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Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database

Central repository for biodiversity related research and monitoring data from the Dutch Caribbean

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Search results: 1578

  • Other resources Fibropapillomatosis Affecting Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas)
    Fibropapillomatosis is a disease that is affecting sea turtles all around the world. Turtles that are most at risk are those that live in near-shore...
  • Research report Proceedings of the Technical Workshop on Mitigating Sea Turtle Bycatch in Coastal Net Fisheries
    Abstract: Sea turtles are adversely affected by a range of factors, some natural and others caused by human activities, such as fishing operations....
  • Other resources Research and Monitoring of Bonaire's Sea Turtles: 2017 Technical Report
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) has been protecting sea turtles on Bonaire since 1991, so this year represents the 26th Anniversary of our...
  • Media How does ecosystem functioning change now sea turtles are returning?
    Dutch below   Sea turtles have been overharvested in the past, resulting in their endangered population status. But since two decades, their...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring of Bonaire’s Sea Turtles: 2015 Technical Report
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) was formed in 1991 in order to protect the island’s marine turtle populations. In 2002 we standardized our...
  • Other resources Proximate response of fish, conch, and sea turtles to the presence of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in Bonaire
    In this report we examined the proximate response of fish assemblages, queen conch, and sea turtles onH. stipulacea meadows in Lac Bay, Bonaire,...
  • Other resources Research and Monitoring Report 2013 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    We observed green turtles and hawksbills along the west coast of Bonaire, around Klein  Bonaire, and adjacent to Lac during snorkel surveys. Green...
  • Media STENAPA’s protection of Caribbean Sea turtles
    Each year, hawksbill and green turtles, and sometimes even leatherback turtles, come to the beaches of Statia to lay their eggs. New protocols,...
  • Research report WIDECAST Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for the Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract: The Netherlands Antilles consists of five Caribbean islands. The leeward islands are Curaçao and Bonaire, close to the mainland of...
  • Media Exploring the Saba Bank’s Deep Sea
    During the fifth leg of the NICO expedition researchers from NIOZ Sea Research, Wageningen Marine Research and Naturalis Biodiversity Center studied...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring of Bonaire’s Sea Turtles: 2013
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) was initiated in the early 1990s to protect the island’s marine turtle populations. Our current research and...
  • Media Importance of Native Seagrass in the Fight Against Erosion
    A recent study worked to quantify seagrass’s ability to minimize erosion in shallow water of Lac Bay, Bonaire. In addition, this study examined how...
  • Other resources Research and Monitoring of Bonaire ’s Sea Turtles: 2014 Technical Report
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) was initiated in the early 1990s to protect the island’s marine turtle populations. Our current research and...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2012 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire proudly presents its 2012 Bonaire Sea Turtle Research and Monitoring Report. In this report you will read about...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2011 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) is a non-governmental, non-profit, research and conservation organization that began in 1991. Our mission is...
  • Media Mapping and Studying Changing Coral Reefs:  Is the Saba Bank still growing?
    Researchers aboard the Pelagia research vessel have been collecting invaluable data on the Windward islands in the Caribbean during the sixth leg of...
  • Media New Research in the Conservation of Sea Turtles on Their Nesting Beaches
    New research led by Swansea University’s College of Scienceand recently published in Scientific Reportshas reported effective conservation strategies...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2007
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Media Caribbean Experts Join Forces for Sea Urchin Restoration
    Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   Last week, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance hosted a sea urchin (Diadema Antillarum) restoration...
  • Research report Sea Turtle In-water Monitoring Survey 2011
    Seven sea turtles species inhabit the world’s oceans today and have a unique evolutionary lineage that dates back at least 110 million years.Sea...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2006
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Other resources Evolutionary ecology of sea turtles
    Summary PHD Thesis The genetic diversity and structure of natural populations is  the product of past and  present  ecological  and  evolutionary ...
  • Other resources The impacts of sea-level rise on the index nesting beach on Klein Bonaire for three species of sea turtle
    Abstract: Globally, all extant sea turtles species are endangered due to centuries of uncontrolled exploitation, furthermore they face future threats...
  • Scientific article Construction setback regulations and sea-level rise: Mitigating sea turtle nesting beach loss
    Global sea-level rise of up to 0.6 m is predicted in the next 100 years. In areas where coastal structures prevent landward mi- gration of beaches, a...
  • Media Call of action to salvage St. Maarten’s coral reefs from new disease
    A new coral disease, Stony Coral Tissue Loss disease, is spreading throughout the Wider Caribbean region and causing high mortality amongst a number...
  • Other resources GENETIC DIVERSITY, CONNECTIVITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF BONAIRE SEA TURTLES
    with a discussion on sampling mixed aggregations for demographic inferences Student Report  Climate change is threatening sea turtles globally, and...
  • Other resources State of Nature in the Dutch Caribbean: Saba and the Saba Bank
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the state of nature for the three Dutch Caribbean islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2008
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Book Habitat utilization and migration in juvenile sea turtles.
    Sea turtles are basically creatures that spend their entire lives in marine or estuarine habitats.Their only remaining reptilian ties to terrestrial...
  • Media Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Management Update for the Dutch Caribbean
    Since 2014, a new coral disease has been spreading through the reefs of the Caribbean. Known as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), this disease...
  • Scientific article Global seagrass distribution and diversity: A bioregional model
    Seagrasses, marine flowering plants, are widely distributed along temperate and tropical coastlines of the world. Seagrasses have key ecological...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2005
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2010
    The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island’s sea turtle...
  • Media New Sea Turtle Monitoring Methods
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) has worked tirelessly since 1991 to protect Bonaire’s sea turtle population and to ensure a safe, protected...
  • Scientific article Exploring how non-native seagrass species could provide essential ecosystems services: a perspective on the highly invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in the Caribbean Sea
    The loss of biodiversity by the replacement of invasive species could lead to the loss of functional traits that maintain certain ecosystem services...
  • Media New study aids in sea urchin restoration efforts
    Nederlands below: Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem and their restoration is essential to assist...
  • Research report The influence of factors that negatively affect nesting activity of sea turtles on Sint Maarten
    Abstract Seven species of turtles are present in a wide range of areas across the earth. The species that use  the beaches of Sint Maarten as nesting...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2012
    The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island‟s sea turtle...
  • Scientific article Demographic changes in Pleistocene sea turtles were driven by past sea level fluctuations affecting feeding habitat availability
    Abstract Pleistocene environmental changes are generally assumed to have dramatically af-fected species’ demography via changes in habitat...
  • Scientific article A comparison of fish communities of subtidal seagrass beds and sandy seabeds in 13 marine embayments of a Caribbean island, based on species, families, size distribution and functional groups
    Differences in fish community structure between different estuaries, lagoons and bays can be very large, and generalisations are complicated by the...
  • Media Long-spined sea urchins: not trouble but in trouble
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below   Since February 2022 there have been reports of Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema) die off from a number...
  • Media Bad News For Green Sea Turtles In An Age Of Warming Seas: warmer oceans drive declining growth rates
    A number of studies have investigated the effect of climate change on sea turtles, such as the loss of nesting beaches from sea level rise (Fish et ...
  • Research report ANALYSIS OF THE SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN ON BONAIRE, SABA AND ST. EUSTATIUS
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fisheries on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands) are important for the local economy and food provision on the...
  • Media Innovative Techniques could be key for Sea Urchin Recovery
    Nederlands below. Researchers from Van Hall Larenstein, Wageningen University and Wageningen Marine Research have developed a new approach to assist...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2013
    The 2013 Sea Turtle nesting season was a varied season whereby there was as in previous years not much in the way of leatherback activity but towards...
  • Other resources Seagrass and Seagrass Beds
    Seagrasses are found in shallow salty and brackish waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. Seagrasses are so-named...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2005
    2005 was a very successful year for Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire as we built upon the accomplishments of 2004. In all the program areas, staff and...
  • Media NICO Expedition: Mapping the Sea Bottom
    Researchers aboard the Pelagia research vessel have been collecting invaluable data on marine biomes in the Caribbean since January as part of the “...
  • Other resources Unwelcome guests: Stakeholder perspectives on non-native seagrasses and macroalgal ‘nuisance’ species in Bonaire
    Unlike coral reef and mangrove forest ecosystems, public recognition and multiple values of seagrass beds have only but recently been gaining...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2009
    The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island’s sea turtle...
  • Research report The Protection and Management of the Sargasso Sea: The golden floating rainforest of the Atlantic Ocean
    The Sargasso Sea is a fundamentally important part of the world’s ocean, located within the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre with its boundaries...
  • Research report Dutch Caribbean Research Platform Towards the sustainable strengthening of the knowledge system in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
    The Caribbean Research Programme is administered by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and has received funding from the Netherlands Ministry of...
  • Other resources Invasive seagrass mega herbivore interactions
    Invasive seagrass mega herbivore interactions a study on the invasion of seagrass Halophila stipulacea in a Southern Caribbean lagoon affected by C....
  • Scientific article Global Analysis of Anthropogenic Debris Ingestion by Sea Turtles
    Abstract: Ingestion of marine debris can have lethal and sublethal effects on sea turtles and other wildlife. Although researchers have reported on...
  • Media Health is Wealth: A One Health Approach to control vector-born diseases and promote sustainability
    At the Sustainability Conference held on St. Eustatius in December 2017, the panel “Health is Wealth” explored the interrelationship between the...
  • Scientific article Severity of the Effects of Invasive Rats on Seabirds: A Global Review
    Abstract: Invasive rats are some of the largest contributors to seabird extinction and endangerment world- wide. We conducted a meta-analysis of...
  • Media First Caribbean cultured Diadema sea urchins are great news for coral reef restoration
    On October 22st, 2021, the first ever recorded Diadema sea urchins in the Caribbean were cultured on Saba. Diadema sea urchins are important grazers...
  • Other resources Year 1 Results of Seabird Breeding Atlas of the Lesser Antilles
    Environmental Protection In the Caribbean (EPIC) carried out breeding seabird research in the Lesser Antilles between February and June 2009, to...
  • Research report An Inventory of the Geographical Distribution and Conservation Status ofMarine Turtles and Sharks in the Wider Caribbean andRelationship to Fisheries
    Findings on Marine Turtles ·         Migration routes to and from nesting sites (typically index beaches) are variously known in the Caribbean,...
  • Media Global Defaunation and Plant Invasion: cascading effects on seagrass ecosystem services
    Ecosystems have been providing our society with useful services to sustain us in our livelihood, survival and health for as long as we exist....
  • Other resources Comparison of Epibionts between Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Sea Turtles in Bonaire, NA
    Many pelagic organisms, including sea turtles, host unique communities of epibionts on the surfaces of their bodies. Although sea turtle epibiota...
  • Research report Seagrasses and coastal protection: The role of Halophila stipulacea in sediment stability at the coast of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract Seagrasses are increasingly being recognized for their potential in protecting the coastlines from flooding and erosion. As ecosystem...
  • Media 12th meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Inter- American Sea Turtle Convention (IAC)
    The Scientific Committee (SC) of the IAC meets annually to discuss the annual reports of the member countries, and threats and impacts on sea turtles...
  • Scientific article Last interglacial hydroclimate seasonality reconstructed from tropical Atlantic corals
    The seasonality of hydroclimate during past periods of warmer than modern global temperatures is a critical component for understanding future...
  • Scientific article Spatiotemporal and species-specific patterns of diseases affecting crustose coralline algae in Curac ̧ao
    Abstract Distribution and abundance of coral diseases have been well documented, but only a few studies con- sidered diseases affecting crustose...
  • Research report Caribbean Pelagic Seabird Map Project September 2020 Status Report
    Even though there are very many scattered seabird sighting records for the pelagic waters of the wider Caribbean Sea, only few studies bring these...
  • Research report An Atlas of Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat for the Wider Caribbean Region. WIDECAST Technical Report No.6
    Abstract: Six species of sea turtle nest in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). In partnership with more than 120 Data Providers, the spatial database...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2010 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    In 2010, we completed our 8th year of systematic research on the sea turtles of Bonaire. In this report you will read about the methods and results...
  • Other resources First indication of the abundance and distribution of protected seagrass associated species in the introduced Halophila stipulacea meadows on Sint Eustatius
    Student Report The present study investigated the abundance and distribution of protected seagrass associated species within the introduced Halophila...
  • Media Curacao’s New Underwater Research Station
    Plans for a cutting edge, underwater research station ‘PROTEUS™’ have recently been released.  The modular design, inspired by coral polyps, will...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2003
    Abstract: St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) is the only environmental non-governmental organization on St Eustatius. In 1996, the...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2004
    Abstract: The Sea Turtle Conservation Programme is managed by St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA), which is the main environmental non-...
  • Other resources Tropical dry forests The state of global knowledge and recommendations for future research
    This discussion paper assesses the state of knowledge on tropical dry forests  as it relates to CIFOR’s strategy and identi es research opportunities...
  • Media Tropical sea urchins move from a marine lab in Leeuwarden to the Rotterdam Zoo
    At Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (HVHL) in Leeuwarden, the sea urchin Diadema antillarum has been cultivated to help restore the...
  • Media Protecting Fish Proven Key in Slowing Down Invasive Seagrass
    New research from Wageningen University, University of Amsterdam and Florida International University highlighted the role herbivorous fish species...
  • Other resources Mapping Sargassum on beaches and coastal waters of Bonaire using Sentinel-2 imagery
    Sargassum is a genus of brown macroalgae or seaweed that can be found in shallow waters or free floating in the ocean. Sargassum patches on the open...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Results for the Size Class Distribution and Abundance of the Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, and Seagrass Characterization in Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive coverage of accomplishments completed to date by Environics for the Lac Bay queen conch (...
  • Scientific article Sea Turtles as Flagships for Protection of the Wider Caribbean Region
    Abstract: Sea turtles are emerging as one of the most popular icons of the marine environment. Capitalising on their charismatic image, a remarkable...
  • Media Fieldwork on Seagrass Ecosystem Services: Lac, Bonaire
    Seagrasses are essential components of coastal zones ecosystems due to their extremely high productivity and the high biodiversity they support. ...
  • Other resources Black spot disease of Ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus) population in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Diseases of oceanic species are difficult to research due to the ocean‟s vast size and the overall logistics involved in studying disease in...
  • Scientific article Megaherbivores may impact expansion of invasive seagrass in the Caribbean
      1.Our knowledge of the functional role of large herbivores is rapidly expanding, and the impact of grazing on species co‐existence and non‐native...
  • Media New field guide on invasive seagrass flowers
    Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that can reproduce both sexually (through flowering and subsequent seed formation) and asexually (through...
  • Scientific article Satellite tracking of sea turtles: Where have we been and where do we go next?
    The use of satellite tracking for the fundamental and applied study of marine turtles began in the 1980s but has undergone rapid growth in recent...
  • Media The Pros and Cons of non-native Seagrass Explosive Expansion
    A new study from the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute and Utrecht University investigated the sediment stabilizing ability of non-native...
  • Media State of Nature: Bonaire
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Dutch Caribbean islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Media Sea Turtle Conservation on Bonaire in 2020
    Bonaire might have been on lockdown in 2020, but that didn’t keep Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire from working hard.  Their recently published annual...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2022 (vol 7)
    Introduction to the seventh edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume includes research reports and personal...
  • Media Ecology and conservation of sea turtles in the Dutch Caribbean
    Early in 2015 the research project “Ecology and conservation of green and hawksbill turtles in the Dutch Caribbean” started funded by NWO.  The six...
  • Research report Management of European (Sub)Tropical Biodiversity In support of sustainable development: Policy recommendations and priorities for research
    NetBiome-CSA is a European funded project that aims to extend and strengthen research partnerships and cooperation for the smart and sustainable...
  • Scientific article Effects of "swim with the turtles" tourist attractions on green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) health in Barbados, West Indies
    Along the West Coast of Barbados a unique relationship has developed between endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and humans. Fishermen...
  • Media New Diadema project aims to restore sea urchins in Saban and Statian waters
    The new RAAK PRO Diadema project aims to restore long spined sea urchin populations (scientific name Diadema antillarum) on the coral reefs around...
  • Other resources Effects of Human Recreational Activities on Seagrass Beds in Lac Bay, Netherlands Antilles
    Seagrass beds are important habitats associated with coral reefs. Seagrasses are nursery areas for juvenile fish, and they act as buffering zones by...
  • Scientific article Sea-grass communities: structure, distribution and classification
    Aims: In the marine biological literature sea-grass beds are generally regarded as being more or less similarly structured, and typically indicated...
  • Media NICO Science Expedition to the Dutch Caribbean
    December 13th marked the beginning of an incredibly exciting and ambitious research expedition organized by the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea...
  • Other resources Disease Surveys in Curacao - 2005
    In 2004, as part of a GEF funded project entitled “Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building” (CRTR), to assess the current status and...
  • Scientific article Ecological regime shift drives declining growth rates of sea turtles throughout the West Atlantic
    Somatic growth is an integrated, individual-based response to environmental conditions, especially in ectotherms. Growth dynamics of large, mobile...
  • Media Sea & Learn 2018
    This year Sea & Learn celebrated their 16thannual event on Saba. A total of 16 experts provided dynamic hands-on field projects and powerful...
  • Media Island(er)s at the Helm awarded with funding from the NWO Caribbean Research programme
    On January 7th Minister van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science of The Netherlands announced that the project Island(er)s at the Helm: Co-...
  • Scientific article Temporal, spatial, and body size effects on growth rates of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Northwest Atlantic
    Abstract In response to a call from the US National Research Council for research programs to combine their data to improve sea turtle population...
  • Scientific article Predicting the impact of sea‐level rise on Caribbean Sea turtle nesting habitat
    The projected rise in sea level is likely to increase the vulnerability of coastal zones in the Caribbean, which are already under pressure from a...
  • Scientific article Thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the critically endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) revealed by double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing: opportunities for previously elusive conservation genetics research
    THOUSANDS OF SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN THE CRITICALLY EN- DANGERED KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII) REVEALED BY DOU- BLE-...
  • Other resources Competion and facilitation between seagrass and calcifying algae (Halimeda and penicillus) in the Caribbean coastal ecosystem
    ABSTRACT The Caribbean coastal ecosystem could protect shorelines from wave erosion. Key elements are the calcifying algae (Halimeda spp. and...
  • Scientific article Post-breeding migration routes of marine turtles from Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    The management of small rookeries is key to conserving the regional genetic diversity of marine turtle populations and requires knowledge on...
  • Research report Distinct Microbiomes in three Tropical seagrasses around the island of Curaçao: Halophila stipulacea, Halodule wrightii and Thalassia testudinum
    Seagrasses represent the unique re-colonization of the marine ecosystem by angiosperms. As their terrestrial relatives, seagrasses are important...
  • Media Invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea discovered on Saba
    Park ranger Jelle van der Velde has identified the presence of Halophila stipulaceaat the Queen B. II mooring east of Fort Bay. The discovery, made...
  • Scientific article A review of records of the Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata in the Caribbean Sea
    The Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata is a pelagic seabird with a dangerously small population size. Remaining breeding sites are threatened by...
  • Research report Strategic Plan for Eliminating the Incidental Capture and Mortality of Leatherback Turtles in the Coastal Gillnet Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago
    Abstract: Accidental entanglement of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the gillnet fisheries of Trinidad is the most serious...
  • Other resources Expansion of invasive seagrass inhibited by nutrient and grazing stress; a case study in Aruba
    Student Report Seagrass ecosystems are rapidly declining around the world as human pressures are increasing. To build the resilience of seagrass...
  • Scientific article Seagrass coastal protection services reduced by invasive species expansion and megaherbivore grazing
    Seagrasses provide an important ecosystem service by creating a stable erosion‐resistant seabed that contributes to effective coastal protection....
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2016 (Vol. 2)
    Introduction to the second edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers In this publication you will find papers and reflections...
  • Scientific article Histopathology of crustose coralline algae a ected by white band and white patch diseases
    Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are major benthic calci ers that play crucial roles in marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Over the past two...
  • Other resources Incidence of disease in Acanthurus bahianus population, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Disease in the ocean is difficult to study because of the logistics involved in conducting marine research. This in turn has resulted in a lack of...
  • Media NICO Expedition: Mesophotic reefs, Cyanobacteria mats and Submarine Groundwater Discharge around the ABC-islands
    After setting sail from Texel, The Netherlands in December 2017, the research vessel Pelagia travelled to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao where a multi-...
  • Media Old Power Plant on Saba to be converted to Marine Research Station
    On January 17th, 2022, Mark Zagers, Managing Director of the Saba Electric Company (SEC), officially handed over the keys to Peter Johnson, President...
  • Research report Marine mammals in the Wider Caribbean – Current research and priorities for future studies
    Summary: Information on the distribution, abundance and ecology of marine mammal in the Wider Caribbean Region is scarce. This report aims at...
  • Scientific article Animal-borne video reveals atypical behaviour in provisioned green turtles: A global perspective of a widespread tourist activity
    Abstract Feeding wildlife as a tourist activity is a growing industry around the world. However,providing alternative food sources can affect...
  • Other resources Frequencies of coral disease in areas suspected of sewage-contaminated groundwater outflow in Bonaire N.A.
    Anthropogenically induced stressors are degrading coral reefs globally. Nutrients and bacteria present in wastewater increase the frequency and...
  • Other resources Future Directions for Biodiversity Action in Europe Overseas: Outcomes of the Review of the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, December 2010
    1. Introduction...
  • Scientific article Superior biological traits of invaded (Caribbean) versus native (Red Sea) populations of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea
    Abstract The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the Caribbean...
  • Other resources Kick off for the 2019 Sea Turtle Nesting Season
    Sea turtle season has officially started and each of the Dutch Caribbean Islands has reported their first hatchlings of the year. Officially running...
  • Other resources Assessing the correlation between coral disease prevalence and fish species richness from 2007-2011 in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Coral reefs have existed for thousands of years and are currently subjected to many threats. Coral disease is of particular concern because of its...
  • Other resources Sponge abundance and the prevalence of disease on scleractinian coral in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Sponges are important to reef health, fulfilling a number of structural and functional roles. Despite the wide range of functions they provide,...
  • Scientific article Somatic growth dynamics of West Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles: a spatio-temporal perspective.
    Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major...
  • Scientific article Diet and growth of juvenile queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in native, mixed and invasive seagrass habitats
    Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the Caribbean and...
  • Other resources Habitat preference of coral dwelling gobies, and the effects of coral disease
    Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems found on earth, and are home to many habitat-specific fish. The Gobiidae family is known to be one...
  • Media Diet and growth of juvenile queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in native, mixed and invasive seagrass habitats
    ABSTRACT: Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2015 (Vol. 1)
    Introduction In this publication you will find papers and reflections that were written by the ten participants in the UAUCU undergraduate research...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2020 (Vol. 6)
    Introduction to the sixth edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume presents research reports and personal...
  • Scientific article Pelagic movements of pacific leatherback turtles (dermochelys coriacea) highlight the role of prey and ocean currents
    Abstract: Background: Leatherback turtles are renowned for their trans-oceanic migrations. However, despite numerous movement studies, the precise...
  • Other resources Enterococci, a bacterial fecal indicator, and its correlation with coral disease abundance in Bonaire
    Coral reef environments are diverse and productive ecosystems that supply a variety of benefits to marine species and humans alike. Unfortunately,...
  • Other resources Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
    A new guide from MPAConnect, a partnership between GCFI and NOAA Coral Program, seeks to help Caribbean marine natural resource managers who are...
  • Scientific article Bathyal sea urchins of the Bahamas, with notes on covering behavior in deep sea echinoids (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
    In a survey of the bathyal echinoderms of the Bahama Islands region using manned submersibles, approximately 200 species of echinoderms were...
  • Scientific article A Stage-Based Population Model for Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Implications for Conservation
    Management of many species is currently based on an inadequate under- standing of their population dynamics. Lack of age-specific demographic...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2008
    Our 2008 work plan focused on the following objectives to help us achieve our mission: Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2007
    We focused our 2007 work on six objectives designed to help us achieve our mission: Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
  • Scientific article Sand temperatures for nesting sea turtles in the Caribbean: Implications for hatchling sex ratios in the face of climate change
    A 200-year time series of incubation temperatures and primary sex ratios for green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and...
  • Other resources Potential for transmission of yellow band disease between colonies of Montastrea annularis through common research techniques
    This study investigates the relationship between yellow band disease (YBD) infected Montastrea annularis coral colonies and its potential to spread...
  • Research report TAKING ROOT: A GROUNDED APPROACH TO SCIENCE COMMUNICATION FOR SEALINK CURAÇAO
    ABSTRACT Communicating research findings to a lay public comes with a range of challenges, as can be seen in the considerable literature on Science...
  • Media NICO expedition: eddies
    NICO expedition: eddies Rising ocean temperatures associated with global warming are changing our oceans and are projected to have a considerable...
  • Research report SCIENCE & PRACTICE: THE CASE STUDY OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION & SEWAGE POLLUTION IN CURAÇAO
    Abstract. Much research is being conducted on environmental issues but more knowledge does not necessarily lead to more decisions that take into...
