NCI 2024
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    Belize, nestled in the northern part of Central America, is predominantly covered by forests, with broadleaf forests being the most common, followed by pine forests and savannahs. The Maya Mountain bloc, the second largest in northern Central America, is noted for being one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Maya lowlands. Belize is renowned for its rich terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and is home to the largest continuous barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

    The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, spans the entire length of Belize’s coastline. Seven sites along this reef have been designated as a World Heritage Site due to their outstanding biodiversity and global significance. Belize’s unique combination of an extensive range of species and ecotypes, along with its rich cultural heritage, has made it a popular tourist destination, significantly contributing to the country’s economy.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 59.88 40 N/A
    Land Management 68 23 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 100 1 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 100 1 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 61 62 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 48 31 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 100 1 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 54 29 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 14 123 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 71 36 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 95 5 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 62 77 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 100 1 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 100 1 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 13 140 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 0 10 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 100 13 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 99 11 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 65 70 N/A
    Total Management Cost 39 170 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 80 4 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 46 55 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 50 63 N/A
    Control of Corruption 46 81 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 42 107 N/A
    Future Trends 36 122 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 36 122 N/A

    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Belize has an extensive system of protected areas, including national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, forest reserves, marine reserves, bird sanctuaries, archaeological reserves, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, Blue Hole Natural Monument, and Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, is one of these protected areas and plays a crucial role in conserving the country’s rich marine biodiversity.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     Belize’s biodiversity faces threats from human activities, storm damage, climate change impacts, and invasive species. Agricultural and tourism sector expansion contributes to habitat loss and fragmentation. Marine and coastal pollution, improper disposal methods for solid waste, and inadequate management of protected areas are also major threats. The jaguar population remains healthy, but human/jaguar conflicts are on the rise due to habitat fragmentation, poor cattle husbandry, intrinsic competition, and hunter competition for prey. Displaced animals are also a recurrent problem for the livestock industry.

    Capacity and Governance

     Belize has implemented robust conservation measures to protect its biodiversity and natural resources. The Fisheries Department has enacted legislation aimed at protecting key marine species by setting size limits, closed seasons, and production quotas. Specific measures include regulated harvesting periods for lobster and conch, and a strict moratorium on Nassau grouper fishing, with severe penalties for violations. Additionally, Belize rigorously controls the harvesting, use, and trade of all threatened and endangered species, ensuring compliance with CITES for the exportation of natural resources.

    On the terrestrial front, the government has recently fortified the National Solid Waste Authority and is developing a national Solid Waste Management Plan with IDB support to manage solid waste effectively for the next twenty years. Furthermore, the National Protected Areas Policy and Systems Plan focuses on species conservation and the preservation of critical habitats. Despite these efforts, challenges such as financial constraints, lack of research facilities, and technical expertise persist, as highlighted in the National Capacity Self-Assessment Reports.

    Belize’s commitment to conservation is also evident in its approach to forestry management, transitioning from short-term logging licenses to long-term sustainable ones that require adherence to an approved Sustainable Forest Plan. This shift is complemented by programs for timber certification conducted by independent certifiers accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council, promoting environmentally responsible consumer choices.

    Future Trends

     The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) of Belize was developed within a 15-year framework that aligns with the country’s Horizon 2030 national development framework. The NBSAP aims to achieve five thematic areas, including improved environmental stewardship, reduced pressures on ecosystems, maintained and strengthened functional ecosystems, strengthened provision of ecosystem services, and effective implementation of the action plan. The plan is designed to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources while addressing the threats to Belize’s rich biodiversity, including habitat loss, climate change, and the spread of invasive species.


    Biodiversity

    Belize is home to rich marine and land ecosystems, including the world’s second-largest barrier reef and over 600 species of marine and inland fish. The country boasts more than 150 mammal species, with over half being bats, as well as around 140 species of amphibians and reptiles, including two crocodile species and five species of sea turtle.

    The Maya Golden Landscape in Toledo District, southern Belize, is a critical habitat with one of the world’s richest assemblages of biodiversity, including species like the harpy eagle, Baird’s tapir, jaguar, howler monkey, and scarlet macaw, along with unique species like the Maya Mountains frog and the Maya knobtail dragonfly. These forests form a key link in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Belize only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 156 (#75) 10 6.4%
    Birds 530 (#67) 7 1.3%
    Reptiles 139 (#68) 8 5.8% 2 1.4%
    Amphibians 37 (#74) 3 8.1%
    Fishes 675 (#88) 55 8.1% 8 1.2%
    Plants 3,658 (#96) 46 1.3% 150 4.1%

    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Belize

    A nation teeming with biological richness and ecological variety

    Score:

    59.88 / 100

    Rank:

    40 / 180