Reef Status Threats & in Belize

June 7, 2007

Melanie McField, PhD Smithsonian Institution

LARGEST REEF SURVEY CONDUCTED IN MAR

138 sites in Belize

~ 330 in MAR

Belize survey 6 NGOs >30 trainees

Taking the pulse of the reef

10 Indicators in one sweep

Filling gaps

Summer 2006

Oddball Reefs in Unlikely PlacesBig Mamma Corals

The urchins are back! Some recovery after 25 yrs

Parrotfish Biomass

What is a Healthy Reef ?

A reef is healthy if it maintains its structure and function and allows for the fulfillment of reasonable

human needs

Adapted from N.O. Nielsen, Professor Emeritus, UG

How do we actually measure this?When is our baseline?

Human dimensions also need assessment

Public and Media Interest in Human Health and Contaminants

Kids Even More Vulnerable to Pesticides Than Previously Believed, Study Shows

Health, Environment Groups Warn Government Ignores Scientific Evidence of

Higher Risk to Children By: NRDCPublished: Mar 4, 2006 at 07:09

USGS Reports Most U.S. Rivers and Marine Life Contain PesticidesDate Published: Saturday, March 4th, 2006 By Steven DiJoseph

Readilyunderstandable link

between environmental & human health

risks

Contaminants in breast milkfrom two individuals in Belize

ppb = parts per billion

ADI = Allowable Daily Intake for a 2.8 kg infant

Chem Concent. ADI Malaoxon* 49 ppb 49,000 times higher

Endosulfan 2.4 ppb 12 times higher

Mirex 9 ppb 15,000 times higher

DDT 91 ppb 65 times higher

Aldrin 2.2 ppb 8 times higher

Larger Study Now Underway

Environmental Perceptions of Threats

Based on 2005 Survey of 100 regional stakeholders

Belize’s main coral bleaching events in 1995, 98, 05Variable mortality 0% – 99% of corals

Direct Impacts of Tourism on Reefs

Inappropriate coastal/island development

Inappropriate Aquaculture

Threatened species

Habitat conversion

Jan. 2005 Apr. 2005

Inappropriate inland land use & development: agriculture

Ship groundings

Marine-based pollution

Marine Pollution & Shipping Accidents

$$$

Over fishing

Fishing Gear & Bycatch

SIZE MATTERS!

40cm grouper produces 1 million eggs

100cm grouper produces 15 million eggs

Fewer “big mammas” means fewer baby fishFully-protected reserves – where the big fish live

There is hope…But we must be diligent stewardsAnd recognize the costs of our actions