  • Research report Saba Bank Research Expedition 2013 - Progress Report
    The Saba Bank is the largest submerged carbonate platform of 2,200 km2 in the Caribbean Sea, which lies partially within the Exclusive Economic Zone...
  • Research report Saba Bank research expedition 2011 – Progress Report
    Abstract: The Saba Bank is a large submerged carbonate platform of approximately 2,200 km2 in the Caribbean Sea which lies partially within the...
  • Other resources Action and monitoring 2017 Sea turtle Conservation Curacao
    This report describes the activities undertaken by Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) in 2017. While STCC officially became an NGO in May of 2017...
  • Scientific article Introduction to the Special Issue on the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
    The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is an iconic Gulf of Mexico species and an enduring symbol of restoration and recovery. Its...
  • Other resources Effects of Nutrient Enrichment and Water Quality on Coral Disease Prevalence in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Trying to understand the extent to which anthropogenic stressors impact coral reefs globally has led to an increase in studies which analyze the...
  • Media State of Nature in the Caribbean Netherlands: St. Eustatius
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Caribbean Netherlands islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2017 (Vol. 3)
    Introduction to the third edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume presents academic papers and personal...
  • Research report Results of Nature Foundation Research into invasive Seagrass H. stipulacea in the Simpson Bay Lagoon
    Abstract: In February 2013 the St. Maarten Nature Foundation confirmed the presence of Halophila stipulacea, an invasive seagrass, in the Simpson Bay...
  • Scientific article Coralline algae disease reduces survival and settlement success of coral planulae in laboratory experiments
    Disease outbreaks have been involved in the deterioration of coral reefs worldwide and have been par- ticularly striking among crustose coralline...
  • Scientific article Seagrasses as indicators for coastal trace metal pollution: A global meta-analysis serving as a benchmark, and a Caribbean case study
    Seagrass beds are highly productive coastal ecosystems providing a large array of ecosystem services including !sheries and carbon sequestration. As...
  • Scientific article Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles
    The most recent climate change projections show a global increase in temperatures along with precipitation changes throughout the 21st century....
  • Scientific article Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Nesting on the Texas Coast: Geographic, Temporal, and Demographic Trends Through 2014
    Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is the world’s most endangered sea turtle species, and nests primarily on the Gulf of Mexico coast in Mexico. In...
  • Scientific article Optimism for mitigation of climate warming impacts for sea turtles through nest shading and relocation
    Increasing incubation temperatures may threaten the viability of sea turtle populations. We explored opportunities for decreasing incubation...
  • Scientific article Caribbean-Wide, Long-Term Study of Seagrass Beds Reveals Local Variations, Shifts in Community Structure and Occasional Collapse
    The CARICOMP monitoring network gathered standardized data from 52 seagrass sampling stations at 22 sites (mostly Thalassia testudinum-dominated beds...
  • Scientific article Somatic growth dynamics of West Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles: a spatio-temporal perspective
    Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major...
  • Other resources Spatial distribution and severity of dark spots disease in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Corals are the building blocks of coral reefs as they provide countless marine organisms with protection and habitat. However, coral diseases are...
  • Scientific article Estimating sex ratios in Caribbean hawksbill turtles: testosterone levels and climate effects
    Evolutionary theory predicts that male and female offspring should be produced at a 1:1 ratio, but this may rarely be the case for species in which...
  • Scientific article Range expansion of Marinomyxa marina, a phytomyxid parasite of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea, to the Caribbean
    Abstract Halophila stipulacea, a small seagrass species native to the Indo-Pacific, is a Lessepsian migrant and a high-profile invader that has...
  • Scientific article Tropical Biogeomorphic Seagrass Landscapes for Coastal Protection: Persistence and Wave Attenuation During Major Storms Events
    The intensity of major storm events generated within the Atlantic Basin is projected to rise with the warming of the oceans, which is likely to...
  • Other resources Reef fish recruitment to coral reef versus mangrove and seagrass habitats in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Recent studies show that late stage pelagic larval fish are not simply drifting with the currents as formerly believed, but are in some cases strong...
  • Other resources Wave exposure as a driver of dissimilarities in submerged macrophyte community structure of Saint Martins' tropical seagrass meadows- successional stages and future drama?
    Seagrass meadows provide a spectrum of anthropogenically important ecological functions. However, these ecosystems are globally declining under human...
  • Research report Monitoring the effect of cat removal on reproductive success in Red-billed Tropicbird colonies on Saba, 2013-2014: first season of results
    One of the most deleterious invasive introduced predators worldwide is the domestic cat which has been found responsible for many island extinctions...
  • Media AlgaePARC: Bringing Innovation to Bonaire
    A collaborative effort between private, government and university partners, has been working to develop a microalgae production test facility on...
  • Scientific article Are infectious diseases really killing corals? Alternative interpretations of the experimental and ecological
    Abstract: Emerging infectious diseases are a worldwide problem and are believed to play a major role in coral reef degradation. The study of coral...
  • Research report Biology and fishery management of the White Sea Urchin, Tripneutus ventricosus, in the eastern Caribbean
    Abstract: The white sea urchin, Tripneustes ventricosus, is common in shallow coastal waters of the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and is widely...
  • Scientific article Trends in Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Relative Abundance, Distribution, and Size Composition in Nearshore Waters of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
    Long-term monitoring of in-water life history stages of the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is essential for...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2009 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
  • Scientific article Variability and sustainability of the Southern Subarea of the Caribbean Sea large marine ecosystem
    The Southern Subarea of the Caribbean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem encompasses most of the continental and island coasts of Venezuela, as well as...
  • Other resources Does nutrient pollution affect the prevalence of dark spots disease in corals on Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean?
    Environmental changes and deterioration have increased coral disease outbreaks, creating a Caribbean hot spot of high disease prevalence and...
  • Research report In-water monitoring of sea turtle aggregations in St. Eustatius National Marine Park
    Abstract: All species of sea turtles in the Caribbean have come under threat in recent years due to a multitude of factors. Habitat destruction and...
  • Scientific article Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems
    Coastal ecosystems and the services they provide are adversely affected by a wide variety of human activities. In particular, seagrass meadows are...
  • Media Second whale and dolphin research program in the Caribbean
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below   The whale and dolphin research program  Ti Whale An Nou started March 25, 2022 and the objective is to study the...
  • Media Crowdfunding: Tortuga ‘The Survival of Humanity’
    Motivation In March 2018 I went to Curaçao for six months. I have been able to take a lot of underwater shots here and have experienced the problems...
  • Research report The infauna habitat of invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea on the Dutch Caribbean island of St Eustatius.
    Student Report  Since the opening of the 160km long Suez canal on November 17, 1869, it was possible for large ships to navigate between the...
  • Other resources Hydrological Research Bonaire
    Fresh water on the semi-arid Caribbean island of Bonaire is scarce as groundwater is generally brackish (electrical conductivity 2,000 to 4,000 μS/cm...
  • Scientific article Long-term movements of an adult male Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
    LONG-TERM MOVEMENTS OF AN ADULT MALE KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE (LEPI- DOCHELYS KEMPII) IN THE NORTHWEST- ERN GULF OF MEXICO—Despite recent insights...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2018 (Vol. 4)
    Introduction to the fourth edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume presents academic papers and personal...
  • Research report Saving sharks through a fishermen’s agreement
    Background. For the Save our Sharks project of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, 7Senses conducted Participatory Action Research on Saba for 7...
  • Media Two Dutch Caribbean Tagged Tiger Sharks Follow Similar Migration Patterns in the Caribbean
    Two years ago the DCNA organized the first of its kind shark tagging expedition to the Saba Bank and St Maarten as part of the Dutch Postcode Lottery...
  • Media Satellites and Sharks: Latest in Saba Bank Shark Research
    The Saba Bank is an important habitat within the Yarari Shark Sanctuary.  Visited by a variety of different species, little is known about the life...
  • Other resources Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire: 2016 Technical Report
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) has been protecting sea turtles on Bonaire since 1991, so this year represents the 25th Anniversary of our...
  • Scientific article Non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea forms dense mats under eutrophic conditions in the Caribbean
    Seagrasses comprise 78 species and are rarely invasive. But the seagrass Halophila stipulacea, firstly recorded in the Caribbean in the year 2002,...
  • Other resources Researchers explored deepest and largest underwater sinkholes in the world
    From 5 to 20 December 2019, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Wageningen Marine Research organized an expedition to the...
  • Research report SE FL ECA Reef-building-coral Disease Intervention and Preparation for Restoration: Progress Report
    Stoney coral tissue loss disease   Final summary report by Brian Walker on Southeast Florida’s reef-building coral response to amoxicillin...
  • Scientific article Connectivity across the Caribbean Sea: DNA Barcoding and Morphology Unite an Enigmatic Fish Larva from the Florida Straits with a New Species of Sea Bass from Deep Reefs off Curaçao
    Integrative taxonomy, in which multiple disciplines are combined to address questions related to biological species diversity, is a valuable tool for...
  • Research report Activity Report on the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Sea Turtle Satellite Tracking Project 2005
    In June funding from the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) was confirmed to initiate a satellite tracking project of sea turtles on St Eustatius...
  • Scientific article Global synchrony of an accelerating rise in sea surface temperature
    The oceans have shown a recent rapid and accelerating rise in temperature with, given the close link between temperature and marine organisms,...
  • Other resources 6 ways you can help sea turtles
    Infographic developed by Pamela Plotkin (Director, Texas Sea Grant College Program).
  • Other resources The Stability and Regeneration of Seagrass Meadows During Hurricanes
    Msc. thesis Tropical seagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems threatened by both storm activity and human interference. Intense hurricane...
  • Scientific article Seagrass ecosystem metabolic carbon capture in response to green turtle grazing across Caribbean meadows
    Increasing green turtle abundance will lead to increased grazing within seagrass habitats—ecosystems that are important for carbon sequestration and...
  • Other resources Tsunamis in the Caribbean Sea – Implications from coarse-clast deposits and the importance of their shape
    This presentation gives an overview of the results of a five-year research project on tsunami-induced boulder transport. It stresses the importance...
  • Other resources Effect of competition on dark spot syndrome in Stephanocoenia intersepta
    Corals are frequently in competition with other benthic organisms, as space on the coral reef is highly sought after. With increased coral cover loss...
  • Scientific article Human Pathogen Shown to Cause Disease in the Threatened Elkhorn Coral Acropora palmata
    Abstract: Coral reefs are in severe decline. Infections by the human pathogen Serratia marcescens have contributed to precipitous losses in the...
  • Other resources From Whaling to Tagging: The Evolution of North Atlantic Humpback Whale Research in the West Indies
    North Atlantic humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, migrate from summer feeding grounds across the temperate and high latitudes to breeding...
  • Other resources Protection of High Seas biodiversity in the Antilles, West Africa and Antarctica: inventory of EBSAs and VMEs
    Abstract: To protect deep-sea biodiversity, the United Nations have adopted a number of resolutions that should protect vulnerable marine ecosystems...
  • Other resources Physis VIII - Journal of marine research
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Other resources The effects of Stegastes planifrons gardening on the prevalence of yellow band disease in the Montastrea annularis species complex
    Yellow band disease (YBD) is a bacterial infection affecting corals of the Montastrea annularis species complex. Recent mortality rates of M....
  • Scientific article Green and hawksbill turtles in the Lesser Antilles demonstrate behavioural plasticity in inter-nesting behaviour and post-nesting migration
    Abstract Satellite transmitters were deployed on three green turtles, Chelonia mydas, and two hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, nesting in...
  • Research report Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment
    Summary: We review the conservation status of, and threats to, all 346 species of seabirds, based on BirdLife International’s data and assessments...
  • Research report Cruise report seabird and cetacean survey Saba bank expedition October 2011
    Abstract: In October 2011 an expedition took place to the Saba Bank, on board of the ship the Caribbean Explorer II. Main aim of the expedition was...
  • Scientific article Fish species utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats Distributed Along an Ocean-to-Land Environmental Gradient in a Tropical Mangrove and Seagrass Lagoon
    Abstract The importance of mangrove and seagrass lagoonal habitats as nursery areas for many reef-associated fish species is well established in the...
  • Other resources The effects of ultraviolet radiation on the covering behavior of the sea urchin Tripneustes ventricosus
    Recent studies have indicated that levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are increasing globally as ozone is depleted. Ultraviolet radiation...
  • Research report Assessing effectiveness of the seasonal closure of the Moonfish Bank of the Saba Bank for two species of concern, the Red Hind and the Queen Triggerfish: the first five years
    Summary Based on traditional knowledge of the Saban fishermen, a spawning aggregation area (SPAG) for the Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) and the...
  • Scientific article Important foraging areas of seabirds from Anguilla,Caribbean: Implications for marine spatial planning
    Marine spatial planning(MSP) has become an important tool to balance the needs of commercial,economical and recreational users of the marine...
  • Research report Implementing community urban agriculture in Bonaire: Developing guidelines to set up and design sustainable communal urban agriculture projects in the Caribbeans SIDS with a focus on Bonaire, by using participatory action research
    Abstract Bonaire is a Caribbean Island that is part of the Dutch Kingdom. The island is currently facing serious challenges. One of the defined...
  • Scientific article Fast Detection of Nutrient Limitation in Macroalgae and Seagrass with Nutrient-Induced Fluorescence
    Abstract: Background: Rapid determination of which nutrients limit the primary production of macroalgae and seagrasses is vital for understanding the...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2019
    This volume presents academic papers and personal reflections written by the participants of the UAUCU student research exchange project 2019. These...
  • Research report Student essays on economic values of nature of Bonaire
    To inform decision makers about the most effective strategies to protect the ecosystems of Bonaire, a full-scale valuation of all ecosystem services...
  • Other resources How does water quality correlate with coral disease, bleaching, and macroalgal growth on coastal reefs? A comparative study of various anthropogenic threats on Bonaire, N.A.
    Coral reefs worldwide are currently jeopardized by anthropogenic factors such as land-based pollution, coastal development, and sediment erosion. In...
  • Media New Research Improves on Traditional Reef Survey Techniques
    Researchers from University of Amsterdam and CARMBABI Foundation implemented 3-dimensional reef surveying techniques to improve representation of...
  • Other resources 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Book of abstracts
    Abstracts: TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN: CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES & CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS (Sponsored by CORALINA & GCFI) Kyne,...
  • Research report Assessing effectiveness of the seasonal closure of the Moonfish Bank of the Saba Bank for two species of concern, the Red Hind and the Queen Triggerfish: the first five years
    Based on traditional knowledge of the Saban fishermen, a spawning aggregation area (SPAG) for the Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) and the Queen...
  • Media Ecological Restoration Lac Bay and South Coast, Bonaire
    Lac Bay is the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Dutch Caribbean, offering visitors breathtaking views, white sandy beaches and shallow turquoise...
  • Research report Water quality monitoring Bonaire. Results monitoring November 2011 and recommendations for future research
    Abstract On the island Bonaire, eutrophication is a point of serious concern, affecting the coral reefs in the marine park. Eutrophication can cause...
  • Media The Value of Seagrasses to the Environment and to the People. Summary for Policy Makers
    Summary For Policymakers This global synthesis report highlights the unique range of values provided by seagrasses to people around the world. It...
  • Scientific article Cyanobacterial mats as benthic reservoirs and vectors for coral black band disease pathogens
    Abstract The concurrent rise in the prevalence of conspicuous benthic cyanobacterial mats and the incidence of coral diseases independently markmajor...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2011
    The aims of this Annual Report include the following:  Summarize the activities of the 2011 Sea Turtle Conservation Program.  Review the...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: Concerning Die-off of Long-spined Sea Urchins
    Long-spined sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) play a critical role in maintaining healthy coral reefs.  By grazing on algae, these sea urchins keep...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2012
    The aims of this Annual Report include the following:  Summarize the activities of the 2012 Sea Turtle Conservation Program.  Review the...
  • Other resources Ballast Water Best Management Practices to Reduce the Likelihood of Transporting Pathogens That May Spread Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
    The Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as participants of the Caribbean Coral Reef Partnership, were recently provided...
  • Research report Turtles by the numbers-STCB Year Report 2019
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire’s mission is to ensure that Bonaire’s sea turtles have a secure future, and to connect people to sea turtle...
  • Scientific article Eutrophication threatens Caribbean seagrasses – An example from Curaçao and Bonaire
    Seagrass beds are globally declining due to human activities in coastal areas. We here aimed to identify threats from eutrophication to the valuable...
  • Scientific article Corals Chemically Cue Mutualistic Fishes to Remove Competing Seaweeds
    Corals in the genus Acropora generate much of the structural complexity upon which coral reefs depend, but they are susceptible to damage from toxic...
  • Other resources Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease: Lessons Learned & Resources
    Webinar Florida’s corals reefs have been experiencing devastating effects of a multi-year outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). This...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle, sharks and fish inwater observations by SeaSaba
    Observations by SeaSaba dive instructors which include turtles, sharks, rays, snappers, groupers and marine mammals. Observations are made during...
  • Scientific article New Sea Turtle Nesting Records for the Netherlands Antilles Provide Impetus to Conservation Action
    Until the early 1990s, information on sea turtle nesting in the Netherlands Antilles amounted to little more than a few anecdotal accounts and sea...
  • Research report Sea level rise and its spatial variations
    This report was written at the request of Dirk Jan Sloot (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat, Directoraat-Generaal Water en Bodem). It aims...
  • Scientific article The catastrophic impact of invasive mammalian predators on birds of the UK Overseas Territories: a review and synthesis
    Abstract: The UK has sovereignty over 16 Overseas Territories, which hold some of the world’s great seabird colonies and collectively support more...
  • Research report Seabirds, marine mammals and human activities on the Saba Bank
    During the HNLMS 'TYDEMAN' bathymetric expedition on the Saba Bank, April - May 1996, two observers spent 7 weeks on board and to collect data on the...
  • Scientific article Seagrass beds and mangroves as potential nurseries for the threatened Indo-Pacific humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus and Caribbean rainbow parrotfish, Scarus guacamaia
    The importance of seagrass beds and mangroves as a juvenile habitat as opposed to other shallow water habitat types is investigated using a single...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2009
    This Annual Report includes: • Summarize the activities of the 2009 Sea Turtle Conservation Program. • Review the accomplishments and deficiencies of...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2010
    The aims of this Annual Report include the following: • Summarize the activities of the 2010 Sea Turtle Conservation Program. • Review the...
  • Scientific article First record of a Caribbean green turtle (Chelonia mydas) grazing on invasive seagrass (Halophila stipulacea)
    From Bonaire, we here provide the first documented case of the green turtle feeding on the invasive seagrass, Halophila stipulacea, in the Caribbean...
  • Research report Habitat diversity and biodiversity of the benthic seascapes of St. Eustatius
    Quantitative habitat mapping and description form the basis for understanding the provisioning of ecosystem services and habitat connectivity, and...
  • Scientific article Using participatory action research to operationalize critical systems thinking in social-ecological systems
    We present a research approach that seeks to develop and strengthen participatory action research (PAR) when applied in social-ecological systems (...
  • Other resources Ecosystem profile for the 15 European Overseas entities in the Caribbean region.
    The Caribbean Islands are composed of 30 nations and overseas entities: 12 independent nations, 3 U.S. territories (Puerto-Rico, US Virgin Islands,...
  • Scientific article Evaluation of the Status of the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle After the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
    Coincident with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, unprecedented numbers of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) stranded on northern...
  • Scientific article Climate change and temperature-linked hatchling mortality at a globally important sea turtle nesting site
    The study of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in vertebrates has attracted major scientific interest. Recently, concerns for species...
  • Other resources The impact of competition, predation and disease on fluorescence patterns of RFP and GFP across the surface of scleractinian corals
    Globally, scleractinian coral populations are declining, and to fully understand this decline it is important to study potential coral stressors in-...
  • Scientific article Fish grazing enhanced by nutrient enrichment may limit invasive seagrass expansion
    The success of invasive macrophytes can depend on local nutrient availability and consumer pressure, which may interact. We therefore experimentally...
  • Other resources Summary of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) research undertaken in Anguilla and the implications for current management practices
    Prior to 2014 little research had been conducted on the Anguilla conch fishery aside from indirect data collected by the Department of Fisheries and...
  • Book Saba Bank Research 2011-2016
    This book will let you dive into the underwater worl of the Saba Bank and gives you an introduction to its amazing biodiversity. At the same time you...
  • Research report Biodiversity of the Saba Bank supports status of Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)
    Abstract: This report contains a study regarding the biodiversity of the Saba Bank, one of the three largest atolls in the world. All scientific and...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database: The Future of Data Sharing
    A big obstacle in nature- policy, management and research is to access excising long-term data in an environment that experiences a high turnover in...
  • Media Marine biodiversity research expedition on Bonaire
    An international research team will come to Bonaire from 21 October to 9 November 2019 to investigate its marine biodiversity. Although Bonaire’s...
  • Scientific article Marine Macroalgal Diversity Assessment of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    Background: Located in the Dutch Windward Islands, Saba Bank is a flat-topped seamount (20–45 m deep in the shallower regions). The primary goals of...
  • Media New Research on Mangrove Restoration for Bonaire
    Nederlands below.   Since 2020, the Mangrove Maniacs have planted over 1500 mangroves along the southwest coast of Bonaire. A new collaborative...
  • Media Invasive Seagrass and its effects on Juvenile Queen Conch
    As invasive seagrass continues to expand and replace native species, populations such as the queen conch are seeing significant changes to their...
  • Media Genetic Analysis Finds Link in Coral Diseases
    New research links two known coral diseases, skeletal eroding band and Caribbean ciliate infection, to a single originating pathogen. Studying the...
  • Scientific article Diving behaviour of hawksbill turtles during the inter-nesting interval: Strategies to conserve energy
    Abstract: Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting in Barbados were outfitted with time-depth recorders (TDRs) with temperature sensors...
  • Other resources Physis VII - Journal of marine research
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media Florida Keys Sea Turtle Workshop
    December 2nd – December 4th 2016 Since its inception, the annual Florida Keys Sea Turtle Rehabilitation workshop, in partnership with the Wider...
  • Scientific article A Historical Perspective of the Biology and Conservation of the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
    The history of the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) has presented scientists and conservationists with a variety...
  • Scientific article Seahorse Predation by Octopuses in the Caribbean and the West Pacific
    Abstract: There is much documentation about seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) being threatened by habitat degradation and overfishing, but relatively few...
  • Research report An Assessment of Nesting Seabirds within San Nicolas Bay, Aruba, 2009
    Executive Summary: The eleventh field season of the Aruba Tern Project was completed in 2009. The study continued its stated aim of producing a...
  • Scientific article Marine turtles of the Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles
    Although marine turtles are conspicuous members of the Caribbean fauna, significant gaps remain in our knowledge of their distribution and status...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2014
    The 2014 Sea Turtle nesting season continued in the up and down trend of busy and slow years. It was a year with less than 50 activities per species...
  • Book The seagrass of the world
    Although this paper is primarily meant to be a toxonomic treatment of the marine Angiosperms, some other aspects will be discussed, such as the...
  • Media Genetic Testing to Measure Sea Turtle Conservation Success
    Researchers from University of Groningen recently used genetic testing to identify the geographical birthplaces of green sea turtles foraging within...
  • Book The seagrass of the world
    Although this paper is primarily meant to be a toxonomic treatment of the marine Angiosperms, some other aspects will be discussed, such as the...
  • Scientific article Seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality under the rise of a flagship marine megaherbivore
    Abstract Large grazers (megaherbivores) have a profound impact on ecosystem functioning. However, how ecosystem multifunctionality is affected by...
  • Scientific article Phytomyxid infection in the non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea in St Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Highlights   • First record of phytomyxid infection in H. stipulacea in the Caribbean. • Morphological changes to leaves, roots and internodes in...
  • Scientific article A global compilation of U-series-dated fossil coral sea-level indicators for the Last Interglacial period (Marine Isotope Stage 5e)
    Abstract. This dataset is a comprehensive, global compilation of published uranium–thorium (U-series) dated fossil coral records from ∼ 150 000–110...
  • Scientific article Effects of Future Sea Level Rise on Coastal Habitat
    Sea level rise (SLR) and disturbances from increased storm activity are expected to diminish coastal ecosystems available to nesting species by...
  • Media Rodent Control Implemented to Help Save Tropicbirds on Statia
    Black rats (Rattus rattus) probably arrived on St. Eustatius along with the first Europeans. While a nuisance for the human population, their...
  • Scientific article Expansion and fragment settlement of the non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea in a Caribbean bay
    The non-native seagrass species Halophila stipulacea has spread throughout the Eastern Caribbean since 2002, and could potentially impact the...
  • Scientific article Biofouling of inlet pipes affects water quality in running seawater aquaria and compromises sponge cell proliferation
    Marine organism are often kept, cultured, and experimented on in running seawater aquaria. However, surprisingly little attention is given to the...
  • Other resources Comparison of growth of the reef fish species Haemulon flavolineatum (French grunt) between seagrass beds, mangroves and the coral reef, as a test for the nursery hypothesis
    Juvenile French grunts (Haemulon flavolineatum) were caught, measured in length and weight and introduced in cages for 6 to 8 weeks to grow in their...
