Known as the jewel of the Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Reef is a rich tapestry of coral reefs, mangrove forests, coastal wetlands and diverse marine life. Although the reefs have survived seasonal onslaughts of hurricanes and other natural disasters, they may not be so well prepared to withstand the impact of human activity.
Mesoamerican Reef
Aerial view of coral reef at Laughing Bird Caye, Belize.
Under the sea
Stretching nearly 1,000km from the northern tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean coasts of Belize and Guatemala to the Bay Islands off northern Honduras, the Mesoamerican Reef is the largest reef system in the Americas and only second in the world after the Great Barrier Reef.
Coastal wetlands, lagoons, mangrove forests and seagrass beds provide habitat for numerous coral and fish species, and act as an important defense against storms and coastal erosion.
It is also home to one of the world's largest population of manatees, mammoth whale sharks, several species of marine turtles and other amazing marine life.
Coastal development, unregulated tourism, pollution and overfishing threaten the reef system.
Climate change is another serious problem.
WWF is working in Central America with coastal communities on the ground and in the water to reduce the reef's vulnerability to these ongoing threats.
Protecting this Caribbean treasure is a conservation priority.
Coastal wetlands, lagoons, mangrove forests and seagrass beds provide habitat for numerous coral and fish species, and act as an important defense against storms and coastal erosion.
It is also home to one of the world's largest population of manatees, mammoth whale sharks, several species of marine turtles and other amazing marine life.
Reef protection
Although the Mesoamerican Reef has managed to survive the intensity of seasonal tropical storms, it may not be so well prepared to withstand the impact of people.Coastal development, unregulated tourism, pollution and overfishing threaten the reef system.
Climate change is another serious problem.
WWF is working in Central America with coastal communities on the ground and in the water to reduce the reef's vulnerability to these ongoing threats.
Protecting this Caribbean treasure is a conservation priority.
West Indian manatees are found in the shallow waters of the Mesoamerican Reef.
Surviving climate change
Coral reefs around the world are under threat from coral bleaching caused by climate change.
Climate change is expected to have a significant impact on the Mesoamerican Reef, ranging from coastal flooding linked to rising sea levels to increased mass coral bleaching due to warming seas.
This will affect the reef's fragile biodiversity and the millions of people who depend on it for their livelihoods.
WWF is working with coastal communities along the reef to develop climate change adaptation strategies. This includes coral reef and mangrove forest conservation and restoration, and establishing marine protected areas.
This will affect the reef's fragile biodiversity and the millions of people who depend on it for their livelihoods.
WWF is working with coastal communities along the reef to develop climate change adaptation strategies. This includes coral reef and mangrove forest conservation and restoration, and establishing marine protected areas.
Sustainable traps are helping in the fight against the overfishing of spiny lobsters in the Mesoamerican reef.
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize.
Where is the Mesoamerican Reef?
The Mesoamerican Reef is highlighted below in orange.
View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map
View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map
