in the north, while tropical rainforests flourish in the wet areas in the south. The coastline is lined with mangroves, and pine forests grow in the well-drained, acidic soils of the southwestern Maya Mountains. Forests cover roughly 62% of Belize's land, making it one of the most forested countries in Central America.

However, these areas of natural beauty have been shrinking in recent decades. Between 2001 and 2023, Belize lost 3,020 square kilometres (1,170 square miles) of forest cover, a decrease of 17%. This is nearly the size of Rhode Island. Some of the most noticeable changes occurred in central and northern Belize, in the Orange Walk District. The rectangular features seen in satellite imagery are pastures or cropland, and the older forest cover loss appears purple, while more recent clearing appears yellow.

While deforestation poses a significant threat to Belize's forests, the country has been taking steps to protect them. In fact, 28.6% of Belize's forests are protected under IUCN categories I-V. This has proven to be highly effective, as forests inside protected areas have not suffered much from deforestation in the past few decades.

The protection of Belize's forests is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they are a vital habitat for a diverse range of species. Belize is home to around 877 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles, with 1.7% of these species endemic to the country. Additionally, Belize has at least 2894 species of vascular plants, of which 5.2% are endemic. Protecting these forests helps preserve the country's unique biodiversity and ensures the survival of these species.

Furthermore, Belize's forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration. They contain approximately 171 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass. By safeguarding these forests, Belize contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The establishment of national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments, forest reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries has been instrumental in preserving Belize's forests. These protected areas serve as buffers against deforestation and help maintain the country's ecological balance.

12.2% of forest cover lost between 1990 and 2010

Between 1990 and 2010, Belize lost 12.2% of its forest cover, which equates to around 193,000 hectares. This is a significant loss, considering that, according to the U.N. FAO, 61.1% of Belize, or about 1,393,000 hectares, was forested in 2010. The annual average loss of forest cover during this period was 0.61%, or 9,650 hectares per year.

Belize's forests are incredibly biodiverse and carbon-dense. They contain 171 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass. The country is home to 877 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles, with 1.7% of these species endemic to Belize and 2.1% threatened. Additionally, Belize boasts at least 2,894 species of vascular plants, of which 5.2% are endemic.

The loss of forest cover in Belize is concerning, given the ecological importance of its forests. Deforestation rates in the country have been high, with a recent study showing that forests have been cleared at a rate of nearly 10,000 hectares per year since 1980. This has resulted in a decrease in forest cover from 79.5% in 1980 to 62.7% in 2010.

While the rate of deforestation in Belize is worrying, there are some positive signs. Researchers have noted that the rate of deforestation, excluding forest losses associated with wildfires, insects, or other natural factors, appears to be trending downward. Additionally, protected areas in Belize have been highly effective in curbing deforestation, with forests inside these areas remaining largely untouched by deforestation over the past 30 years.

Forest loss is trending downward

Forests cover about 62% of Belize's land, making it one of the most forested countries in Central America. The country is home to broadleaf deciduous forests, tropical rainforests, mangroves, and pine forests. However, these forests have been shrinking in recent decades. Between 2001 and 2023, Belize lost 3,020 square kilometers (1,170 square miles) of forest cover, a 17% decrease. This loss is attributed to factors such as agriculture, livestock farming, fires, insect infestations, and hurricanes.

Despite these concerning trends, there is some encouraging news. Researchers have found that the rate of deforestation, excluding losses associated with wildfires, insects, or other natural factors, is showing a downward trend. Between 1980 and 2010, Belize lost approximately 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of forest per year. More recent data shows that this rate has decreased to about 80 square kilometers per year over the past decade. While this improvement is modest, it indicates that efforts to curb deforestation may be having a positive impact.

The downward trend in forest loss can be attributed to several factors. One key factor is the establishment of protected areas. Belize has dozens of protected areas, including national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments, forest reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. These areas have served as effective buffers against deforestation, preserving the country's rich biodiversity and carbon stocks. The National Protected Areas System (NPAS) has been instrumental in this effort, with approximately 45.3% of the national territory under protection, including marine reserves.

In addition to protected areas, other initiatives have contributed to the downward trend in forest loss. The Belize Forest Department has been actively working to integrate automated land classification and change detection information into the country's national forest monitoring system. This integration provides valuable data and tools to track and mitigate deforestation. Additionally, international collaborations, such as the NASA-USAID SERVIR program, have provided support and expertise to enhance Belize's forest monitoring capabilities.

While the downward trend in forest loss is encouraging, more work needs to be done to meet the 2030 sustainable development goals. By continuing to protect and restore forests, Belize can preserve its natural resources, combat climate change, and promote sustainable development.

Frequently asked questions