  • Scientific article Distribution, feeding habits and morphology of killer whales Orcinus orca in the Caribbean Sea
    Abstract: 1. Killer whales Orcinus orca are found in all oceans of the world, but most of our knowledge on the species comes from studies conducted...
  • Scientific article Green and hawksbill turtle abundance and population dynamics at foraging grounds in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Green turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata are neg- atively impacted by natural and anthropogenic disturbances....
  • Other resources Population demographic of Pomacanthus paru (French angelfish) in comparison to seafloor rugosity
    Species conservation is becoming an important aspect in marine environments. Climate change and anthropogenic interactions have had a direct impact...
  • Research report An assessment of sand quality and potential impacts on corals at the Chogogo Dive and Beach Resort artificial beach
    Summary The Government of Bonaire has requested Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) to research the composition of the sand used to construct the...
  • Media Ground-breaking Shark Research Conducted in St. Maarten Waters
    During the week of April 11, 2021, members from the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), the Saba Conservation...
  • Scientific article Controls of Caribbean surface hydrology during the mid- to late Holocene: insights from monthly resolved coral records
    Several proxy-based and modeling studies have investigated long-term changes in Caribbean climate during the Holocene, however, very little is known...
  • Other resources Multi-destination trips of which St. Eustatius is part of: a network perspective
    St. Eustatius, also known as Statia, is situated in the North-Eastern Caribbean. The islands located nearest to St. Eustatius are Saba, St. Maarten...
  • Research report Functional Valuation of Ecosystem Services on Bonaire
    Abstract: My thesis research builds on the ‘movement’ to value nature. This movement as I call it started as early as 1970 with a theory to quantify...
  • Research report Depth matters: (anti) microbial diversity of marine sponges
    https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/depth-matters-anti-microbial-div...   Abstract This thesis aims to investigate the impact of depth on...
  • Scientific article Population stock structure of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the Atlantic revealed using mtDNA and microsatellite markers
    Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive genetic analysis of stock structure for leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), combining 17...
  • Media Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire: A Year in Review
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) recently published their 2019 annual report. Last year marked an important year as new research provided...
  • Media Seagrass: Vital for a Healthy Environment and Economy
    Recently the World Seagrass Association with the help of GRID-Arendal, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and UNEP World Conservation and...
  • Other resources Sea Turtle Identification Card
    This identification card will aid you in the identification of all seven sea turtle species in the world. It shows you exactly where the differences...
  • Research report Seagrass as bioindicator for eutrophication and pollution in the coastal bays of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    MSc thesis The economy of Bonaire is highly dependent on tourism. Tourists are drawn to Bonaire because of the beautiful nature and biodiversity in...
  • Scientific article Morphological and molecular taxonomy of calcareous sponges (Porifera: Calcarea) from Curaçao, Caribbean Sea
    Despite the acknowledged high diversity of sponges in the Caribbean Sea, calcareous sponges from this region have been poorly studied. In order to...
  • Other resources Preliminary list of fishes from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute expedition to Curaçao with comparison to previously formulated lists
    In 2005, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute sponsored a collecting trip to Curaçao and Klien Curaçao , as part of a grant to Ross Robertson...
  • Scientific article Tailoring participatory action research to deal with the latent problem of an invasive alien vine on Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract Participatory action research (PAR) is an approach for fully co-creating research into environmental problems with the public. We argue this...
  • Research report Workshop report: St. Maarten Nature Foundation Training and Sea Turtle Assessment
  • Scientific article Interaction of Physical and Biological Factors in the Large-Scale Distribution of Juvenile Queen Conch in Seagrass Meadows
    Large-scale distribution of a large, commercially significant gastropod, Strombus gigas (queen conch), was investigated in a II ,OOO-haregion of the...
  • Raw data Raw data of seagrass observations
    Raw data of seagras monitoring on Lac, Bonaire.  At 49 locations 6 square meter quadrants are investigated. The coverage per seagrass species is...
  • Scientific article A quantitative study of the seagrass and algal meadows of the Spaanse Water, Curaçao, the Netherlands Antilles
    The Spaanse Water is a relatively turbid, 3.19 km2 inland bay of virtually oceanic salinities and contains the largest seagrass, algal and mangrove...
  • Scientific article Growth patterns and demography of pioneer Caribbean seagrasses Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme
    The shoot demography and rhizome growth of Syringodium filiforme Kutz. and Halodule wrightii Aschers. were studied, based on plant dating techniques...
  • Scientific article Vegetative morphology and meristem dependency the foundation of productivity in seagrasses
    Shoot organization in seagrasses varies from the unspecialized condition of Enhalus and Posidonia to the highly differentiated shoot systems of...
  • Scientific article Loss of coral reef growth capacity to track future increases in sea level
    Sea-level rise (SLR) is predicted to elevate water depths above coral reefs and to increase coastal wave exposure as ecological degradation limits...
  • Research report Max Restoration of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, to Caribbean coral reefs
    Coral reefs are among the most valuable and threatened ecosystems on Earth. Lower species diversity, and subsequently reduced resilience, make...
  • Other resources Brain coral bleaching and disease effects on goby population dynamics in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Certain goby species, including the Peppermint Goby (Coryphopterus lipemes), Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae), Glass Goby (Coryphopterus hyalinus...
  • Research report Impacts of Climate Change on Public Health on Bonaire
    Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here.   Summary Climate change is the biggest “global...
  • Other resources The distribution of black band disease on Bonaire corals in relation to environmental factors
    In the 1970s, black band disease (BBD) emerged as a mass coral killer and caught the attention of scientists. Although BBD has been studied for more...
  • Research report Introduced agricultural pests, plant and animals diseases and vectors in the Dutch Caribbean, with an “Alert species” list
    A review of the introduced agricultural pests and animal and plant diseases and vectors for the Dutch Caribbean in which a total of 47 exotic pests,...
  • Research report A Report on the Status of the Coral Reefs of Bonaire in 2005 with Advice on a Monitoring Program
    This report characterizes the state of Bonaire’s reefs as of March 2005. We pay particular attention to structural and functional attributes of reefs...
  • Scientific article Genetic diversity of free-living Symbiodinium in the Caribbean: the importance of habitats and seasons
    Although reef corals are dependent of the di- noflagellate Symbiodinium, the large majority of corals spawn gametes that do not contain their vital...
  • Media New Insight for Protecting the Future of Queen Conch
    A new survey technique provides insight into Queen Conch populations off the islands of Anguilla, St. Eustatius and within the Saba Bank. This...
  • Other resources Proceedings of the 2013 AAUS/ESDP Curaçao Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium, October 24-27, 2013
    The American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium in...
  • Scientific article Development of a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Stock Assessment Model
    We developed a Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) stock assessment model to evaluate the relative contributions of conservation efforts and other...
  • Media New Species of Cone Snail Discovered on Aruba
    Nederlands and Papiamento below. Researchers from the Florida Atlantic University and University of California recently discovered a new species of...
  • Other resources Increasing coral cover and decreasing coral species diversity with decreasing light availability at depth: a study of the future effects of sea level rise on fringing reef ecosystems
    Global climate change is having widespread effects on the world’s oceans. Particularly vulnerable to changing global conditions are coral reefs,...
  • Scientific article Variability in size at maturity and reproductive season of queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in the Wider Caribbean Region
    Queen conch (Lobatus gigas), is an economically and culturally important marine gastropod. The species is subject to extensive exploitation...
  • Other resources Bonaire national marine park management plan 2006
    The Bonaire National Marine Park was first established in 1979. It surrounds the island of Bonaire and includes the satellite island and the waters...
  • Research report The Hydrogeology of Curaçao: an electrical resistivity study
    Abstract Worldwide, coral reef health is declining rapidly due to both global stressors (climate change) and local stressors (pollution). Reef...
  • Media Unraveling the Mysteries of the Saba Bank: DCNA Tiger Shark Expedition 2021
    July 31st – August 7th, 2021 – For the first time on the Saba Bank, an expedition team was able to successfully assess the shark diversity by...
  • Media Designing the optimal artificial reef
    A new study compared the effectiveness of three popular artificial reefs to increase fish densities around Saba and St Eustatius. The researchers...
  • Media Research Expedition for Lesser Antillean Sperm Whales
    The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) are proud to support Caribbean Cetacean Society’s (CCS...
  • Media Sargassum Fertilizer Transfers Heavy Metals to Vegetables
    Nederlands below.   A joint experiment between WWF-Mexico and STINAPA Bonaire found that vegetables grown in soil enriched with sargassum had higher...
  • Media How to Respond to a Sargassum Influx
    In May 2018 the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) launched a new infographic guide for the tourism sector on to how to respond to the...
  • Scientific article Biogeographic patterns in major marine realms: function not taxonomy unites fish assemblages in reef, seagrass and mangrove systems
    We examine the effects of different biogeographic histories on assemblage composition in three major marine habitats in two biogeographically...
  • Scientific article Multiple purple spots in the Caribbean sea fan Gorgonia ventalina caused by parasitic copepods at St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Symbiotic Copepoda comprise a widespread, diverse, and abundant ecological group of small crustaceans associat- ed with various invertebrates,...
  • Media Sea and Learn: An innovative Approach to Raising Environmental Awareness
    This past October marked the 13th consecutive month-long Sea and Learn event on Saba. This award- winning event, organized each October since 2003 by...
  • Media Researchers discover that the three known flamingo tongue snail species are in fact just one species
    Two researchers at Naturalis and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Bastian Reijnen and Sancia van der Meij, recently carried out research...
  • Other resources Stoney Coral Tissue Loss Disease Management Letter for the Dutch Caribbean
    DCNA's Management Letter Purpose   • Provide background information on Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) outbreaks and current status within...
  • Media Assisted natural recovery of sea urchin populations around Saba and St. Eustatius
    Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem by grazing away algae and creating bare substrate for coral...
  • Media Importance of Seagrass and Macroalgae in the Protection of Coastlines
    Researchers from the Netherlands and Mexico studied three bays on Saint Martin to illustrate the ability of seagrass and algae fields to withstand...
  • Other resources Physis X - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Maps and Charts Sea grass area map of Saba
    Sea grass areas of Saba (GIS).
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Research Institutes
    News items on: Research Station CARMABI Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) CIEE Research Station Bonaire   These news articles were...
  • Media BioNews 20 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources Importance of seagrass & mangroves
    Jr Ranger presentation about the importance of mangroves and seagrasses.
  • Media Bionews Diadema Special Edition: How you can help
      Help Protect Sea urchins Help us track sea urchin health in the Caribbean by adding your observations of healthy, sick or dead urchins. These...
  • Raw data Raw photo and video material of the seabed of the Sababank
    Raw underwater towed video transects of the seabed of the Sababank. Originally made to estimate the queen conch densities these video's depict many...
  • Scientific article Tailoring participatory action research to deal with the latent problem of an invasive alien vine on Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
    Participatory action research (PAR) is an approach for fully co-creating research into environmental problems with the public. We argue this is...
  • Media Get to Know Bonaire’s Seaweeds
    The 2019 Naturalis Biodiversity Center and ANEMOON Foundation expeditions worked, among other things, to catalog the wide variety of seaweeds off the...
  • Scientific article A new species of Trapania Pruvot-Fol, 1931 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia) from the Caribbean Sea with an analysis of its phylogenetic relationships
    Trapania bonellenae , a new species from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles belonging to the nudibranch family Goniodorididae, is characterized by having...
  • Scientific article Diversity of drift macroalgae in Aruba, Netherland Antilles, Caribbean Sea, including the rarely reported deep-water species Dasya puertoricensis and Cottoniella filamentosa (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta)
    Abstract: Drifting and wrack seaweeds may originate from the detachment of natural populations and transport by currents until reaching the coast....
  • Scientific article Novel shaker bottle cultivation method for the long spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum; Philippi, 1845) results in high larval survival and settlement rates
    A B S T R A C T The long spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum was an abundant grazer on Caribbean coral reefs, until 1983–1984, when densities were...
  • Research report Manual of Best Practices for Safeguarding Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
  • Research report Activity Report on the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Sea Turtle Satellite Tracking Project 2006
  • Scientific article Increased recruitment rates indicate recovering populations of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum on Curaçao
    Abstract: Recruitment of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum philippi, 1845 was studied on artificial recruitment panels along the leeward coast of the...
  • Scientific article Patterns of distribution and drivers of change in shallow seagrass and algal assemblages of a non-estuarine Southern Caribbean mangrove lagoon
    Shallow marine macrophyte communities serve key roles in the tropical coastal ecosystem but are undergoing large and rapid deterioration worldwide,...
  • Research report Results of Survey Lac Bay, Bonaire for Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) and Seagrass characterization in 2007
    Abstract: In 1999 a survey was carried out (Lott, 2000) to estimate the conch population and determine the status of the seagrass beds in Lac Bay,...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2006
  • Scientific article Densities of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum before and after mass mortalities on the coral reefs of Curacao
    The sea urchin Diadema antillarum commonly occurs on Caribbean reefs in densities sufficiently high to influence characteristics such as community...
  • Research report Nature Foundation Marine Park, Reef & Marine Research Assessments Post Hurricane Irma
    On the 6th of September powerful category five storm Hurricane Irma struck Sint Maarten with 185 MPH winds, causing widespread damage to the island...
  • Research report Sustainable Finance in EU Overseas Territories
    The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) and Wolfs Company have composed this report in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservation...
  • Scientific article Dissolution of a submarine carbonate platform by a submerged lake of acidic seawater
    Abstract. Submarine sinkholes are found on carbonate platforms around the world. They are thought to form and grow when 15 groundwater interactions...
  • Other resources Mapping runoff and erosion to reduce urban flooding and sediment flow towards sea. A case study for the Playa catchment, Bonaire
    Past deforestation, overgrazing and urbanization have led to an increase in surface runoff and erosion in the Playa catchment, Bonaire. Together with...
  • Media Parental Behavior Linked to Declining Nest Success
    New Red-billed Tropicbird data suggested declining nest survival rates may be more related to parental behavior than previously thought. A researcher...
  • Scientific article Making Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance Work: New Opportunities From the SDG Perspectives
    Surveillance of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) exemplifies a One Health approach, which entails coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary, and...
  • Research report Ecological values of the 12 miles zone of Bonaire
    In 2015 an Expert group assessed the ten Dutch World Heritage candidate sites and advised the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science with regards...
  • Research report Ocean Current Patterns and variability around Curaçao for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
    Msc. thesis Large-scale changes in ocean conditions caused by installing and operating Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) have not been studied...
  • Scientific article Visual-Acoustic Survey of Cetaceans during a Seismic Study in the South- east Caribbean Sea, April–June 2004
    Abstract Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s monitoring and mitigation program during an academic seismic study in April–June 2004 was the largest...
  • Research report Key Elements Towards a Joint Invasive Alien Species Strategy for the Dutch Caribbean
    Summary: Recent inventories have documented no less than 211 exotic alien species in the wild for the Dutch Caribbean. These amount to no less than...
  • Scientific article Seascape continuity plays an important role in determining patterns of spatial genetic structure in a coral reef fish
    Detecting patterns of spatial genetic structure (SGS) can help identify intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to gene flow within metapopulations. For...
  • Media Reef Sharks Move to Deeper Water as They Mature
    A new study from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) showed that reef sharks utilize different areas of the reef throughout their lifetime....
  • Research report Baseline surveys of Lac Bay benthic and fish communities, Bonaire
    Findings: The main conclusion of this study is that the shallow, warm and saline back-water habitat which is continuing to increase in importance...
  • Other resources Discovering in-depth tourist behaviour and demand using social media data in Bonaire island
    Tourism has not only brought an economic fortune to Bonaire island but also has a detrimental effect on its natural ecosystem. Studying tourist...
  • Media Comparative Study on Artificial Reefs of the Caribbean
    University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein and Wageningen University and Research recently conducted a comparative study of artificial reefs...
  • Media New Technique to Enrich Genetic Diversity of Elkhorn Corals
    Using cryopreserved reproductive cells of elkhorn corals, researchers have crossbreed individuals from Florida and Puerto Rico with those of Curaçao...
  • Other resources Testing the usefulness of RTD within the ADM approach in a local design case: Sustainable tourism development in Lower Town, Sint Eustatius (Statia)
    Research-through-designing (RTD) is a method used in the landscape architectural discipline, where designing is used as a research method. Adaptive...
  • Media Citizen Scientists Needed to Identify Local Manta and Devil Rays
    DCNA is partnering with the Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program, an affiliate project of the Manta Trust, and Observation.org to track local...
  • Research report Baseline survey of anthropogenic pressures for the Lac Bay ecosystem, Bonaire
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that the combined levels of anthropogenic impact on the bay currently exceed sustainable levels. Lac...
  • Research report Radar Surveys for Audubon’s Shearwater on Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri), known locally as Wedrego on Saba and St. Eustatius, is a medium-sized seabird species that feeds at sea...
  • Media Bionews Diadema Special Edition: Restoration Effects
    The Diadema RAAK Project is a collaborative effort between University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein, Wageningen Marine Research and...
  • Scientific article Western Antarctic Peninsula physical oceanography and spatio–temporal variability
    This study focuses on 12 years of physical oceanography data, collected during the Palmer, Antarctica, Long-Term Ecological Research program (PAL...
  • Media Bonairian households not resilient to climate change vulnerabilities and action is highly needed
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below.   Last May, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)‘s research intern Nina Zander requested via (social) media...
  • Research report Assessing the impact of Antigonon Leptopus on Saba and St. Eustatius
    The spread of invasive species globally has had acknowledged impacts on species extinction, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gauging the type and...
  • Scientific article The complete mitochondrial genome of Costapex baldwinae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Turbinelloidea: Costellariidae) from the Caribbean Deep-Sea
    We report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Costapex baldwinae, a Caribbean representative of a predominantly Indo-Pacific genus of...
  • Scientific article Presence of the invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans, on the coast of Venezuela, southeastern Caribbean Sea
    We report the presence of the invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in 23 localities of the Venezuelan coast, southeastern Caribbean...
  • Maps and Charts Bathymetry map of the seas surrounding Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
    Bathymetry (underwater depth) map for the seas surrounding Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (GIS).
  • Other resources Tides in the Last Interglacial: insights from notch geometry and palaeo tidal models in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles
    The study of past sea levels relies largely on the interpretation of sea-level indicators. Palaeo tidal notches are considered as one of the most...
  • Media Conservation Efforts Continued: New Vegetation on Te Amo Beach
    In the beginning of January, as part of the Ecological Restoration of Lac and the South of Bonaire, 50 green buttonwood trees (a native species of...
  • Other resources Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 4
    This is the last part of the Marine Scientific Assessment  The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs document. For part 1 click here, for part 2 here &...
  • Other resources Seabird nesting on Curaçao and Bonaire, 2002.
    The islands of the Leeward Dutch Antilles lie next tp each other off the north coast of Venezuela...
  • Media BioNews 7 - August 2013
    This month’s issue focuses attention on three successful conservation efforts of local NGOs, which are using monitoring to guide their field-based...
  • Other resources Discovery of a new micro-pagurid fauna (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae) in the Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea
    Six new monotypic genera and eight new species of hermit crabs of the family Paguridae Latreille, 1802 are fully described based on specimens...
  • Scientific article Sovereign states in the Caribbean have lower social-ecological vulnerability to coral bleaching than overseas territories
    Coral reef social-ecological systems worldwide face major impacts from cli- mate change, and spatial variation in vulnerability is driven by...
  • Research report Saliña Goto and reduced flamingo abundance since 2010 - Ecological and ecotoxicological research
    Abstract: In 2010 a petrochemical fire took place at the BOPEC oil terminals on Bonaire. These facilities are located on the shores of the Goto lake...
  • Other resources A Caribbean wide disease affecting ocean surgeon fish (Acanthurus bahianus),
    Results presented at association of Marine Laboratories Scientific Meeting, Merida Mexico, May 2017. 
  • Scientific article The Status of Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, Research in the Caribbean
    An important scientific workshop on queen conch was held in Caracas, Ven­ ezuela, in July 1991. This workshop and the proceedings that emerged from...
  • Other resources Nomads in the Caribbean
    Dr. Christianen is a postdoc in a project run jointly by Wageningen Marine Research (formerly IMARES), the Marine Animal Ecology group at Wageningen...
  • Scientific article Patrimoine marin caribéen et perspectives écotouristiques : vers un développement durable des petites îles?
    The Caribbean Sea is home to a diversity of coastal habitats that support the installation of three rich and complex ecosystems - coral reefs,...
  • Research report Saliña Goto and reduced flamingo abundance since 2010 Ecological and ecotoxicological research
    In 2010 a petrochemical fire took place at the BOPEC oil terminals on Bonaire. These facilities are located on the shores of the Goto lake, a legally...
  • Other resources Identification cards for common algae on Bonaire
    Macroalgae on Bonaire Macroalgae are large algae, also called seaweeds, that are typically divided in three major groups: red macroalgae (Rhodophyta...
  • Maps and Charts Bathymetry map of the seas surrounding St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten
    Bathymetry (underwater depth) map for the seas surrounding St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten (GIS).
  • Research report Breeding success survey of White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaeton lepturus catsbyii, on the islands of Bermuda - 2006 to 2008 Nesting Seasons
  • Media BioNews 14 - February 2014
    This month’s issue focuses on marine monitoring. The results of the 2013 lobster fisheries monitoring project on the Saba Bank are in and on Curaçao...
  • Scientific article A new Liopropoma sea bass (Serranidae, Epinephelinae, Liopropomini) from deep reefs off Curaçao, southern Caribbean, with comments on depth distributions of western Atlantic liopropomins
    Abstract Collecting reef-fish specimens using a manned submersible diving to 300 m off Curaçao, southern Caribbean, is resulting in the discovery of...
  • Scientific article First visual record of a living basking shark Cetorhinus maximus in the Caribbean Sea
    The occurrence of basking sharks in the Caribbean Sea is only recently documented by satellite tagging studies, which show that some individuals...
  • Media Sea Turtle Convention, Mexico
    The Inter-American Sea Turtle Convention (IAC) convened its seventh Conference of Parties (COP 7) in Mexico City in June this year. Two resolutions...
  • Media Post-breeding migration routes of marine turtles from Bonaire and Klein Bonaire
    News items on: Becking, L.E.; Christianen, M.J.A.; Nava, M.I.; Miller, N.; Willis, S.; van Dam, R.P. (2016) Post-breeding migration routes of marine...
  • Media BioNews 17-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Feeding Behavior of Coralliophila sp. on Corals Affected by Caribbean Ciliate Infection (CCI): A New Possible Vector?
    Abstract: Coral reefs in the Caribbean are known to be affected by many coral diseases, yet the ecology and etiology of most diseases remain...
  • Research report Lac – Implementation of long term monitoring and research plan –
    This report of the not-for-profit organization Progressive Environmental Solutions is the first in a series of reports that will be published over...
  • Scientific article Evolutionary trends in the seagrass Halophila (Thouars): Insights from molecular phylogeny
    Relationships among members of the seagrass genus Halophila (Hydrocharitaceae) were investigated using phylogenetic analysis of the internal...
  • Media Climate change impacts on sea turtle nesting within the Dutch Caribbean
    The effect of climate change on fragile populations of endemic and endangered species has become a topic of special concern, with one creature that...
  • Scientific article Geological reconnaissance survey of Saba Bank, Caribbean Sea
    Findings The main conclusion from this study is that the Saba Bank has little modern material/ sediment deposited in relation to present sea level....
  • Scientific article Marine debris in mangroves and on the seabed: Largely-neglected litter problems
    While the scarcity of up-to-date data on beach litter contamination in the Caribbean has been stressed in several recent studies, we here point to...
  • Media Mangroves and seagrass beds as nurseries
    News article on: Hylkema, A., W. Vogelaar, H.W.G. Meesters, I. Nagelkerken, A.O. Debrot (2014) Fish Species Utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats...
  • Scientific article Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten
    The Dutch Windward Islands (St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten) support a collective herpetofauna consisting of two frogs (both introduced), six...
  • Research report Local scale hydrodynamics and oxygen fluctuations near coral reefs
    Summary Coral reefs are a vital part of Curaçao’s economy, providing revenue from ecotourism and fisheries, as well as providing shoreline protection...
  • Other resources Vibrio communities associated with the azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea coccinea as compared to zooxanthellate shallow sea corals
    A coral is made up of key associations between endosymbiotic zooxanthellae, protists, bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. These microbe-coral...
  • Other resources An analysis of abundance, ecology and life history of the lettuce sea slug Elysia crispata on the island of Bonaire
    With the exception of Elysia crispata, shell-less Sacoglossa species (Order: Mollusca), have been widely studied. Within the Caribbean, these small...
  • Other resources Infection frequency and species identification of the black spot causing parasite found commonly on ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus tractus) in Bonaire
    Diseases, pathogens, and parasites in marine ecosystems are difficult to research and understand. Tracking the health of ecosystems, such as tropical...
  • Other resources Cruise report RV Pelagia 64PE414 Saba Bank
    This research expedition is part of the project “Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems”, funded within NWO’s Caribbean Research Program. This project...
