Belize's Mangrove Diversity

Belize is home to three types of mangrove: the red mangrove, the black mangrove, and the white mangrove. There is also an associate mangrove species known as the buttonwood. Mangroves cover 3.4% of Belize's land and border much of the country's 386km coastline. They are vital ecosystems that support a wide variety of species and provide essential protection from storms and flooding. Despite legislation protecting the mangroves of Belize, their overall cover is decreasing due to expanding developments, including hotels and resorts.

Belize is home to three/four types of mangrove

Belize is home to three main types of mangrove: the red mangrove, the black mangrove, and the white mangrove. However, some sources also include the buttonwood tree as a fourth type of mangrove, or a "mangrove associate". These mangroves cover 3.4% of Belize's land and border much of the country's 386-kilometer coastline and cayes. They are an important part of Belize's ecosystem, acting as feeding and nursery grounds for fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, as well as providing protection from storms and flooding.

The red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) is the most common species in the Caribbean and is usually found along the water on cayes and waterways. It is easily identified by its long prop roots, which support the plant. The black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) is typically found further inland, away from the water's edge. It can be recognised by the small protrusions called pneumatophores that encircle the base of the tree, which help facilitate gas exchange. The white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa or Laguncalaria racemosa) is generally located even further away from the water's edge and can be found in upland areas.

The buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) is also considered a type of mangrove or a "mangrove associate". It is usually found further inland, away from the coastline, and can be identified by its small, oval-shaped leaves.

Despite legislation protecting the mangroves of Belize, their overall cover is decreasing due to expanding developments, including hotels and resorts, and the clearing of wetland areas to accommodate rising tourism. As a result, Belize has recently revised its national mangrove regulation to better protect these important ecosystems and the services they provide.

The types are red, black, white and buttonwood (associate species)

Belize is home to three primary types of mangroves: red, black, and white. There is also an associate species known as buttonwood. Together, these four types of mangroves cover 3.4% of Belize's land and border much of the country's 386-kilometre coastline and cayes.

Red mangroves, scientifically known as Rhizophora mangle, are the most common species in the Caribbean. They typically grow closest to or in the water and can be identified by their prop roots, which make them appear as though they are on stilts. These prop roots provide support in the mud and also offer a spacious habitat for a large community of invertebrates. Red mangroves are also characterised by their ability to filter and clean the water, removing pollutants that would otherwise be deposited near coral reefs.

Black mangroves, or Avicennia germinans, are distinguished by their ability to push salt out through special pores on their leaves. This mechanism results in salt crystals forming on the leaf surface. Black mangroves are usually found further inland than red mangroves. Their roots, which are regularly flooded, provide a habitat for mussels and barnacles.

White mangroves, scientifically named Laguncularia racemosa, tend to grow further inland or upland, generally above the high-tide mark. They can attain a height of 12 to 19 metres and are recognised by their rough, fissured bark, which can be grayish-brown to reddish in colour. White mangroves have opposite, elliptical leaves that are borne on reddish petioles with two raised gland dots near the apex.

Buttonwood, or Conocarpus erectus, is a mangrove associate or false mangrove. It often occurs onshore with white mangroves, but can be distinguished by its alternately arranged leaves and less prominent leafstalk glands.

Mangroves cover 3.4% of Belize's land

Belize's mangroves are found along the Caribbean Sea coast and provide a habitat for a diverse range of species. They act as feeding and nursery grounds for approximately 74 species of fish and 178 species of birds. They also provide a home for 11 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, and 40 species of mammals. In addition, mangroves play a crucial role in stabilising soil and dissipating wave energy, offering protection to the coastline from storms and flooding.

Despite legislation protecting the mangroves of Belize, their overall cover is decreasing due to expanding developments, including hotels and resorts. The rise in mass tourism has led to the clearing of wetland areas to accommodate the increasing number of tourists. However, there are ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and restore mangrove ecosystems, recognising their ecological, economic, and social importance for coastal communities.

The Belizean Coast mangroves ecoregion covers an area of around 2850 square kilometres, extending from the Mexico-Belize border in the north to Amatique Bay on the southern coast of Guatemala. This ecoregion includes different types of mangrove swamps, such as river estuaries, lagoons, island atolls, and coastal forests. The mangroves are partially protected from the open sea by the Belize Barrier Reef, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

They are found along the coastline and cayes of the country

Belize has a coastline that stretches for roughly 386 kilometres along the Caribbean Sea. The country also has many coral reefs, cayes, and islands in the Caribbean Sea, with over 200 islands or cayes in total. Most of these form the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest in the western hemisphere, stretching approximately 322 kilometres. The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular destination for snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving.

The Belizean Coast mangroves ecoregion covers the brackish and saltwater habitats along the Caribbean Sea coast of Belize, as well as Amatique Bay in Guatemala, and small parts of the border with Mexico. The Belize Barrier Reef partially protects the mangroves from the open sea. The ecoregion is distinct from the reef-based Belizean Reef mangroves ecoregion offshore. The Belizean Coast mangroves cover an area of around 2850 square kilometres.

The disconnected units of the Belizean Coast mangroves ecoregion extend from the Mexico-Belize border in the north, to Amatique Bay on the southern coast of Guatemala. The ecoregion includes offshore islands such as Ambergris Caye, the largest island of Belize, as well as the atoll reefs of Banco Chinchorro and Turneffe Atoll. Ambergris Caye is a popular tourist destination, offering a range of water-related activities, bird watching, fishing, and Belizean cuisine.

The types of mangrove swamps in the Belizean Coast mangroves ecoregion vary depending on the site characteristics, including river estuaries, lagoons, island atolls, and coastal forests. The common mangrove tree species found in this ecoregion are the red mangrove, black mangrove, and white mangrove, with the red mangrove typically found closest to the water and the black and white mangroves located further inland.

Mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth

One of the key characteristics of mangrove forests is their ability to thrive in harsh and challenging environments. They can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, from fresh water rivers to saline coastal waters. This adaptability allows them to provide essential habitats for a diverse range of species. In Belize, the mangroves act as feeding and nursery grounds for approximately 74 species of fish and 178 bird species. They also provide a home for 11 species of amphibians, 30 reptile species, and 40 species of mammals.

Beyond their ecological importance, mangrove forests offer vital protection to the Belizean coastline. Their dense root systems and canopies act as a natural defence against storms and flooding, shielding coastal communities from the full impact of extreme weather events. Additionally, mangroves play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. They store three to five times more carbon in their soil per acre than other tropical forests, and this carbon can remain sequestered for centuries. This makes mangroves an invaluable asset in global efforts to combat climate change.

Despite their importance, the overall cover of mangroves in Belize is decreasing due to expanding developments, including hotels and resorts, and the clearing of wetland areas to accommodate rising tourism. This loss of mangrove forests has significant implications for both the environment and the local communities that depend on them. As a result, there is a growing need for conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices to protect and restore these valuable ecosystems.

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