Publications
A Ten-Year Record Shows Warming Inside the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon
A decade-long temperature record from the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System reveals a steady increase in sea temperatures within its lagoon habitat between 2004 and 2014. This finding suggests that the unique biogeographic region, home to several endemic species, is experiencing significant warming—potentially due to global climate change—that could have long-term adverse effects on its marine biodiversity. The study analyzed in situ data collected from a coral reef offshore of Wee Wee Cay within the South Water Cay Marine Reserve, providing critical insights into how lagoon ecosystems differ from deeper offshore areas and highlighting their vulnerability to rising temperatures.
Modeled Impacts of LULC and Climate Change Predictions on the Hydrologic Regime in Belize
Future water quality in Belize could improve due to projected decreases in precipitation from climate change, which may reduce runoff. However, conservation-focused land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios show a 28% lower increase in runoff compared to business-as-usual and development scenarios by 2090, indicating that land management strategies can mitigate negative impacts on water quality. The study integrated Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP-6) climate scenarios with hydrologic modeling to estimate runoff as a proxy for water quality, revealing a positive relationship between precipitation and runoff. Southern watersheds are expected to experience greater decreases in rainfall and runoff than northern ones, highlighting regional variations in vulnerability.
Use of public Earth observation data for tracking progress in sustainable management of coastal forest ecosystems in Belize, Central America
A study using public Earth observation data reveals that the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) experienced significantly lower mangrove loss compared to areas outside the reserve. Between 1996 and 2017, the BBRRS lost approximately 89 hectares of mangroves, while outside the BBRRS, the loss was 2703 hectares during the same period. Nationwide, Belize's overall mangrove cover declined by 5.4% over 36 years, from 76,250 hectares in 1980 to 72,169 hectares in 2017. The research highlights that almost 75% of the mangrove loss outside the BBRRS was concentrated in zones associated with tourism infrastructure. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Earth observation systems in tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Targets 15.2 and 14.2, providing a use case for monitoring changes in baseline data to support sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.
Land Cover Changes on Ambergris Caye, Belize: A Case Study of Unregulated Tourism Development
Between 2000 and 2017, Ambergris Caye, Belize—a key tourist destination within the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System—experienced a significant 10.85% decline in vegetation cover, alongside a 39% increase in urban and barren land, driven by rapid, unregulated development. Using Landsat satellite imagery and unsupervised classification methods, researchers quantified these changes, revealing an annual forest loss rate of 0.67%. This baseline study highlights the environmental impacts of tourism-driven growth on tropical ecosystems, offering critical data for conservation and sustainable planning efforts in the region.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System