This summer I traveled to Belize as part of my graduate work through Miami University. Traveling abroad is always an incredible experience, and this particular trip was amazing for a few reasons. I traveled with a small group of students with my program; we did coursework, had discussions, and investigated small inquiry questions. We had the opportunity to see and learn about conservation work in Belize and met dedicated individuals who work to protect their local ecosystems.
In particular, I was most impressed and interested in the work that Belizeans have done to protect their marine ecosystems and the Mesoamerican reef. The Mesoamerican reef is the second largest reef system in the world, stretching along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The reef ecosystem nestles up next to mangroves and seagrass, creating complicated interconnections. Animals born in the mangroves, might grow up in the seagrass, then live their adult lives out on the reef.
Our trip included the opportunity to snorkel through each one of these ecosystems. We explored the muddy fog of the mangroves. I investigated the habitats of fish in the sea grasses. And I was absolutely awe-struck by the beauty and diversity of the reefs. On a night snorkel we saw octopus, one afternoon, a sea turtle. The next day, rays glided by. I’ve been lucky enough to have snorkeled and scuba-ed in some of the most beautiful places on earth, and these underwater adventures are certainly at the top of my list.
What might be most astounding about the reef, is the steps that Belize and Belizean people are taking to protect it. Before we arrived, the Belizean government passed legislation to ban offshore drilling and protect the reef (Green, 2018). The ecosystem still faces dangers from overfishing, pollution, and development, but in a time when caring about the environment can be hard, the ban is a win.
Belizean coral cover has declined 25-30% since the mid 1990s. This decline is linked to rising temperatures and ocean acidification - both of which will continue to rise with global climate change (Knowlton et al. 2018). The Smithsonian has a research center on Carrie Bow Cay. We had a chance to visit the field station and learn about the work researchers are doing to better understand coral. Researchers were flying into Belize from all over in hopes of being in the water at the exact moment when all of the corals mass spawn. One of the initially hopeful findings we learned is that coral young may not be affected as severely by ocean acidification as adult corals.
The Mesoamerican reef is an absolutely unique and incredible ecosystem. Belize’s section of it is home to hundreds of different fish species as well as turtles, rays, and corals. It is a feeding grounds for whale sharks, provides many essential ecosystem services and, perhaps most importantly, provides for the livelihood of many Belizeans. On our brief trip alone, we met people whose work is studying the reef, guiding tourists around the reef, catching fish from the reef, and making jewelry and artisan crafts with items collected from the reef.
Many people are working to understand and protect this special ecosystem. Having the opportunity to meet and talk with some of those dedicated people, was only overshadowed by the chance to experience the reef ecosystem for myself. It is a surreal and incredible thing to be able to glide through a world of colors, shapes, and atmosphere so different from the terra firma under my feet. I hope to do it again soon, and I hope others will have that same chance for many many many more years. Exploring the reef brings to mind the often quoted and often misquoted word of John Muir: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."
In particular, I was most impressed and interested in the work that Belizeans have done to protect their marine ecosystems and the Mesoamerican reef. The Mesoamerican reef is the second largest reef system in the world, stretching along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The reef ecosystem nestles up next to mangroves and seagrass, creating complicated interconnections. Animals born in the mangroves, might grow up in the seagrass, then live their adult lives out on the reef.
Our trip included the opportunity to snorkel through each one of these ecosystems. We explored the muddy fog of the mangroves. I investigated the habitats of fish in the sea grasses. And I was absolutely awe-struck by the beauty and diversity of the reefs. On a night snorkel we saw octopus, one afternoon, a sea turtle. The next day, rays glided by. I’ve been lucky enough to have snorkeled and scuba-ed in some of the most beautiful places on earth, and these underwater adventures are certainly at the top of my list.
What might be most astounding about the reef, is the steps that Belize and Belizean people are taking to protect it. Before we arrived, the Belizean government passed legislation to ban offshore drilling and protect the reef (Green, 2018). The ecosystem still faces dangers from overfishing, pollution, and development, but in a time when caring about the environment can be hard, the ban is a win.
Belizean coral cover has declined 25-30% since the mid 1990s. This decline is linked to rising temperatures and ocean acidification - both of which will continue to rise with global climate change (Knowlton et al. 2018). The Smithsonian has a research center on Carrie Bow Cay. We had a chance to visit the field station and learn about the work researchers are doing to better understand coral. Researchers were flying into Belize from all over in hopes of being in the water at the exact moment when all of the corals mass spawn. One of the initially hopeful findings we learned is that coral young may not be affected as severely by ocean acidification as adult corals.
The Mesoamerican reef is an absolutely unique and incredible ecosystem. Belize’s section of it is home to hundreds of different fish species as well as turtles, rays, and corals. It is a feeding grounds for whale sharks, provides many essential ecosystem services and, perhaps most importantly, provides for the livelihood of many Belizeans. On our brief trip alone, we met people whose work is studying the reef, guiding tourists around the reef, catching fish from the reef, and making jewelry and artisan crafts with items collected from the reef.
Many people are working to understand and protect this special ecosystem. Having the opportunity to meet and talk with some of those dedicated people, was only overshadowed by the chance to experience the reef ecosystem for myself. It is a surreal and incredible thing to be able to glide through a world of colors, shapes, and atmosphere so different from the terra firma under my feet. I hope to do it again soon, and I hope others will have that same chance for many many many more years. Exploring the reef brings to mind the often quoted and often misquoted word of John Muir: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."
References
Green, G. (2018, January 14). Belize bans oil activity to protect its barrier reef. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/jan/14/belize-bans-oil-activity-to-protect-reef-diving-tourism-belize-barrier-reef
Knowlton, N., NMNH, S., & Ocean Portal Team. (2018, July 20). Corals and Coral Reefs. Retrieved from https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/corals-and-coral-reefs
Wood, H. (n.d.). Quotations from John Muir. Retrieved from https://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/favorite_quotations.aspx
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