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Abstract DECIMATING MANGROVE FORESTS FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PELICAN CAYS, BELIZE: LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL LOSS FOR SHORT-TERM GAIN? Ian G. Macintyre1, Marguerite A. Toscano1,
Ilka C. Feller2, and Maria Faust1 The unique, biologically diverse and delicate ecosystems of Pelican Cays, Belize, are in serious danger from sediment suffocation related to the recent clear-felling of mangroves for commercial development in what is currently designated Southwater Cay Marine Reserve. Field observations in the Pelican Cays in March 2007 revealed extensive clear-felling of mangroves and covering of exposed peat surfaces with sediment dredged from the adjacent seafloor to create false sand cays. On Manatee Cay, introduction of dredge spoils taken from the nearby seabed has resulted in fine sediment plumes spilling into the adjacent ponds, smothering the attached benthic communities on mangrove roots and burying Thalassia bottom communities. In addition, comparative studies of microalgal (phytoplankton) assemblages in a Manatee Cay pond before and after mangrove clearing indicate a dramatic loss in this group owing to high turbidity observed in the water column and signaling a serious impact to this aquatic ecosystem. Continuing clear-felling, burning and dredge and fill operations were taking place on Fisherman’s Cay, with additional survey lines cut on Fisherman’s, Manatee, and Cat Cays. A series of aerial photographic surveys from 2003 to 2007 document the extensive loss of mangroves on both Manatee and Fisherman's Cays. Additional clearing of mangroves has occurred on Northeast Cay, Bird Cays, and Ridge Cay resulting in a total of 15.3 ha or more than 29% on the mangrove community that have been destroyed to date in the Pelican Cays. The conversion of mangrove ecosystems for residential, tourism, and commercial uses is obviously widespread and increasing in Belize, as well as elsewhere in the global tropics. This pressure is having an adverse effect on the health of coral reefs and biomass/viability of commercial fisheries, which, ironically, are essential for tourism, not to mention local livelihood.
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