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UNESCO University of Phoenix SCI/230/Christine Rogers Natasha Griffin February 7, 2012 Charles Darwin once quoted in 1842 recounting the Belize Barrier Reef as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies" (Encyclopedia). This portrayal still holds true today. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which also includes the Belize submarine shelf and its barrier reef is the world's second largest barrier reef system and the largest reef complex in the Atlantic-Caribbean area (Programme-wo, 2009). What makes this reef such as the Belize Barrier Reef system so unique is that coral reefs are the most diverse and varied of all wetlands and are home to more species than any other marine ecosystem (Wells). The reef system offers more variations of coral formation than any place in the Caribbean (Encyclopedia). For people to appreciate and understand/ having knowledge of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve system, they need to be aware of the many species that view this place as home, the threats and danger against the preservation of the reef, and what is being done to protect and preserve the reef. The country of Belize hosts one of the most spectacular coastal reefs in the world. Located off the eastern coast of the country in Central America the Belize Barrier Reef hosts a multitude of both flora and fauna, giving it a diversity that is rarely seen. Without help this magnificent reef can be lost and with it the wildlife that gives it such uniqueness. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is the largest barrier coral reef located in the northern hemisphere. The reef is located on the coastal area of Belize connected to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The Belize Barrier Reef is 300 kilometers long and together with the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef make up the second largest barrier reef in the world, following the Great Barrier Reef located in Australia (Wikipedia, 2010). The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination and this revenue and continued interest helps keep the reserve preserved. According to Wikipedia (2010), “It is Belize's top tourist destination, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors, and vital to its fishing industry” (Belize Barrier Reef, para. 1). This reef system contains many natural wonders that include several hundred sand clays, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and offshore atolls. The area is home to many forms of wildlife. Some of the wildlife living in this reef system is endangered and this environment acts as a safe haven to allow the species to continue. Some of this wild life includes manatees, American marine crocodile, marine turtles, and many varieties of exotic birds and fish (World Heritage, 2010). The barrier reef system consists of seven areas in the region. These seven locations that make up the Belize Barrier Reef are Glovers Reef Marine Reserve, Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Bacalar Chico national park and marine reserve, South Wather Caye Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. The area was first referred and inscribed in 1996 as a World Heritage site and in 2009 the status of the area changed to In Danger. The reason listed for this change is that the area is suffering due to excessive development and mangrove cutting (World Heritage Site, 2010). This barrier reef provides a nurturing ecosystem for many diverse animals, ocean and plant life. The Belize Barrier Reef system is residency to 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, more than 500 species of fish, and hundreds of invertebrate species. The hundreds of invertebrate species include 350 mollusks, plus a vast diversity of sponges, marine worms, and crustaceans (Programme-wo, 2009). Outside the waters of the reef system, the atolls and cays with stands of littoral forest and mangroves provide an important habitat for certain birds. Most of the species of birds establish here are the brown booby, brown pelican, the magnificent frigate bird, laughing gull, and the red-footed bobby. More important, the Belize Barrier Reef system is a substantial habitat for endangered species and species of preservation concern, such as manatees, marine turtles, American marine crocodile, and the red-footed booby. The reef allows an environment for thirty six soft coral species and five hundred species of fish to live. Additionally, seventy types of hard coral and hundreds of invertebrate species can be found in this ecosystem. With all of this diversity thriving in this system, what is even more amazing is that only ten percent of this reef system has been researched and that ninety percent is still unexplored. There are countless other species that we have yet to discover. Reference CRC Reef Research Centre http://www.reef.crc.org.au The Great Barrier Reef http://www.greatbarrierreef.org