Masters Thesis

Using participatory mapping for community-based marine spatial planning in St. George's Caye, Belize

As the environmental toll of growing human populations continues to increase, coastal and island nations are hard-pressed to effectively manage their natural resources for sociopolitical, economic, and cultural benefits. Marine Spatial Planning is a holistic approach to effective natural resource management that integrates local knowledge and participation at a variety of spatial scales. Engagement through participatory mapping efforts and facilitated by geographic information systems, is an effective means to communicate local objectives and concerns. We present here a case study of participatory mapping efforts by residents of Saint George’s Caye, Belize. Residents participated in guided focus group sessions on three different occasions between January and October of 2018 to map their concerns and planning objectives at two distinct spatial scales. Of the nearly 200 residents on the Caye, approximately 120 participated in the mapping sessions and provided collective feedback on 4 different threats and associated risks, 2 conservation priorities, and 4 natural resource uses. Resulting maps will be used by the local Village Council to create a comprehensive plan for the Caye for future legislative protections. This work exemplifies the need for local engagement at various spatial scales to ensure effective and holistic marine spatial planning and natural resource management.

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