Unesco_-_Belize_Barrier_Reef

UNESCO Paper - Belize Barrier Reef System XXX SCI/230 January 8, 2012 XXX UNESCO Paper – Belize Barrier Reef System The Belize Barrier Reef System is a series of coral reefs located on the coast of Belize in the Atlantic-Caribbean Ocean. It is the second largest system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (National Geographic News, 202). The Belize Barrier Reef System is being threatened by the enormous growth of the human population. As the human population increases and the supply of land weak, people are encroaching upon the reef and destroying delicate ecosystems. Animal and plant species are not just being reduced but eliminated. This is happening at an alarming rate. How do we stop this from happening' The World Heritage Group is an organization that was established to help preserve threatened ecosystems, including those found in the Belize Barrier Reef platform. The Reserve was inscribed as a natural World Heritage property in 1996 (World Heritage Site, 2006). The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System belongs to the Central American biogeographic province and is made up of the following areas: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, the northernmost part of Ambergris Caye, the west area of Chetumal Bay, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Blue Hole Natural Monument, Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve and Sapodilla Cays Marine Reserve (Coastal Climate Adaptation Strategies, 2011). According to Coastal Climate Adaptation Strategies 2011, “There are over 500 species of fish, plus a great diversity of scleraetinian corals, hydroids and molluscs, sponges, marine worms, and crustaceans” (para 2.). The area is home to a large population of West Indian manatees in the world. Many different bird species of conservation concern can be found in the cayes and atolls. Loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles nest in Belize (Travel Belize, 2012). Colonies of major sea and water birds are found including those of red-footed booby on Half Moon Caye, brown booby on Man O'War Caye, and common noddy on Glover's Reef. Next there is the Littoral forest. There are four types of trees which make up the Littoral forests and they are the Ziricote Cordia sevestena, the Teabox Myrica cerifera, the Gumbo Limbo Bursera simaruba and the Coco Plum Chrysobalanus icaco. Last, the Littoral forests are fringed by various shrubs such as the Tournefortia ganaphalodes, the Suriana maritime and the Borrichia arborescens. There is also the Coconut tree Cocos nucifera and the Sea Grape Coccoloba uvifera. Other types of vegetation found in this area include; Herbaceous – marsh and swamp, Rushes, Sedges, Calabash Amphitecna breedlovei, Bullet Tree Bucida buceras, Jacquinia aurantiaca, Grass savannas, A. breedlovei, Logwood Haematozylon campechianum and Poison Wood Cameraria latifolia (The Encyclopedia of Earth, 2011). “The Belize Barrier reef System is very sensitive to sudden changes in conditions required for it to thrive in i.e., warm, clear and clean waters, normal salinity, the absence of sedimentation and physical destruction” (Coastal Climate Adaptation Strategies, 2011). The reef ecosystem depends upon the sun for warmth and light. It also requires a constant supply of fresh, clear seawater. The nearby mangrove forests and seagrass beds provide a filter to trap sediment found in runoffs and riverine waters. The Coral reefs are at risk when exposed to sedimentation from inshore and coastal construction, upstream farming, mining, and/or dredging, fertilizer and sewage, and degradation from unsustainable fishing practices. Many animals use the mangroves and seagrass for beds and food. In Belize, Coral reefs and mangrove-lined coasts provide critical protection against erosion and wave-induced damages from tropical storms. As with any other area so diverse in its biological make-up there are biological interrelationships among the life forms in Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. A few of these interrelationships are; the coexistence of plants and animals, each one of these animals comes in contact with one another at some point and they all share the same ecosystem and they all make up and contribute to this ecosystem. The vegetation is used for food and shelter by the animals and the animals provide nutrients for the vegetation. If any of these were to be disturbed it would have a domino effect on the areas entire ecosystem and who can say just how far reaching the effect could be. Even with protection policies in place humans are still posing a threat to this