Open Land Without, or With Insignificant Vegetation Cover Water Presented By: Marvin Moody/Christian Windsor/Rafael Lima April 7, 2014 Land Use in Belize

Overview  The Department of the Environment, the Land Information Centre, the Statistical Institute of Belize, as well as other governmental and non- governmental agencies within Belize collect data in various environmental sectors/issues on a daily basis.  However, the updates, compilation and presentation of these data are lacking. (Land Use).  The Land Use of Belize 1989/1992 was published by the Lands Information Centre in  The latest statistical report ‘Ecosystems Classification for Belize, 1996/98 was published in 2001.

Definitions  “(Bare) Land”: Is identified as lands that cannot be used for productive purpose. Refers to land which is either or not covered at all by any form of vegetation. Land having no agricultural/ development potential such as steep slopes, mountains  “Water ”: relates to the part of the national territory which is covered by surface water, such as Lagoons, rivers, dams and reservoirs.

Review of Data The Land Use of Belize 1989/1992 publication in 1992 reported the following:  A total of 1, acres (.035 %) was identified as Bare land.  A total of 96, acres (1.79%) was identified as land under water systems. Ecosystems Classification for Belize, 1996/98, reported:  A total of 119,104 acres (2.1%) was identified as land under water.

Indicators Open Land without, or with insignificant vegetation cover land indicators:  Percent of barren farm lands  Percent of Steep Slopes  Percent of Mountainous Terrain  Percent of 66ft reserves land surrounding all water bodies

Indicators Water indicators:  Acreage of Dam Reservoirs  Identification and Acreage of shoals/bajos  Acreage of Seasonal Creeks/ water bodies  Length, width, and depth of rivers  Acreage of basins, watersheds and marshlands

Sources of Data  Government Agencies  Non- Government Organizations  Private Stakeholders  Academia  Research by international agencies

Method of Data Collection  Satellite Images  Aerial Photographs  Field work/ground truthing  Existing studies  The use of Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS allows us to analyze data drawn from a variety of sources, such as maps, satellite images, aerial photographs and field surveys.

Conclusion  Belize must formulate methodologies for the collection of physical data. Ground work assessment is important in the collection of data for identification of unproductive (Bare) land and Surface water.  Data must be continuously updated.  Data must be easily available to agencies.  Resources should be made available to purchase new satellite images, aerial photographs etc.  Communication with international organization is important to conduct research/studies of this magnitude.  Land Classifications should be standardise.