Guanaja is part of the Departament of Islas de la Bahía and is located about 50 miles northeast of the Atlantic coast of Honduras. Natural disasters have a profound effect on the dynamics of forest ecosystems. This is especially true in the Island of Guanaja, Honduras where the eye of Hurricane Mitch was stationed for more than 72 hours in October 1998. The impact of the Hurricane on the forest resource was devastating. The mature pine forest was killed, stripped of their leaves by high speed winds.
To assess the condition of the Pinus caribaea Morelet forest, an inventory was conducted in 1999. The results of the inventory showed that most of the mature forest had been killed by the hurricane. It was also found that natural regeneration, from the seeds dispersed by the strong winds, was already taking hold of the sites. 881 plots were established in the area. 320.3 hectares (31%) were found to have adequate regeneration (at least 2 plants per plot), 318.1 hectares (30%) had inadequate regeneration and needed replanting, and 319.3 hectares (31%) had abundant rocky outcrops with clumps of natural regeneration in place.
In order to assure the establishment of a new forest, those areas identified as having inadequate regeneration were planted. Seed stock of Guanaja, collected years before the Hurricane, was used in the reforestation effort. More than 264,000 plants were produced in the nursery, and 334 hectares were reforested during 1999 and 2000. Evaluation of survival showed that more than 85% of the seedlings were alive six months after the planting season.
New knowledge, skills, or insights that participants will gain from session: 1.Learn of the recovery of Pinus caribaea stands after a major natural disaster. 2.Get exposed to the interactions between forests, soil, water and coral reefs in a tropical ecosystem. 3.Be aware of the efforts made to recover this valuable island forest through reforestation and protection activities
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