DCNA

This month’s issue focuses on coral reef restoration efforts; research by SECORE and CARMABI on Curaçao and a private initiative by the Coral Restoration Foundation and Buddy Dive Resort on Bonaire. Since the decimation of Staghorn and Elkhorn coral colonies by whiteband disease in the early 1980s and because of their slow natural recovery rates throughout the Caribbean, there is a strong interest in human-assisted restoration efforts, which may help speed up the natural process of recovery. In addition to coral reef restoration, this edition profiles the ongoing flora monitoring on the Leeward Islands and showcases the historical taxonomic collections from the Dutch Caribbean held at Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Amongst others, you will find in this fifth issue:

• Overview of Research and Monitoring Efforts
• Bonaire Deep Reef Exploration (by Lisa Becking)
• ‘Research of the Month‘: Coral Restoration Initiatives on Curaçao and Bonaire (by Valérie Chamberland and March Storm)
• Flora of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (by André van Proosdij)
• Historical Collections on Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity (by Frank Wesselingh, Tinde van Andel and André van Proosdij)
• Calendar of Upcoming Events, Meetings and Workshops

This month’s issue focuses on the conservation efforts for the Red-billed Tropicbird, which is taking place on the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius. Preliminary studies last year indicated that at two study sites on Saba breeding success was zero. One of the prime culprits appears to be feral cats. All the more reason to bring this species to the spotlight and ask your attention for the plight of this charismatic and locally endangered sea bird.

Amongst others, you will find in this fourth issue:

• Overview of Research and Monitoring Efforts
• Two-way route for Long-nosed Bats between Bonaire and Curacao
• ‘Research of the Month‘: Conservation Science: Red-billed Tropicbirds on Saba and St. Eustatius (by Adrian Delnevo and Hannah Madden)
• TEEB study: “What is St. Eustatius’ and Saba’s Nature Worth?” (by Stijn Schep)
• Nature Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands published
• Calendar of Upcoming Events, Meetings and Workshops

From a global perspective, March has been busy when it comes to regulatory affairs with the CITES meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in which worldwide protection for several shark species and manta rays was established and, closer to home, with the EEZ Meeting on Curaçao which will be showcased as the ‘Meeting of the Month’. This report is complemented by a short article on the importance of marine mammal conservation in the Dutch Caribbean.

Amongst others, you will find in this third issue:

• Overview of Research and Monitoring Efforts
• EEZ Meeting on Curaçao
• Marine Mammal Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean
• Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database update
• Shark Protection on CITES Convention
• Calendar of Upcoming Events, Meetings and Workshops

This issue of BioNews profiles the research and monitoring efforts for January and February 2013 and highlights a new monthly feature, called ‘Research of the Month,’ which presents a more detailed look at some of the fascinating work underway on our islands. This month’s choice is the Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius.

Amongst others, you will find in this second issue:

• overview of research and monitoring
• update on the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database
• St. Eustatius’ Lesser Antillean Iguana: Cause for concern
• overview of reports and publications
• calendar of upcoming events, meetings and workshops

This first issue presents you with an overview of the on-going research and monitoring efforts focusing on the last quarter of 2012. In future issues you will find regular updates on the research and monitoring initiatives currently underway on our islands.

Amongst others, you will find in this first issue:

• - overview of research and monitoring initiatives underway at the end of 2012
• - Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database update
• - introduction to DCNA’s Research Liaison
• - overview of reports and publications
• - calendar of upcoming events, trainings and workshops