DCNA

Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem by grazing away algae and creating bare substrate for coral recruitment. The RAAK PRO Diadema project aims to develop interventions to improve larval recruitment and juvenile survival to increase local Diadema populations. To do this, researchers are investigating the larval and settlement stage of Diadema populations around the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius. First results show that some locations have a high suitability for “assisted natural recovery”.

Originally published in BioNews 38

For more information on the RAAK PRO Diadema project you can follow along website or on Facebook or get in touch with project leader Alwin Hylkema: alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl.

Recently the World Seagrass Association with the help of GRID-Arendal, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and UNEP World Conservation and Monitoring Center (UNEP WCMC) released a report on the importance of conserving seagrass. All six Dutch Caribbean islands host this vital habitat and this report emphasizes the need for local governments to invest in protecting these areas.

Article published in Bionews 36

More Information: The Value of Seagrasses to the Environment and to the People. Summary for Policy Makers

A 2018 study of mosquito populations on the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius documented eleven different species, including two new species for Sint Maarten, a number of which are known to spread mosquito-borne diseases. Understanding mosquito populations can help local governments prepare themselves against the spread of mosquito-borne diseases as well as provide insight to the health of local ecosystems.

Article published in BioNews 36

More Information: van der Beek, J.G., Dijkstra, K-D.B., van der Hoorn, B.B., Boerlijst, S.P., Busscher, L., Kok, M.L., Braks, M.A.H., Schaffner, F., Davelaar, G.J., Henry, M., Hulshof, K., Leslie, T.E., Schrama, M. 2020. Taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the Dutch Leeward Islands, with a key to the adults and fourth instar larvae. Contributions to Zoology 89 (2020) 373-392 

**Correction: Under results section, sentence reads "In all, a total of 871 adults were captured and adult and larvae specimens from eleven species were identified between the three islands; eight on Sint Maarten, six on Saba and two on Sint Eustatius." 871 should be changed to 831, this was a typo in publication.

Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) has released its annual coral spawning prediction calendar for the south Caribbean. This calendar plays a central role in studying the reproductive biology of Caribbean corals and guiding coral restoration efforts for the southern Dutch Caribbean islands. Based off these predictions, researchers are able to harvest coral gametes that are reared to larvae that can be used to cultivate future coral colonies.

Article published in BioNews 36

More Information: Calendar for the coral spawning predictions for the southern Caribbean 

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 36 you will find articles on:

• Sunscreen increases the damaging effect of climate change on coral reefs
• Coral Spawning Predictions for the South Caribbean
• Eleven Species of Mosquitos found on Leeward Dutch Caribbean Islands
• Seagrass: Vital for a Healthy Environment and Economy

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

Download the full color version of BioNews 36

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.organd we will be happy to add you to our mailinglist.

Note:

To read BioNews you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer and to enjoy it to the fullest we recommend you to open it in full screen mode.

For previous issues check the BioNews archive.

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

The Dutch Ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Infrastructure and Water Management and Interior and Kingdom Relations released a Nature and Environment Policy Plan for 2020-2030 for the Caribbean Netherlands. This document will serve as the framework on which all environmental policy can be built upon for the next decade. 

Article published in BioNews 35

More Information: Nature and Environment Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) recently published their 2019 annual report. Last year marked an important year as new research provided insight into local green and hawksbill turtle populations. Understanding annual shifts and long-term trends for these turtles will provide key information to designing conservation strategies for the future.

Article published in BioNews 35

More Information: STCB Year Report 2019

Using DNA-and morphological analysis, a team from Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON) and Naturalis have discovered that the Leeward Blindsnake is a native species to the island of St. Eustatius. Understanding the island’s native reptile population will help design and implement conservation measures to protect this near threatened species in the future. 

Article published in BioNews 35

More Information: Wagensveld, T. van, Staa, S. van & R. Butôt 2020. Discovery of the Leeward Blindsnake, Antillotyphlops geotomus (Thomas, 1966), on St. Eustatius, Caribbean
Netherlands. Caribbean Herpetology 69: 1-3.

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 35 you will find articles on:

• Leeward Blindsnake: Native to St. Eustatius
• Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire: A Year in Review
• Drastic effects of coralita on the biodiversity of insects and spiders
• Nature and Environment Policy Plan 2020-2030

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

Download the full color version of BioNews 35

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.organd we will be happy to add you to our mailinglist.

Note:

To read BioNews you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer and to enjoy it to the fullest we recommend you to open it in full screen mode.

For previous issues check the BioNews archive.

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

Between December 2017 and June 2018, members of the St. John’s community planted five lemon trees to bring attention to and work towards the eradication of the invasive Coralita vine on Saba. Using updated Participatory Action Research techniques, researchers were able to inspire community involvement which had previously been hindered due to a lack of interest and understanding.

Article published in BioNews 34

More Information: Vaas, J., Driessen, P.P.J., Giezen, M., van Laerhoven, F., Wassen, M.J. 2020. Tailoring participatory action research to deal with the latent problem of an invasive alien vine on Saba, Caribbean Netherlands. Regional Environmental Change (2020) 20: 30 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-020-01591-z