Rainforest Conservation and Analog Forestry Vanishing World Rainforests Home ProNara Rainforest Lodge Rainforest Conservation and Analog Forestry Vanishing World Rainforests: Today, after a single generation of wanton destruction, Haiti stands stripped of its trees. Forty years ago, in 1950, forests still covered 80% of the country; now the figure is down to less than 10%. Nor is Haiti alone. Many tropical countries, which were heavily forested only a few decades ago, are now virtually denuded of trees. Africa has lost almost half of its tropical forests, while the Americas have lost a third of theirs. In Madagascar, 93% of the island?s original primary forest has been destroyed in the last 40 years. In clearing their forests, the countries of the Third World are following in the all too depressing footsteps of the northern industrialized countries. The impact on wildlife is severe. The direct physical impact of logging is considerable and cannot compare to that in natural clearings. Erosion is a particular problem, leading to landslides, to the silting up of rivers. Our future security does not lie in planting trees for pulping every few years, but rather in regenerating the genuine wealth of forests. Fact: Local Costa Rican owners of the last generation cleared trees to raise cattle, hunted out delicate animals, such as the Tepezquintle, and shot monkeys out of the trees, just for sport. The animals dwindled and monkeys completely disappeared. Since the ProNara conservationists began buying up large plots of land in Cerro Nara, starting about 15 years ago, cleared areas are now planted, and thankfully the monkeys are beginning to return to the area. We are actively working with other groups to build a wildlife corridor to connect Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Ocean with Cerro Nara by making it inviting for the animals to venture up the Rio Naranjo to our mountain. Analog Forestry Employed in Cerro Nara: Analog Forestry is a system of forest management that seeks to establish a tree dominated ecosystem analogous in architectural structure and ecological function to the original climax or sub climax vegetation community. It seeks to empower rural communities both socially and economically, through the use of species that provide marketable products. Trees and plants from other parts of the world, such as the Durian Fruit Tree, which are analogous to rainforest conditions in Cerro Nara, have been planted and the fruits will be marketed to the world. Renowned founder of Analog Forestry Ranil Senanayake of Sri Lanka came to Finca Cerro Nara on two separate visits to design an Analog Forestry plan, which was implimented by owner Bob Buckter. All rights reserved © 2010 Cerro Nara Rainforest Lodge