Spanish Creek Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan 2016-2021 J. C. Meerman, T. Boomsma & B. Arevalo December 2015 Prepared for the Belize Key Biodiversity Areas Secretariat and the Rancho Dolores Environmental and Development Group Ltd. Spanish Creek Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan 2016-2021 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1. Background and context .................................................................................................................... 9 1.2. Purpose and Scope of the Management Plan ................................................................................. 11 2 Current Status .................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1. Location ........................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2. Regional Context .............................................................................................................................. 13 2.3. National Context .............................................................................................................................. 14 2.3.1. Protected Areas Prioritization .................................................................................................. 14 2.3.2. Legal, Administrative and Policy Framework ........................................................................... 15 2.3.3. Socio-economic Context ........................................................................................................... 17 2.4. Physical environment of SCWS ........................................................................................................ 20 2.4.1. Climate ..................................................................................................................................... 20 2.4.2. Hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 20 2.4.3. Geology .................................................................................................................................... 22 2.4.4. Soils .......................................................................................................................................... 25 2.5. Biodiversity of the SCWS ................................................................................................................. 27 2.5.1. Ecosystems and Flora ............................................................................................................... 27 2.5.2. Aquatic Ecosystems .................................................................................................................. 33 2.5.3. Fauna ........................................................................................................................................ 35 2.5.4. Past and Present Research ....................................................................................................... 44 2.6. Cultural and socio-economic value of SCWS ................................................................................... 44 2.6.1 Community and Other Stakeholder Use ............................................................................. 44 2.6.2 Archaeological Sites ............................................................................................................ 56 2.6.3 Tourism and Recreation Use ............................................................................................... 56 Meerman et al, 2015. Spanish Creek Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan Page 1 2.6.4 Other Economic Use ........................................................................................................... 58 2.6.5 Education Use ..................................................................................................................... 58 3 Analysis of Conservation Targets and Threats ................................................................................... 59 3.1. Conservation Target ........................................................................................................................ 59 3.1.1. Identification of Conservation Targets ..................................................................................... 59 3.1.2. Assessment of Conservation Target Viability ........................................................................... 62 3.2. Threats to biodiversity ..................................................................................................................... 66 3.2.1. Deforestation ........................................................................................................................... 67 3.2.2. Wildfires ................................................................................................................................... 70 3.2.3. Hunting ..................................................................................................................................... 72 3.2.4. Fishing ...................................................................................................................................... 73 3.2.5. Petroleum exploration ............................................................................................................. 74 3.2.6. Water pollution ........................................................................................................................ 75 3.2.7. Natural disasters ...................................................................................................................... 76 3.3. Strategies to reduce threats ............................................................................................................ 78 3.4. Monitoring of Success of Conservation Targets .............................................................................. 83 4 Management and Organizational Background .................................................................................. 86 4.1. Rancho Dolores Environmental and Development Group Background .......................................... 86 4.2. Review of Previous Management Programs ................................................................................... 87 4.3. Current Management Structure ...................................................................................................... 89 5 The Management Plan ....................................................................................................................... 90 5.1. Management Goal ........................................................................................................................... 90 5.2. Management constraints and limitations ....................................................................................... 90 5.3. Management Zones ......................................................................................................................... 91 5.4. Limits of Acceptable Change ........................................................................................................... 92 5.5. Management Programs, Strategies and Objectives ........................................................................ 95 5.5.1. Institutional Management and Strengthening Program .......................................................... 96 5.5.2. Fundraising Program ................................................................................................................ 97 5.5.3. Strategic Networks and Partnerships Program ........................................................................ 97 5.5.4. Administrative Program ........................................................................................................... 98 Meerman et al, 2015. Spanish Creek Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan Page 2 5.5.5. Research and Monitoring Program ........................................................................................ 103 5.5.6. Natural Resource Management Program .............................................................................. 105 5.5.6.1. Increase the availability of natural resources (bush meat) to the local residents and to local outlets (To be conducted in regional context) ................................................................................. 110 5.5.6.2. Increase the availability of natural resources (Fish and Aquatic Turtles) to the local residents and to local outlets (To be conducted in regional context) ............................................. 111 5.5.7. Protection and Surveillance Program..................................................................................... 114 5.5.8. Infrastructure Management Program .................................................................................... 116 5.5.9. Public Use Program ................................................................................................................ 119 5.5.9.1. Improve exposure of the villages ........................................................................................ 121 5.5.10. Community Development and Environmental Education Program..................................... 122 5.6. Recommended Management Structure ........................................................................................ 124