Mangroves: A Valuable Resource

(Part of Corozal Environmental Carnival from Belize Audubon)
A straightforward brochure that makes the case for the economic value of mangroves.

--Lists the services mangroves provide (coast protection, water purification, sediment stabilistation.....) and the goods (raw material for ecotourism, habitat for commercially important shrimp, lobster, fish...).
--Gives specific examples of the monetary benefit of mangroves in other countries (In Panama, each mile of mangrove shoreline is worth over $99,000 a year through its contribution to the fishing industry).
--Describes the mangrove protection activities of the Belizean Government
-- In "The Part You Play" describes how developers and land buyers will need to work within Forest regulations that protect mangroves

"Mangroves provide Belizeans with a range of benefits each with a very real economic value. $ $ $" "Belize simply cannot afford the destruction of its mangroves: increased erosion and hurricaine damage, lower fish cates, an impoverished reef and lower tourism income. These have been the prices paid by countries who regarded their mangroves as a wasteland."