Coral Reef Belize Barrier

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization recognized Belize's Barrier Reef as a World Natural Heritage in 1996.

Located off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. Belize is a country in Central America, the North borders Mexico, the West and the South borders Guatemala, the East is Honduras Gulf, a branch of the Caribbean Sea. Belize Barrier coral reef is also known as Belize Barrier coral reef sanctuary or Belize Barrier coral reef conservation system . This is the largest system of coral reefs in the Northern Hemisphere and the second largest coral reef system in the world.

The geographical boundaries of the Belize Barrier coral reef are calculated from the northern border with Mexico, which extends to the southern border with Guatemala. The person who has a ferry and takes the outstanding value of this coral to the world is the Charles Darwin Naturalist. After years of research, Charles Darwin described the Belize Barrier coral reef since 1842. "Belize Barrier Reef is the most notable coral reef of the West Indies" . Though it has been hundreds of years, the naturalist Charles Charles's judgment is still valid. Studies have shown that nearly 110 species of coral coexist on the Belize Barrier reef area. However, only about 10% of the coral species here have been discovered and studied, the remaining 90% are still in the mystery.

Not only is the largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere, coral islands off the Caribbean Sea are also home to hundreds of different marine animals. According to an estimated number of fish species, there are more than 500 species of fish, 350 species of marine animals including sea turtles, manatees, sea crocodiles, octopus, jellyfish .

It can be said that Belize Barrier is a perfect reserve and conservation system that has a connection between small systems (small coral reefs connect into a large coral reef) with diverse ecosystems here. . Coral reefs are a haven, providing food for fish and mollusks. These animals release substances that nourish coral again, thus forming a perfect cycle.

However, in recent years coral reef Belize Barrier is facing many harmful factors such as climate change , human impact . In which climate change has been created. should be a hotter water environment, causing the color of these coral reefs to change. Large storms that cause aftershocks are also making coral reefs significantly affected. Besides, the development of coastal tourism, industrial development and especially oil and gas exploitation is seriously damaging the marine environment in this area. Not only that, what makes the most interested environmentalists is that the rapid population growth in this American country has led to a rapid increase in demand for food and services since then. Mining also increases accordingly, pushing coral reefs to the edge of the threat closer and closer. Because of these reasons, in June 2009, the Unesco Foundation put Belize Barrier Reef into the list of endangered World Heritage Sites .

Coral Reef Belize Barrier was recognized as a World Natural Heritage in 1996 by the criteria (vii), (ix), (x)

Criterion (vii): Coral Reef Belize Barrier is one of the few coral reefs that is not only great but also has a perfect ecosystem. This is not only a coral reef but also a residence and growth place for hundreds of marine animals. Besides, the diversity of corals here is an important factor to make this place a world heritage.

Standard (ix): Belize Barrier coral reef is an example to illustrate a diverse ecosystem including coastal area, wetland, mangrove ecosystem . this ecosystem has been distributed. strong development, overcome many environmental impacts to survive and become one of the most ancient and diverse ecosystems in the world.

Criterion (x): Belize Barrier coral reef is home to more than 500 species of fish, 350 marine and soft-bodied animals, many of which are listed as rare and precious species: turtles sea, American crocodile, West Indian manatee .