The main objective of the research program at Glover’s Reef Marine Station is to address critical scientific issues related to conservation and management of marine areas, especially those related to coral reef systems and marine protected areas. For this reason the research conducted here is predominantly management-related and focused on collecting information essential for effectively designing and implementing conservation and management strategies. For example, results from studies conducted at the station were instrumental in helping sustain populations of Nassau groupers and adjusting the zoning scheme of Glovers Reef’s marine reserve to assure more comprehensive and effective conservation of the area. Overall, Glovers Reef Marine Station and WCS aim to support research projects that substantiate on one of the following objectives:
- Measuring environmental change and provide a source of long-term data about the ecological and biological systems at Glovers
- Maintaining biodiversity and function of the ecosystem
- Predicting and monitor the effectiveness of management policies and actions
- Restoring and rehabilitate damaged ecosystems
- Providing a scientific, conservation, and educational presence for partnership and consultation
Strengthening Marine Conservation
Although all the studies focus on Glovers Reef coral reef system or marine reserve, much of the information collected is directly applicable to other reefs and marine protected areas. It is the goal of WCS to make this information widely available to increase the effectiveness of conservation management and marine protected areas throughout marine habitats. WCS funds several of the core research projects occurring at Glovers Reef, however in addition there are also opportunities for outside funding sources to support research projects at Glovers Reef as well as scientists not directly associated with WCS conducting research there. Since the opening in mid-1997, the Glovers Reef field station has hosted more than 100 scientific field expeditions and has served as a research platform for 325 individual researchers.
Current Research
Glovers Reef complex and diverse coral reef system continues to be an important site for cutting edge scientific research focused on addressing coral reef ecology and conservation, effectiveness of marine reserves and the use of coral reef atolls by other important marine species. The following list contains current and future research projects being conducted at WCS' research station located on Middle Cay, and the principle investigators heading each project. (See the Facilities, Bookings and Proposals Pages for more information about the station and how to use it)
Regional marine conservation and policy development.
J. Gibson
Spatial conservation database for Glovers Reef Marine Reserve.
P. Mumby
Glovers Reef living seascape: safeguarding marine resources and rural livelihoods in Belize.
J. Gibson and C. D'Agrosa
Coral reef and algae population dynamics and reef restoration: understanding the influence of nutrients and organic matter on reef erosion and algal growth.
T. McClanahan & N. Muthiga
An evaluation of Caribbean elasmobranch species.
D. Chapman and E. Pikitch
Stingray ecology: Indirect predator impacts on reef flat community structure.
A. Tilley
Click here to view our Data Management Policy
Click here to view published research conducted at Glovers Reef