Post on 04-Jan-2016
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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