UNESCO inscribed the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. Today the same organization describes the Reef System which is considered to be the largest reef in the northern hemisphere as ‘an outstanding natural system, which holds, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. The system’s seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history of reef development and are a significant habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees, and the American marine crocodile.’
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is considered one of a kind on a global scale due to its diverse reef-type formations in a constrained geographical zone. The shifting sea level over millennia, combined with the uniquely natural karst topography provides incredibly distinguished geological features like the Blue Hole and Rocky Point where the barrier reef comes into contact with the shore. The incredible landscape with natural white sand cays and verdant green mangrove cays provides an outstanding contrast with its surrounding azure waters. These conditions make the site a tourist attraction as well as a place that requires careful care, it is a huge task on the part of local authorities to navigate this balance.
The reasons stated by the Advisory Body Evaluation (IUCN) in 1996 to justify the inclusion of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, include the containment of ongoing ecological processes; as well as its unique ability to house a vast variety of reef types in such a limited zone. It demonstrates the history of various reefs, including fringing (growing near the coastline), barrier (parallel to the coastline but separated by deep lagoons, known for interrupting navigation), and atoll (coral rings forming protected lagoons). Moreover, the inclusion in the World Heritage is further justified as it includes some of the most significant natural habitats for threatened species and certain endemic and migratory species that are dependent on this habitat. Some of the most notable marine life includes the West Indian Manatee; the green, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles, and the American crocodile; regarding birds there are significant migratory species like the red-footed and the brown booby, and the noddy.
Contrast with Other Reefs
The Great Barrie Reef in Australia is the largest reef system and it is considerably more diverse than Belize´s. It contains 400 species of corals surpassing the 65 species in Belize, it also shelters 4000 species of molluscs compared to the 250 in Belize, and 1500 species of fish exceeding the 500 species in Belize. However, the Caribbean marine diversity is significantly lower than the Indo-Pacific’s, therefore Belize’s diversity is high for its geographical position. A significant factor to take into account is that the Australian Reef doesn’t have a wide range of geological features and reef types. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is distinguishable for its variety of reef types and corals in incredibly untouched conditions. There are several unusual geophysical features including the nearby continuous shelf edge barrier reef, the complex maze of patch reefs and faros in a relatively deep shelf lagoon, the unusual diversity of reef types in a small area, the presence of atolls, and the large offshore mangrove cays.
What about tourism?
The basis of the reef is made up of hard-stony corals where a diverse amount of creatures live on top of, both flora and fauna. Probably the most notable aspect of the Reef is how well-preserved it is compared to other Reefs. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System showcases the potential of Reef systems when nature is permitted to thrive. These natural ecosystems are important, not only for the life they sustain but because they protect the coastline by dampening storms as they come through. There is a considerable bridge between the social, economic, and ecological benefits of preserving the reef system and the amount of information and social awareness on this topic. Educating people on the value of these reefs is of utmost concern, when people care about something it is more likely to be able to protect it, this is why tourism, when it is carefully regulated, can be positive for the environment. Another factor of the Reef’s uniqueness is its depiction of the connection between reefs and humankind, the area’s economy is heavily dependent on fishing and tourism, meaning it is directly dependent on the Reef’s system well-being.
Ambiance
The scene that takes place underwater in the Belize Barrer Reef Reserve System appears to be out of this world. The Reef is evidence of the careful balance that occurs in natural habitats when different forms of life co-exist. The ambiance is a combination of peaceful dream-like fantasy and deep-dark wonder. The underwater environment appears frozen in time, an idealistic and romantic habitat of vibrant coloured fish and corals as well as fascinating obscure stone formations. The poetic nature and aesthetic quality of the reef contribute to the idealized vision that attracts tourists and encourages locals to push for the protection of the site.
The story of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a lesson on the preservation of natural habitats. The reason why this reef was considered to be worthy of being part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site while others aren’t, is because it has managed to sustain itself through time in quite remarkable conditions, unlike the rest of the reef systems in the same region which have not. The downside to this is that it indicates a huge loss, of all that has been ruined that potentially could be as remarkable as Belize’s Reef system. Campaigning for the preservation of other incredibly valuable natural environments is a task that must be addressed, as Belize’s Reef System proves that too much has been lost already.
Reference:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (n.d.). Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. [online] UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764/.
