Abstract

The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) Program of TNC conducted an ecoregional assessment of the MAR ecoregion (Western Caribbean), using a systematic, science-based approach. This process analyzed current levels of biodiversity in the major habitat types of the ecoregion. The assessment team involved biodiversity experts and local and regional conservation partners, and produced a “blueprint” of priority conservation sites and strategies to guide conservation investments. The assessments also promoted knowledge sharing and participatory threat analysis, as key components for long-term conservation success. Steps involved included identification and revision of available information and gaps, and the development of a list of information sources, institutions, and programs. The assessment identified important conservation targets with information on location and condition from a variety of sources, including partner organizations and the 2002 Mesoamerican Caribbean ecoregional plan (Kramer and Kramer 2002). Conservation goals were set for each target, and the selection of the portfolio of sites was achieved with the support of the MARXAN program. The results from the ecoregional assessment will benefit the government members of the Tulum Agreement, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, in the development of the MAR action plan. Conservation agencies could also use the results in their processes of defining priorities for marine areas.

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