Outputs

• A xaté resource inventory for Belize.
• Information on xaté growth rates.
• Data on the affects of xaté leaf harvesting on plant health.
• Phylogeny of Chamaedorea.
• Assessment of xaté genetic status.
• Eco-labelling xaté: The potential of certification to aid the development of a sustainable Belizean palm industry
• Field Guide to Belizean Palms
• Assessment of the potential to cultivate xaté by Belizean communities.

A xaté resource inventory for Belize

Initial work during 2004 focused on the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (CFR) which lies adjacent to Guatemala and so has been the area most heavily affected by illegal leaf harvesting in Belize. With a view to providing data to inform on sustainable management practices, 207 plots sized 20 x 20 m have been measured. In 2005 survey work expanded to cover other forest reserves within Belize with a further 150 plots were established. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have been used to map the plots and to form the basis of  well-founded management plans. Data collected included species present, height, stem length, leaf length, number of leaves, number of 'commercial' and cut leaves, and reproductive state.

• For more information contact Sam Bridgewater:

Information on xaté  growth rates.

In a core area within the CFR, 50 permanent plots have been established (each 20 x 20 m). These were first inventoried in 2003 and subsequently revisited in 2004 and 2005. These have enabled calculations to be made for leaf turnover and stem growth rate. Report (pdf files): Preliminary fishtail xaté (Chamaedorea ernesti-augustii) growth survey data in the Chiquibul National Forest Reserve, Belize: N. Wicks, 2003.

• For more information contact: Nick Wicks.

Data on the affects of xaté leaf harvesting on plant health.

The impact of leaf harvesting on palm health and reproductive capacity is being assessed on five 20 x 20 m plots established in 2003. In these plots contrasting harvesting regimes have been applied to two species of Chamaedorea. Further plots are now being established in the south of the country.

• For more information contact Holly Porter-Morgan.

Phylogeny of Chamaedorea

Analysis of DNA sequence data has found no support for maintaining subgenus Chamaedorea and Chamaedoropsis, the two largest subgenera of Chamaedorea, as distinct. Two smaller genera, Stephanostachys> and Eleutheropetalum, however, are well-supported as separate lineages. The ten species of Chamaedorea found in Belize are scattered across the phylogenetic tree, indicating that they are not closely related.  Suggestions that C. neurochlamys> should be included within the widespread C. pinnatifrons> were refuted, as these two species occur far apart on the phylogenetic tree.

Publication: Thomas, M. T., Garwood, N. C., Baker, W. J., Henderson, S. A., Russell, S. J., Hodel, D. R. & Bateman, R. M. 2006. Molecular phylogeny of the palm genus Chamaedorea>, based on the low-copy nuclear genes PRK and RPB2. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution> 38: 398-415. 

• For more information contact Meredith Thomas.

Assessment of xaté genetic status.

This work is using genetic fingerprints termed AFLPs to assess whether xaté is threatened by depletion of its genetic variation due to harvesting, and whether markers exist that could eventually underpin a verifiable certification scheme to monitor trade in xaté.

• For more information contact Steve Russell, Meredith Thomas or Christine Bacon.

Eco-labelling xaté.

The potential of certification to aid the development of a sustainable Belizean palm industry is being investigated. This work was conducted in 2004 as part of an Edinburgh University MSc thesis.

Report: Eco-labelling xaté: the potential of certification to aid the development of a sustainable Belizean palm industry: Phil Pickles, 2004.

• For more information contact Philippa Pickles.

Field Guide to Belizean Palms.

A number of publications are envisaged including a photoguide to Belizean Chamaedorea and a popular Field guide to Belizean palms.

• For more information contact Samuel Bridgewater.

Assessment of the potential to cultivate xaté by Belizean communities.

This project component is being led by the Belize Botanic Garden and the Ya'axche Conservation Trust. Trials are being undertaken into xate germination, and demonstration plots of plantation grown xaté have been established. In addition, an educational extension programme has been developed in collaboration with local communities, and a cultivation manual published. The manual can be downloaded via the belize botanic Garden's website at: www.belizebotanic.org/xate_manual.pdf :

For more information contact Heather du Plooy.