Status of Mangroves in Belize

Transcription

1 Status of Mangroves in Belize State of the Coastal zone Summit June 7 th 2012 Nadia Bood*, Emil Cherrington and Tim Smith

2 Outline Introduction to mangroves Importance of mangrove to Belize National status of mangroves in Belize ( ) Strengths and weakness of mangroves research and management Belize s mangroves health compared to neighboring countries Key recommendations

3 Intro to Mangroves 1. Found in along coastal areas, including estuaries 2. Grow well in areas where salt and freshwater mix 3. Different species of mangroves use different areas of the tidal zone (red, black, white, buttonwood) 4. Create habitats for juvenile fish species 5. Root system anchor soil and prevent erosion of coast 6. Improve water quality by filtering pollutants 7. Act as wave breakers protecting coast and communities from storm threats 8. Breeding and feeding grounds for many marine animals

4 Importance of Mangroves to Belize Mangrove swaths found along most of coastal Belize Provide various ecosystem services: protect shorelines mitigate storm surge and winds control erosion and pollutants run-offs provide nursery grounds for many estuarine and marine fish species (including commercially important ones) Mangroves contribute US $ m/yr to Belize s economy via tourism recreation, fisheries and shoreline protection; $60-78m, $3-4m and $ m respectively (Cooper et al 2009)

5 Status of mangroves within Belize s coastal zone ( ) Subsequent to Zisman 1998 (78,511 ha), no national level assessment until 2008 and In 2008, CATHALAC/HRI updated Zisman 1998 data and this was expanded upon in 2010 by CATHALAC/WWF. The 2010 study was an assessment of cover change over the period (satellite imagery). National loss of <4% (76,250 ha to 74,684 ha) Most clearance observed in development hot-spots (Ambergris, Placencia Peninsula, Belize City and outer cayes) Field validation of study to be 90.7% accurate (high level accuracy)

6 Status of mangroves within Belize s coastal zone ( ) Year Area % % Mangrove Land cover Acres Hectares cover Pre ,897 77, ,417 76, ,458 75, ,736 75, ,318 75, ,582 75, ,548 74,

7 Change in mangrove cover between Belize Coastal Summit June 2012

8 Strengths & Weaknesses of Mangrove Research & Management in Belize Strengths: Revised mangrove legislation although not enacted Local communities, NGOs and civil society groups proactively trying to conserve and even replant mangroves Increase public advocay to conserve mangroves Weakness: Current low frequency of national mangrove assessments Minimal studies focused on determining mangrove vulnerability and resilience potential to threats

9 Health of Belize s Mangroves Compared with Neighboring Countries Two of Belize s neighbors, Honduras and Mexico, have experienced large-scale loss of their mangrove cover over the years. Honduras experience loss from 297,800 ha (1965) to an estimated loss of 54,300 ha by 2001 Mexico s mangrove cover fell from 1,041,267 ha (1976) to 683,881ha (2007) Mexico, however, has implemented a permanent moratorium on mangrove clearance. We need to implement efforts to prevent a similar fate to Belize s mangroves. Approx. 70% of remaining intact mangroves believed to be privately owed (Young 2008)

10 Key Recommendations Enact and enforce the revised mangrove legislation, and create and implement coastal development guidelines aimed at minimizing impacts on mangroves. Update existing data on Belize s mangrove cover on a bi-annual basis to ensure that Belize has recent information on the distribution and cover of mangroves on which to make planning and resource management decisions. Carry out a remapping and classification of the national Belize mangrove cover map developed by Zisman in Complement the studies of mangrove cover with detailed field-based studies to properly inventory these critical ecosystems. Such field studies would shed light into ecosystem processes, such as their rates of growth, how nutrients are cycled, how carbon is being sequestered, and how such processes vary across Belize s geographic gradient, among other factors. Carry out studies on mangrove vulnerability and resilience at finer levels of detail, taking into consideration field investigations on mangrove nursery functions, coastal protection levels, and how mangroves may be able to provide climate adaptation benefits.

11 THANKS!!! Belize Coastal Summit June 2012