  • Other resources Physis XII - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Other resources Causative agent for dark spots in ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus tractus)
    Coral reef ecosystems provide a number of important ecological services, such as nurseries and protection from storms. This makes their health of...
  • Scientific article Morpho-molecular traits of Indo-Pacific and Caribbean Halofolliculina ciliate infections
    Coral diseases are emerging as a major threat to coral reefs worldwide, and although many of them have been described, knowledge on their...
  • Research report Bird communities of contrasting semi-natural habitats of Lac Bay, Bonaire, during the fall migration season, 2011
    Findings: Species richness Species richness is highest in Lac’s mangrove thickets and salt flats. They have a two-fold higher total species richness...
  • Other resources Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 1
    This is the first part of the Marine Scientific Assessment  The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs document. For part 2 click here, for part 3 here ...
  • Other resources Physis XI - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media Bionews Diadema Special Edition - Background and Current State
    As previously mentioned, a new wave of long-spiced sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) die-offs are happening throughout the Caribbean, including...
  • Research report Cultural Ecosystem Service (CES) for Local Community in Aruba
    This research is based on the TEEB framework- The Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity.TEEB is a branch in United Nations Environment...
  • Media 40-year study: Changes on the Coral Reefs of Bonaire and Curaçao
    Although it’s now becoming widely accepted that coral reefs are degrading quickly on a global scale, there have been very few long-term studies where...
  • Research report Quick scan environmental impact assessment of the St. Eustatius harbour extension
    At St. Eustatius a project has started for the improvement and expansion of the Seaport St. Eustatius. The planned activities related to the project...
  • Other resources Institutional dimension of flood risk: Understanding institutional complexity in Flood Risk Management for the case of St Maarten
    As extreme weather events increase both in frequency and magnitude (IPCC, 2012, 2014), and considering that over 60% of the world population lives in...
  • Media Blue Marine Foundation launches new partnership with Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
    Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   Ocean charity makes initial grant of $90,000 to marine parks on six Dutch Caribbean islands. Award will...
  • Scientific article A review of bottom-up vs. top-down control of sponges on Caribbean fore-reefs: what’s old, what’s new, and future directions
    Interest in the ecology of sponges on coral reefs has grown in recent years with mounting evidence that sponges are becoming dominant members of reef...
  • Media Sunscreen Awareness Bonaire- Moving towards a oxybenzone free island
    Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and Boneiru Duradero (BD) supported by World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL)organised a Sunscreen...
  • Media Environmental DNA FOR Lionfish Mapping
    When a new species is introduced to a foreign environment, it can upset the natural balance.  One such example, was the introduction of the Pacific...
  • Raw data Household resilience to climate change vulnerabilities -a case study of Bonaire - RAW DATA SET
    Abstract Small Islands (SIs) often have a small capacity to resist or recover from the increasing impacts of climate change and, therefore,...
  • Research report Household resilience to climate change vulnerabilities -a case study of Bonaire
    Abstract Small Islands (SIs) often have a small capacity to resist or recover from the increasing impacts of climate change and, therefore,...
  • Media Keys to Building Resilience in the Dutch Caribbean
    Dutch below Two new position papers presented to the Dutch Parliament, by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and Wageningen University and Research...
  • Scientific article Saving Saba Bank: Policy Implications of Biodiversity Studies
    Abstract: This paper provides a context for the results of recent biodiversity surveys of Saba Bank. Recent biological surveys of corals, fishes, and...
  • Media 2022 promises new nature parks on Curaçao
    The Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) recently highlighted some big changes and impressive achievements for Curaçao during...
  • Media New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017
    The island of Bonaire has achieved worldwide recognition for its rich and diverse marine life, but the island is rapidly gaining momentum as a...
  • Other resources NIOZ-Saba Bank/Saba Cruise report: Net coral community calcification and hydrodynamics (Saba Bank/Saba)
    Cruise Background Many islands in the Caribbean sea are fringed by coral reefs and/or coral veneers, which produce CaCO3 for their skeletons. Not...
  • Research report World Heritage and Tourism: the Case of Curacao How to combine local and global interests
    Objectives: This paper examines the relationship between World Heritage and Tourism on Curacao focusing on the interests involved on a local and...
  • Other resources Dust on Bonaire
    Student Report Introduction  The main goal of this research report is to shed light on the problems surrounding dust on Bonaire, and to give...
  • Media Environmental DNA reveals tropical shark diversity in contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact
    Increased and targeted fishing pressure has led to the collapse of shark populations around the world. According to worldwide estimates, a staggering...
  • Media Expedition on the Saba Bank to Enhance Tiger Shark Protection
    Starting August 1, 2021 a team of researchers will spend a week on the Saba Bank investigating the life-cycle of tiger sharks. Researchers will...
  • Media Presentations, Workshops and Excursions Provide New Nature Conservation Drive in Participants
    During the 2019 edition of the DCNA convention held on Bonaire end of October, biologists from the region met to thoroughly discuss coral restoration...
  • Research report Preliminary inventory of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire
    Abstract: A preliminary inventory is given of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire in order to determine their occurrence in relation to areas...
  • Media Ants of the Dutch Caribbean
    Between 2015 and 2020, researchers from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center updated the local ant species lists for the Dutch Caribbean. A large number...
  • Research report The potential Outstanding Universal Value and natural heritage values of Bonaire National Marine Park: an ecological perspective
    The Southern Caribbean forms a separate biogeographic province for marine mollusks and marine fish faunas. The terrestrial desert and xeric...
  • Research report How channel dimensions relate to the erosivity of tidal flows in mangrove channels in Lac Bay, Bonaire. BSc thesis
    Almost the entire shoreline of Bonaire belongs to the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP), from the high water line to 60m depth. The marine park...
  • Research report Lac Bay: Then and Now… A Historical Interpretation of Environmental Change During the 1900s A Site Characterization of Lac Bay for Resource Managers and Naturalists prepared for Bonaire Marine Park
    Executive Summary This Site Characterization report provides a comprehensive coverage of past and present scientific research that had been conducted...
  • Media Is there a future for artificial reefs?
    Manmade structures such as seawalls, breakwaters, and jetties are increasing in frequency in marine coastal environments. Overtime, these structures...
  • Other resources Human leptospirosis: guidance for diagnosis, surveillance and control
    Why were these guidelines written? Leptospirosis is a worldwide public health problem. In humid tropical and subtropical areas, where most developing...
  • Media First mosquito survey for the ABC islands in nearly 75 years
    Dutch and Papiamentu below Kralendijk, Bonaire – 10th of November – In 2018 , Naturalis Biodiversity Center conducted the first mosquito survey for...
  • Media New beetles discovered in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands below   Two recently published studies document 35 new beetle species for the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius.  Even with these latest...
  • Media Unexpected high number of endemics for the windward Dutch Caribbean Islands
    In light of the mounting impact of humans on our planet, there is an urgent need to assess the status of all current living species so as to ensure...
  • Research report Brown Tides: Assessing the Past, Present, & Future State of Sargassum in Aruba Through a Mixed Methods Approach
    ABSTRACT: In the last decade, Caribbean shores have been inundated with a floating seaweed known as Sargassum. In large amounts, Sargassum threatens...
  • Media BioNews 55 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 55 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 6 - June/July 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on the development of the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, which addresses one of the biggest gaps for nature...
  • Media BioNews 9 - October 2013
    This month’s issue focuses attention on a very important species group – butterflies. Due to their sensitivity to environmental conditions,...
  • Other resources Research Note: Fish Records from the Saba Bank Commercial Fishery
    Recent investigations of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles, have sought to develop inventories of marine biodiversity from this large, submerged coral...
  • Media BioNews 13-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Caribbean Sea Soundscapes: Monitoring Humpback Whales, Biological Sounds, Geological Events, and Anthropogenic Impacts of Vessel Noise
     Assessing marine soundscapes provides an understanding of the biological, geological and anthropogenic composition of a habitat, including species...
  • Scientific article Some rarely reported deep-water macroalgal species from Bonaire, Caribbean Sea, including Verdigellas discoidea sp. nov. (Palmophyllaceae, Chlorophyta) based on submersible collections
    Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing...
  • Media BioNews 31 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources PowerPoint Turtles group 6 (9 year olds) Dutch
  • Scientific article Linking public participation in scientific research to the indicators and needs of international environmental agreements
    Abstract: Different monitoring approaches collect data that can measure progress toward achieving global environmental indicators. These indicators...
  • Other resources PowerPoint Turtles group 6 (9 year olds) Papiamentu
  • Other resources Shark abundance on the deep island slopes of the Dutch Caribbean ABC - islands: A potential conservation and research opportunity
    Large marine apex predators have become exceedlingly rare in shallow neritic waters around most Caribbean islands, including the ABC-island (Aruba,...
  • Media BioNews 59
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources Integrating economic, environmental and social issues in an evaluation of Saba Marine Park, N.A., Caribbean Sea
  • Research report Fresh water and sediment dynamics in the catchment of Lac at Bonaire.
    Deterioration of mangrove forests is occurring globally. The loss of mangrove habitats causes a decline in fishery resources, livelihood and...
  • Scientific article Some rarely reported deep-water macroalgal species from Bonaire, Caribbean Sea, including Verdigellas discoidea sp. nov. (Palmophyllaceae, Chlorophyta) based on submersible collections
    Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing...
  • Other resources PhD Research Proposals
    Proposal 1: Study #1: Evolution of Anolis in response to xeric-mesic gradients Questions: (I) Are xeric and mesic populations of A. gingivinus and A...
  • Media BioNews 51 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 51 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 44 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 44 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Scientific article Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire
    Curaçao and Bonaire form part of the Netherlands Antilles, while Aruba has a “status aparte” within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All three islands...
  • Scientific article A call to action for climate change research on Caribbean dry forests
    Tropical dry forest (TDF) is globally one of the most threatened forest types. In the insular Caribbean, limited land area and high population...
  • Media BioNews 54 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 54 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Research report Aerial surveys of marine mammals and other fauna around Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, November 2013
    Summary: In November 2013 aerial surveys were conducted for the first time in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire to evaluate...
  • Media Have you recently seen -or not seen- long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum on Caribbean reefs?
    The early 80’s die-off of Diadema antillarum and the subsequent reef degradation is by now a well-discussed and studied topic throughout the...
  • Research report The genus Ramicrusta (Peyssonneliales, Rhodophyta) in the Caribbean Sea, including Ramicrusta bonairensis sp. nov. and Ramicrusta monensis sp. nov.
    Two new species of Ramicrusta (Peysson- neliaceae, Rhodophyta), Ramicrusta bonairensis from Bonaire, The Netherlands Antilles and Puerto Rico and...
  • Scientific article New Species of Pleurotomariidae, Volutidae, and Conidae from the Caribbean Sea and Namibia, Southwestern Africa
    In preparation for a forthcoming monographic work on marine molluscan biogeography at the worldwide level, five new biogeographical index species are...
  • Media BioNews 25-Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources BioNews 42 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 42 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Portal SeaLifeBase
    The long-term goal of this project is to create and maintain a FishBase-like information system for all aquatic living organisms (marine and...
  • Scientific article Recent brachiopoda from the Snellius and Luymes Expeditions to the Surinam-Guyana Shelf, Bonaire-Curacao, and Saba Bank, Caribbean Sea, 1966 and 1969-1972
    Recent brachiopods collected by the Snellius and Luymes expeditions to the Surinam-Guyana shelf, Bonaire-Curacao region and Saba Bank area in 1966...
  • Media BioNews 13-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter PRINT
    BioNews* is a free digital newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) featuring recent nature related news-items about the...
  • Scientific article Update on geographic spread of invasive lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico
    The Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) are the first nonnative marine...
  • Scientific article Effect of introduced species and habitat alteration on the occurrence and distribution of euryhaline fishes in fresh- and brackish-water habitats on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (South Caribbean)
    Abstract: We conducted an ichthyological survey during the dry season of 2006 on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao to provide...
  • Media BioNews 37 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Population structure of Symbiodinium sp. associated with the common sea fan, Gorgonia ventalina, in the Florida Keys across distance, depth, and time
    Abstract:  Numerous marine invertebrates form endosymbiotic relationships with dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium. However, few studies have...
  • Research report Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment (supplementary documents)
  • Media BioNews 8 - September 2013
    This month’s issue focuses attention on the conservation efforts on the Windward side of the Dutch Caribbean. On St. Maarten, these days sharks are...
  • Scientific article Genetic seascape of the threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, on the Puerto Rico Shelf
    It has been proposed that the elkhorn coral Acropora palmata is genetically separated into two distinct provinces in the Caribbean, an eastern and a...
  • Other resources Sargassum Management Brief
    Executive Summary “In 2011, the shores of several Caribbean islands and West African countries were inundated by unprecedented quantities of pelagic...
  • Other resources Involving Statians in sustainable tourism development on Statia
    Student thesis. Sint Eustatius (Statia) is the special municipality of the Dutch Kingdom and intends to economically develop by means of sustainable...
  • Other resources Physis V - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Research report Water quality of the coastal zone of Bonaire Results field monitoring 2011-2013
    Approach: Eutrophication is a common threat to the integrity of coral reefs as it can cause altered balance and integrity of the reef ecosystem. On...
  • Scientific article Evolution and phylogeny of glass-sponge-associated zoantharians, with a description of two new genera and three new species
    Hexactinellid sponges are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems because they provide available hard substrate habitats for filter-feeding...
  • Scientific article Evolution and phylogeny of glass-sponge-associated zoantharians, with a description of two new genera and three new species
    Hexactinellid sponges are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems because they provide available hard substrate habitats for filter-feeding...
  • Scientific article Reconstructing past thermal conditions in beach microclimates
    Abstract Reconstruction of past conditions provides important information on how ecosystems have been impacted by climate change, but generally for...
  • Media Concerns about building plan in fragile coral reef
    The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NL), STINAPA, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, The Caribbean Speleological Society, and the Dutch Caribbean...
  • Other resources Sargassum management brief
    Golden Times: Management Best Practices for Influxes of Sargassum in the Caribbean with a focus on clean-up. The purpose of this management brief is...
  • Scientific article Population structure and dispersal of the coral- excavating sponge Cliona delitrix
    Abstract Some excavating sponges of the genus Cliona compete with live reef corals, often kill- ing and bioeroding entire colonies. Important aspects...
  • Research report An Assessment of the Health and Resilience of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs
    Abstract: From July 19-26, 2010, a dedicated team of researchers completed transect surveys on 25 reefs located on the leeward side of Bonaire and...
  • Other resources Physis XV - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Scientific article Inconclusive evidence of sexual reproduction of invasive Halophila stipulacea: a new field guide to encourage investigation of flower and fruit production throughout its invasive range
    The dioecious seagrass species Halophila stipulacea reproduces mainly through fast clonal growth, underlying its invasive behavior. Here, we provide...
  • Research report CONDITION OF CORAL REEFS OFF LESS DEVELOPED COASTLINES OF CURAÇAO (PART 1: STONY CORALS AND ALGAE)
    Coral reefs at 10-20 m depth off eastern and western Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles had high abundance and high cover (25-50%) of stony corals,...
  • Media Rat Invaders: Islands Fighting Back Against Killer Rodents
    Since the furry stowaways landed here aboard sealing and whaling ships in the 19th century, they've been wreaking ecological havoc on the island and...
  • Media Coralita, we’re gonna beat ya!
    Having started in 2015, Utrecht University researchers Elizabeth Haber and Jetske Vaas (a.k.a. The Coralita Girls) thought it time to discuss their...
  • Other resources Status of reef health at Yellow Sub study site on Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean: progression of a coral - algal phase shift
    Coral reefs around the globe are subject to environmental and anthropogenic stressors that are causing habitat degradation and a decline in reef...
  • Other resources Physis XVIII - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media Sharks found with dangerously high levels of heavy metals in The Caribbean
    In a new study, researchers from the non-profit research institute Beneath the Waves (BTW) documented and revealed alarmingly high levels of 12 heavy...
  • Other resources Risk Root Cause Analysis Paper for PEARL (Preparing for Extreme And Rare events in coastaL regions project): St Maarten, Dutch Caribbean
    This paper summarises the findings of the Risk Root Cause Analysis for St Maarten carried out by Work Package 1 researchers at King’s CollegeLondon...
  • Scientific article Reproductive cycle of Strombus gigas Linnaeus 1758 (Caenogastropoda: Strombidae) from Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia
    The reproductive cycle of the Queen Conch, S. gigas, in the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia, was estimated during...
  • Scientific article Reproductive Success of Red-Billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract The daily nest-survival rates of Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) were estimated over six breeding seasons on St. Eustatius in...
  • Media Hurricane Effects on Critically Endangered Reptiles
    Caribbean flora and fauna have always coped with the destructive forces of hurricanes. However, climate change leading to an increase in their...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean: “home” of unique, and likely vulnerable, populations of Bryde’s and humpback whales
    During the last decade several marine areas in the Wider Caribbean have been awarded extra protection as “marine mammal reserves”, such as the the...
  • Media Rare nudibranch discovery highlights diversity of Bonaire’s reefs
    In exciting news for the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP), a sighting of Aegires sublaevis, a rare nudibranch, was documented at the Cliff dive...
  • Research report A Rainwater Harvesting System based Blueprint for Excess Runoff Management on Caribbean Small Island Developing States
    Student Report Executive Summary Freshwater is essential to public health, food security, livelihoods, and healthy and resilient ecosystems. However...
  • Research report Lac Buoy Placement Project - Progress report #1
    PROJECT SUMMARY Project Goals: Protect the seagrass beds at the shoreline of the Blue Zone Increase windsurfer compliance to the White Zone no-go...
  • Media Hurricane Impact on Statia
    Sint Eustatius was hit by two major hurricanes, Irma and Maria, during the high-intensity season of 2017. Two new studies aid our understanding of...
  • Other resources Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of Tripneustes ventricosus on Kralendijk’s waterfront
    Coral reefs are being threatened by both anthropogenic and environmental factors. One prominent factor is the loss of herbivores on coral reefs due...
  • Research report Turn the Tide: A dive into the possibilities of sustainable water sports
    Abstract This report will give an in depth view on the technical feasibility of placing an offshore platform from which watersports can be practiced...
  • Media Sargassum management brief
    In light of recent and recurring influxes of sargassum on the islands of the Dutch Caribbean, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance has drafted a...
  • Other resources Benthic Habitat Mapping in the coastal waters of Saba Dutch Caribbean
    In this research benthic habitats of the Saba Marine Park were mapped. There were several reasons for an updated benthic habitat map: (1) to compare...
  • Other resources Biodiversity Monitoring on the BES-islands: …Past, Present and Future
    Abstract With the transition of the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES) from the former Netherlands Antilles to special municipalities...
  • Research report A review of the small pelagics fishery resources of the Dutch Caribbean and adjacent areas
    This deskstudy gives a review of small pelagic fish species and fisheries in the Dutch Caribbean, specifically species which distributions exceed the...
  • Research report A Sustainable Energy Transition Case Study on Aruba
    Abstract This research identifies opportunities to accelerate the SET towards a 100% RE based on Aruba. This thesis is structured in three parts: 1)...
  • Media Bonaire Welcomes Back Indiana University
    A group of students from Indiana University (IU) recently visited Bonaire.   Since 2015, IU has been sending students to Bonaire as part of their...
  • Research report Modelling Mangrove growth and salinity: a semi-arid case study
    of the mangrove forest in Lac Bay, Bonaire is an environmental issue. Mangrove forests surround Lac Bay. Lac Bay has a status as RAMSAR site (RAMSAR...
  • Other resources Distribution and density of Leucaena leucocephala on St. Eustatius
    Student Report   This report was commissioned by St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) in order to investigate the distribution and density of...
  • Research report The terrestrial consequences of poor wastewater management in Curaçao
    Abstract   Curaçao is a Small Island Development State in the Wider Caribbean Region. In the scope of sustainable development and the UN SDGs, these...
  • Media Caribbean Shark Coalition Launched to Promote Training, Impact, and Collaboration around shark protections in the Greater Caribbean Region
    The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and  Beneath the Waves (BTW) have launched the Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC), an innovative, new...
  • Scientific article High peak settlement of Diadema antillarum on different artificial collectors in the Eastern Caribbean
    The massive die-off of the herbivorous sea urchin Diadema antillarum in 1983 and 1984 resulted in phase shifts on Caribbean coral reefs, where...
  • Research report Assessing the Relationship between Coastal Currents and Water Quality Indicators on Bonaire: ADCP & CTD approach
    MSc internship report 75% of coral reefs worldwide experience degradation of which 60% is caused by local (anthropogenic) stressors. The human...
  • Research report Exotic and invasive terrestrial and freshwater animal species in the Dutch Caribbean
    We here provide an overview of 72 invasive animals of the terrestrial and freshwater environments of the Dutch Caribbean, eleven of which are no...
  • Research report Quantifying the state of the coral reef ecosystem in relation to biophysical benthic and pelagic indicators and biological drivers of change in the Saba National Marine Park, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract   Coral reefsare experiencing large scale degradation. Motivated by the need for regular data monitoring and forquantification of the state...
  • Research report Preliminary overview of exotic and invasive marine species in the Dutch Caribbean
    The marine exotic species of the Dutch Caribbean are less well-known than its terrestrial exotics. So far, only 27 known or suspected marine exotic...
  • Media Molluscs of the Dutch Caribbean Islands
    The journal of the Netherlands Malacological Society, Vita Malacologica, dedicated its December 2017 edition to the malacofauna of the Dutch...
  • Research report Climate change effects on the biodiversity of the BES islands
    In this report we review and assess possible consequences of climate change for the biodiversity of the Dutch BES islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Research report MAP MANGROVE PLANTING SITES & COMPARE AND EVALUATE MANGROVE RESTORATION TECHNIQUES
    Abstract This thesis assignment consists of two parts: mapping mangrove planting sites along the southwest  coast of Bonaire, and comparing and...
  • Research report Predation threats to the Red- billed Tropicbird breeding colony of Saba: focus on cats
    Summary: Feral domestic cats (Felis catus) are recognized as one of the most devastating alien predator species in the world and are a major threat...
  • Other resources Collecting data on a new endemic species on Saint Eustatius
    Student Report Abstract The Caribbean is home to approximately 11,000 plants species, of which 72% are endemic to the region. However, the Caribbean...
  • Research report Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire’s landscapes
    Introduction and aims  With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
  • Research report Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire's landscapes - spatial distribution and characterisation of tourists on Bonaire using social media
    Introduction and aims With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
  • Research report Biological Inventory of St. Maarten
    St. Maarten is one of the islands forming the inner arc of the Lesser Antilles. It is older than Saba and St. Eustatius. The oldest rock strata date...
  • Portal Ocean Biogeographic Information System
    History: The concept of OBIS was first developed at a conference sponsored by the Census of Marine Life (CoML) in 1997. At the time, a comprehensive...
  • Media Distribution of plant species on the Dutch Caribbean Islands now online
    Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below Since 2018 Wageningen University & Research and Carmabi cooperate in bringing together historical and...
  • Research report Status and trends Saba Bank fisheries: 2015
    The Saba Bank is a 2200 km2 shallow bank area that lies fully within the Dutch Kingdom’s Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. In recent...
  • Media Rats be Gone: Rodent control begins on St. Eustatius
    Sint Eustatius:---The island of Sint Eustatius has initiated an ambitious two-year project to reduce the number of rats on the island. The project...
  • Other resources Nature Policy Plan for The Caribbean Netherlands 2013-2017
    Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius form the Dutch Caribbean within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the...
  • Research report Classifying benthic habitats and deriving bathymetry at the Caribbean Netherlands using multispectral Imagery
    Benthic habitats (habitats occurring at the bottom of a water body) and coral reef ecosystems provide many functions. Currently, however, coral reefs...
  • Other resources The Impacts of Climate Change on Bonaire - Synthesis Report
    Part of the larger report available here.   Executive summary Small islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their fragile...
  • Research report Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Reefs, 2011. Cause for grave concerns
    Unusually warm ocean temperatures surrounding Bonaire during the late summer and fall of 2010 caused 10 to 20 % of corals to bleach (Fig. 1)....
  • Other resources Roadmap towards effective fisheries management of the Caribbean Netherlands
    For the special municipalities of the Netherlands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is...
  • Research report Saba Bank - Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008
    Findings A management plan was prepared in close consultation with a considerable number of stakeholders and stakeholder group representatives. The...
  • Media Population Structure and Connectivity of Reef-building Corals in the Southern Dutch Caribbean
    A new study will examine the genetic connectivity of corals located around the ABC islands. The goal is to find a link between the spatial...
  • Media BioNews 39 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 47 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 47- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 56
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources Physis VI - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Research report An archaeological assessment of Steward plantation, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    In November 2011, the St. Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research was asked to conduct an archaeological assessment of Steward plantation. The...
  • Scientific article Trends in element incorporation in hyaline and porcelaneous foraminifera as a function of pCO2
    Abstract In this study we analyzed the impact of seawater carbonate chemistry on the incorporation of elements in both hyaline and porcelaneous...
