May 1, 2013
Belize 2013 Day One:
TPA to MIA
MIA to BZE
Our
time in the fuselage was under four hours, much shorter than anticipated. American Airlines flight 2167 from Miami to
Belize was quick and painless, and almost empty. The airport is tiny…..very tiny. I am assuming we hit rush hour, three planes
had landed within an hour. Clearly, Belize
is a well known tourist destination, one that I had been very unaware of. I am used to customs and accustomed to waiting
long periods of time at the counter being quizzed about my anticipated
plans. Three minutes after standing in
line, I am outside waiting for the next portion. A young gentleman was holding a sign “LCRS”,
and patiently counting all of us. I
believe sixteen is the magic number and off to a magical bus ride we go. It is a yellow school bus, no A/C, no
seatbelts and no radio. This completed
the buzzing atmosphere. We stopped at a
grocery store. It reminded me of a
bodega in NYC, or the corner store on the Dutch side of St. Martin. Sunchips, granola bars and GORP. Traffic
slows along the highway with speed bumps that would bottom out the
undercarriage of ay car or truck. Not
many other vehicles are on the road, but the bus stops that are located
everywhere are always occupied with at least one awaiting traveler. A school
bus traveling through any town is bound to attract attention, but it is obvious
to all observers along the road that the occupants are more fascinated with the
activities of the local towns. I spot a
University in the last town; it holds no similarities to any USF campus, or
even an elementary school. I find Belize
to be very spiritual, perhaps it is due to all of the Catholic Church’s located
on every corner, or it is the beautiful country all by itself. After the last town, we start to venture into
the forest, where no one seems to be going.
It is another two or three hours from the entrance of the forest and it
is the start of an eye-opening experience that will put my spoiled world into
perspective and gain me some much needed gratitude.
May 2, 2013
First full
day in Belize and the sun is
up at 5:30 a.m., the coffee is instant and
the food is beyond fantastic.
Simple, and yet more flavor than anything I have ever had before. They had bacon, but it doesn’t feel very
Belizean to me. Oh, and the coffee is
instant. But, I feel I have said that
before. Out into the forest right after
breakfast for a broad leaf forest overview and exercise in the forest. We spent the morning marking off 50X20 square
foot areas, and tagging them with bright orange tape. We learned how to measure tree’s and how and
why to count the different species of trees.
Walking 20 to 30 meters away from the base of the tree and using the Clinometers,
the right side has the numbers that provide a % for the base and also for the
top of the tree. The diameter was also
measured. These are useful in analyzing
and keeping up with the growth of the tree which provides an insight to the
overall health of tree. One of the main
types of trees here is the Quamwood tree, they have low density, they are
emergent and they grow very fast; however, they don’t sequester a large amount
of carbon. The carbon that is held is
released after their very short life span ends. The rangers set plots in this area according
to what they are trying to analyze or study.
The set plots are common rectangular 20X50 square meters. They are set in a specific ways including
North, West, South, East directions starting from a central point. The outside trees are tagged every ten
meters, which will end up surrounding the central point. 12 plots would be equal 1,000 m^2; 50 m
North/South, 50 m East/West, 20 East/West, and 20 North/South. To find the volume of the trees in the forest
are measured by the height vs. diameter.
The height is the total vs. the marketable timber. Objectives are set first, for example different
timber vs. carbon sequestration. Breast
height is considered to be 1.3 meters; the diameter is measured by a diametric
measuring tape. Use the spool in the
right hand and the end in the left hand to unravel and wrap around the
tree. Measure 1.3 meters from the top of
the hill If the fork of the tree where it branches falls above the 13 meters,
disregard the area below, and measure as two trees. Tress with the buttress roots need to be
measured about 30 cm above where the roots stop and tree becomes the
trunk. The Liana vines are now being
reported more due to the fact that climate change is becoming more
apparent. Carbon sequestration vs.
retention is now a huge issue in all of these forests. The volume of trees will give an idea of
biomass, the density which will be connected to the growth rate
increments. Recruitment and mortality
rate which is the dead trees and tress that are one to two years old. Biomass growth is minus biomass death is how
CO2 sequestration can be calculated.
