By Belize Live News Staff: Gliselle Marin, a Belizean biologist, is on a mission to protect her country’s rich biodiversity. Her focus? Bats. Marin, a Ph.D. student at York University, believes these often-misunderstood creatures hold the key to safeguarding Belize’s forests.
Marin’s love for bats blossomed during her childhood, with these winged mammals roosting under her family home. Now, armed with a bat-themed fanny pack and a matching tattoo, she dedicates her research to understanding their dietary habits and the vital role they play in maintaining forest health.
Working alongside the Bat-a-thon, a group of bat researchers in Northern Belize, Marin collects bat poop, a treasure trove of DNA information. She analyzes this data to understand how bats’ diets are shifting in response to habitat loss, a pressing concern in a region facing development pressures.
“I’m trying to figure out if bats would prefer to alter their diet within their current habitat, rather than fly long distances to find their usual food sources,” Marin explains. The answer to this question could have significant implications for bat populations and the forests they inhabit.
As one of the few Belizean bat scientists, Marin is also a trailblazer in her field. She believes local expertise is essential for effective conservation. “Conservation has often been dictated by Western ideals. It’s time for a change, and I hope to bridge that gap,” she states.
Marin’s fieldwork extends to the Belize Maya Forest, a protected rainforest where she works with Elma Kay, a veteran conservationist. Kay sees Marin as a vital link between generations, like the young trees replacing the old in a thriving forest.
However, the threats to Belize’s natural heritage are evident. Vast swaths of forest have been cleared for agriculture, a sight that evokes sadness in Marin. Yet, she remains determined to work with policymakers and landowners to protect what remains.
Marin’s approach is rooted in community engagement. She believes in educating the public about the intricate connections between bats, forests, and human well-being. “We have amazing resources in Belize, and I don’t think that’s lost on Belizeans. Sometimes we just need a reminder,” she emphasizes.
Her message is simple: everything is connected. By fostering appreciation for bats and their crucial role in the ecosystem, Marin hopes to inspire a new generation of conservationists in Belize.
“We’re as special as everything else around us,” she reminds us, a sentiment echoing the importance of protecting both the natural world and the human communities that depend on it.
