A conservation roadmap for the subterranean biome

The 15th UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP15) will be held in Kunming, China in October 2021. Historically, CBDs and other multilateral treaties have either alluded to or entirely overlooked the subterranean biome. A multilateral effort to robustly examine, monitor, and incorporate the subterranean biome into future conservation targets will enable the CBD to further improve the ecological effectiveness of protected areas by including groundwater resources, subterranean ecosystem services, and the profoundly endemic subsurface biodiversity. To this end, we proffer a conservation roadmap that embodies five conceptual areas: (1) science gaps and data management needs; (2) anthropogenic stressors; (3) socioeconomic analysis and conflict resolution; (4) environmental education; and (5) national policies and multilateral agreements.Peer reviewe

One forest, three nations: the biological and cultural diversity of Belize

The Maya Forest straddles the countries of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. Once home to the ancient Mayan civilization, annual archaeological expeditions continue to make new discoveries in the area. The Maya Forest is a rich source of wild life and home to the endangered Northern Central American Scarlet Macaw. In the the Maya villages of RedBank and San Pablo, villagers, with assistance from foreign-funds and local NGOs, have created a community tourism industry. Unfortunately, a hydroelectric project, the Macal River Cahlillo Project [MRCP} involving the construction of the Chalillo Dam threatens the only known nesting areas for the Belizean population of scarlet macaws

Reducing Vehicle Collisions With the Central American Tapir in Central Belize District, Belize

The Central American tapir Tapirus bairdii is the national animal of Belize. Accidents from vehicle collisions pose a new threat to the species. A total of 14 tapir deaths were recorded from June 2008 through December 2012 in Central Belize District. Two areas were identified as hot spots for tapir-vehicle collisions (TVCs), and spot-speed surveys revealed speeding to be common in that area. More than 47% of the vehicles were traveling above the prescribed speed limit, and another 28% were driving at speeds of 100 kph or faster. In an effort to reduce speed and the risk of TVCs, we deployed two sets of reflective wildlife crossing signs over a 6-km stretch of road. This was followed by an awareness campaign alerting drivers of tapirs’ presence in the area. We saw a significant reduction in speed immediately after the installation of the warning signs, and no TVCs were recorded for the next 10 months. Consequently, camera-trapping and track surveys were undertaken to confirm the species continued presence in the immediate area. Over the next 2 years, only two collisions were recorded along the same stretch of road

Presence-only locations of Tapirus bairdii

<p>Presence-only locations of Baird's Tapir, used in creation of a species distribution model.</p