Ya'axché rangers on patrol in the Bladen Nature Reserve, plus a bit about the reserve
Bladen Nature Reserve, the ‘crown jewel’ of Belize’s protected area system, is considered to be one of the most biodiversity-rich, and geographically unique areas within the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, Bladen forms a significant portion of the Key Biodiversity Area of the Maya Mountains Massif.
The 100,000-acre nature reserve, managed under strict regulations, is home to 2 plant, 2 bird and 3 mammal endangered species, and to over 337 bird, 20 fish, 93 mammal and 92 herpetile species. BNR’s tree species diversity is comparable to be highest in Central America.
In Belize, savannas are ecosystems that are highly depend on fires for pine trees and other plants’ regeneration.
The plants in this ecosystem are adaptive to 6 months of rain and 6 months of dry period. Some plants have water storage in their roots and others have deep long roots to access water underground. Savannas mainly consist of grasses, sedges, shrubs and few trees species such as the caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) and oak.
The savanna open canopy allows for large animals such as the jaguar, puma, our national animal the Baird’s tapir to easily move around. The paca, nine-banded armadillos, gray fox, deer and peccary can also be seen roaming within savannas. Most importantly the savannas in Belize are habitats to the endangered yellow-headed Amazon parrot (Amazona oratrix) and the rarest bird in Central America, the jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria). It also provides shelter and food to many migratory birds such as the common yellow throat and worm-eating warbler.
The savannas in Belize cover 10% of its land mass. Within the Maya Golden Landscape, Bladen Nature Reserve protects 6,000 acres of savanna. Our team monitor transects for biodiversity within this area. The data collected is used to make science-based decisions for a sustainable management of this amazing savanna habitat.
Help our rangers protect the pristine tropical forests of the Bladen. Donate at https://goto.gg/28532.
Photograph by Ya'axché Conservation Trust
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