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Belize River Front Real Estate and Investment Properties
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Bacalar Chico
The site is important for salt marsh, mangrove, mixed mangrove formations
and coastal beach scrubs, which harbour many Yucatan endemics . It has the
potential for a trans-national reserve as it lies on the border with
Mexico. The site adjoins private land which includes important features,
specifically the principal Belizean nesting areas for Loggerhead and Green
Turtles, and at Rocky Point; the only place on the mainland where the
barrier reef touches the coastline. Over 1400 birds of 10 species were
counted over a period of only I hour during the October study. Of the
reptiles recorded, of particular note was the nesting of Green and Loggerhead
Turtles between Rocky Point and Robles. More Loggerheads nest here than all
the other known sites in Belize, and for Green Turtles the only other known nesting site at Half Mom Caye has
only a few nests.
Further information on terrestrial wildlife is given by
Somerville (1995), who provides up dated species lists for birds, mammals,
reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates recorded or likely to occur. In
addition, crocodile population survey results are included. The 187 bird
species recorded are listed and further information is provided on bird
nesting sites. 40 mammal, 58 reptile, 22 amphibian and 171 invertebrate
species are listed. The vegetation in the area displays high diversity,
and includes numerous species near the southern limit of their range.
Collections by CIQRO (1991) amounted to 254 species, who devised an 11
category community breakdown.
The park also has several Maya sites. The site was an important
transshipment point in Maya times, and the ancient sea wall is clearly
visible beneath the surface. The park's northern boundary is the Bacalar Chico channel,
a narrow, mangrove-lined canal, dug and cleared by the Maya to avoid a
long journey around the southern tip of the caye. Mexico, on the other
bank, is so close that if you're in a boat you can almost touch the
mangroves on either side - there is a strong chance that a comparable area
of Quintana Roo will also be declared a national park by the Mexican
government.
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