The impact of a sustainable logging practice on the gene flow dynamics of Swietenia (S. Macrophylla King) in a continuous forest.

The effects of logging practices on the biodiversity of tropical forests has been well documented and the majority of people are aware of the effects of deforestation on the tropical landscape. Sustainable management schemes simultaneously attempt to allow the extraction of tropical species which are considered valuable in industry while reducing the impact on populations of the species harvested. Many previous studies on the effects of selective logging schemes on gene flow within populations of S. macrophylla have shown that selective extraction of the species is not suitable for its regeneration strategy. Conditions created by many selective logging schemes do not allow for population regeneration and therefore leave large areas of forest once populated by Swietenia with only a few remaining diseased or distorted representatives. In this thesis the effects of a currently used selective logging scheme in the Rio Bravo conservation Management site in Belize for the sustainable removal of S. macrophylla are assessed. The findings of the investigation show that the selective logging scheme used, which does allow for clearance of patches for population regeneration to occur, may lead to losses of genetic diversity for populations in areas of variable density if applied. As a result of the findings of this study a suggestion for the improvement of the current logging scheme is made and areas of further study in terms of S. macrophylla pollination which may clarify patterns of observed gene flow are highlighted.