Belize Erosion

In Belize the beaches is famous for its white or crystal beaches coastline that spread on the coastline.  Many tourists or local tourist visit Belize because they want to enjoy part of the beach. But, since beaches has been bought and been privately owned by foreigners no one says anything. But, what is affecting us the most is everywhere in the world by cutting down mangroves causing more erosion. Erosion is caused along the coastline in Belize by higher water rising. It is affected country wide. One of the resorts in Hopkins that got affected a lot and lost its services was Coconut Row Resort in Hopkins Village. They claimed that beach erosion was washed out on months.  Not only the south is affected by the erosions. Even the cayes of Belize are affected because of cutting down of mangroves. 

The conference is being held at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Among the conference presenters over the two day period are Carlos Fuller, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Belize; Jean Yves LA cascade, special advisor to the president, Territorial Diplomatic Mission; regional council of Martinique, Shawn-Michael Malone, Office of the Governor of the Virgin Islands; Alejandro De la Camp, Caribbean area director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Mona Barnes, director of the VI Emergency Management Agency; Augustin Carbo, chairman of the Puerto Rico Energy Commission, along with José Maeso, director of the Puerto Rico Energy Affairs Administration, and Johann Clendenin, chairman of the VI Public Service Commission. Are discussion ways how to stop erosion and climate changes. Click here for more info: http://viconsortium.com/featured/federal-agencies-pr-and-usvi-hosting-major-conference-on-climate-change-in-the-caribbean/ 

 Mangroves thrive in nutrient rich, silty water of varying salinity, sometimes dominating wetland areas as well. All four of the mangrove species native to the Caribbean, are found in Belize. In 1993 it was estimated that mangrove forests covered some 760 km2 of land area in Belize. Distribution is primarily along low-lying sections of coast and river banks, cayes, estuaries and coastal lagoons. The largest percentage of cover is found in the northern portions of the country and in the cayes, particularly the Turneffee Atoll. Figure 5 is a mangrove distribution map for Belize using 2000 information. The major threats to mangroves from climate change are changes in weather patterns and the increase in frequency and severity of climatic events. Two key factors in the success of mangroves appear to be the salinity and sedimentation levels. Changes in rainfall patterns could affect distribution and species composition because rainfall regulates salt concentrations in soil and plants, as well as providing a source of freshwater for the mangroves. However, if high rainfall occurs over a short period and other months of the year are prone to drought, the conditions could become unfavourable for the growth and distribution of mangroves. (Hong, 2006). The 1999 assessment indicated that mangrove communities along the larger watersheds such as the Belize, Sibun and New River systems will be less vulnerable than those along the smaller catchments in the south such as the Sittee, Moho, Deep River and Golden Stream. One major consideration for mangrove communities on the cayes would be the increased erosion from higher sea levels, leading to die back and wind throws. The increase in the frequency and severity of storms could have a major impact on coastal mangrove communities. Observations have shown that mangroves affected by Hurricane Keith (1999) and Iris (2001) have still not fully recovered and continue to show signs of structural damage, die back and wind burn. Of note is the fact that Hurricanes Keith and Iris were both Category 4 storms. However, it is widely held that healthy mangroves will be able to adapt to sea level rise by sequentially recede as the habitat changes to maintain its position in the ecosystem. This means that most mangroves will continue to occupy its current position and role along the coast even if the coast is not in its present location. Major anthropogenic threats include mangrove clearance and loss of habitat. The recent surge in tourism has resulted in an attendant surge in coastal development. Large sections of the coast and cayes have been targeted for upscale residential and resort construction. Mangroves are seen as a nuisance and large tracts have been clear cut to make way for construction. With the exception of the Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), most mangrove cannot survive on ‘dry land’. When large sections of coast and wetlands are filled the mangroves die. Observations made in Turneffee during the evaluation of dredging permits showed that pumping dredge spoil into a stand of live red (Rhizophora mangle) and white (Laguncularia racemosa) mangroves killed all the trees in the stand. Therefore, mangroves will be impacted by any situation that causes the soil around the roots to go dry. Additionally, mangroves are seen as a carbon sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.