  • Other resources Cruise Report C-103: scientific activities undertaken aboard SSV Corwith Cramer, St. Thomas-Bequia-Tobago Cays-Bonaire-Roatan-Miami
    This cruise report outlines the scientific research and academic program conducted on board SSV Corwjth Cramer during her fourth cruise during the...
  • Media BioNews 29 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 34-Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 38 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media Orange Tail Mollies In Dutch Waters?
    Have you ever seen an orange tail molly in Dutch waters? If not, you should go to the ABC Islands. That’s an abbreviation for Aruba, Bonaire, and...
  • Scientific article Continued expansion of the trans-Atlantic invasive marine angiosperm Halophila stipulacea in the Eastern Caribbean
    Abstract: Halophila stipulacea (Hydrocharitaceae) is reported for the first time from Aruba, Curaçao, Grenadines (Grenada), St. Eustatius, St. John (...
  • Media BioNews 9-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 9-2017 includes the following news-items: Bad News For Green Sea Turtles In An Age Of Warming Seas: warmer oceans drive declining growth...
  • Portal Coral reef watch (NOAA)
    The NOAA Coral Reef Watch program uses satellite data to provide current reef environmental conditions to quickly identify areas at risk for coral...
  • Media BioNews 21- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 52 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 52 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 45 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 45 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 58
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Research report ‘Quick scan’ to assess the prevalence of dermal parasites among coral reef fishes of Bonaire.
    In the past, diseases and infections have had dramatic impacts on Caribbean coral reef ecosystems (e.g. white band disease in corals (Pantos and...
  • Other resources Physis XVII - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 26-2019 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 28-Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 36 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 53 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 53 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Other resources Physis I - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 1 - Last quarter 2012
    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...
  • Media BioNews 12 - January 2014
    Very exciting news this month from St. Eustatius where the ongoing study of the island’s flora led to the discovery of a plant species new to science...
  • Scientific article Effect of light and nutrient availability on the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by Caribbean turf algae
    Turf algae increasingly dominate benthic communities on coral reefs. Given their abundance and high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release rates,...
  • Media BioNews 33 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources Protecting Saba Bank’s Red Hind and Queen Triggerfish Populations
    Wageningen Marine Research and the Saba Bank Management Unit (SMBU) recently published an evaluation of the effectiveness of the seasonal fishing...
  • Other resources Physis II - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 27 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 50 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 50 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Other resources Physis III - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 49 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 49- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 14 - March 2014
    This month’s issue focuses on marine monitoring. The results of the 2013 lobster fisheries monitoring project on the Saba Bank are in and on Curaçao...
  • Other resources Physis IX - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Other resources Physis XXI - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Scientific article Reproductive performance, mate fidelity and nest cavity fidelity in Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus mesonauta on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Mate choice and nest cavity selection are directly linked to reproductive performance in seabirds, and disruption of these can result in breeding...
  • Media BioNews 35 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 5 - May 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on coral reef restoration efforts; research by SECORE and CARMABI on Curaçao and a private initiative by the Coral...
  • Other resources Physis XIV - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 22- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources Physis XVI - Journal of marine sciences
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Other resources Species dependent aggression in bicolor damselfish during reproductive and non-reproductive cycles
    Bicolor damselfish, Stegastes partitus, are well known for their aggressive nature. They are known to attack almost any species threatening their...
  • Media Special Edition: Transboundary Species
    There has been a recent increase in public awareness of environmental issues as the effects of climate change have become ever more noticeable in our...
  • Media BioNews 18-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Research report Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Reefs in 2017: Clear signs of resilience
    The “resilience” of coral reef ecosystems has been an important goal of managers and policy makers for decades. At its most basic level, resilience...
  • Media BioNews 12-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter PRINT
    In BioNews 12-2018 you will find articles on: Aruba Shoco Conservation Project First Silky Shark Sightings by Saba Conservation Foundation! NICO...
  • Research report Status and trends of coral reef health indicators on Saba (Caribbean Netherlands)
    Coral reefs are threatened globally and their trajectories of decline are very similar worldwide. In the Caribbean coral cover has declined by 80%...
  • Other resources Coralita, we're gonna beat ya! The social and ecological contexts of invasive plant management in the Caribbean
    Power point Recommendations Coralita management on Statia Reforestation efforts and Coralita management can reinforce one another, and we should...
  • Media Two new nonnative reptiles identified on Saba
    Wageningen University and Research and the University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein researchers have recently identified two new nonnative...
  • Media 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
    The 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) was held in San Andres, (Colombia) from 5–9 November 2018. This...
  • Other resources Physis XIX - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Portal observado
    About us Volunteers, researchers and scientists do a lot of field observations. Including these data into a global digital system creates a powerful...
  • Scientific article The Chlorophytes of Curaçao (Caribbean): a revised checklist for the south-west coast
    The global trend of unprecedented losses in coral reefs is particularly striking in the Caribbean, where dense algal assemblages are commonly...
  • Research report On the spatial-temporal distribution of the minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata and B. bonaerensis) in the Wider Caribbean Region and adjacent western tropical North Atlantic
    Abstract Until recently, minke whale sightings in the northern Atlantic Ocean (NA) were thought to belong exclusively to the common species...
  • Book Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire
    While translating the Dutch version of "de Amfibieen en Reptielen van Aruba, Curaçao en Bonaire" into English, I was forced to go through the entire...
  • Other resources Distribution, substrate preference and possible host benefits of the tropical polychaete Spirobranchus giganteus on a reef in Bonaire
    The Christmas Tree worm, Spirobranchus giganteus, is a sessile polychaete found on coral reefs worldwide. Its larvae display photopositive behavior...
  • Media Fish poop: an underappreciated food source for coral reef fishes?
    A new study by researchers from the University of Texas and California Polytechnic State University documented herbivorous fishes feeding on fish...
  • Other resources Does an increasing gradient in population create a bottom-up effect on the intertidal community in Kralendijk, Bonaire?
    In the microbial loop, heterotrophic bacteria utilize dissolved organic matter (DOM) as an energy source. DOM becomes remineralized into inorganic...
  • Scientific article Artificial reefs in the Caribbean: A need for comprehensive monitoring and integration into marine management plans
    Caribbean coral reefs are in decline and the deployment of artificial reefs, structures on the sea bottom that mimic one or more characteristics of a...
  • Other resources Runoff and erosion on the Cultuurvlakte of St. Eustatius
    Msc. Thesis Erosion can cause large problems for ecosystems on and around tropical islands. On site, erosion leads to a decrease of available...
  • Media State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen receives an urgent message regarding nature protection in the Dutch Caribbean.
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below. On Saturday, June 18th 2022, State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen visited the ...
  • Other resources Is #2 the number one problem in Bonaire? An examination of fecal contamination and sedimentation from runoff
    In this study I assessed the extent of sedimentation and contamination by human enteric bacteria Enterococci on the reefs of Bonaire, Netherlands...
  • Scientific article Close encounters of the worst kind: reforms needed to curb coral reef damage by recreational divers
    Abstract Intentional and unintentional physical contact between scuba divers and the seabed is made by most divers and multiple times per dive, which...
  • Scientific article Reproductive patterns of queen conch, Strombus gigas (Mollusca Gastropoda), across the wider Caribbean region
    Queen conch, Strombus gigas (Linnaeus, 1758), is a species of significant economic importance in the Caribbean Sea, exploited mainly for consumption...
  • Book Biology of Parrotfishes
    Content: Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces  By Kenneth W. Gobalet The...
  • Media Uncovering the mystery of tiger shark reproduction in the eastern Caribbean
    Much of the lives of the most iconic shark species – including the tiger shark – remains a secret, even to shark researchers. This is because these...
  • Research report Assessment of Ramsar site Lac Bonaire – June 2010
    Findings The main issues that Lac Bay faces were identified as follows: Filling-in of Lac and reduced water circulation. Over-grazing by extensive...
  • Other resources Influence of karst denudation on the northwest coast of Curaçao
    The northwest coast of Curaçao is characterized by a series of Pleistocene-age reef terraces at four discrete elevations with dissolutional caves...
  • Research report Saba Bank; health status 2010. Cruise report
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that the health of the reefs of the Saba Bank has deteriorated since the first observations in 1972...
  • Research report Lac Bonaire - Restoration Action Spear Points, September 2010
    Lac Bay, Bonaire is the most important mangrove and seagrass area of Bonaire and has been undergoing steady ecological decline in the last decades....
  • Other resources Physical and spatial differences between the three color morphologies of the Atlantic trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculates
    Mimetism allows organisms to blend into the environment and avoid detection by both predators and prey. The Atlantic trumpetfish, Aulostomus...
  • Media Three new exotic gecko species identified on Curaçao
    As part of the Caribbean Island Biogeography meets the Anthropocene project, researchers initiated their surveys for exotic reptile and amphibian...
  • Research report UV filter pollution Bonaire by tourism - Lac Bay monitoring and survey results 2017
    Chronic stressors such as water pollution, overfishing, and ocean warming are major threats to the resilience of coral reefs as they influence...
  • Other resources Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests: Possible nutrient sources and drivers of community structure in a tropical marine system
    Beach environments are considered nutrient poor systems that support limited abundances of life due to the lack of attainable nutrients. Since the...
  • Other resources Population size and feeding ecology of the Lesser Antillean Iguana
    Student report Abstract A reptile species that suffers from anthropogenic changes is Iguana delicatissima. This species was common on all Lesser...
  • Research report AN ANALYSIS ON CHLOROPHYLL A AND TURBIDITY IN SABA
    MSc internship report The project Restoration of resilience of nature and society in the Caribbean Netherlands aims to improve the resilience of the...
  • Media DCNA Launches Bionews Kids – A New Magazine to Empower Youth in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.     Kralendijk, Bonaire –The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) released the first edition of...
  • Research report Mas Piska pa Boneiru: A social mapping study of the fisheries sectors of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius
    Why is it so difficult to manage the fisheries sector on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius and how should this be tackled in the future in order to...
  • Other resources Climate Change Predictions for St-Eustatius and its possible impacts on the island
    This report was created to highlight the most important climate change predictions for St. Eustatius and to highlight possible impacts on the island...
  • Book Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs - Part 1, Overview and synthesis for the wider Caribbean region
    Outbreaks of Acropora and Diadema diseases in the 1970s and early 1980s, overpopulation in the form of too many tourists, and overfishing are the...
  • Book Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs - Part 2, Reports for individual countries and territories
    Outbreaks of Acropora and Diadema diseases in the 1970s and early 1980s, overpopulation in the form of too many tourists, and overfishing are the...
  • Research report Avifaunal and Botanical Survey of The Jan Thiel Lagoon Conservation Area, Curaçao
    The Jan Thiel lagoon can be considered the most important wetland of Curaçao based on its combined value as a feeding habitat for terns. As is likely...
  • Other resources Fish species community composition of Curacao bays and reef
    Student Report - University Groningen Tropical coastal bays often border coral reefs and host connected ecosystems such as seagrass beds and mangrove...
  • Media BioNews 10 - November 2013
    This month’s issue highlights the Saba Bank Expedition that took place from 19 to 27 October. As a follow up to the Saba Bank survey in 2011, an...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - St. Maarten
    St Maarten’s IBAs—the country’s international site priorities for bird conservation—cover 815 ha (including marine areas), and about c.36% of the...
  • Media Action required to curb Statia’s invasive green iguana threat
    A new study by Wageningen Marine Research, St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation and Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute highlights the need...
  • Other resources Cultural perceptions of environmental degradation, management, and accountability in conservation in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Conservation is predicated on local support, and if scientists and resource managers wish to develop effective programs the cultural values and...
  • Scientific article Black spot syndrome in reef fishes: using archival imagery and field surveys to characterize spatial and temporal distribution in the Caribbean
    Recently, observations of black spot syndrome (BSS) in Caribbean fishes have been linked to infection by a digenean trematode parasite, ...
  • Media Grant from the European Union to enhance nature protection and sustainable tourism
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below. Lac Bay is a unique tourism hot spot which boasts a wide array of habitats from fringing coral reefs to expansive...
  • Research report The influence of terrestrial erosion on Acropora palmata occurrence on Saba, Dutch Caribbean
    A high influx of sediment resulting from terrestrial erosion, imposes a major threat on coral reef ecosystems worldwide by inducing sedimentation and...
  • Research report Eutrophication status of Lac, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Including proposals for measures
    Abstract: Lac is a semi-enclosed lagoon located on the south-eastern side of Bonaire, and contains a diversity of shallow water coral reef associated...
  • Research report Classifying benthic habitats and deriving bathymetry at the Caribbean Netherlands using multispectral Imagery
    Benthic habitats (habitats occurring at the bottom of a water body) and coral reef ecosystems provide many functions. Currently, however, worldwide...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Paints Bleak Picture of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Dutch Caribbean
    Concerned at Lack of Mention of the Impacts of Climate Change During Address of King Willem Alexander at the Joint Session of the States-General of...
  • Research report Recreational and land use survey for Lac Bay Bonaire: A study towards mapping human activities in Lac Bay Bonaire and its catchment area and advising about the current management system.
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that at the moment tourists and locals use Lac Bay and its catchment area at levels and in ways that...
  • Media Rapid Decline in Lionfish for the Saba Bank
    Research conducted by the Saba Bank Management Unit and Wageningen University and Research documented the third incidence of rapid lionfish...
  • Research report Frame Survey Curaçao’s fishing fleet 2016
    A brief inventory of the current fishing capacity (frame survey) of the insular fishing fleet of Curacao was conducted. Curacao is part of the...
  • Research report Quantifying the state of the coral reef ecosystem in relation to biophysical benthic and pelagic indicators and biological drivers of change in the Saba National Marine Park, Dutch Caribbean
    Student Report Coral reefs are experiencing large scale degradation. Motivated by the need for regular data monitoring and for quantification of the...
  • Research report A Report on the Status of the Coral Reefs of Bonaire 2003 with Advice on the Establishment of Fish Protection Areas
    Bonaire has long been considered to have amongst the healthiest reefs of the Caribbean. However, at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Pew Fellows for Marine...
  • Monitoring protocol Invasive Lionfish - A Guide to Control and Management
    The invasion of lionfish (Pterois miles and P. volitans) may prove to be one of the greatest threats of this century to warm temperate and tropical...
  • Other resources A Social-Ecological perspective on the invasive creeper Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) on St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean: a review
    Student Report Relevance:  Invasive species and habitat destruction are seen as the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide, especially on small...
  • Media Informational material on protected species (CITES) developed for the Caribbean Netherlands
    Informational material for regulations outlined in the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (also known as...
  • Media Importance of Yarari Sanctuary for Minke Whale
    A new collaborative study provides new insight into how two species of minke whales utilize the Caribbean and neighboring Atlantic waters throughout...
  • Media News item: Hyperspectral Coral Reef Classification (HCRC)
    The Dutch Caribbean island Bonaire has protected its marine resources for more than 35 years and has been ranked as one of the Caribbean’s top dive...
  • Media Exciting Changes for Nature Conservation in 2022 on Saba
    From big litigation to renovations for their new sea lab, 2022 promises to be a banner year for the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF).  SCF recently...
  • Other resources Monitoring Statia’s marine ecosystems
    CNSI continues to monitor the vulnerable ecosystems of St. Eustatius coordinated by Data Monitoring Officer (DMO) Kimani Kitson-Walters. Coral reef...
  • Research report Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report, Summary for Policy Makers
    This Synthesis Report is based on the reports of the three Working Groups of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), including relevant...
  • Other resources Significance of boulder shape for the transport of boulders by tsunamis
    Physical experiments and numerical models support investigations on the transport of boulders by tsunamis, and based on this, on hydrodynamic...
  • Media Bonaire Hosts an International Mangrove Restoration Workshop
    Between October 25th and 28th, Bonaire’s Mangrove Maniacs hosted their first Mangrove Restoration Workshop .  The goal was to provide a platform for...
  • Research report Baseline assessment of the coral reef fish assemblages of St. Eustatius
    The shallow marine habitats surrounding St. Eustatius fulfil critical ecosystem services in terms of fishery production, recreation, dive tourism and...
  • Other resources Coastal region and small island papers 3: Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    In comparison to other CARICOMP sites, the tiny island of Saba, in the Windward Islands arc of the Lesser Antilles, can be described as atypical in...
  • Other resources Physis XIII - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle in-water-catch monitoring on Bonaire by STCB
    Raw data of sea turtle in-water-catch monitoring on Bonaire, including locations, species, carapace size, diseases, parasites, etc. Please contact ...
  • Other resources Quantitative tracking of the cellular and skeletal respose of the Caribbean coral orbicella annularis to gradients i marine sewage pollution
    Msc. Thesis Abstract Orbicella annularis is an abundant framework-building Scleractinian coral that serves as an ecological cornerstone throughout...
  • Scientific article Climate change impact on Balearic shearwater through a trophic cascade
    A recent study showed that a critically endangered migratory predator species, the Balearic shear- water Puffinus mauretanicus, rapidly expanded...
  • Scientific article Invasive house (Rattus rattus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) threaten the viability of red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) in Abrolhos National Park, Brazil.
    Destruction of nests and predation by introduced species are among the main factors responsible for seabird declines.The red-billed tropicbird (...
  • Media BioNews archive
    DCNA produces BioNews*, a free monthly digital newsletter featuring recent nature related news-items about the Dutch Caribbean as well as overviews...
  • Scientific article Zoantharia (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia) of the Dutch Caribbean and One New Species of Parazoanthus
    Species of the anthozoan order Zoantharia (=Zoanthidea) are common components of subtropical and tropical shallow water coral reefs. Despite a long...
  • Scientific article Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) roosting at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) are known to roost on the northwestern coast of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands. A published account from the 1950s...
  • Media BioNews 40 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 46 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 46 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Research report An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal Inundation on Bonaire
    Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here - https://www.dcbd.nl/document/impacts-climate-...
  • Research report Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Reefs in 2013: Causes for Optimism
    TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Patterns and trends in corals, seaweeds Chapter 2: Trends in Bonaire’s herbivorous fish: change over time  Chapter 3:...
  • Scientific article First Record of the Olive Ridley and of Nesting by the Loggerhead Turtle in Curacao
    On July 26, 1991, a Curacao fisherman landed a sea turtle from the wave-exposed north coast of the island. The animal was caught by hook and line...
  • Other resources Pelagic plankton diel vertical movement, diversity, and density in relation to nitrate concentration in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Plankton are the base of the marine food web and are studied for a broad range of research relating to diversity and ocean health. These organisms...
  • Media Recreational SCUBA Diver impact in Bonaire
    Recent research by CIEE Research Station Bonaire led by Dr. Patrick Lyons examined the effects of recreational SCUBA divers on the abundance of...
  • Other resources A Review of the Ecology and Economics of Curaçao’s Marine Resources
    This report contains information on: General Description of Curacao Physical description Marine Ecosystems: Descriptions, Status and Threats Seafood...
  • Research report Caribbean Humpback Acoustic Monitoring Programme: 2016-2017 Report
    In September 2016, the West Indies distinct population segment (DPS) of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), was delisted under the US...
  • Media BioNews 12-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 24- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 30 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media Innovative Artificial Reef Structures “IntelliReefs” to Improve Denuded Coral Reefs
    Beginning of February 2020, the Ocean Science Team of Reef Life Foundation was on Sint Maarten to assess and research the 14 month performance of the...
  • Media Using Digital Footprints to Manage Conservation Efforts
    Researchers from Wageningen University and Research compiled thousands of photographs taken on Bonaire to analyze tourist activities and highlight...
  • Scientific article The marine fishes of St Eustatius Island, northeastern Caribbean: an annotated, photographic catalog
    Sint Eustatius (Statia) is a 21 km2 island situated in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The most recent published sources of information on that...
  • Monitoring protocol Fieldguide Halophila stipulacea reproductive structures
    Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that can reproduce both sexually (through flowering and subsequent seed formation) and asexually (through...
  • Scientific article Observations on the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract: Records of whale sharks in the Caribbean are relatively sparse. Here we document 24 records of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus Smith 1882)...
  • Scientific article A blueprint for blue carbon: toward an improved understanding of the role of vegetated coastal habitats in sequestering CO2.
    Recent research has highlighted the valuable role that coastal and marine ecosystems play in sequestering car- bon dioxide (CO2). The carbon (C)...
  • Media BioNews 11-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 14-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media Unlocking the Evolutionary Secrets of Local Amphibians and Lizards
    Two new research projects were set out to map the evolution and historical geographical migration of key amphibian and reptile species within the...
  • Research report Opportunities for valorisation of pelagic Sargassum in the Dutch Caribbean
    Since 2011, unprecedented beaching events of Sargassum seaweed have caused major environmental, health and economic problems in the Caribbean, Gulf...
  • Media BioNews 60
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Life-history traits of the common snook Centropomus undecimalis in a Caribbean estuary and large-scale biogeographic patterns relevant to management
    The ecology of common snook Centropomus undecimalis in Amatique Bay, a tropical estuary in eastern Guatemala, was investigated and life-history...
  • Maps and Charts Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of St. Eustatius and Saba
    Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) map of St. Eustatius and Saba (GIS). Includes contiguous zone and territorial sea. Based on the United Nations...
  • Portal NetBiome CSA biodiversity toolbox
    The Biodiversity Management Toolbox is a product of the NetBiome CSA network, a partnership for research and sustainable management of  (sub)tropical...
  • Media What motivates people to protect nature on the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba?
    That is the research question that, Stacey Mac Donald, a PhD researcher from The Netherlands, is seek- ing to answer through the use of...
  • Research report Genetic diversity and connectivity of populations on the Saba bank
    From 19-27 October 2013, IMARES (Wageningen UR) organized a research expedition to the Saba Bank, to investigate the ecological functioning of the...
  • Scientific article What constitutes essential nursery habitat for a marine species? A case study of habitat form and function for queen conch
    ABSTRACT: There is increasing recognition that habitats should be managed as part of fisheries management. It is generally assumed that amount of...
  • Scientific article Below the Mesophotic
    Mesophotic coral ecosystems, which occur at depths of ~40 to 150 m, have received recent scientific attention as potential refugia for organisms...
  • Research report The Assessment of Aruba’s Shoreline Pollution: A Comparison between the South Coast and the North Coast
    Student Report This research examined the current situation of pollution on the shores of Aruba, with a particular emphasis on plastic debris. It...
  • Other resources The narratives behind heritage trails
    The main objective of this research is to explore the issues and politics associated with formal designing of landscape narratives on Statia. To...
  • Raw data Data from: Mimicry of emergent traits amplifies coastal restoration success
    In this study, we experimentally tested how mimicking key emergent traits that locally suppress physical stress using biodegradable establishment...
  • Media Human disturbance impedes growth of coral reefs around Bonaire
    The coral reef around Bonaire is known to be one of the healthiest in the Caribbean. However, new research by Wageningen Marine Research shows that a...
  • Media New marine biodiversity discoveries from Bonaire
    An international research team has investigated the marine biodiversity of Bonaire from 21 October to 9 November. Although Bonaire’s reefs have been...
  • Scientific article Hurricane-induced population decrease in a Critically Endangered long-lived reptile
    ABSTRACT Catastrophic events, like hurricanes, bring lethal conditions that can have population-altering effects. The threatened Caribbean dry forest...
  • Media BioNews 43 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 43 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media New Food Source Identified for Caribbean Corals
    A student of University of Amsterdam and a staff researcher of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and University of Groningen recently published the first...
  • Media BioNews 2 - January/February 2013
    This issue of BioNews profiles the research and monitoring efforts for January and February 2013 and highlights a new monthly feature, called ‘...
  • Scientific article Deepwater marine litter densities and composition from submersible video-transects around the ABC-islands, Dutch Caribbean.
    Baseline data on anthropogenic seafloor debris contamination in the year 2000 is provided for 24 submersible video transects at depths of 80-900 m,...
  • Other resources Zoantharia of St. Eustatius
    Research on the order Zoantharia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) has a long history in the Caribbean Sea, with the first species, Zoanthus...
  • Scientific article New Locality, Depth, and Size Records and Species Character Modifications of Some Caribbean Deep-Reef/Shallow Slope Fishes and a New Host and Locality Record for the Chimaera Cestodarian
    New geographic localities are noted for chimaera cestodarian, Gyrocotyle rugosa, from the central Atlantic; it and Antillean snake eel, Ophichthus...
  • Other resources Benefits of valuing nature for the Caribbean Netherlands
    The Natural Capital of the Caribbean Netherlands Ongoing developmental pressures in a context of global environmental change and economic...
  • Media BioNews 19-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 57
      BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 15 - April 2014
    This month’s issue is all about migration. An exciting discovery in Venezuela of bats originally tagged on Aruba and Bonaire, confirms their long...
  • Other resources Physis XX - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Other resources Patterns in Caribbean Coral Spawning
    Student Report Most corals worldwide are broadcast spawners that rely on synchronous gamete release for successful fertilization. Spawning synchrony...
  • Book Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems
    Bonaire and Curaçao are oceanic islands surrounded by coral reefs on their leeward sides extending steeply down to mesophotic depths (30–150 m). Easy...
  • Media BioNews 32 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media Using Lemon Trees to Combat Coralita on Saba
    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...
