BCSA founding member Jim Reilly delivered a presentation entitled “Sustainable Development Technology as a Catalyst for Biodiversity Conservation and Coastal Resilience” to SonTek conference attendees in Austin, TX.
The presentation covered using the SonTek M-9 Hydrosurveyor and EXO 2 Sonde water quality instruments in Belize, focusing on sustainability and biodiversity conservation. In a conference dominated by data heavy communication, the BCSA delivered a presentation that demonstrated purpose through data.
The Restorative Island Project in Belize used the Son Tek Hydro Surveyor-M9 as a primary research tool to enhance the availability and accessibility of scientific information about the physical characteristics of the Chetumal / Corozal Bay. Although a paucity of this information exists for this region, it is considered crucial for making informed decisions about coastal planning and biodiversity management.
Data collection has been carried out on a monthly basis (and post severe storm events), over a two and a half year period. The first study site at Blackadore Caye provided baseline information used to develop a biomimicry-based coastal resilience and restoration plan using red mangroves. The second study site at Ambergris Caye, the largest tourism destination, consisted of coral reefs, coastal lagoons and mangrove areas.
The information will be used for updating navigation zones and to perform storm modeling for disaster risk management. The third study area at St. George’s Caye was part of a wider research effort for graduate studies in biodiversity conservation, specifically manatee habitat and protected areas management.
The three study sites demonstrate the usability of the Son Tek HydroSurveyor-M9 in providing near coastal and shallow water bathymetry information that influences management interventions for enhancing coastal protection and climate resilience of coastal communities and their ecosystems.