One promising development is the recent proliferation of community-oriented forestry programs. They are making replacements for mahogany, teak and other exotic woods available, while they attempt to harvest commercial species more sustainably. In southeastern Mexico, community groups backed by development agencies and the Mexican government are attempting to bring more than a million acres under sustainable management. Sawn mahogany, stacked to dry. Like teak, mahogany is considered a tropical mainstay for woodworkers.
Mahogany requires plenty of sunlight to regenerate naturally.
When mahogany trees are cut selectively, the resulting holes in the forest canopy don't let in enough light for the mahogany seedlings to grow. Providing enough light involves felling the surrounding trees, many of which are lesser-known species. It costs more to manage forests this way, and the costs cannot be recouped unless markets are developed for the unfamiliar timbers. As it turns out, many of them are desirable for woodworking. A number of community-based forestry projects, like the one in Mexico, are scattered across the tropics.