  • Scientific article Taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the Dutch Leeward Islands, with a key to the adults and fourth instar larvae
    Abstract Assessing mosquito biodiversity is important for disease surveillance and ecosystem health assessments. Such studies are particularly needed...
  • Other resources Physis IV - Journal of marine sciences
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2010
    Management Recommendations: Expand the boundaries of the Washington Slagbaai National Park to include all the salts flats included in this monitoring...
  • Media BioNews 4 - April 2013
    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...
  • Media Alarm bells ring as turtle growth rates decline
    An unprecedented regional study of turtle growth rates by Bjorndal et al, compiled scientific data on hawksbill turtle growth rates collected over a...
  • Media BioNews 15-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 23- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 48 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 48- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Media BioNews 41 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 41 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of the island of Bonaire, southern Caribbean
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale 1:50,000) is presented for the southern Caribbean arid island of Bonaire (mean annual...
  • Other resources Caribbean coastal marine productivity program: 1993-2003.
    The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) Program is a regional scientific effort to study land-sea interaction processes, to monitor for...
  • Media BioNews 16-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media Vegetable cultivation on Bonaire 
    Vegetable cultivation on Bonaire It seems easy to grow vegetables on Bonaire, with the heat and the sun. However, there are many difficulties, such...
  • Scientific article Multi-scale habitat occupancy of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in coral reef environments of Roatan, Honduras
    The Indo-Pacific lionfish species [Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. miles (Bennett, 1828): Family Scorpaenidae] are the first nonnative...
  • Other resources The impact of uncertain Antarctic ice sheet dynamics for future coastal erosion A probabilistic approach for a data-scarce environment in the Caribbean
    Msc. Thesis Case study St. Maarten Key Points • Sea level rise projections are deeply uncertain due to the contribution of the Antarctic ice sheet,...
  • Media Special Edition Tiger Shark Expedition 2021
    The Dutch Caribbean waters are home to more than thirty species of sharks and rays. With the creation of the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary...
  • Media Status of the Queen Conch on the Windward Islands
    Concern for the future of Queen Conch has resulted in a number of regional and international measures, which have been taken to protect them. Trade...
  • Media ROADMAP TOWARDS EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ON THE CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
    EXCERPT FROM: MAS PISKA PA BONEIRU: A SOCIAL MAPPING STUDY OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR OF BONAIRE, ST. EUSTATIUS AND SABA.   For the special...
  • Scientific article A dynamic vulnerability approach for tourism destinations
    Tourism destinations are vulnerable to increasing environmental change. The available scientific knowledge, however, is of little practical use as it...
  • Book The Saba Bank
    Until recently the Saba Bank remained a mysterious and largely unexplored off shore atoll falling mostly within the water of the Exclusive Economic...
  • Scientific article Island–island and island–mainland movements of the Curaçaoan long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris curasoae
    Of the 3 species comprising the genus Leptonycteris Miller, L. curasoae has been the least studied with respect to its long-distance flights and...
  • Research report Final report: Corallita Pilot Project, Study on the ecology and possible control methods of the invasive plant species Antigonon leptopus (Corallita or Mexican Creeper)
    This one-year pilot project aims to provide an insight in the ecology of Antigonon leptopus (Corallita) an invasive vine, which is overgrowing the...
  • Research report Modelling urban floods in semiarid environment: a case study in Paradera, Aruba
    During the storm of November 20th, 2016 significant parts of the Paradera catchment in Aruba were flooded. The damage to the roads and houses...
  • Research report Hyperspectral Coral Reef Classification of Bonaire
    In order to update the 1985 atlas of Bonaire’s coral reefs (Van Duyl, 1985), a hyperspectral mapping campaign was performed in October 2013 using the...
  • Other resources Changes in the healing rate of Ventricaria ventricosa in acidified ocean water
    Given the amount of CO2 currently being absorbed by the ocean, there is a great deal of research studying the effects of ocean acidification on a...
  • Scientific article The state of the world’s mangroves in the 21st century under climate change
    Concerted mangrove research and rehabilitation efforts over the last several decades have prompted a better understanding of the important ecosystem...
  • Media BioNews 13 - February 2014
    This month’s issue profiles several scientific discoveries with new implications for conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. On St. Eustatius, the first...
  • Scientific article A comparison of eight country plans for the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Wider Caribbean
    Highlights • The Caribbean region is being negatively impacted by the invasive lionfish. • Management efforts by eight Caribbean islands addressing...
  • Scientific article Plastic Waste in the Aquatic Environment: Impacts and Management
    The majority of consumer products used today is composed of some form of plastic. Worldwide, almost 280 million tons of plastic materials are...
  • Research report Protecting Bonaire against Coastal Flooding A participatory multi-criteria analysis of coastal adaptation options
    Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here.   Summary Coastal hazards pose a significant threat...
  • Other resources Identifying the cultural value of Bonaire’s marine resources
    The island of Bonaire in the lesser Antillean islands is economically dependent on the tourism industry. A majority of tourists who visit the island...
  • Research report Tropical Americas Coral Reef Resilience Workshop Report
    The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assumed leadership of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) in 2010 with...
  • Other resources A study of succession in algal communities on coral reefs
    The transition in the Caribbean Sea from coral dominated reefs to algal dominated reefs poses a serious risk to the current existing community....
  • Other resources Gross anatomical findings from the fall 2008 Bonaire moray eel mortalities
    Unexplained moray eel mortalities have been occurring in Bonaire since July 2008. The number of mortalities increased over time, peaking in October...
  • Other resources Heritage trail from below, St.Eustatius
    Worldwide heritage management focuses on tangible heritage, which also applies to heritage trail design. However, besides tangible heritage,...
  • Other resources The Biology and Distribution of Iguana delicatissima on St. Eustatius
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is native to the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The species is in...
  • Research report Pilot study on behaviour of sharks around Saba using acoustic telemetry
    Worldwide many shark populations are in strong decline mainly due to fisheries. Population status of sharks in the Caribbean is still poorly known....
  • Other resources Diadema antillarium populations in Bonaire: is there evidence of over- or under population?
    The sea urchin Diadema antillarum is an important herbivore in coral reef ecosystems of the Caribbean. The Caribbean is still recovering from a 1983...
  • Research report Monitoring water quality parameters of the coastal waters of Saba and the possible effects on the coral reef
    MSc intership report Coral reef systems have been declining all over the world. The project “Restoration of resilience of nature and society in the...
  • Other resources Species richness, genetic diversity and preliminary population structure of common snappers and groupers in aruban waters, estimated through dna barcoding
    Student Report Overfishing is a great threat to marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. Even artisanal fishing of high intensity can...
  • Research report Towards better climate change adaptation governance in Curaçao and Bonaire
    Abstract This study addresses the governance around climate change policies in two small islands in the Southern Caribbean. Like many other small...
  • Other resources Cleaner-client interactions and depth distributions among three cleaner species: Bodianus rufus, Elacatinus evelynae, and Anclyomenes pedersoni
    Cleaning is a symbiotic behavior that has been observed in many animals, including both terrestrial and marine species. Cleaner species and their...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: Caribbean Cetacean Society Expedition
    Whale and dolphin research expedition 2022 This year, the third and sixth joint scientific expeditions of the Ti Whale An Nou program took...
  • Scientific article Land Cover and Forest Formation Distributions for St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Eustatius, Grenada and Barbados from Decision Tree Classification of Cloud-Cleared Satellite Imagery
    Satellite image-based mapping of tropical forests is vital to conservation planning. Standard methods for automated image classification, however,...
  • Media DCNA Organizes Junior Ranger Exchange Week 2022
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Junior Rangers just wrapped up their annual exchange event. Youngsters from the islands got...
  • Research report Een natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek gericht op het behoud van het Lac op Bonaire
    After news was received that the Netherlands Antilles' largest and as yet almost unspoiled lagoon would be involved in development plans, a...
  • Other resources Intervention Needed to Save the endemic Sabal Palm of Bonaire
    An update to a 40-year-old Sabal palm survey for the islands of Bonaire and Curaçao highlighted the striking differences between the two islands....
  • Scientific article Feces consumption by nominally herbivorous fishes in the Caribbean: an underappreciated source of nutrients?
    Abstract Parrotfishes and surgeonfishes are major Caribbean herbivores that primarily graze reef algae and thereby play an important functional role...
  • Other resources Determining Global Distribution of Microplastics by Combining Citizen Science and In-Depth Case Studies
    Microplastics (<5 mm) are contaminants of emerging global concern. They have received considerable attention in scientific research, resulting in...
  • Other resources Sediment rates and composition surrounding a disturbed outlet in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The small island of Bonaire has seen a dramatic increase in visitation due to diving tourism. The economy of Bonaire depends on this influx of...
  • Other resources Large scale, medium scale, and small scale patterns of benthic cyanobacteria & the possibility of groundwater association on a coral reef
    Cyanobacteria presence in the marine ecosystem is biologically significant due to its versatile nature. This phylum is responsible for destructive...
  • Other resources The Phenomenology of Shark Diving Tourism Experiences
    Student Report Tourism is continuously changing and growing on a larger scale, creating the need for different and unique types of tourism products....
  • Media BioNews 1-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    A dedicated Saba Bank Symposium was organised by the University of Wageningen in December 2016. The Symposium was held in Den Helder and brought...
  • Other resources St Maarten: Adopt a Shark Program
    The St Maarten Nature Foundation launched the “Adopt a Shark” program during St Maarten Shark Week in June 2018, but due to the continued demand of...
  • Media Sustainable Tourism: Current State
    Each of the six Dutch Caribbean islands have their own unique draw, enticing visitors from around the world each year. From environments ranging from...
  • Research report Growth of the critically endangered Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata in the coral nurseries of Saba, Dutch Caribbean
    Previously dominant, reef-building Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata abundance decreased dramatically in the Caribbean in the 1970s, mainly due to...
  • Media Vegetation Study informs Spatial Planning on Sint Maarten
    Commissioned by Sint Maarten’s Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), a color vegetation map produced...
  • Scientific article Shell Lip Thickness Is the Most Reliable Proxy to Sexual Maturity in Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) of Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Belize
    Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is an important food source and export product for Belize, where extraction is regulated by shell length (SL) and market...
  • Media Invasive Species Workshop on St. Eustatius
    Twenty-five participants attended an informative workshop on invasive species on November 28th and 29th 2017. The Caribbean Netherlands Science...
  • Other resources Which is more attractive to juvenile fish: availability of food or the complexity of habitat in the mangroves of Bonaire, NA?
    Habitat selection is critical to the development, growth and reproductive success for most marine animals. Organisms select habitat based on food...
  • Other resources Redlip blenny (Ophioblennius macclurei) territoriality and feeding behavior
    Redlip blennies (Ophioblennius macclurei) are common reef fish in Caribbean coral reef environments. They are vitally important to reefs as primary...
  • Media St. Maarten: Post Hurricane Coral Assessment
    The St. Maarten Nature Foundation scientifically researched the impacts of Hurricane Irma on St. Maarten coral reefs using Global Coral Reef...
  • Research report Discovering the Deep - ROV assisted data collection to understand the status of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems around Bonaire
    MSc thesis report The coral reefs of Bonaire, providing resources and environmental services, are often ranked among the richest, most resilient and...
  • Research report Monitoring cetacean occurrence in coastal waters of the Caribbean Netherlands (Saba, St. Eustatius & Bonaire) using port sampling
    Knowledge on the density, distribution and occurrence of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean Netherlands is sparse. This knowledge is needed as...
  • Research report The Total Economic Value of Nature on St Eustatius
    This study is part of the research project “What is St Eustatius Nature Worth?”, a project that is part of The Economics of Ecosystems and...
  • Other resources Cruise Report Windward Caribbean Nov 6-16, 2016
    The Waitt Institute and Dr. Stuart Sandin’s laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography collaborated to organize an expedition to conduct a...
  • Other resources Algal cover and the effects of various nutrient levels on Bonaire's coral reefs
    A reoccurring problem facing a majority of the coral reefs in the Caribbean for the past few decades has been the fear of a changing community...
  • Research report Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract: The Important Bird Area (IBA) programme is an initiative of BirdLife International aimed at identifying, monitoring and protecting a...
  • Research report The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present)
    Small islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their fragile ecosystems, small economies, and often extensive, low-lying...
  • Research report The effect of Sargassum on settlement of Diadema antillarum larvae around Saba
    Abstract  Before its mass-mortality in the 1980’s, Diadema antillarum was the most important benthic herbivore on Caribbean reefs. Since then, reefs...
  • Scientific article Field Evaluation of DNA Based Biodiversity Monitoring of Caribbean Mosquitoes
    Mosquito borne diseases pose a threat to human health worldwide. Disease risk is primarily determined by presence and abundance of vector species. A...
  • Scientific article Range‐wide population genetic structure of the Caribbean marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum
    Many marine species have widespread geographic ranges derived from their evolu-tionary and ecological history particularly their modes of dispersal....
  • Research report Population status and reproductive biology of queen conch (Lobatus gigas) in the coastal waters around St Eustatius
    Abstract: The queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is under pressure and has decreased in distribution and abundance as a result of fisheries in the Caribbean...
  • Research report Growth assessment of Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata fragments using in-situ coral nurseries, Saba – Dutch Caribbean
    Internship Report As part of the program for the Restoration of Ecosystem Services and Coral Reef Quality (RESCQ), this study aims at contributing to...
  • Media St. Eustatius: economic value of nature
    The Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) hosted two “Economic Value of Nature” workshops on St. Eustatius from 3-6 April 2017. These...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance facilitates platform for investigation of marine protected areas in the Caribbean
    Willemstad – The 2021 Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Convention began with a workshop on climate change resiliency. The workshop served as a...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Aruba
    Aruba’s four IBAs cover just 610 ha, but between them they support over 30,000 seabirds and a number of other significant bird populations. Tierra...
  • Other resources The ecological and socio-economic impacts of the lionfish invasion in the Southern Caribbean
    The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous, voracious predator with a high dispersal capactity. In the space of 30 years, it has...
  • Research report Mountain biking on Aruba's wild coast
    The island of Aruba predominantly has a ‘sun, sea and sand’ tourism destination image. The Arub Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) aims to diversify the...
  • Media Obituary – Dr. Walter (Wòti) Bakhuis, Carmabi/Stinapa director 1981-2006
    On the 25th of March this year, Dr. Walter L. (Wòti) Bakhuis passed away at the ripe old age of 80 in Maarssen, The Netherlands. With his passing,...
  • Other resources Distribution and abundance of spatial competition between scleractinian corals and sessile aggressive invertebrates on the west coast of Bonaire
    Processes affecting reef ecosystems have three levels of organization: macroscale, mesoscale and microscale. These processes are conducive to...
  • Research report The Vulnerable Future of Bonaire A direct climate damage assessment of the built environment of Bonaire
    Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here.   Summary This study aims to identify the extent to...
  • Scientific article A Quantitative, Non-Destructive Methodology for Habitat Characterisation and Benthic Monitoring at Offshore Renewable Energy Developments
    Following governments’ policies to tackle global climate change, the development of offshore renewable energy sites is likely to increase...
  • Other resources Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment due to Hurricane Activity: Case Study of St. Martin, the Caribbean
    Student Report Every year hundreds of thousands of people are affected by natural disasters that occur due to various physical phenomenon. They...
  • Other resources Humpback whales and shipping collisions in the Dutch Caribbean EEZ
    Student Report This advisory report is drawn up at the behest of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) who wants to know how to reduce ship...
  • Media Nature in the Dutch Caribbean is critically threatened and intervention is necessary
    Wageningen University recently published an alarming report on the threatened natural resources on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. The Dutch...
  • Scientific article A social-ecological perspective on ecosystem vulnerability for the invasive creeper coralita (Antigonon leptopus) in the Caribbean: A review
    Highlights • Review on coralita invasion (Antigonon leptopus) on islands yielded 46 papers. • Main influencing factors are overgrazing, human...
  • Media State of the World’s Mangroves 2021
    The Global Mangrove Alliance’s recent report on the State of the World’s mangroves served as a call to action for mangrove conservation and...
  • Research report Cetaceans of Saba, Sint Eustatius & Sint Maarten: current knowledge and future monitoring
    Abstract: In December 2012 IMARES conducted workshops on the identification of whales & dolphins in the Caribbean on the islands of Sint Maarten...
  • Other resources Project rapportage. Regeling Bijzondere Uitkering Natuur voor Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (2013 – 2019)
    The Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, virtually all nature organizations, private companies and most individuals on Bonaire recognize caves as important...
  • Other resources The environmental impact of the reverse osmosis desalination plant on the immediately surrounding water and coral reef ecosystem in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    One of the most promising solutions to the growing shortage of potable water is the tapping of the oceans through desalination. Until recently the...
  • Research report Evaluation of the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database: user perspectives
    The Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database (DCBD; www.dcbd.nl) is a nature and biodiversity web-platform for the Dutch Caribbean funded by the Dutch...
  • Media New and Very Abundant Microbe Found Living in Corals
    Although coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor, nearly a third of all marine species can be found on or around these reefs (McAllister,...
  • Research report Biodiversity in a globalized world: The journey of exotic species from origin to impact
    Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that have been introduced to locations outside of their distributional range via human transport....
  • Other resources Bonaire National Marine Park—Algal Survey and Inventory
    The Littler’s team [including Barrett Brooks, Don Hurlbert, Barbara Watanabe and Larry Gorenflo (Conservation International)] traveled to the island...
  • Media Shark Handling Techniques
    Hi everyone, my name is Giancarlo Nunes and I’m the Research and Conservation manager for Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba. I can be considered a jack...
  • Research report The Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius: 2012 status update and review of limiting factors
    Abstract: The endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima, is an emblematic species for the island of St. Eustatius and in Caribbean...
  • Media Emergency assistance contriubtes to the spread of invasive exotics
    Hurricane Maria devasted several Caribbean islands in 2017. A major relief campaign was launched to help the affected population of the Commonwealth...
  • Other resources Natuurbeleid van de Nederlandse Antillen 2000 – 2005: Aan de dageraad van een nieuw millennium
    Executive summary Both in the ocean and on land the Netherlands Antilles possesses an enormous wealth in the diversity of its nature. Biological...
  • Monitoring protocol A stranding guide to the marine mammals of the wider Caribbean region
    Accurate species identification of marine mammals is key to improving our knowledge about them, including their distribution, natural history and the...
  • Research report St. Eustatius GCRMN Caribbean Final Report 2019
    Twenty-two sites across four monitoring zones of St. Eustatius’ marine ecosystem within the national marine park were assessed using the Global Coral...
  • Other resources Preliminary checklist of extant endemic species and subspecies of the windward Dutch Caribbean (St. Martin, St. Eustatius, Saba and the Saba Bank)
    Keywords: endemic species, Caribbean, Saba, Saint Eustatius, Saint Marten, Saba Bank   Endemic species and subspecies (or “taxa” for short) having...
  • Media Big Live Nature Quiz—Winners on Curaçao, Aruba and Saba
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below   Fun Online Nature Game for the Dutch Caribbean  DCNA’s Big Live Nature Quiz local Host Edrieënna...
  • Media Bats of St. Eustatius
    In 2015, Naturalis Biodiversity Center set out to create a baseline study of St. Eustatius’ marine and terrestrial fauna and flora in collaboration...
  • Media Coral Monitoring Finds Annual Coral Bleaching on Bonaire
    A recent report released by STINAPA notes the occurrence of coral bleaching on Bonaire between 2016 and 2020.  During this study, coral bleaching was...
  • Research report Priorities in management implementation for marine mammal conservation in the Saba sector of the Yarari sanctuary
    The Yarari Marine Mammal Sanctuary (hereafter simply referred to as the Yarari Sanctuary, or Yarari) was formally established on September 2, 2015....
  • Media Key Insights for Mangrove Restoration Discovered on Bonaire
    Dutch below   Since 2016 the Mangrove Maniacs of Bonaire have dedicated themselves to the restoration and conservation of mangroves on the island....
  • Media Saba Iguanas Receive Attention
    The Caribbean Netherlands island of Saba is home to a unique but relatively unknown iguana population. Given the many threats faced by islands...
  • Research report CARI'MAM Scientific Survey 2021 Final Report
    The CARI’MAM project More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile...
  • Research report Rare plant species, establishment of exclosures and recommendations for a monitoring program in the Washington-Slagbaai Park (Bonaire)
    Abstract: The aim of the present project–commissioned by the management of the Washington-Slagbaai Park (WSP)- was to set-up a more strategic...
  • Research report CARI'MAM Scientific Survey 2021 Final Report for Saba's Waters
    The CARI’MAM project More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile...
  • Other resources Rapid response to the discovery of an invasive Green Iguana on St. Eustatius
    On February 16 2016, an invasive Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) was discovered in a residential area on the island of St Eustatius by STENAPA, the...
  • Media New Coral Reef Breeding Nursery on Bonaire
    A brand new, innovative floating coral fish breeding nursery is being tested at the Dive Friends Sand Dollar location on Bonaire.  This project, led...
  • Research report Shark protection plan for the Dutch Caribbean EEZ
    Summary: Shark populations have steeply declined worldwide due to unsustainable overexploitation and in this the Caribbean region is no exception....
  • Other resources Tourism and the labour market in St. Eustatius - Characteristics and perceptions
    Tourism is an attractive development option for countries where other alternatives for development are limited. It namely creates among others...
  • Research report Flamingos on Bonaire and in Venezuela
    Results of a three year study (1975-1978) of Flamingos on Bonaire and in Venezuela, including population size, food availability, migration and...
  • Media Bonaire Turtle by the Numbers: STCB Year Report 2019
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire 2019 Year Report Referenced in BioNews 35 article "Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire: A Year in Review"
  • Other resources Associated mangrove aquaculture farms
    Expanding shrimp aquaculture has been one of the main drivers of the worldwide loss of mangrove forests. Consequently, tropical mud coastlines have...
  • Research report Investigation of subsurface freshwater flow from southern Bonaire into Lac bay
    Abstract In recent decades, concern about mangrove die-back has intensified. One of the last remaining mangrove areas in the Dutch Antilles is the...
  • Research report Marine Turtle Trauma Response Procedures: A Husbandry Manual
  • Scientific article The pollinators of two species of columnar cacti on Curaco, Netherlands Antilles
    Three species of columnar cacti (Stenocereus gri seus, Subpilocereus repandus, and Pilosocereus lan uginosus) are conspicuous elements of arid...
  • Other resources Investigations of an unidentified benthic cyanobacterial species on Bonaire, N.A.
    An unidentified benthic cyanobacterial species has been documented growing on the reef system of Bonaire, N.A. Despite their role as nitrogen fixers...
  • Other resources Coral bleaching and a proposed monitoring program for Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel their symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, or when zooxanthellae expel their photosynthetic pigments...
  • Media Statia Marine Expedition
    In June 2015, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, in collaboration with “Anemoon Foundation”, launched a new initiative in the Dutch Caribbean with the...
  • Media The Smithsonian Institution’s Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP)
    Compared to shallow coral reefs there has been very little scientific research on reefs below 45 meters largely due to limitations imposed by SCUBA...
  • Media Baited Remote Underwater Video monitoring: what's all the fuss?
    Researchers from the University of Wageningen under the leadership of sheries biologist Dr. Martin de Graaf and Twan Stoffers, have been working for...
  • Media Saba Bank: Sharks
    Want to know the best place to see sharks in the Netherlands? Recent studies would seem to indicate that it’s the Saba Bank! Researchers on early...
  • Media UV- filters in sun care products as an emerging risk for Caribbean coral reefs
    Researchers from the Wageningen Marine Research, under the leadership of water quality specialist and ecologist Dr. Diana Slijkerman, have been...
  • Media BioNews 4-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 4-2017 includes the following news-items: Status of Curaçao’s Reefs Researchers discover that the three known flamingo tongue snail species...
  • Media BRUV Work In The Dutch Caribbean
    Data collection with stereo Baited Remote Underwater Videos (sBRUV) deployed throughout the islands of the Dutch Caribbean over the past few years is...
  • Media Status of Saba Bank’s reefs
    The Saba Bank remained an unexplored and mysterious offshore submerged carbonate platform until very recently. Research on the Saba Bank was first...
  • Research report Sustainable boat-based marine wildlife
    Convention on migratory species 12th MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES  Manila, Philippines, 23 - 28 October 2017  Agenda Item 24.4.5 CMS...
  • Scientific article Exploring changes in Caribbean hurricane-induced wave heights
    During recent decades there has been open debate about a possible increase in the number and magnitude of more energetic hurricanes in the Atlantic,...
  • Monitoring protocol Marine Animal Monitoring Form
    In an effort to gather much needed information on local populations of whales, dolphins, manatees, sharks, rays and large groupers STINAPA Bonaire...
  • Research report STCB Year Report 2020
    Download the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Yearly Report 2020 Content: introduction & backround transect count surveys Netting at lac bay...
  • Research report A volcano seismic monitoring network in the Caribbean Netherlands
    The Lesser Antilles volcanic arc on the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Plate is part of the Caribbean subduction zone. The subduction process is...
  • Research report Pathways towards a sustainable kunuku landscape - exploring transdisciplinary foresight and ambiguity in Bonaire
    Imagination is understood as a vital element of transformations towards sustainable human societies. This study explores scientific foresights and...
