Cays of the Belize Barrier Reef and Lagoon

h 1 0 i s l a n d s of t h e b a r r i e r r e e f lagoon.A f u r t h e r 4 b a r r i e r r e e f and 28 lagoon i s l a n d s a r e described.For 22 i s l a n d s comparative maps a r e presented showing topographic change between 1960-61 and 1972.L i s t s of v a s c u l a r p l a n t s recorded from each i s l a n d a r e given.Eleven types of i s l a n d a r e recognised.Most of t h e i s l a n d s have undergone e r o s i o n during t h e p e r i o d of t h e surveys, notably during i n d i v i d u a l c a t a s t r o p h i c hurricane events.The f l o r a of t h e cays comprises 164 s p e c i e s .Vegetation u n i t s a r e b r i e f l y described, with s p e c i a l reference t o t h e vegetation of dry mangrove cays and mangrove ranges, and t o p l a n t succession following major h u r r i c a n e damage.