MAHOGANY CONSERVATION - STATUS AND POLICY INITIATIVES

Genuine or American mahogany is obtained from trees of the genus Swiet enia (S. mahagoni, S. macrophylla, and S. humilis), and is one of the premier timbers of international commerce. The trade in mahogany comme nced almost five centuries ago with S. mahagoni from the Caribbean; bu t following 'commercial' extinction of this resource, trade became cen tred on mahogany populations in South and Central America (S. macrophy lla). The trade in mahogany is predominantly from primary forests, and has led to population and genetic resource declines - particularly in the Caribbean and Central America. More recently, there have been an increasing number of 'commercial' extinctions in South America. As the resource declines, pressures mount to accelerate the illegal extracti on of mahogany from National Parks and lands reserved for indigenous ( 'Indian') peoples. Inability to control this trade threatens mahogany populations and genetic resources throughout its range, at the same ti me adversely affecting the livelihoods of indigenous peoples in the pr ocess. Mahogany often regenerates poorly following logging operations that are conducted using current management practices, and further res earch is required to determine the optimum biological and economic con ditions for in situ silviculture. Attempts to cultivate mahogany in pl antations have met with little success in the Americas, due mainly to effects of the shoot-borer (Hypsipyla grandella), a moth larva that da mages terminal shoots, so leading to excessive branching and reduced t imber value (Figs 3 and 4). The success of mahogany plantations in the neotropics will require the development of an integrated pest-managem ent system, perhaps involving the incorporation of pest-resistant geno types within agro-forestry or mixed plantation systems. It is vital th at appropriate silvicultural and trade practices are adopted to ensure sustainable mahogany extraction, while at the same time conserving an adequate population and genetic resource-base. To this end, effective trade monitoring and resource-regulation measures must be introduced to assist in controlling illegal trade and to encourage a scientifical ly managed, sustainable, utilization of mahogany. Two of the three mah ogany species, S. humilis and S. mahagoni, have been listed in Appendi x II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (C ITES). The third and only other recognized species of Swietenia, S. ma crophylla, should also be considered for listing in CITES Appendix II, thereby benefiting from the international trade-monitoring and resour ce regulation requirements consequent upon such listing.