Biodiversity
Conservation
at the
Landscape Level:
The Development of a
Conservation Strategy
for the
Glover’s Reef Living Seascape
R. Coleman, J. Gibson,
S. Strindberg
© S. Hoare
The Landscape Species Approach
• Provides a coherent framework to
strategically guide site-based conservation
based on the needs of wildlife within large
landscapes of human influence
• Helps to focus conservation actions and
efficiently allocate scarce resources
The biological seascape …
(species’ requirements)
Good habitat
Work here
High threat
… intersects with the human
seascape… (land uses)
… to define key threats and
focus action in the
‘conservation landscape’.
Glover’s Reef Seascape
Glover’s Reef Atoll
Turneffe Atoll
Lighthouse Reef
Atoll
Dangriga
Glover’s Reef Atoll
©NASA
– First coral reef site out
of 28 land/seascapes
in WCS’ portfolio of
LSA conservation sites
– One of four atolls in the
Western Hemisphere,
southern-most of 3
atolls in Belize
– Located 45 km east of
Dangriga Town
– Area of 35,876 ha
– Atoll encompasses the
Glover’s Reef Marine
Reserve
– Third largest marine
protected area in
Belize
– 1 of 7 MPAs that make
up the Belize Barrier
Reef World Heritage
Site
© M. Lomont
© R. Graham
© R. Graham
© R. Graham
© R. Graham
© R. Starr
Fishing
Sarteneja (73 fishers)
Hopkins (30 fishers)
Dangriga (5 fishers)
© R. Coleman
Tourism
•
•
•
© M. Lomont
Based on live aboards or
from the five resorts
operating from the cayes
Visitors also arrive from
mainland resorts near
Hopkins
Scuba-diving, kayaking,
wind-surfing, sport fishing
and fly fishing
•
Established as MPA in 1993
•
Managed by Belize Fisheries
Department
•
Manager, Reserve Biologist, 2
rangers
•
Reserve base is on Middle
Caye owned by WCS who
has been operating a
research facility since 1997.
Key Participants
Glover’s Reef Advisory Committee
Management Authorities
Seascape Species Approach
National Stakeholders
Experts
Local Stakeholders
Identify seascape for action
Define project goals and conservation
targets
Identify and characterize human
activities
Define the human seascape
Select seascape species
Define the biological seascape
Intersections define the focal or
conservation seascape
Identify spatially explicit threats and
opportunities
Focus interventions
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
PROJECT GOALS & CONSERVATION TARGETS
– Conserve all species and habitats in order to
preserve the Reef’s diversity & productivity
– Provide an ecological basis for functional
seascape boundaries - where and how to work
beyond MPA boundaries
– Focus conservation actions on key threats thus
efficiently allocating scarce conservation
resources
– Use a wildlife-focused strategy to reconcile
wildlife needs and human welfare
Identify seascape for action
Define project goals and conservation
targets
Identify and characterize human
activities
Define the human seascape
Select seascape species
Define the biological seascape
Intersections define the focal or
conservation seascape
Identify spatially explicit threats and
opportunities
Focus interventions
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
Identify and Characterize Human Activities
•
•
•
Threats assessment workshop
with GRAC and other
stakeholders in Feb 2004
Prioritize and map current or
potential threats affecting the
Atoll and its wildlife
Threats were listed under four
main categories:
habitat loss
species depletion
pollution
introduction of non-native
species
Threats to Glover’s
Over-fishing
Coral Bleaching
Coral damage by snorkelers and
anchors
Nutrient and pesticide pollution
from agricultural and aquaculture
run-off
Other threats
Algal growth
run-off from development such as untreated sewage
Land development
Turtle and bird nesting site damage through caye
development
Human Seascape or Areas of Human Influence
E.g. Over-fishing (time of year,
species, fishers)
Maps show:
• specific locations where
threats are occurring
• where management actions
need to be implemented
Maps digitized using GIS
Define the Human Seascape Mapping
Identify seascape for action
Define project goals and conservation
targets
Identify and characterize human
activities
Define the human seascape
Select seascape species
Define the biological seascape
Intersections define the focal or
conservation seascape
Identify spatially explicit threats and
opportunities
Focus interventions
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
Select Seascape Species
Objective: Select group of complementary species on which to focus
attention
•Species are impeded by key threats
•Species depend on the full range of major habitats
Hypothesis:
Step1:
All the ecosystems within Glover’s will be conserved and
associated threats will be addressed.
