After 1670, early British settlers in Belize shifted their focus primarily to logging, particularly the harvesting of mahogany. This change was largely due to the decline of the sugar industry in the region and the increasing demand for mahogany in Europe and North America. The logging industry became a significant economic driver for the settlers, leading to the establishment of Belize as a center for mahogany production. This activity not only shaped the economy but also influenced the social and cultural landscape of the area, as it attracted more settlers and led to the development of trade routes and settlements.