area. This comes in many forms such as; the Barrier Reef ecosystem is being threatened by over-exploitation of its reef resources by the fishing and tourist industries, the reefs within the Hol Chan area are showing signs of stress caused by over collecting and damage from boat’s anchors, habitat alteration caused by hotel and marina construction, nutrient enrichment from run-off agrochemicals that are being increasingly used on banana and citrus plantations and from sewage pollution from tourist resorts and residential and urban centers, erosion of the shoreline by removal of vegetation including mangroves and sea grass areas, the choking of corals by siltation resulting from dredging and sand mining and the Sapodilla Cays and Glover’s Reef areas have been illegally fished by Guatemalan and Honduran fishermen. There is no closed seasons or size limits for conch and lobster in those countries. This has caused much of this area to be depleted of its conch and lobster populations. Some of the other issues being caused by man are; much of the native vegetation on cays have either been eliminated or disturbed for coconut plantations, costal forest habitat is the first priority for clear-cutting by urban development’s and bird fauna is at a particular risk because much of the critical forest habitat lies on privately owned land. What protections exist to safeguard the reserve' * 1928 Part of Half Moon Caye gazette as a Bird Sanctuary. * 1977 Man O’War Caye designated as a Crown Reserve. * 1979 Part of Half Moon Caye reclassified as a Crown Reserve. * 1981 Half Moon Caye Natural Monument and Laughing Bird Cay National Park designated as protected areas under the National Parks System Act of 1981. * 1982 The entire Caye declared Natural Monument on 20th of March. * 1983 All of the marine areas designated as protected under the Fisheries Act. * 1991 Laughing Bird National Park created by Statutory Instrument on 21st of December. * 1993 Glover’s Reef established by Statutory Instrument on 22nd of May. * 1996 - South Water and Sapodilla Cayes designated as Marine Reserves. * Bacalar Chico established partly as a National Park (terrestrial component) and partly as a Marine Reserve (marine component). * Blue Hole was designated as Natural Monument * The Reserve Inscribed as a natural World Heritage property The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a place filled with wonderful plant, bird, and marine life. Its crystal clear waters and sugar sand beaches are something everyone should have the experience of seeing in their lifetime. Thanks to the people of the World Heritage group, highly dedicated government officials, scientists and volunteers, laws have been passed over the years to help protect this wonder of nature. Due to its vast size, it is difficult to monitor every area and even with laws in place, it is still vulnerable to harm. Although there are many people currently involved in protecting the reef, there is always more to be done. I encourage everyone to get involved in saving the Belize Barrier Reef or find another ecosystem to invest time, energy, and if possible, money. Monetary contributions to the reserve endowment funds will assist in the long-term sustainability of the reserve. As stated previously, when we travel must remain aware that we do not infringe or disturb ecosystems. With Belize being the home of Great Blue Hole, snorkelers and divers have an opportunity to see some amazing marine life. They have lush rainforests full of exotic birds, flora, and fauna. Unless we do our part, the ecosystems we visit will be destroyed. Simple changes can be made. Through careful anchoring we can avoid doing damage to marine life. We can also lobby for stricter laws in countries that currently allow catching in all seasons and whom do not have catch or size limitations. I encourage everyone to get involved and protect Mother Earth and the various ecosystems that are in jeopardy. References Coastal Climate Adaptation Strategies. (2011). Belize. Retrieved from http://www.coastalchange.ca/index.php/communities/caribbean-community-profiles/belize Belize (2012), Welcome to Belize. Retrieved from www.travelbelize.org Handwerk, B. (10/17/2002). National Geographic News: Expedition to Explore Belize's Barrier Reefs. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1017_021017_belize.html The Encyclopedia of Earth. (10/25/2011). Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/article/Belize_Barrier_Reef_Reserve_System,_Belize World Heritage Site. (06/2006). Belize Barrier Reef. Retrieved from http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/belizebarrierreef.html