Turneffe Atoll Biodiversity

Turneffe Atoll is a large coral atoll located 50 km east of Belize mainland. One of the most pristine areas within the Mesoamerican Reef, Turneffe possess numerous highly biodiverse ecosystems including a surrounding reef, a sheltered mangrove system, and a lagoonal seagrass system. The series of cayes that enclose the three shallow lagoons possess littoral forests that stretch along beach ridge lined with sandy beaches. Plans are underway for having Turneffe Atoll designated a Marine Reserve, however threats of unsustainable development, unsustainable fishing, and habitat degradation are ever-present. Oceanic Society conducts scientific research on a variety of species and ecosystems including the Bottlenose dolphins, Antillean manatees, and American crocodiles found throughout the atoll.

Lat: 17.33 Long: -87.88

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