May 14, 2023
The proposed project goal is to protect and enhance biodiversity on coral reefs throughout Belize while also increasing the climate resilience of coral reefs through direct intervention methods and capacity building. We propose a two-part project to enhance our understanding of coral resilience through scientific research and expand our already successful restoration program by outplanting coral genets of several species that we have identified as bleaching and/or disease resilient to multiple marine protected areas in Belize with a focus on reefs that are popular tourism destinations that have seen additional mortalities due to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). The IUCN Red List now lists formerly common non-acroporid species as Critically Endangered due to SCTLD.
Funds from Belize Fund ($BZD)
$,370
Co-financing ($BZD):
$,650
Grantee
Fragments of Hope, Ltd
Location
Belize Barrier Reef System
Thematic Area
Time-frame
June 2023 – May 2026
Project Goal:
Continued active restoration of critically endangered coral species in Belize.
Project Objectives:
- Enhance coral biodiversity on reefs across Belize through replenishment of resilient coral genets from endangered species.
- Quantify effects of local environment, genotype, and acclimation capacity from out-planted corals.
Expected Outputs:
- Outplanted coral genets, proven to be climate and disease resilient in Southern Belize, in marine reserves in Central and Northern Belize.
- Mapped SCTLD impacted reefs that ID survivors.
- Completed trial transplant of SCTLD survivors to ‘graveyard sites’ in tourist areas.
- Enhanced coral restoration capacity in Belize and the greater Caribbean.
- In-situ growth and physiology of newly IUCN red-listed corals assessed after 5+ years of reciprocal transplant across reef environments.
GAP Application Form FoH