Suriname belongs to the group of High Forest Cover, Low Deforestation countries (HFLD). This means that Suriname is a country that has more than 50% forest cover and a deforestation rate of less than 0.22% per year. Suriname’s forests are part of the Guiana Shield tropical forest ecosystem, which is one of the largest contiguous and relatively intact forested eco-regions in the world.
Suriname’s vast interior is inhabited by Indigenous and Maroon people. Having an abundance of forestry, mineral, and hydrological resources, the forest is under serious pressure from unregulated and unplanned development activities. These development activities may be at cost of local livelihoods, wildlife, and ecosystem services. The land tenure rights of the Indigenous and Maroon people are not formalized, which leads to potential conflict in land use changes.
Tropenbos Suriname operates in the forest belt of Northern Suriname, the Upper Suriname river area, and the Wayana area in South Suriname, and networks between researchers, policy makers, and practitioners. Tropenbos Suriname also networks between national and international partners.