Reduction of emissions due to the deforestation and the land degradation
or REDD is the new issue that involves the developing nations that hold the key
to carbon The developed countries will help and pay money to developing countries
to consume the forests, and the only compensated the carbon sequestration no
the storage. 9 metric tons in 1 year per
hector of CO2 in the Chiquibul Forest for carbon sequestration. I am gaining a better understanding that the forest does a lot for the Earths atmosphere.
May 3, 2013
Friday
Today was a
travel day in the awesome yellow school bus.
Alberto is an excellent driver; we have yet to crash or fall off the
side of the mountain. It is fascinating
to experience a different culture with similar activities and tools, and the
difference in carrying it out is vastly different. There are no speed limits and three second
stop rules, it’s just drive to get there and don’t burn out the clutch. An hour and a half drive back down the
mountain and pass the guard’s house, take a sharp left. The bus takes us down a twisty and rocky
road, to the entrance of the Caracol Archaeological Reserve to look into the
majestic beauty of the Mayan Culture.
The ruins are incredible. Three
separate locations with massive and impressive structures produce a window into
the souls of the Queen of Caracol. The
location was once home to a powerful family, and it is thought the ruins were
built in honor of the Queen. A female
grave site had been discovered on the first magnificent site. She was said to have been found buried
standing up, to show her respect and to remind her people she is watching. Stunning is as adjective that lingers in my
head, how? How? A question I ponder as I
walk up and down the massive structures and am blessed with a view of the
surrounding land cannot be replicated.
How did they have the ability to build this? I have burned my pots and pans so many times
trying to make Macaroni and Cheese. I am
quickly reminded again that I would never have survived. Survival is an interesting subject that pops
up during this time of awe and reflection.
A guide that works at LCRS and always accompanies the group is Mr.
Mesh. Turns out that he is Mayan and has
a mind of pure history and beauty. He
can speak in his own dialect, one of the many versions of the Mayan
language. He speaks with beautifully
broken English and it is so perfect that it completes the subject. He tells us that his culture is being forgotten
by his own people. Not due to memory
lapses or poor story telling. The very
people have been beaten down by non-natives of their land to leave their
culture and history behind. To be
western is a dream of many, but is tragic to even more. Mr. Mesh speaks freely of his people being
shown that Westerners are better and much more powerful. In reality, none of this is so. History proves that all invaders try to
eradicate the past of those before them.
Heavy sadness is floating in and out of my head, but most of all, my
heart is sighing with shame. Boris directs our group around the area, talking
about the past and how to change the future.
How do we prepare the world for a healthier planet? What can be done? How do we educate those who do not believe
that our planet is unhealthy and in danger of being placed on a respirator and
other means of life support? The thought
process starts, the reoccurring thought that in the United States, I am a
completely spoiled brat and have no true experience or knowledge to understand
what the majority of the world does not live like me, nor do they have the privilege
to think like me. I am starting to face
the word: sheltered. As my eye lids
become less heavy and I look around my surroundings at Caracol, I realize that
the 100 sq. ft. “gift” shop is heavily guarded with…..armed guards. A tourist from Europe perhaps lifts his
camera and try’s to snap a picture of the four heavily armed army
soldiers. The park explodes with broken
words; we all manage to understand “No pictures”. The soldiers eyeball us and follow us to the “Caracol
Bulls” pavilion. I quickly think about
our “USF Bulls”. I am spoiled. I cannot even imagine how it would be to wake
up anywhere in the world and have this “normalcy” play out. Gratitude is seeping in. It has taken a very long time, but at it is
making its way to the center of my mind.
A lunch has been prepared for us, hoagie sandwich and a muffin, wrapped
up and placed on bright plastic plates.
The soldiers are not eating anything of the sorts. The conversation continues about the earth
and all of her resources. She is and
will run out. We may never run out of
the amount of water, but the amount of fresh water is on the horizon. Another war will spark for this
resource. It actually is already a battle
to many, but not to me at home. I groan when
I have a high water bill. We take the
bumpy ride back to Las Cuevas Research Station, reflecting on the day. Reflecting on our luxuries that we constantly
take for granted. Actually, is it even
considered taking them for granted when you don’t have an inkling of what
privilege your life holds? I am taken
aback at my ignorance, for the umpteenth time.
Looking back at the Mayan Ruins, so many items of ignorance run rampant
in my head.
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