Occurrence of Halophila baillonii meadows in Belize, Central America

Authors

Frederick T. Short, University of New HampshireFollow
E. Fernandez, Placencia Village
A. Vernon, Placencia Village
Jeffrey L. Gaeckle, University of New Hampshire

Abstract

Halophila baillonii Ascherson was found in Belize, Central America in 2003 and 2005. The observation extends the known range of this seagrass species to the western Caribbean. H. baillonii was previously recorded only in the eastern Caribbean and at one Pacific site in Panama. Both fruits and flowers of H. baillonii were observed at two locations in Belize in 2005. H. baillonii in Belize is an important food for manatee, forms a productive seagrass-based ecosystem, and is adversely affected by shoreline development and watershed run-off.

Publication Date

10-1-2006

Journal Title

Aquatic Botany

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2006.04.001

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Short, F.T., E. Fernandez, A. Vernon and J.L. Gaeckle. 2006. Occurrence of Halophila baillonii meadows in Belize, Central America. Aquatic Botany 85:249-251.