The Belize Barrier Reef - Term Paper Example

Running Head: THE BELIZE BARRIER REEF The Belize Barrier Reef Date The Belize Barrier Reef The Belize Barrier Reef is the home to teaming ecosystem which involves both land and water creatures. The reef is also the center of a tourist trade as well as fishing that supports the local economy. The delicate ecosystem has been disturbed by the development of the tourism industry, construction and the tearing down of different mangroves systems causing havoc along the reef. The government has created laws which require policing of the removal of mangroves, and conservation efforts are part of preserving the nature of the region. Although there is a movement to conserve the natural ecosystem, human intrusion has been a real problem and the challenges of the future will show whether or not conservation can be achieved. Describing the Reef A barrier reef is defined as a group of coral reefs that are separated from the land that is non-reefal and are defined by a deep Lagoon between those two regions. The morphology of a barrier reef consists of a landmass, and Lagoon, and then a reef. This definition means that an atoll rim would not be considered a barrier reef. Some definitions of very reefs are more related to their genesis. In 1842 darling describe the formation of the barrier reef as a progressive series of fringing reefs that which surrounds volcanic islands, creating a Lagoon that acts between the reef and the land (Hopley, 2011). One of the longest barrier reef systems in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean is off the shores of Belize. This reef is approximately 200 km in length. This section in Belize is the only “true outer barrier system” along the Mesoamerican barrier reef system which runs along the Mexican the Yucatán, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Most of the links of this coral reef system consists of fringing reefs (Hopley, 2011). The lagoon of the Belize barrier reef is about 20 to 40 km wide with sea grasses covering most of larger areas. In the north of the lagoon the water is too murky to support coral, but the south of the dunes deeper and drops as much is 30 m in many areas. The reef rises from the lagoon setting up on the continental shelf. There is a section that is a wide reef flat which is mostly dominated by rocks and debris, including numerous small coral caves. Mangroves crowd the area as well as other trees and coconut palms (Spalding, 2004). The Ecosystem Barrier reef is a very carefully cultivated ecosystem. As an example, the reefs and mangroves in Belize interact so that some species like the giant rainbow parrotfish will disappear if the mangroves were ever cut down (Spalding, 2004). The coastal system that exists within this reef has given rise to separate site which all considered the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve Systems. Scholars and scientists see this reef system as a thriving example of fringing, barrier, and I told read types with continuing biological and ecological processes which are related to the development of reef systems. The system is fairly pristine an exceptionally beautiful with habitats for a number of different threatened marine species that are internationally recognized as endangered. This also includes a number of migratory birds system whose existence would be in danger should the reef be irreparably damaged (Sayre, 2011). The Belize Barrier Reef also supports human life in the area. The economy is dependent on fishing and tourism, but these two industries are creating overexploitation of the resources available in the reef. Alteration to the habitat is caused by coastal development, specifically the problem of clearing mangroves. As well, shallow water benthic communities are being damaged from the traffic. Coastal development is also responsible for nutrient enrichment which comes from sewage and surface runoff. This changes the basic chemistry of the reef system. Agrochemicals, dredging, mining, and fan disturbances all cause problems which chokes the coral reefs. The increased damage is being recognized and the site is on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger (Sayre, 2011). The Belizean Reef Mangrove Ecoregion houses a diverse and productive ecologically balanced system. Some of the islands in this region are completely covered with mangroves, mostly red mangroves that are able to tolerate exposure to water better than some of the other species. The offshore mangroves support some of the largest peat deposits in the world. As far as 12 km offshore, some of the key deposits are as thick as 8 m and accumulated when sea levels rose for the previous 8000 years. The varieties of birds that are found nesting in these areas include egrets, ibis, herons, and the Fregata magnificens. These birds contribute to the ecosystem through the waste that they leave which enriches the underwater portion so that organisms that are specific to this type of a mangroves ecosystem can benefit. Because of limited monitoring enforcement conservation problems continued to plague the area which includes the illegal hunting of eggs and birds while nesting season is occurring and the disturbance of nesting colonies when tourists are introduced into these areas. As well, rats coming off of ships that come into the area in order to participate in trade have infiltrated the islands and change some of the biological balance (Beckman, 2013). Conservation and Preservation The development of tourism has caused a conflict between conservation and the industry. The beaches that are some of the biggest attractions for tourists are covered by the mangroves that are at the core of the ecological system. Ambergris Cay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Past development meant that many of the mangroves were removed. This has caused a great deal of damage to the ecosystem and because of this the Belizean government has put a halt to any future mangrove removal. Laws are put in place that require permits for the removal of mangroves. A proposal for a resort on the southern tip of this cay is testing the conservation efforts in Belize. This proposal is a test for complaints by NGOs about politically motivated environmentally harmful decisions (Beckman, 2013). One of the best protected areas of the Belizean reef is the Caye Caulker Forest Reserve this region which exists on Ambergris Cay has provided for conservation of the area even though there are still problems with non-indigenous creatures. Feral dogs, rats and cats are plaguing the area because of introduction when they were not part of the original ecosystem. Man-O-War Caye is home to one of the 10 largest frigate bird colonies in the Caribbean and is the only nesting place for the brown booby Sula leucogaster. Direct harm to the Caye has been prevented through laws and conservation efforts, but nearby development has had an effect on the area because sand dredging has resulted in erosion and undercutting of the mangroves which has led to depression that came from the excavation (Beckman, 2013). In 1998 a Coastal Zone Management Plan was established so that policies and strategies could be created to manage Belize’s coastal resources. The plan is ongoing and recent efforts have included education and workshops on sustainable management for the mangroves. People of the area are becoming involved in conservation efforts so that sustainability can be achieved (Beckman, 2013). International efforts have provided support for the conservation efforts in Belize. International, nongovernmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society have all participated in preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef. Individual Contribution Individual efforts to help conserve the natural integrity of the area can include donations to efforts for the Belize reef or through international support organizations that ask for signatures and writing campaigns. The one problem that faces human industry in the region is that while tourism is in conflict with conservation, tourism also supports the local economy. International efforts to help the local economy unfortunately do not encourage independence, but development of the tourism industry also is damaging for long-term sustainability. While visiting Belize may be a beautiful and well-remembered vacation, it may also contribute to an industry that is destroying ancient ecosystems. Conclusion The Belize Barrier Reef is a beautiful and exotic location in which Marine life and land animals come together and balance system. Human intrusion into the system has caused imbalances which threaten the local habitation. Although human industry is depending on the ability to use this region for tourism and for fishing, these very activities threaten the creatures who live within this environment. International intervention and laws that supports sustainability of the ecosystem will help to renew what has been lost, but at the same time the original beauty of the region is likely never going to be fully restored. If the balance of the system falls too far out of sync, a great deal of ecological and biological diversity will likely be lost to the world. The tests of the future will include challenges to both the support of the industry for human inhabitants as well as support for conservation that will secure the future for the biodiversity that exists in the Belize Barrier Reef and its surrounding systems. References Beckman, D. W. (2013). Marine environmental biology and conservation. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Graham, R. T. (2003). Behaviour and conservation of whale sharks on the Belize Barrier Reef. New York: University of York. Hopley, D. (2011). Encyclopedia of modern coral reefs: Structure, form and process. Dordrecht: Springer. Sayre, R. (2011). From space to place: An image atlas of World Heritage sites on the in danger list. Paris, France: UNESCO. Spalding, M. D. (2004). A guide to the coral reefs of the Caribbean. Berkeley: University of California Press. Read More