The Meso-American Reef barrier reef is the longest in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest in the world - and most of it runs parallel to Belize's coastline. It supports the livelihoods of traditional fishers who free dive for lobster and conch. It also attracts large numbers of visitors from around the world wanting to snorkel and dive to experience the rich colours and diverse shapes of the reef and the vibrant life that lives there, supporting the tourism sector, and contributing significantly to the national economy.
The reef is important in so many ways to the lives, livelihoods and culture in Belize...but it is suffering from the impacts of climate change, with increasing water temperatures resulting in increased coral bleaching events and emerging coral diseases. These are compounded by human impacts, either directly on the reef itself, or originating from the land - including the increased forest clearance, especially of river-edge (riparian) forests and mangroves. The sediment that is no longer trapped by these trees is washed into the rivers and eventually out into the sea, turning the crystal clear waters a solid brown when heavy rains fall.
This study has developed a toolkit to assess the clarity and surface temperature of the waters of 24 marine protected areas off the Belize coast. It ranks these areas based on the risks coral face from murky water and rising temperatures, to indicate where areas are less impacted, and where reefs that are less stressed may be located, enabling informed decision making in the management of the National Protected Areas System.
It is tools like this, like the Healthy Reef Report Cards, national management effectiveness assessments and marine spatial planning that ensure Belize can manage protection of its reef effectively for the benefit of those who depend on it and those who enjoy it...guiding the work and the dedicated marine protected areas teams on the ground...
Scientists Use NASA Satellite Data to Determine Belize Coral Reef Risk