  • Media Sixth Caribbean marine expedition ‘Ti Whale An Nou 2022’ taking place this month
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below. Organized by CCS with the support of WWF and DCNA As of August 15th through August 30th, the sixth joint scientific...
  • Research report STCB Year Report 2021
    Bonaire turtles stcb year report 2021  
  • Scientific article FORAGING ECOLOGY OF RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD PHAETHON AETHEREUS IN THE CARIBBEAN DURING EARLY CHICK REARING REVEALED BY GPS TRACKING
    Investigating the foraging patterns of tropical seabirds can provide important information about their ocean habitat affinities as well as prey...
  • Research report Combatting oil pollution in vulnerable areas
    This report contains an explanation of the vulnerability charts that were drawn up for the Caribbean Netherlands (the islands of Bonaire, Sint...
  • Other resources Volcanology of Saba and St. Eustatius, Northern Lesser Antilles
    The two small islands of Saba and St. Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles) lie on the northernmost subaerial end of the active arc of the Lesser Antilles...
  • Other resources Archaeological excavations at Schotsenhoek plantation, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    In May 2012, the St. Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research was contracted to carry out an excavation on the NuStar property locally known as ‘...
  • Maps and Charts Iguana sightings St. Eustatius
    Iguana delicatissima sightings on St. Eustatius, supported by RAVON (Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish Research Netherlands),  STENAPA and the MSc...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle nesting monitoring on St.Maarten by Nature Foundation
    Raw data of turtle nest observations, including: nest identification, species, false crawls, etc. Please contact Nature Foundation St.Maarten for...
  • Media Manatee sighting on Bonaire
    manateeBonaire.mp4 Manatee in the Bonaire National Marine Park On July 10th, STINAPA ranger Luigi Eybrecht filmed...
  • Media Recommendations for avoiding collisions with humpback whales in the Dutch Caribbean
    A new study from the Aeres University of Applied Sciences combined expert knowledge and an analysis of historical data concerning whale ship strikes...
  • Media The role of creeks for tidal exchange in the mangroves of Lac Bay, Bonaire
    This presentation gives an overview of the thesis work conducted to map the hydrological connectivity within the mangrove channels of Lac Bay,...
  • Research report Spatial & Temporal monitoring of Bonaire’s near-shore water quality
    Internship report Although Bonaire’s waters harbours one of the richest reefs of the Caribbean, it has not evaded the unprecedented global decline of...
  • Monitoring protocol Algae cheat sheet
    This cheat sheet contains photographs of the most common green algae (incl. seagrasses) and brown algae occurring in the Caribbean.
  • Media BioNews 11 - December 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on the Audubon’s Shearwater. Despite its resounding and unique call, this threatened bird often goes unnoticed on our...
  • Other resources Variation in Threespot Damselfish Aggression Using Models of a Conspecific, Predator, and Herbivore
    The purpose of this research was to determine the level of defensive aggression of the threespot damselfish, Stagastes planifrons, when exposed to...
  • Portal Dutch Caribbean Species Register
    Catalog of Dutch Caribbean Species contains information on: habitat; names; presence and; collection specimens The registeris searchable by: Photo...
  • Other resources Harmful invasive alien species (IAS) in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Following climate change, IAS are recognised as the second-most serious long-term threat to island ecology, worldwide. Of all IAS issues, by far the...
  • Portal AGRRA - Atlantic & Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment
    The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program champions coral reef conservation and empowers those who protect these diverse ecosystems...
  • Scientific article Southern Caribbean islands ecological corridor (Corredor Ecológico Islas del Caribe Sur)
    The notion of an ecological corridor is to connect protected areas of high biodiversity to counteract the fragmentation of habitats, the loss of...
  • Other resources The groundwater quality of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao: a hydrogeochemical study
    The Groundwater resources on the Caribbean Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are limited and of poor quality. The groundwater of the islands is...
  • Research report The socio-cultural value of the Simpson Bay Lagoon. An economic valuation amongst the heterogeneous population of Saint Martin.
    Student Report The Simpson Bay Lagoon provides an important ecological value, as well as numerous ecosystem services to the community of Saint Martin...
  • Research report Pathways towards a sustainable kunuku landscape
    Summary Imagination is understood as a vital element of transformations towards sustainable human societies. This study explores scientific...
  • Scientific article First record of Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) for Aruba
    Abstract Robert L. Norton encountered a Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) approximately 60 km NNW of Aruba, providing Aruba’s first record...
  • Scientific article Separate but equal in the protection against climate change? The legal framework of climate justice for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
    Abstract The experiences of overseas territories and how their varying degrees of self-governance influence climate (in)action are overlooked topics...
  • Research report Tanker Anchoring Impact Study and Recommendations St Eustatius Marine Park
    Abstract: St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) is the only active environmental non-government organization on St. Eustatius, and was...
  • Media NetBiome meeting, Reunion
    Overseas Countries, Territories and Regions (OCT/Ors) of Europe working together for sustainable management and research of biodiversity In June,...
  • Research report Theory and practice of user fee implementation for nature conservation in the Caribbean, an analysis of success factors and critical obstacles.
    User fee systems are effectively utilised in different places throughout the Caribbean and provide sustainable financial resources that successfully...
  • Media Marine Protected Areas - a new interactive online map
    The Dutch Caribbean has a new way to access marine protected area (MPA) information focused on ease of use for boaters, fishermen, and the public....
  • Scientific article One-Third of Reef-Building Corals Face Elevated Extinction Risk from Climate Change and Local Impacts
    The conservation status of 845 zooxanthellate reef-building coral species was assessed by using International Union for Conservation of Nature Red...
  • Scientific article Tortugas Marinas Fósiles de Venezuels Una Historia de 113 milliones de años
  • Research report Effect of shade on Antigonon leptopus (Corallita) growth and germination rate
    MSc. thesis An experimental research conducted in Saba (Dutch Caribbean) as a potential control method for Corallita Non-native species can cause...
  • Research report Preliminary Observations of Bottlenose Dolphins around Bonaire, Netherland Antilles
    Coastal bottlenose dolphins have never been studied around the Island of Bonaire. This project collected preliminary information on historical...
  • Scientific article Octopods of deep reefs off Curaçao, southern Caribbean, including description of one newly discovered species
    Recent exploratory research on poorly studied deep reefs in the Caribbean Sea has yielded substantial new information about the diversity of deep-...
  • Research report Testing the effectiviness of two methods for selectively trapping lionfish and estimating the feasibilty of a commercial lionfish fishery on Saba
    Student Report The invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) started invading the Caribbean Sea since the 1980's and were first sighted...
  • Media Sunscreen increases the damaging effects of climate change on coral reefs
    In recent years, there has been an increase in the detection of UV filters from sunscreens in coastal waters. A new study by Wageningen University...
  • Media The path to Coral Recovery: Scientific Foundations and Practical Lessons
    During the 2019 edition of the DCNA Convention on Bonaire, biologists from local protected area management organizations including Aruba National...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2009
    Management Recommendations: Include all the area of Salina Goto and salina Frans inside the borders of WSNP. This expansion will not only benefit the...
  • Portal Algae Base
    AlgaeBase is a database of information on algae that includes terrestrial, marine and freshwater organisms. At present, the data for the marine algae...
  • Other resources The influence of goats on soil erosion and vegetation in Arikok National Park, Aruba
    Currently goats roam freely in Arikok National Park, Aruba. Case studies from around the world showed how livestock influence vegetation growth and...
  • Other resources Saba Bank management Unit Activity Report 2016
    The Saba Bank Management Unit (SBMU) is responsible for the operational management of the Saba Bank. Its current tasks are to perform scientific...
  • Other resources Monkey business 'the socioeconomic impact of the invasive green vervet monkey population on the island of St.Maarten'
    Abstract In this student thesis you will find information on the socioeconomic impact of the invasive Green Vervet monkey population on the island of...
  • Research report Saba Bank Symposium: summary and recommendations
    Introduction: Since 2010, the Saba Bank falls under the jurisdiction of The Netherlands. Spanning an area of 2000km2, the Saba Bank houses the...
  • Other resources Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI)
    This webpage consists of seven main parts, three of which are updated every month: 1. A short description of the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI); 2....
  • Other resources Cay Bay Post-Restoration Assessment
    The Cay Bay restoration site is located within the Seaside Nature Park (thus it has been referred to as “Seaside Nature Park” in previous reports ...
  • Scientific article Range-wide population genetic structure of the Caribbean marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum
    Many marine species have widespread geographic ranges derived from their evolutionary and ecological history particularly their modes of dispersal....
  • Scientific article Ecological and socioeconomic strategies to sustain Caribbean coral reefs in a high-CO world
    The Caribbean and Western Atlantic region hosts one of the world’s most diverse geopolitical regions and a unique marine biota distinct from tropical...
  • Media Coral Spawning Predictions for the South Caribbean
    Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) has released its annual coral spawning prediction calendar for the south Caribbean. This...
  • Other resources Ecologie van het zeepaardje Hippocampus reidi (Sygnathidae) op het koraalrif van Bonaire (N.A.): habitatgebruik, reproductie en interspecifieke interacties
    Student Report - University of Groningen Ecology of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Sygnathidae) on the coral reef of Bonaire (N.A.): habitat use,...
  • Scientific article Rapid Assessment of Octocoral Diversity and Habitat on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    Saba Bank is a large submerged platform (~2200 km2), average depth 30 m, located 4 km southwest of Saba Island in Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean Sea...
  • Other resources Nutrient Enrichment and Eutrophication on Fringing Coral Reefs of Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, 2006-2008
    Land-based nutrient pollution is a major stressor on coral reef communities around the Caribbean region and globally. To assess the status of...
  • Scientific article The Diet and Reproductive Schedules of Leptonycteris curasoae curasoae and Glossophaga longirostris elongata (Chiroptera: Glossophaginae) on Curaçao
    Two bat species, Leptonyrteris curasoae and Glossophaga longirostris, are the principal pollinators of at least two of the three species of columnar...
  • Scientific article Host species, range extensions, and an observation of the mating system of Atlantic shallow-water gall crabs (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae)
    Coral-associated invertebrates dominate the biodiversity of coral reefs. Some of the associations involving symbiotic invertebrates remain unknown or...
  • Research report Status and Trends of Bonaire's Coral Reefs in 2015: Slow but steady signs of resilience
    Bonaire’s coral reefs remain among the healthiest in the Caribbean. Although the island’s reefs have suffered bleaching disturbances similar to those...
  • Scientific article Beta diversity of macroalgal communities around St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    This study provides a baseline of the marine algal flora composition around St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, by describing algal community structure...
  • Research report The total economic value of nature on Bonaire
    Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are critical to Bonairean society. In the last decades, various local and global developments...
  • Research report The current status of mangrove forests in Spanish Lagoon (Aruba) evaluated from a hydrological point of view. Assessing the water balance and modelling tree growth rates.
    The importance of mangroves is widely recognized because of the number of services they provide (e.g. habitat function and coastal protection). In...
  • Media BioNews 6-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 6-2017 includes the following news-items: Saba: hurricane impacts St. Eustatius: rat control program Fieldwork on seagrass ecosystem services...
  • Other resources What’s Bonaire’s Nature Worth? (Policy Brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are critical to Bonairean society. In the last decades, various...
  • Maps and Charts Improved ASTER elevation model for Bonaire
    Improved AsterDEM for Bonaire with a 10-meter spatial resolution and 1m height resolution. The ASTERDEM has been improved amongst others for making a...
  • Media At least ten reef-associated shark species in the Dutch Caribbean
    Wageningen Marine Research reported ten reef-associated shark species in the Dutch Caribbean in a recent published study as part of Dutch Caribbean...
  • Other resources Using Sound to Track Marine Mammals in Saba Bank
    Since 2011, the Saba Bank noise logger research project has been collecting acoustic data of marine mammals, fish and man-made noises within the Saba...
  • Research report Goat Culling on Saba
    Student Report After six months of ethnographic fieldwork on Saba, a small island in the Caribbean Netherlands, the student developed her thesis...
  • Raw data Areal survey- Bait balls East Coast Bonaire
    Aerial survey by the DCNA recording data and taking photos of almost 30 bait balls. Species observed include: skipjack tuna, various seabirds,...
  • Scientific article The Lethal Yellowing (16SrIV) Group of Phytoplasmas
    ABSTRACT Lethal yellowing (LY) is the single most important threat to world coconut palm production. Molecular based tools, and sensitivedetection...
  • Portal Malacolog - A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca
    Malacolog is a database for research on the systematics, biogeography and diversity of mollusks. Malacolog attempts to document all names that have...
  • Maps and Charts Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Bonaire
    Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) map of Bonaire (GIS). Includes contiguous zone and territorial sea. Based on the United Nations Convention of the Law...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Saba
    The Saba coastline IBA (AN006)—the island’s site priority for bird conservation—has been identified on the basis of nine key bird species (listed in...
  • Research report Humpback and minke whale acoustic presence with reference to fish sounds and ambient noise levels at Saba Bank, Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands
    The Antillean Island chain is a known breeding and calving ground for North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). However, while most...
  • Media Oct. 2015: Third Saba Bank expedition
    A select group of researchers from IMARES and several other institutions came together from October 17th to October 31st 2015 to conduct the third...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle observations on St.Eustatius 2004-2016
    Raw data of turtle observations, both nesting and in-water surveys. Information includes: nest identification, species, weather, moonphase, size of...
  • Book Towards reef resilience and sustainable livelihood: : A handbook for Caribbean coral reef managers
    The project has produced a handbook that aims to provide reef managers with tools, information and recommendations on management of coral reef...
  • Research report Humpback and minke whale acoustic presence with reference to fish sounds and ambient noise levels at Saba Bank, Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands
    The Antillean Island chain is a known breeding and calving ground for North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). However, while most...
  • Maps and Charts Elevation and coastal bathymetric model for Bonaire
    Improved AsterDEM for Bonaire rescaled to 1-meter spatial resolution and 1m height resolution. The ASTERDEM has been improved amongst others for...
  • Media Special Edition: State of Nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the Caribbean Netherlands islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Media Eleven Species of Mosquitoes found on Leeward Dutch Caribbean Islands
    A 2018 study of mosquito populations on the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius documented eleven different species, including two new...
  • Scientific article Mimicry of emergent traits amplifies coastal restoration success
    Restoration is becoming a vital tool to counteract coastal ecosystem degradation. Modifying transplant designs of habitat-forming organisms from...
  • Other resources The population dynamics of the Caribbean flamingo on Bonaire
    Since 2018, increasing number of dead juvenile flamingos were found on Bonaire. This study aims to determine what reproduction rate is required to...
  • Scientific article Foraging ecology of red-billed tropicbrid phaethon aethereus in the Caribbean during early chick rearing revealed by GPS tracking
    Investigating the foraging patterns of tropical seabirds can provide important information about their ocean habitat affinities as well as prey...
  • Scientific article The 2022 Diadema antillarum die-off event: Comparisons with the 1983-1984 mass mortality
    The 1983-1984 die-off of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum stands out as a catastrophic marine event because of its detrimental effectson...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2008
    Management Recommendations: The boundaries of the WSNP should be expended to include all the salinas included in this survey. This expansion will not...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle nesting monitoring on Bonaire by STCB
    Raw data of sea turtle nesting monitoring on Bonaire, including nesting efforts, nest locations, species, number of eggs, number of hatchlings, etc....
  • Media NIOZ Saba Bank Expedition: Environmental impacts on carbon metabolism of reef ecosystems
    NIOZ organised an expedition to the Saba Bank aboard the research vessel “Pelagia” from 19th August to 8th September 2016. Thirteen scientists from...
  • Other resources The lionfish culling program in Sint Eustatius island, dutch caribbean
    Msc. thesis Research questions: →  Does the culling program significantly reduce the lionfish population in St Eustatius? The aims of this question...
  • Research report An insight into Saba's heritage properties for the purpose of World Heritage nomination
    In 2011, the Saban government submitted the tentative list for nomination of the UNESCO World Heritage list. On this tentative list, the whole island...
  • Other resources Expedition Discovers Marine Treasures
    An underwater mountain that forms the world's third-largest atoll has some of the richest diversity of marine life ever found in the Caribbean,...
  • Media Saba Bank: marine mammals
    The Northern Caribbean is a well-known breeding and calving ground for North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and considerable ...
  • Other resources What is St Eustatius’ Nature Worth? (Policy Brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as the corals reefs and the forests on the hillsides of Boven and the Quill are critical to the...
  • Raw data Nutrient monitoring data on Bonaire and Curacao, 2007
    Raw data of a comparative nutrient monitoring program that included seasonal sampling for nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, DIN, SRP, TDN, TDP),...
  • Research report Remote Sensing Tools to support NEXUS challenges
    Smalls islands are especially vulnerable to climate change and land  use changes due to the competing needs for limited resources. To support...
  • Research report Optimum fragment size of A. cervicornis for out planting and in-situ coral nurseries, Saba – Dutch Caribbean
    Over millions of people around the globe depend on coral reefs for their livelihood and food. Coral reefs also play an important role in coastal...
  • Scientific article Rapid declines in lionfish catches in the Saba Bank lobster and snapper trap fisheries, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract Since its introduction in the Western Atlantic more than 30 years ago, the lionsh (Pterois volitans/miles complex) has spread throughout the...
  • Research report Use of satellite data for the monitoring of species on Saba and St. Eustatius.
    Abstract: On 10 October 2010 Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius became ‘special municipalities’ of the Netherlands, making the Dutch government...
  • Other resources Parke Marino Aruba 2019-2021 Preliminary Management Plan
        In 2016 the Government of Aruba in partnership with TNO Caribbean was awarded the BEST 2.0 Program grant to establish Marine Protected Areas (...
  • Book What works in conservation (2015)
    This book has been created to help you make decisions about practical conservation management by providing an assessment, from the available...
  • Scientific article Host switch by the Caribbean anemone shrimp Periclimenes rathbunae in Curacao
    The anemone shrimp Periclimenes rathbunae Schmitt, 1924 (family Palaemonidae), is a common associate of shallow- water anthozoans in the tropical...
  • Other resources St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan 2007
    The St Maarten Marine Park was first established in 1997. It surrounds the Dutch side of St Martin from the average high water mark to a depth of...
  • Portal Plants and Lichens of Saba. A Virtual Herbarium of The New York Botanical Garden.
    Saba is a five square mile island with about 1200 permanent inhabitants located off the coast of St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles (go to map...
  • Other resources Juvenile French Angelfish Exhibit Cleaning Activity in Bonaire
    Juvenile french angelfish, Pomacanthus paru, are known to be cleaner fish. Cleaning is an interesting mutualistic behavior between 2 individuals...
  • Other resources The value of nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
    The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as the forests on the hillsides of the Quill on St Eustatius and Saba’s Mt Scenery or the corals reefs of...
  • Scientific article Long-term responses of North Atlantic calcifying plankton to climate change
    The global increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is potentially threatening marine biodiversity in two ways. First, carbon dioxide and...
  • Media Urgent Conservation Action Needed to Save the Lesser Antillean Iguana
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana is an endangered endemic reptile found in the Lesser Antilles whose population is rapidly decreasing. Although once also...
  • Scientific article Assisted Natural Recovery: A Novel Approach to Enhance Diadema antillarum Recruitment
    The massive die-off of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in 1983–1984 is one the main reasons for low coral recruitment and little coral recovery in...
  • Other resources Impacts of cleaner shrimp, Ancylomenes pedersoni, density at cleaning stations on cleaner and client behavior
    Mutualisms and symbiotic relationships are common in the marine environment. Relationships between cleaner species, their hosts, and their client...
  • Other resources Diurnal Variation of Cleaning Intensity in Bonaire, N.A
    Cleaner species are believed to help maintain the health of client species by cleansing them of parasites, dead or infected tissue and debris which...
  • Other resources Is larval fish diversity connected to ecosystem level diversity? A case study in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Greater ecosystem diversity generally results in greater fish diversity. It follows that areas of greater ecosystem diversity would also exhibit...
  • Other resources A comparative study of the feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Caribbean
    Invasive species are often a detriment to the environment due to the lack of parasites, disease and natural predators in the invaded environment,...
  • Scientific article Geoacoustic inversion in the north-eastern Caribbean using a hydrographic survey vessel as a sound source of opportunity
    During the spring of 2006, hydrographic survey vessel HNLMS “Snellius” ran an extensive multibeam and sidescan survey of the Saba bank, a large...
  • Scientific article Effects of Climate Variability on the Morphodynamics of Uruguayan Sandy Beaches
    Effects of long-term trends in climatic variability on the morphodynamics of a reflective and a dissipative sandy beach in Uruguay (SW Atlantic Ocean...
  • Scientific article A Framework for Assessing Climate Adaptation Governance on the Caribbean Island of Curaçao
    Abstract It is becoming increasingly clear that Caribbean islands are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise,...
  • Other resources Impacts of sunscreens on coral reefs
    Sunscreens contain organic (chemical) and/or inorganic (mineral) UV filters that absorb, reflect or scatter UV light. They also contain inactive...
  • Other resources Invasive lionfish obesity in Bonaire
    Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.) have spread to and established sufficient numbers throughout the Caribbean. They are extreme generalists that...
  • Other resources Saba and St. Eustatius (Statia)
    Saba and St. Eustatius/Sint Eustatius (Statia) represent geologically young (less than a million years) Pleistocene island arc volcanoes that rise at...
  • Scientific article The effectiveness of two bat species as pollinators of two species of columnar cacti on Curaçao
    Two species of columnar cacti, Subpilocereus repandus and Stenocereus griseus, are pollinated on Curacao by two species of glossophagine bats,...
  • Scientific article Black Mantle Tissue of Endolithic Mussels (Leiosolenus spp.) Is Cloaking Borehole Orifices in Caribbean Reef Corals
    Abstract: Bioerosion caused by boring mussels (Mytilidae: Lithophaginae) can negatively impact coral reef health. During biodiversity surveys of...
  • Research report The local recreational and cultural value of nature on Saba
    his thesis is part of the project ‘What is Saba’s nature worth?’ a collaboration between the IVM, VU University Amsterdam and Wolfs Company. The aim...
  • Other resources Habitat preferences, behavior, and inter-species associations of the yellowline arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Stenorhynchus seticornis (Yellowline arrow crab) is a decapod crustacean native to the Western Atlantic in tropical and subtropical climates....
  • Research report The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Aruba
    Aruba’s natural capital value for tourism, culture, fishing and carbon exceeds US$ 287.3 million per year. ARUBA, an island of 115,000 human...
  • Other resources Aggressive nest guarding behavior of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis) in association with guarding male and nest size
    Among fish that lay their eggs on the ground (demersal) and have external fertilization (oviparous), typical parental care includes building a nest,...
  • Research report Coral competition for space
    Coral reefs fulfil many ecological functions such as maintaining the diversity, providing habitats and shoreline protection. One of the most...
  • Scientific article Growth potential and predation risk drive ontogenetic shifts among nursery habitats in a coral reef fish
    Various species of aquatic animals have complex life cycles and utilize different habitats during consecutive phases of their life cycles. For...
  • Other resources The effects of the lunar cycle on plankton density, diversity, and diel migration in the coastal waters of Bonaire, N.A.
    The lunar cycle is a key environmental factor influencing the feeding, reproduction, and migration of many marine organisms, including fish,...
  • Other resources Coral bleaching frequency and recovery during the 2015 El Niño- Southern Oscillation event in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean.
    El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events are known to bring high sea surface temperatures and in turn cause coral bleaching. The Fall 2015 ENSO...
  • Media POP Bonaire: Rural Development Program: 2014-2018
    Increasing concern over Bonaire’s dependence on dive tourism and the importation of food products has led the government to push for the sustainable...
  • Other resources Night ecology and fluorescence of the fireworm, Hermodice carunculata
    The marine bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata, is a highly mobile polychaete that is abundant on the coral reefs of Bonaire and is active at...
  • Scientific article Post-mortem examination of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus, Latreille 1804) and pathology in a fishery of the Lesser Antilles
    Highlights • We present the first illustrated postmortem examination guide for Panulirus argus. • We confirm that microsporidiosis is rare in fishery...
  • Other resources Structure and substratum preference of a schooling fish: observing the habitat use and nutrient input of smallmouth grunts (Haemulon chrysargyreum) in Bonaire
    Various marine organisms are known to consciously select specific types of habitat that provide maximum shelter from potential predators. Reef fish...
  • Other resources Examining the effect of different grazers on algal biomass
    Herbivory drives ecosystem dynamics in both terrestrial and marine habitats, controlling type and biomass of vegetation. In tropical coral reefs,...
  • Scientific article High prevalence of dermal parasites among coral reef fishes of Curaçao
    Abstract During expeditions to Curaçao in August and October of 2013, a large number of fish infected with dermal parasites was observed. Infected...
  • Other resources Correlation analysis of garden and territory size of threespot damselfish, Stegastes planifrons
    Various symbiotic relationships build and maintain coral reefs. Mutualistic relationships provide the organisms involved with an increased chance of...
