Forestry in Guyana

Selah Diamond
3/16/2018
Map of Forestry Regions in Guyana (5
marks)
Factors Influencing the Location of Forestry
in Guyana (8 marks)

Almost 75% of the land area is covered in forest.

According to the FAO, over the last decade or so the
figure has decreased rapidly from 94% in 1995 due to
historic and current reasons such as plantation
agriculture, mining, road building and fuel wood
collection.
On the interior of the country, some of the original
inhabitants (Amerindians) live there but 90% of the
population lives on the coast.
There are an increasing number of projects in the country
in attempt to save the forest that remains.
Example: Iwokrama project has been set up to promote
the conservation and sustainable use of a tropical forest ‘in
a manner that leads to lasting ecological and economic
and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the
world in general.’(Iwokrama Mission Statement)
The Importance of Forestry (8 marks)

More than 2 billion people depend on the forests. Forests

provide shelter, employment, food, water and fuel
security. These activities directly involve the forests; like
fruits and wood from trees. Or indirectly involve the
forests; like products used in medicines and detergents.

The forests provide habitats to various animal species and

they also shape livelihood for indigenous people.

They provide ecosystem services that are critical to human

welfare. These include:
 Absorbing harmful greenhouse gasses that produce
climate change. In tropical forests alone, a quarter of a
trillion tons of carbon is stored in above and below
ground biomass
 Providing clean water for drinking, bathing, and other
household needs
 Protecting watersheds and reducing or slowing the
amount of erosion and chemicals that reach waterways
 Providing food and medicine
Problems Facing the Industry (8 marks)

Airborne pollutants such as low-level ozone and sulphur

dioxide weaken trees, making it more susceptible to insect
infestation and disease.
Overlapping logging and mining concessions.
Forest concessions being allocated on the customary
untitled lands of Amerindian communities without their
knowledge and free, prior and informed consent.
Climate and water issues are interconnected (linked) and
mutually reinforcing, and will take generations to resolve
them. Sufficient amounts of water are essential to increase
growth of forests and suitable tropical climate is required
also. If little to no water are available and climates are
changing then forest growth becomes stunted.
Possible Solutions to the Problems (6 marks)

Divide lands accordingly to prevent overlapping

concessions.
Hire personnel to spray trees with appropriate pesticides
to prevent insect infestation.
Buy or trade the untitled lands of the Amerindians
communities to avoid usage of the land without their
consent.