Howler monkeys, nocturnal birds,
mosquitos on steroids…who knew that nothing sleeps in the jungle? Today we woke
up early and got started into the Chiquibol Forest. We learned a lot about a
broadleaf forest ecosystem and its characteristics. We made 20x50m plots and
learned how to measure diameter and the DBH of all the trees in that plot that
were over 10cm. We learned to use tools such as a clinometer to measure height.
All of this information is important because in order to deal with carbon
sequestration you must know the wood density and the volume of the trees in
that particular area. We also learned to use a densitometer to calculate how
much sunlight hits the forest floor.
In my opinion, the most interesting part
of the day was when we hiked after lunch and learned about REDD (Reduction of
Emissions due to Deforestation and Degradation of Land). This is when developed
countries don’t want to account for the carbon in protected areas and attempt
to compensate countries such as Belize for their forests. I use the word
attempt because the money they have been offered is a bit of a joke. They have
been low balled to say the least. I am reminded of a quote by one of my
favorite authors. “We could have saved the world but we were too damned
cheap.”-Kurt Vonnegut
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