THE MESOAMERICAN REEF
AN INTERNATIONAL ECOREGION
e spectacular Mesoamerican Reef includes the WesternHemisphere’s longest barrier reef and a diverse array of reef formations linked together by complex oceanographiccurrents. Extending over
,
kilometers from Mexico toHonduras, this vast complex, with its neighboringseagrass meadows, deep and shallow lagoons, and coastalmangrove forests, forms a dynamic mosaic that nurtures theMesoamerican “hotspot” of biological and cultural diversity.
e region’s terrestrial topography includes the
at, low lyingareas of the Yucatan, Mexico and the dry climate, fewrivers, and unique subterranean water
ows of northernBelize. Farther south, the landscape changes to tall coastalmountains, much more rainfall, and numerous large riversin southern Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
e overall ecoregion covers approximately
,
km
,with
,
km
in watersheds and
,
km
in diversemarine habitats. In
, the leaders of the four nations(Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras) signed thehistoric Tulum Declaration, which pledged support forconserving this shared resource.
e region’s economies are highly dependent on marineresources, especially tourism and
shing industries. In Belizealone, the reef was estimated to contribute approximately
-
million US dollars in goods and services eachyear.
Here more than most places, the health of our people—our communities and our economies—depends on ourability to restore, nurture, and maintain our healthy reefs.
Belize City
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