Sustainability in a Forest Fragment on the North Coast of Honduras

As environmental degradation continues in the wake of consumptive lifestyles in developed nations and the movement away from subsistence existence amongst the poor in developing nations, there is a critical need to understand the interface between natural resources and the people who hold power over these resources to help bring management and balanced solutions. Forests and important mammal inhabitants are victims of this anthropogenic environmental degradation, and as such, protection has been afforded to some. This book examines a protected forest fragment on the north coast of Honduras to understand the interface of mantled howler monkeys, the forest they inhabit, and the collection of humans who utilize resources or hold power over the protected area. In this virtual biogeographical island, 12 months of extensive field research was conducted. Results indicate that the environmental degradation, such as fragmentation, and habitat alteration and loss, can be countered. Viable solutions include helping to improve connectivity, such as connecting forest remnants with micro- corridors using living fences, in combination with management and education.