The Croc Docs

Belize

"Ecosystem Management in Belize, CA: A Collaborative, Hands-On Training Program for Governmental and Non-Governmental Personnel at the Lamanai Field Research Center"

Natural systems of northern Belize and southern Florida, USA are remarkably similar. Both occur on large peninsulas extending into warm waters. Offshore barrier coral reefs are separated from vast interior freshwater wetlands by extensive, highly productive mangrove estuaries. In both locations these natural systems support economically important fisheries and tourism industries. Both natural systems are threatened by growing human populations and associated development. Extensive development of South Florida has brought the regional ecosystem to the brink of ecological collapse and has inspired the world's largest ecosystem restoration effort. Valuable lessons are being learned from the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Initiative; lessons that can be used not only to restore the ecological integrity of South Florida, but can also be used as the foundation for a training program for others dealing with similar problems in analogous ecosystems.

The need for training programs for managers and researchers in protected natural areas was clearly identified as a top priority in Belize. Lamanai Field Research Center, Indian Church, Belize, is located on the New River Lagoon, the largest body of freshwater in Belize. The mission of the Lamanai Field Research Center (LFRC) is "to promote the sustainable utilization of Belize's cultural and natural resources for the benefit of the Belizean people, through research in the Lamanai area, and through national education and ecotourism opportunities." Adjacent to the New River Lagoon is a large wetland ecosystem that is contiguous with Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Belize's premier protected natural areas. Belize Audubon Society manages crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary for the Government of Belize. For U.S. scientists, Belize offers opportunities to develop new perspectives on wetland ecology, and offers an opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience from studies of the Everglades ecosystem.

These opportunities afforded to U.S. scientists, in turn, can reap many benefits for Belizeans, and more specifically the New River Lagoon/Crooked Tree ecoscape. The purpose of the proposed project is to develop a collaborative ecosystem ecology and management training program at the Lamanai Field Research Center for natural resource managers and scientists from Belize, and Florida, USA.

Mexico

" Ecosystem Management and Monitoring in Quintana Roo, Mexico:
A Collaborative, Hands-On Training Program for Governmental and Non-Governmental Personnel in the Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve"

The purpose of the proposed project is to develop a collaborative ecosystem ecology and management training program in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve for natural resource managers and scientists from Mexico. Because of the rapid changes in land use around the Reserve and continued pressure for changes in human use in the Reserve, monitoring programs are a high priority need for Sian Ka'an. Some monitoring of coastal resources, especially coral reefs, sea turtles, crocodiles and water birds has occurred. Monitoring programs for interior upland and wetland habitats are virtually non-existent.

The goals of this project are to develop the capacity for ecosystem management (inventory, research, monitoring, and education) in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and to develop in the Sian Ka'an Reserve the capacity to train scientists from other natural areas in Mexico. Measurable overall objectives of this project are to: 1) develop human resources through hands-on training programs; 2) develop and implement collaborative ecosystem inventory, modeling, research, management, monitoring, and education programs; and 3) transfer appropriate technology and information for the conservation of ecosystem integrity. Immediate objectives of the work proposed here are to develop the capacity for ecosystem monitoring of wetland resources in Sian Ka'an and other protected natural areas in southeastern Mexico, to establish an integrated hydrological/ecological monitoring program in the reserve, and to increase skills in applying geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning system technology to solving natural resource management problems.