The Belize Barrier Reef System - 1278 Words

Glover’s Reef is a part of the second largest reef system in the world, the Belize Reef. In recent years, mostly due to tourism growth and the respective development for the tourists, ocean pollution has damaged many of species that live in Belize Reef. While the government has imposed a national reservation on the area that protects it from human destruction, it simply has not had the effect expected. On the Glover Reef, a research facility was created to gain a better understand of coral in the area and the best way to protect it. The hopeful future is that the research project gives scientist insight on how to protect the entirety of the Belize Barrier Reef System. Belize Barrier Reef System The Belize Barrier Reef consists of multiple coral reefs on the coast of Belize. This reef is known as â€Å"the most remarkable reef in the West Indies† due to its large diversity of organisms and ecosystems. (Darwin). It is home to around 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and over 500 species of fish. The second largest coral reef system in the entire world is also the top tourist destination in all of Belize and is attractive for scuba diving and snorkeling. The 260-meter reef attracts around 260,000 visitors on an annual basis. Many tourists enjoy scuba diving near the reefs especially at the Blue Hole, which is an underwater sinkhole. The Mayans and the current people used the area for fishing as a variety of fish species live in the water. Due to the touristShow MoreRelatedUnesco Paper- Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System1698 Words   |  7 Pagesquoted in 1842 describing the Belize Barrier Reef as the most remarkable reef in the West Indies (Encyclopedia). This description still holds true today. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes the Belize submarine shelf and its barrier reef is the worlds second largest barrier reef system and the largest reef complex in the Atlantic-Caribbean area (Programme-wo, 2009). What makes a reef like the Belize Barrier Reef system so special is that coral reefs are the most diverse of allRead MoreSaving the Belize Barrier Reef1525 Words   |  7 PagesOff the Caribbean coast of Belize, between Mexico and Guatemala, lies the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest reef in the northern and western hemispheres. The reef is home to many species of coral reefs, coastal lagoons, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests. It provides a habitat for a large number of fish species and many endangered animals. With global warming issues, local activities, and mass tourism threatening the very existence of the reef, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalRead MoreEssay on Belize Barrier Reef Platform 1475 Words   |  6 Pagesplace is the Belize Barrier Reef platform which lies on the Atlantic-Caribbean coast of Belize. The Reserve was inscribed as a natural World Heritage property in 1996 and belongs to the Central American biogeographically province. It 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 ReserveRead MoreManatees, The Gentle Giant Is Going Extinct Essays1110 Words   |  5 PagesThe West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a marine mammal that lives in the coastal waters and around the offshore reefs of Belize. Manatees have large gray bodies covered with algae or barnacles. They are herbivores that consume marine vegetation such as sea grass and surface regularly to breathe. They reside in sea grass beds and in mangroves th at provide them with shelter. The West Indian Manatee is listed as vulnerable under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and may eventually beRead MoreThe Effects Of Urbanization On The Belizean Society Essay1515 Words   |  7 Pagescities is called urbanization (Boundless, 2015). As a result, urbanization is the process by which there is an increase in the number and the percentage of people living in the urban settlements and the amount of industrialization of the settlement. In Belize statistics shows that 45% of the population lives in urban areas (Population Reference Bureau, 2014). It also refers to the increase in the size of land area occupied by urban settlements such as towns and cities. Although urbanization has broughtRead MoreHuman Overpopulation And Its Effects On Coral Reefs1540 Words   |  7 Pages coral reefs have died off due to a chemical process known as bleaching. NOAA states in â€Å"What is coral bleaching?†, bleaching is the by-product of coral s getting too warm; when corals get too warm they expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, which causes them to turn completely white. Today, the remaining coral reefs are being stressed by the human inhabitants who exist upon the land masses from which these reefs neighbor; which, in turn, has caused these remaining reefs to approachRead MoreCase Study : Mkd Transporters Inc.1354 Words   |  6 PagesTransportation is a worldwide delivery organization. The media allegation that one of their vessels was releasing an oily substance off the coast of Belize, which would pose a quick danger to the coral reefs, reached agency officials. Belize is the biggest second barrier reef on the planet. It is home to the most lovely, splendid, and bright coral reefs drawing scuba diving and snorkeling tourists, which is paramount for the fishing industry to supply food, and needs to secure the marine assets fromRead MoreThe Rights Of The United States Essay2243 Words   |  9 Pag es For Americans and Europeans, Belize is known as â€Å"the Jewel,† a Caribbean nation with sandy beaches, coral reefs, Mayan ruins, and the second largest barrier reef in the world. This country is a tourists’ paradise, but for those who are not simply visitors, Belize holds something much deeper within its society. â€Å"Battyman† (Belizean Creole for, literally, â€Å"butt man†) has long been the insult for gay men within the small Anglophone Caribbean nation. This is the worst possible insult toRead MoreEnvironmental Effects of Tourism on Thai Coral Reefs3489 Words   |  14 Pagesdeclining state of Thailand’s coral reefs in relation to its continually growing tourism industry, and discuss the reasons for this negative environmental effect. It will then go on to explore the methods of sustainable tourism employed by other nations who are suffering the same problems, and judge to what extent, and with how much success, these meth ods could be integrated into the Thai system. Tourism is having a major negative environmental impact on coral reefs and the marine life that habituateRead MoreThe Diagram Above Shows Recreation, Sports, Tourism, And Parks Essay1532 Words   |  7 PagesPersonally, I have used my leisure time to pursue recreational activities or sports in a park setting. One of my favorite’s adventures would be snorkeling and free diving in Belize at the Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO site. After months of saving and planning we set off to Central America to see the 2nd largest barrier reef. It is a spectacular experience I would recommend to anyone. Another notable adventure would include a road trip traveling west across our country, visiting national parks