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==Mangroves==
While many consider [[mangrove]] to be one of Belize's various [[forest]] classes, it is important to point out that in Belize, mangroves assume the form of not only [[forest]] (dominated by closed formations of mangroves of over 3m tall) but also [[scrubland|scrub]] (dominated by formations of dwarf mangroves below 3m in height), and [[savanna]] (areas with scattered mangroves).<ref>Murray, M.R., Zisman, S.A., Furley, P.A., Munro, D.M., Gibson, J., Ratter, J., Bridgewater, S., Mity, C.D., and C.J. Place. 2003. "The Mangroves of Belize: Part 1. Distribution, Composition and Classification." Forest Ecology and Management 174: 265–279</ref> Because of their importance for shoreline protection and maintenance of fisheries stocks, Belize's mangroves are legally protected under the ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120313105434/http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap213s.pdf Forests Act]'' of the ''[http://www.belizelaw.org Laws of Belize]''.<ref>Government of Belize (GOB). 2003. "Forests Act Subsidiary Laws." Chapter 213 in: Substantive Laws of Belize. Revised Edition 2003. Government Printer: Belmopan, Belize. 137 pp. {{cite web|url=http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap213s.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-02-06 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313105434/http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap213s.pdf |archivedate=2012-03-13 |df= }}</ref>
A recent study by the [http://www.wri.org World Resources Institute (WRI)] indicates that Belize's mangrove ecosystems contribute '''US $174–249 million''' ''per year'' to the national economy.<ref>Cooper, E., Burke, L., and N. Bood. 2009. "Coastal Capital: Belize. The Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves." WRI Working Paper. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC. 53 pp. http://pdf.wri.org/working_papers/coastal_capital_belize_wp.pdf</ref> The clearing of mangroves for development of coastal infrastructure has been recognized as a threat to Belize's mangroves and led to public perception that destruction of mangrove ecosystems was rampant, such as an investigative study in 2008 which indicated unauthorized clearings within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve,<ref>http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/art/Pelican_Review.pdf</ref> and which eventually led to the Belize Barrier Reef System's designation by [[UNESCO]] as an endangered [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/530</ref>
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==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Hodel|first=D|year=1992|title=Chamaedorea palms|publisher=Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas|id = |pages=}}
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130729135101/http://www.servir.net/servir_bz_forest_cover_1980-2010.pdf Forest Cover and Deforestation in Belize: 1980-2010]'' [http://www.cathalac.org CATHALAC] / [http://www.nasa.gov NASA] / [https://web.archive.org/web/20130219074658/http://www.mnrei.gov.bz
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130731035556/http://maps.cathalac.org/Downloads/data/bz/bz_mangroves_1980-2010_highres.pdf Identification of Threatened and Resilient Mangroves in the Belize Barrier Reef System]'' [http://www.cathalac.org CATHALAC] / [http://www.wwf.org WWF] / [http://www.nasa.gov NASA] / [http://www.servir.net SERVIR]. October 2010.
==External links==
*[
*[http://biodiversity.bz/ ''Biodiversity & Environmental Resource Data System of Belize (BERDS)'']
*[http://www.nybg.org/bsci/belize/ ''Ethnobotany and floristics of Belize'']
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