Recently, Reef Brief covered the importance that lobster harvesting has in the export trade of Belize. As much as this industry has benefited the economy of Belize, it has also negatively impacted the environment.
Agriculture directly degrades the landscape of Belize through deforestation.
It is commonly believed that the majority of land cleared in Belize is due to the forestry industry, but in actuality, it is agriculture that has put the most pressure on the country's land. Deforestation itself creates several greenhouse gases, as well as chemically active gases that cause acid rain and can alter the climate, resulting in global warming. Moreover, the location of agricultural activities in relation to watersheds, and the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other agri-chemicals can often have major implications for the health of the coastal zone. Coral reefs require clean, clear, water that is low in nutrients to grow and survive. When agricultural development occurs along the coast, sediment filters such as mangroves and seagrass beds are often destroyed, increasing the amount of sediments potentially reaching the reef.