Conservation, Problems, and Areas of Improvement
Chacocente has abundant tree diversity and this brings problems of illegal logging. Much of the reserve is protected, but the area is too big for every square mile to be monitored. Some of the trees are cedar, oak, laurel, cornizuelo, mahogany and a mangrove location (Explore Nicaragua Online). The reason illegal logging happens is the Nicaraguan population depends heavily on wood for fire, timber, and secondary wood products (Sabogal, 407). Forest land is also cleared for ranches, coffee plantations, and crop fields (Gerhardt, 1510). A study was published in 2009 regarding the feasibility of restoring certain fauna that had been harmed by over the years through deforestation. The study was done on three species that are the primary sources of wood for construction, firewood, and furniture production in Nicaragua. The study looked at L. divaricatum, L. minimiflorus, and T. ochracea. The first two are medium sized leguminous (fabaceae) trees and T. ochracea is a larger bignonaceae (Marín, 2009, 2). After three years of studying these trees, the researchers concluded that natural regeneration is not enough to adequately restore these trees back to full capacity. The researchers suggested for the sake of Chacocente biodiversity that immediate measures should be taken to help natural restoration. The research found that trees should be planted on slopes as opposed to flat terrain because that is where they grow best (Marín, 2009, 6).