Basic and applied research for sound rain forest management in Guyana

Five years of research have increased our understanding of the effects of disturbances on some forest processes and given directions for forest management in Guyana. At present most logging concentrates on Chlorocardium rodiei (greenheart) and current practices are damaging, but they may have little effect on the overall water balance and nutrient cycle if some simple rules are adhered to. The basic research results do not lead to a fully documented sustainable forest management system, as translation to practical management is not always simple. In general it would appear that applied research may give fast results in an often quick and dirty approach. Basic research, if directed at the right forest processes, may provide answers when the quick and dirty approach does not fulfil its objectives. As such they are complementary. In tropical forest management we cannot wait until basic research provides all answers leading to proper forest management, and a combination of the two would probably provide most answers in the long term.