Comprehensive List of Species including list of habitat types and
management zones
Rank each species according to five criteria:
• Area requirement
• Heterogeneity or variety of habitats
• Vulnerability to human activities or threats
• Ecological Functions it performs
• Socio-economic significance
Step 2: Workshop in April 2004 with local and international
experts to review list (Species ranked with computer)
© A. Tilley
© R. Graham
© R. Graham
© R. Graham
© R. Graham
© P. Mumby
Over fishing
Commercial species respond mainly to
over fishing
(Nassau grouper, conch, Caribbean Reef Shark)
Coral Bleaching
Coral Damage (Snorkelers and Anchors)
Pollution
Benthic species linked to climate change
(coral bleaching//hurricane damage)
direct physical damage by boats and divers
disease and nutrification
(Star coral and black spined sea urchin)
Habitat loss, introduced species
Land linked species
(Hawksbill, osprey)
Biological Seascape
Step 3: GRAC reviewed and approved list
Step 4: Map distributions of seven species and indicate whether habitat
types are excellent, good, marginal, or not used by particular species
(knowledge of GRAC, other scientists, monitoring data, published papers)
© R. Graham
The biological seascape for Conch
indicating habitat suitability for this
species
Habitat Suitability Index
Poor habitat
Good habitat
Identify seascape for action
Define project goals and conservation
targets
Identify and characterize human
activities
Define the human seascape
Select seascape species
Define the biological seascape
Intersections define the focal or
conservation seascape
Identify spatially explicit threats and
opportunities
Focus interventions
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
Intersections define the focus
or conservation seascape
© R. Graham
Maps show:
– The possible impact of
conservation activities
– Places where
conservation action
may potentially have
high or low impact
Low conservation impact
– Used to guide
decisions about where
to invest resources
High conservation impact
Conceptual Model
Goal
Promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources of Glover’s Reef Atoll
Conservation Target A
Restore viable population of spawning fish
including Nassau grouper
Direct threat 1
Unsustainable Fishing
Indirect threat 1
Inadequate protective legislation
Intervention 2
Intervention 3
Lobby for restriction on spear fishing
Establish and strengthen
multi-organizational partnerships
Conceptual Model
Identify seascape for action
Define project goals and conservation
targets
Identify and characterize human
activities
Define the human seascape
Select seascape species
Define the biological seascape
Intersections define the focal or
conservation seascape
Identify spatially explicit threats and
opportunities
Focus interventions
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
Direct and Focus Interventions
16 Point Conservation Strategy
Management
Caye Development
1) Proposed Amendment to Management Zones
11) Water Quality Concerns
2) Marking Boundaries and Installing Mooring Buoys
12) Protecting Caye Habitats
3) Long-term Closure of the Spawning Aggregation Site
4) Elevating the Glover’s Reef Advisory Committee
Capacity Building
5) Enforcement
13) Training and Education
14) Alternative Livelihoods
Legislation
6) Conch Size Limit
Economics
7) Ban on Spear Fishing in Marine Reserves
15) Sustainable Financing
8) Size Limit for Nassau Grouper
16) Economic Valuation
9) Protection of Parrotfish
10) Limiting Access to Fishing
Identify seascape for action
Define project goals and conservation
targets
Identify and characterize human
activities
Define the human seascape
Select seascape species
Define the biological seascape
Intersections define the focal or
conservation seascape
Identify spatially explicit threats and
opportunities
Focus interventions
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
Ecological and Performance Monitoring
Overfishing
Habitat Loss
1) Long-term Atoll Monitoring Programme (LAMP)
8) Sea Turtle Nesting and In-water
Monitoring
2) Fisheries Catch Data (CPUE)
9) Osprey Nesting
3) Spawning Aggregation Counts
4) Caribbean Reef Shark Population
Overall Management
10) Socio-economic Surveys
Coral Bleaching/Damage and Pollution
5) Diadema Surveys
6) Coral Reef Monitoring
7) Water Quality
11) Management Effectiveness
Nassau grouper
© R. Graham
•
3000 groupers aggregating at Glover’s (1999, E Sala)
•
Based on the results of this survey and others in Belize,
GoB passed legislation to protect fully 11 spawning sites
including NE point and to introduce a four month closed
season for Nassau grouper
•
In 2007, E Sala reported 570, similar decline elsewhere
•
SPAG WG lobbying for more restrictions such as min and
max size limits etc.
© D. Chapman
© R. Graham
Caribbean Reef Shark
•
8 years of research
by E Pkitch and
D.Chapman
•
Atoll is important
breeding ground for
this species
CPUE (Fishery dependent monitoring)
•
•
•
•
•
2005
Monthly
Sample of catch data from fishers from Sarteneja
Hopkins and Dangriga (90 fishers)
CPUE for lobster, conch and finfish
Prelim results show:
- parrotfish are the second most common
species caught at Glover’s
- Most Nassau grouper are caught
by spear fishing and are mainly
juveniles
© R Coleman
© R Coleman
© R Coleman
Sea Turtle Monitoring
•
© C.Campbell
•
•
•
Started nesting and in-water monitoring in
April 2007
Fisheries Dept and WCS
3 surveys to date
113 Sighted
43 Captured
1 Recaptured
Glover’s important foraging site for
hawksbills
© R Coleman
© R Coleman
Summary
• Process is Adaptive
• Information from LSA used in
recently revised management
plan
• Results of LAMP, socioeconomic surveys etc. will
provide the information
required on several of the
indicators assessed in the
management effectiveness
evaluation for Glover’s Reef
© M. Lomont
Acknowledgements
• GRAC
• Fisheries Department
• All Participants in
Workshops
• USAID
• SUMMIT
• OAK
• AVINA
Disclaimer: This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through USAID, under the terms of the Cooperative
Agreement No. LAG-A-00-99-00047-00. The contents are the responsibility of the Glover’s Reef Living Seascapes Program of WCS and do not
necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government