Mangrove Conservation as Climate Change Adaptation in Placencia, Belize: A
case study
Executive Summary
The effects of climate change present growing challenges to low-lying developing nations in the
Caribbean Basin. Sea level rise, increasing frequency of large tropical cyclones, loss of reef-building
corals and other effects are projected to result in direct economic losses consuming over one-fifth of the
gross domestic product of nations in the region by 2100. Resilient mangroves shorelines provide
multiple buffers against climate change effects. In addition to serving as habitat for marine species and
wildlife, mangroves also provide storm protection for coastal communities, a buffer against coastal
erosion, carbon sinks, and additional resiliency for economically important habitat such as coral reef.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Belize has initiated community-based adaptation projects to educate
local populations and stakeholders about these emerging problems and to implement “no regrets”
adaptation to climate change effects.
Understanding of climate change science varies among demographics and opinion leaders within Belize
but the value of mangrove habitat for storm protection and fish habitat is generally accepted.
Unfortunately, some also see mangroves as a harbor for biting insects and an unpleasant eye-sore that
impedes some kinds of economic development. As a result, most Belizean contractors reflexively
remove mangroves when a development project begins, replacing them with seawalls or even leaving
shorelines bare. GIS analysis shows that 2% of the total mangroves in the country have been removed,
primarily around tourist and population centers like Placencia. Most mangrove clearance has occurred
around residential or tourism construction. Currently over 70% of the coast is owned by foreign
interests, presumably to be developed in a similar manner at a later date.
This case study describes WWF’s programs developed to conserve mangroves for climate change
adaptation in and around Placencia, Belize. These efforts have raised local awareness of mangrove
habitat as an adaptive tool against climate change, widened the scope of conservation efforts by using
national contests to highlight successful efforts to incorporate them into development, educated
students of all ages about mangrove conservation and climate change, informed the public of the need
for climate change adaptation through workshops, and conserved existing stands of mangrove by
soliciting land owners to reserve mangrove forests and planted over 23,000 mangroves.