Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area

With a mission to conserve the biodiversity and promote the sustainable development of Belize through proper management of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Programme for Belize is tasked with protecting the 240 species of trees, 70 species of animals, 400 species of birds, and 12 endangered animal species including the jaguar, the black howler monkey, and Belize’s national animal, the tapir.

Flora Long-term research programmes on the RBCMA ecosystems mean that the flora, and especially the woody flora, is relatively well known with some 745 species recorded to date. Diversity is average for a tropical system (50-60 woody species/ha in mesic forest) and the outstanding feature is that the area contains extensive tracts of land with complete and characteristic communities in fully functioning ecosystems. These include species characteristic of both the Peten and, especially in the northern RBCMA, to the dryer moist forests of the Yucatan. The pine savannah ecosystems are noteworthy as a rare vegetation type at a regional level (occurring in the Belizean coastal plains and the Mosquitia region of Honduras/Nicaragua), with a number of species known only from Belize. Several species are listed as being of conservation concern at national or international level Wildtracks 2005, often occurring as common species within their communities.

Fauna The most important feature of the Rio Bravo is that it appears to support complete and fully functioning faunal communities characteristic of the area. Populations are for the most part healthy, including those of species that are under pressure elsewhere in the Central American range. Over 70 mammal species and 350 bird species have been recorded in the Rio Bravo.

The fauna has also been well-studied with research and survey projects covering all the major groups. In general terms diversity is high including foraging and breeding habitat for a range of species of conservation concern. As with the flora the most important characteristic is that they occur in fully functioning communities characteristic of the area, most clearly demonstrated by the diversity and relative commonness of top predators (large cats, birds of prey). The area has therefore been selected for re-introduction of the globally threatened Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja, a species highly dependent on extensive areas of unbroken forest.

Cultural Heritage The area has an extraordinarily rich archaeological heritage. The Classic Mayan ceremonial centre of La Milpa is one of the largest in Belize and the main plaza is one the largest in the Maya world. Elsewhere there are numerous remains of dwellings ranging from simple house-mounds to elite dwellings including at least one, Dos Hombres, that rivals La Milpa in size. Over 60 substantial sites have been listed and others are located regularly. Although most of the visible remains date from the Late Classic Maya period, other finds range from pre-ceramic cultures through to the European contact, when New River Lagoon lay on the main access route to the upper Belize River Valley and the eastern Peten.

The forests on and around the Rio Bravo have also played a major role in the more recent history of the country. Mahogany logging probably dates back to the 18th century, from camps established on New River lagoon and Irish Creek. At this time the area further west was under the control of the resident Maya population although the expansion of logging – with camps established at Blue Creek, Hill Bank, Canal Bank, and Quam Hill (near Cedar Crossing) by the mid-19th century – brought them into increasing contact with the mahogany cutters.

Archaeology La Milpa is the third largest ancient Maya site in Belize. The ceremonial center is built on a high limestone ridge and, with more than 24 courtyards and over 85 structures, is in the topmost rank of Mayan sites. The Great Plaza is one of the largest public spaces in the Maya world. It is flanked by four temple-pyramids with the tallest standing 24 m above the plaza floor. It contains two courts for the sacred Mayan ball-game, associated with ritual and sacrifice as well as recreation. At the back, in the most defensible position, is the acropolis or palace. There is also an administrative building with 13 gods of the heavens. Under the plaza there are two storage pits (chultuns) and a row of stelae is lined up along the west side in front of the main pyramids. Beyond the Great Plaza lie other plazas, pyramids and buildings, gradually merging into the surrounding jungle. In all, the core area is reckoned to cover one square kilometer.