Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

are associated with the rising and falling tides in the area: These currents are functionally nonexistent
and at their weakest during ‘slack’ tide when the tides are changing from low tide to
high tides and vice versa, and during the times immediately approaching ‘slack tide’ as well as in
the aftermath of same [Pers. comm.., G. Myvett].
2.2.8 Total Coliform and E. coli
Total coliform as documented by the Tunich Nah Survey team ranged from 72/100 ml to
142/100 ml. [See Table 2.1]. The E. coli counts for the samples taken were 0/100 ml [See Table
2.1]. The latter means that the sea in front of the property has no discernible levels of pollution
from human waste and the water is safe for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and other seabased
recreational activities.
The total coliform count recorded for the area would in effect be derived from warm blooded
creatures such as marine mammals, vis-à-vis dolphins and manatees, as well as sea birds such as
gulls and cormorants [Pers. comm.., G. Myvett].
2.3 Biological Oceanography
The location of the proposed project site in north-eastern Ambergris Caye is reflective of a
diverse aggregation of species and ecosystems. Both the flora and faunal forms entails supratidal
terrestrial forms, as well as sub-tidal components. The flora and faunal forms also varies in
terms of the complexity of biological organization as well as in relation to their evolutionary
history, abundance and distribution.
2.3.1 Flora and Fauna
The sub-tidal floral forms documented in the area varied from simpler macro-algal forms such as
the Feather Algae (Caulerpa spp.) and the Shaving Bush Algae (Penicillus capitatus), to
flowering forms such as the Turtle Grass (Thallasia testudinium) and Halodule (Halodule
beaudettel) [See Table 2.2 B].
The supratidal dune and terrestrial vegetation have been collectively classified as a ‘littoral
forest’ [Meerman and Sabido, 2000]. This is one of seven (7) forest types identified by
Grimshaw and Paz [2004] for the larger Bacalar Chico area. Tree species on the property were a
reflection of the diversity of soil chemistry and landform, and ranged from typical beach
inhibants like the coconut (Cocos nocifera) and the Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), to
salt tolerant species such as the Red Mangrove (Rhiziphora mangle) and the Black Mangrove
(Avicennia germinans), as well as ubiquitous coastal species such as Gumbo Limbo (Bursera
simaruba), the Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) and the Sea Grape (Coccolaba uvifera) [See
Table 2.2A].
The faunal forms of the proposed project area cover all of the five (5) phylogenetic classes of
vertebrates, as well as an even more diverse assemblage of invertebrates. The most diverse and
abundant classes of vertebrates were the fishes and the birds [See Tables 2.4 and 2.7], and the
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