  • Scientific article The Light and Motion Sensor Program: Low cost coral reef monitoring
    Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 7-11 July 2008 Session number 16 Effective coral reef management...
  • Scientific article Highly localized replenishment of coral reef fish populations near nursery habitats
    Connectivity is essential for ecosystem functioning, and in particular for the popula- tion dynamics of species that use different habitats during...
  • Scientific article Monitoring benthic habitats using Lyzenga model features from Landsat multi-temporal images in Google Earth Engine
    Benthic habitats have conventionally been monitored through physical site visits by diving. This requires the use of expensive resources and time to...
  • Media Mangrove Restoration Workshop 2021
    The Mangrove Restoration Workshop was held between October 25 - 28, 2021. The goal was to bring together researchers, conservationists, park...
  • Other resources Report of the First meeting of the WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CITES/CFMC working group on shark conservation and management, Bridgetown, Barbados, 17-19 October 2017
    The First meeting of the WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CITES/CFMC working group on shark conservation and management was held in Barbados on 17-19 October 2017...
  • Other resources Underrepresentation of eels in AGRRA and REEF fish surveys in Bonaire
    Eels play an important role in coral reef ecosystems as part of nuclear hunting groups and as top predators. They are often underrepresented in fish...
  • Other resources A comparison of cleaning stations operated by the cleaner shrimp Periclemenes pedersoni on host anemones Condylactis gigantea and Bartholomea annulata
    Cleaner shrimp are commonly found throughout Caribbean coral reefs and can effectively reduce parasite loads on reef fish resulting in increased...
  • Scientific article Wave-swept coralliths of Saba Bank, Dutch Caribbean
    During a recent reef coral survey at the submarine Saba Bank (Eastern Caribbean), an uncommon and diverse assemblage of unattached scleractinian...
  • Scientific article Population Genetic Structure, Abundance, and Health Status of Two Dominant Benthic Species in the Saba Bank National Park, Caribbean Netherlands: Montastraea cavernosa and Xestospongia muta
    Saba Bank, a submerged atoll in the Caribbean Sea with an area of 2,200 km2, has attained international conservation status due to the rich diversity...
  • Other resources Cascading effects of nutrients on macroalgae and herbivorous fish on coral reefs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The island of Bonaire has significant contamination from anthropogenic sources such as sewage and landfills, which can cause excess nutrients in...
  • Research report St. Eustatius fiesheries monitoring report 2017
    Based on the fisheries data collected for 2017, St. Eustatius fishery continues to be a small-scale coastal fishery as described by Sybesma et al. (...
  • Other resources Habitat use, nocturnal behavior, and differences between phases of five common parrotfish species in Bonaire, N.A.
    Parrotfish are a common and important component of the fringing reefs ecosystem surrounding Bonaire, N.A. In the reef environment, large herbivores...
  • Scientific article Population genetic structure, abundance and health status of two dominant benthic species in the Saba Bank National Park, Caribbean Netherlands: Montastraea cavernosa and Xestospongia muta
    Abstract Saba Bank, a submerged atoll in the Caribbean Sea with an area of 2,200 km2 , has attained international conservation status due to the rich...
  • Other resources Herbivory and predatory pressures on artificial reefs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Artificial reefs are commonly used to increase habitat space for reef-dwelling organisms. Coral reefs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean, are degrading due...
  • Other resources Policy Letter: Creating effective, sustainable fisheries management in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Throughout the Caribbean, like in the rest of the world, the abundance of marine fish species have been declining over the past decades. The health...
  • Research report Mapping of the Potential Erosion in the Catchment of Lac Bay
    Abstract: Over the past decades coastal ecosystems have been increasingly threatened and have been reducing at alarming rates. Similar is happening...
  • Other resources Habitat choice, size distribution, color variance, and feeding behavior of spotted moray eels, Gymnothorax moringa, in coastal waters of Bonaire, N.A.
    The spotted moray eel, Gymnothorax moringa, is one of the most abundant moray eels found in the coastal waters of Bonaire, N.A. However, little is...
  • Research report Chapter 12. Status and trends of coral reefs of the Caribbean region
    Regional Context: The Caribbean Region represents only 1% of Earth’s marine surface but hosts 10% of the world’s coral reefs, including fringing...
  • Other resources The abundance of feral livestock in the Washington Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire
    Feral livestock grazing has long been recognized to have a negative effect on the ecosystem of the Washington Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire....
  • Media Disappearance of St. Maarten’s Snails
    Nederlands Below   Land and freshwater mollusks were surveyed over the course of three visits in 2015, 2020 and 2021 on the Dutch and French sides of...
  • Scientific article Conflicts and solutions related to marine turtle conservation initiatives in the Caribbean basin: Identifying new challenges
    Highlights   • We identified up to 161 human-derived conflicts which are related to marine turtle conservation initiatives. • We found that each...
  • Other resources Comparison of fish assemblages of branching artificial reef habitat to adjacent habitats on the leeward coast of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The implementation of artificial reefs is one effort used to mitigate the rate of decline of coral reefs and the deterioration of fish communities....
  • Other resources Effects of structural complexity on Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthigaster rostrata (Tetraodontidae), abundance and size in the shallows of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthigaster rostrata, as well as other species within the Tetraodontidae family are common reef fish found in tropical and...
  • Other resources Traditional datu cactus (Ritterocereus griseus) fences reduce runoff rates and transport of sediment and nutrients on hillsides in Bonaire, N.A.
    Most hard corals require seawater with low nutrients and sediment loads to thrive. Unfortunately, on a global scale, increases in both are currently...
  • Media Insight into the environmental impact of the food basket of an island: case study of Aruba. Challenges and solutions in moving from an exploratory analysis towards a more detailed analysis.
      This research focuses on calculating the environmental impact, such as carbon footprint, of the food basket of an island, by using life cycle...
  • Research report Bonaire 2050, putting the vision into numbers
    Bonaire is facing major challenges including (mass) tourism, population growth, urban expansion, climate change, biodiversity loss and the unilateral...
  • Research report Assessing Water Quality and the Benthic Species Communities around the Dutch Caribbean Island Sint Eustatius
    MSc internship report The health of coral reefs is threatened by anthropogenic land-based input, which is a global problem. High nutrient conditions...
  • Other resources Pilot trials on St. Eustatius to contain the spread of and eradicate the invasive Giant African Land Snail
    In 2013, the invasive Giant African Land Snail, Achatina fulica was found in a small part of urban St. Eustatius. In collaboration with local...
  • Research report Ecological rehabilitation of Lac Bonaire by wise management of water and sediments
    This report gives an overview of the most prominent problems currently encountered at the Lac bay area. To change the currently negative situation at...
  • Research report St. Eustatius National Marine Park Management Plan 2007
    Abstract: The St. Eustatius Marine Park was created in 1996 and extends around the entire island from the high water line to 30m depth contour. St....
  • Media Bonaire 2050, a nature inclusive vision
    2nd edition (2022) including maps of futures with accompnaying trend projections and indicators. 1st edition (2020). This is a story about one...
  • Other resources Papers Ecology Conference on Flamingos, Oil Pollution and Reefs, Bonaire, 1975
    Contents Introduction - by the Editors. Address - by M. A. POURIER, Minister of Economic Development. Address- by Mr. A. R. W. SINT JAGO, Lieutenant...
  • Other resources Effects of shore proximity and depth on the distribution of fish larvae in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    A vast majority of marine fish species, both reef and pelagic, are bipartite, meaning that they have a pelagic larval stage distinctly separate from...
  • Scientific article Monitoring of terrestrial avifauna in six habitats on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands, 2009–2017
    The Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot due to its rich biodiversity and wholesale loss of primary vegetation. Yet, there is a paucity of studies on...
  • Scientific article Marine Biodiversity in the Caribbean: Regional Estimates and Distribution Patterns
    This paper provides an analysis of the distribution patterns of marine biodiversity and summarizes the major activities of the Census of Marine Life...
  • Research report Workshop report: ecosystem services valuation on Curacao
    On the 21th and 22st of January 2015, a 2-day workshop was held on Curacao. The workshop was intended to build knowledge and share experiences...
  • Other resources Effects of pumping efficiency on the antibacterial properties of sponges Aplysina archeri and Aplysina lacunosa on Bonaire
    The filter feeding mechanism of marine sponges exposes them to water-borne toxins and bacteria, forcing them to evolve immune systems effective in...
  • Other resources Bonaire National Marine Park Management Plan 2022-2028
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979. The marine park protects 2,700 hectares of coral reefs, seagrass beds and...
  • Research report Half a century of civil society participation in biodiversity conservation and protected area management: A case study of Bonaire
    Abstract: This case study examines several aspects of civil society participation in biodiversity conservation in Bonaire that have been of...
  • Monitoring protocol PROALAS: Latin American Program for Landbirds
    About this manual and how to use it conabio’s community monitoring network is a citizen science project aimed at local communities. It was created in...
  • Other resources Plan land and water: Nature and environment plan Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030
    The Caribbean Netherlands consists of three islands: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, all located in the Caribbean Sea. Since 2010 each island is...
  • Scientific article How much time can herbivore protection buy for coral reefs under realistic regimes of hurricanes and coral bleaching?
    Abstract: Coral reefs have been more severely impacted by recent climate instability than any other ecosystem on Earth. Corals tolerate a narrow...
  • Other resources A study on the growing conditions, distribution and propagation of Statia Morning Glory (Ipomoea sphenophylla) on Sint Eustatius
    Statia Morning Glory (Ipomoea sphenophylla) is one of two endemic species found on the island of Sint Eustatius. The plant is currently found in the...
  • Other resources Ranking Herbivory in Coral Reef Fish
    Herbivory grazing patterns by parrotfish, family Scaridae, and surgeonfish, family Acanthuridae, were investigated on the leeward side of Bonaire,...
  • Other resources Assessment of local lionfish (Pterois volitans) densities and management efforts in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species that was released along the U.S. Atlantic coast and spread to the Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Caribbean parrotfish density and size inside and outside marine protected area
    The direct and indirect impacts of the increase in human population, in particular the growing demand for food, as well as various aspects of climate...
  • Scientific article Assessing the preservation of biogenic strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) in the pars petrosa ossis temporalis of unburnt human skeletal remains: A case study from Saba
    Rationale:Strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analysis of skeletal remains has become apowerful tool in archaeological studies of human migration and...
  • Media Alarming Decline of Bridled Quail-Dove populations on Statia
    The Bridled Quail-dove is a regionally endemic species that, on Statia, is only found in upper elevations of the Quill (above ~150m) and inside the...
  • Other resources Coral bleaching infographic
    What is coral bleaching? When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae...
  • Scientific article POPULATION ESTIMATE, NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF THE MELANISTIC IGUANA IGUANA POPULATION ON SABA, CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
    Abstract.– Intraspecific diversity is among the most important biological variables, although still poorly understood for most species. Iguana iguana...
  • Research report Discovering the Deep ROV assisted data collection to understand the status of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems around Bonaire
    Abstract The coral reefs of Bonaire, providing resources and environmental services, are often ranked among the richest, most resilient and least...
  • Research report To what extent are marine conservation and economic development reconcilable in Bonaire National Marine Park?
    Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) is a marine protected area (MPA) surrounding Bonaire, a small coral island in the Caribbean. Its purpose is to...
  • Media Microplastic Contamination on Beaches of the Lesser Antilles
    Plastic pollution is one of today’s most pressing global challenges. An estimated 4-12 billion kg of plastic enter our oceans annually, where it is...
  • Other resources Colonization and initial succession on artificial substrates over spatial and temporal gradients in a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem
    Human activity and higher frequencies of disturbance have increased coral reef degradation and created barren substrates with the opportunity for...
  • Research report Bescherming en Beheer Mariene Biodiversiteit in de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba. Een analyse van het internationaalrechtelijk en nationaalrechtelijk kader.
    Samenvatting: Het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit (LNV) heeft TNO Bouw en Ondergrond en het Netherlands Institute for the Law of...
  • Other resources The salinas of Bonaire: how does bird activity impact epi- and infaunal communities?
    Predators can play an important role in shaping prey community structure and function through direct and indirect top-down effects. Bird predators in...
  • Scientific article Effects of Recreational Scuba Diving on Caribbean Coral and Fish Communities
    Scuba diving on coral reefs is an increasingly lucrative element of tourism in the tropics, but divers can damage the reefs on which tourism depends...
  • Research report Working paper on the economic valuation of country St. Maarten's coral reef resources
    The St. Maarten Nature Foundation conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Maarten’s coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2010. This attempted to put a...
  • Research report Nature on Bonaire and social media behavior Assessing the spatial distribution of tourism and recreation on Bonaire through social media
    Tourism is a very important source of income on Bonaire and forms the most important economic pillar of the island. The tourism numbers are expected...
  • Scientific article Damage to the leeward reefs of Curac¸ao and Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles from a rare storm event: Hurricane Lenny, November 1999
    Fringing reefs along the southwestern shores of the Caribbean islands of Curaçao and Bonaire (12°N), located outside the most frequent hurricane...
  • Other resources Application Form for Area of Importance for Bat Conservation (AICOM) Kleine Bonaire
    Located in the South Caribbean xeric region, approximately 800 m from the Island of Bonaire, Klein Bonaire is a small flat island (maximum elevation...
  • Research report Social and Economic Impacts of Marine Protected Areas: A Study and Analysis of Selected Cases in the Caribbean
    The four marine protected area (MPA) cases treated in this study have a number of features in common They are relatively small in size, they are...
  • Research report Habitat Surveys of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles: An Assessment of Benthic Communities and Fish Assemblages
    Saba Bank is a large and completely submerged carbonate platform in the northeastern Caribbean Sea located approximately 4 km southwest of Saba...
  • Media The role of creeks for tidal exchange in the mangrove forest of Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Nederlands below. The mangrove forest of Lac Bay, Bonaire, is experiencing a die-off of trees in its northern area. Increasing the tidal exchange by...
  • Other resources Distribution and characterization of deep water cyano-bacterial mats occurring along the west coast of Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands)
    Student Report  Areas like the Caribbean reefs are a biodiversity hotspot. Deeper waters are shown to be of importance for the structure and...
  • Research report Coral restoration Bonaire. An evaluation of growth, regeneration and survival.
    The Coral restoration of Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn (A. palmata) as practiced by the Coral Restoration Foundation Bonaire (CRFB) is...
  • Scientific article Bat Inventories at Caves and Mines on the Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and Proposed Conservation Actions
    Abstract Bats play key ecological roles on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (ABC islands), Caribbean Netherlands; however, most bat species...
  • Research report Mapping and modelling of landslide and flood hazards on St. Eustatius with openLISEM
    Student Report Between 1900-2016 there have globally been more than 14,000 major events of natural hazards, like landslides and floods. The Caribbean...
  • Other resources Systematic investigation of the coral-inclusive potential of marine infrastructure
    Abstract Ecosystems are under pressure worldwide, due to both natural and anthropogenic stresses. Stresses on ecosystems can cause a decline in...
  • Research report Ten-year assessment of Caribbean Netherlands fisheries monitoring: data challenges and recommendations
    Summary Over the last 10 years, the Caribbean Netherlands fisheries on Saba and St. Eustatius have been monitored and multiple assessment reports...
  • Media Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve
    Bonaire has a rich and complex geological history which is reflected in its current geological landscape. While the core of the island is comprised...
  • Media Fishery Trends for St. Eustatius
    Wageningen Marine Research and Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute released an updated report on the fishery trends for St. Eustatius between...
  • Research report Using the perception of fishermen, residents and tourists to support sustainable fishing practices on the Saba Bank
    Summary   Saba is a tropical island in the Dutch Caribbean that is known for its unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity both above and below the...
  • Research report Structure and financing of nature management costs in Caribbean Netherlands
    The Nature Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands identifies the need to “Evaluate the financial instruments available for nature conservation in the...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Lobbies Internationally for Increased Support for Nature Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   DCNA has been actively promoting a nature focused agenda both within The Netherlands and...
  • Media St. Eustatius: Bridled Quail-Dove Population Continues Declining
    In the December 2017 edition of BioNews, we provided an overview of the results of two population assessments of the Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon...
  • Research report Update on the 2012-2018 trends in the St Eustatius fisheries
    This report presents an overview of the trends in St Eustatius fisheries based on the fisheries data collected on the island during 2012-2018. The...
  • Research report Udate on the 2012-2018 trends in the St.Eustatius fisheries
    This report presents an overview of the trends in St Eustatius fisheries based on the fisheries data collected on the island during 2012-2018. The...
  • Other resources Mosquitoes in Belnem on the island of Bonaire: Sources and management implications
    Student Report  The people of Bonaire are affected by diseases that are transferred by mosquitoes. The problems are related to specifically the Aedes...
  • Research report St. Maarten Nature Foundation Lionfish Response Plan
    This document serves as a reference for the controlling and management of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois miles and P. volitans complex...
  • Media Call of action to reduce plastic pollution on St. Maarten
    Residents and businesses of St. Maarten are being urged to abandon the use of single-use, non-biodegradable plasticsto help create a cleaner and...
  • Research report St. Eustatius National Parks - Lionfish Response Plan
    This document serves as a reference for the controlling and management of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois miles and P. volitans complex...
  • Research report Update on the 2012-2020 trends in the St. Eustatius fisheries
    This report is an update of previously published reports presenting an overview of the trends in St. Eustatius fisheries based on the fisheries data...
  • Research report Biological Inventory of Saba
    Abstract: Saba is the smallest of the three Windward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles, with an area of 13 km2. Saba is the northernmost island...
  • Other resources Sustainable diving tourism on the Golden Rock - Assessment of the ecological and social carrying capacity of reefs of Sint Eustatius and the potential for artificial reefs
    Tropical regions and developing states depend largely on their “blue nature” and related tourism for their potential and economic well-being. Even so...
  • Other resources Spatial and size distribution of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) veligers in relation with ocean surface currents in Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Since the 1970s the demand for Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) meat increased due to the growth of tourism. This resulted in the collapse of the...
  • Scientific article First record on fecundity of an Iguana hybrid and its implications for conservation: evidence for genetic swamping of Iguana delicatissima populations by non-native iguanas
       The Lesser Antillean iguana, Iguana delicatissima Laurenti, 1768, is a large herbivorous iguana historically ranging from Anguilla to Martinique (...
  • Media Aruba’s Value of Nature
    There is strong link between economy and nature in the Dutch Caribbean due to our economic dependence on nature-based tourism. TEEB Aruba - The...
  • Media Erosion around Kralendijk, Bonaire
    In areas with sparse vegetation, intense rainfall events can loosen the soil material, after which it is transported away towards the ocean by...
  • Media Mas Piska pa Boneiru: Less talk more action
    Identifying and overcoming bottlenecks in fisheries management on Bonaire. Fishing is one of the oldest professions in the Dutch Caribbean. Many...
  • Scientific article Nocturnal Predation of Christmas Tree Worms by a Batwing Coral Crab at Bonaire (Southern Caribbean)
    Christmas tree worms (Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) occur in shallow parts of coral reefs, where they live as associates of a large number of stony...
  • Scientific article The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the southern Caribbean: A compilation and review of records for the Dutch Leeward islands and the central Venezuelan coast
    The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee and is found from Mexico and the Bahamas south to...
  • Research report Monitoring the Saba Bank Fishery
    Findings The main conclusion from this study is that no new fishing permits should be issued until a long-term fishery monitoring program is in place...
  • Scientific article Extreme spatial heterogeneity in carbonate accretion potential on a Caribbean fringing reef linked to local human disturbance gradients
    Abstract The capacity of coral reefs to maintain their structurally complex frameworks and to retain the potential for vertical accretion is vitally...
  • Research report Rare and/or Endangered Land and Freshwater Molluscs of St. Martin
    Rare and/or Endangered Land and Freshwater Mollusks of St. Martin. In this article, Sint Maarten means the Dutch part and Saint-Martin the French...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: 2022 Park Updates
    The Nature Conservation Network Organization the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) hosted its biannual Board Meeting on Sint Maarten between...
  • Research report Feasibility study of a new harbour on the island of St. Eustatius
    St. Eustatius is a small island in the Caribbean that belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its existing harbour is due for upgrades and repairs...
  • Media The beetles of the Dutch Caribbean
    Last December, a beetle catalogue for the Dutch Caribbean was published. This voluminous paper provides the first critical review of the beetle...
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of Sint Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract: A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) based on field data from 1999 has been available as an update of Stoffers...
  • Research report What is Bonaire’s Cruise Tourism Worth
    The ecosystems of the island of Bonaire support a range of activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment. Tourism is one of these...
  • Other resources Dutch non-state actor contributions to biodiversity. Preparing for the CBD action agenda for nature and people.
    The report finds that Dutch non-state actors are increasingly involved in biodiversity initiatives, and that those initiatives are well aligned with...
  • Media Caribbean Marine Park Managers Dive into Fisheries Management
    Representatives from 15 Caribbean marine national parks recently met on the island of Saba in the Caribbean Netherlands to focus on their role in...
  • Research report 40 years of change on the coral reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire
    Coral reef ecosystems Tropical coral reefs are among the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems found on earth (Odum and Odum 1955;...
  • Media Aruba Shoco Conservation Project
    The Dutch Caribbean Islands are a treasure trove of rare and endemic (sub) species. Island endemic (sub) species, that is (sub) species restricted to...
  • Research report Influence of coastal economic valuations un the Caribbean: enabling conditions and lessons learned
    Across the Caribbean, national economies are heavily dependent on coastal ecosystem services. Coral reefs, mangroves, and other coastal ecosystems...
  • Media Healthier Mangrove Key in Managing Our Carbon Footprint
    Healthy mangroves act as carbon sinks, storing a variety of greenhouse gases.  As mangroves degrade this ability is lost, but to what extend is still...
  • Media Successful first in-person summit for the Caribbean Shark Coalition
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC) met for their first in-person summit in St. Maarten from September...
  • Other resources Mapping Benthic Habitats for Representation in Marine Protected Areas
    Virtually all marine conservation planning and management models in place or proposed have in common the need for improved scientific rigour in...
  • Media The struggle is real for the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius
    Two years ago we shared the worrying news that the Bridled Quail-dove population had suffered a significant decline on St. Eustatius (Statia)...
  • Scientific article Impacts of parrotfish predation on a major reef-building coral: quantifying healing rates and thresholds of coral recovery
     Parrotfishes are important Caribbean herbivores that are believed to indirectly benefit corals by grazing algae; yet, some species also feed on live...
  • Other resources Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) survey of elasmobranchs on Bonaire’s reefs
    Student Report Species composition, distribution, and relative abundance  Elasmobranchs are suffering from habitat loss and are declining at a rapid...
  • Research report Impact of terrestrial erosion on coral reef health at Bonaire: a plea for nature-inclusive “watershed-to-reef” based coastal management
    Coral reefs are rapidly degrading worldwide, due to  a combination of global and local stressors. While gloal stressors, such as ocean warming,...
  • Research report Coral bleaching in the Bonaire National Marine Park 2016-2020
    STINAPA report Mass coral bleaching is becoming more frequent and widespread and poses a major threat to coral reefs worldwide. Mass coral bleaching...
  • Research report The effects of resource availability on the growth and distribution of a heterotrophic coral species, Madracis mirabilis, across Curaçao
    Abstract Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems on the planet. Our understanding of what contributes to a coral reef’s...
  • Research report MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF BONAIRE: A BASELINE SURVEY
    Abstract The Bonaire Marine Biodiversity Expedition (2019) was organized by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (the national museum of natural...
  • Research report Project Report: St. Maarten Pelican Project
  • Scientific article Coral growth rates revisited after 31 years: What is causing lower extension rates in Acropora palmata?
    Linear extension of branches in the same Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816) population in Curaçao was measured, employing exactly the same methods, in...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2009
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Scientific article Hurricane-Driven Patterns of Clonality in an Ecosystem Engineer: The Caribbean Coral Montastraea annularis
    Abstract: K-selected species with low rates of sexual recruitment may utilise storage effects where low adult mortality allows a number of...
  • Scientific article Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs
    Ever since Darwin’s early descriptions of coral reefs, scientists have debated how one of the world’s most productive and diverse ecosystems can...
  • Scientific article Redescription of Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract: Here we establish a neotype for Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) from the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire. The species was originally...
  • Scientific article Molecular and Morphological Species Boundaries in the Gorgonian Octocoral Genus Pterogorgia (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae)
      Abstract Most gorgonian octocoral species are described using diagnostic characteristics of their sclerites (microscopic skeletal components)....
  • Other resources Fish, Fishing, Diving and the Management of Coral Reefs
    Peer-reviewed PHD dissertation, University of California San Diego.   This dissertation is a multi-disciplinary attempt to understand how coral...
  • Scientific article Restoration of critically endangered elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) populations using larvae reared from wild-caught gametes, Global Ecology and Conservation
    Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) populations provide important ecological functions on shallow Caribbean reefs, many of which were lost when a...
  • Other resources The effects of damselfish on coral reef benthic composition
    Damselfish have a considerable effect on benthic composition and have been described as a keystone species because of their role in the maintenance...
  • Media Agoa Sanctuary Management Board Meeting, St. Martin, November 5, 2015.
    In 2012 France established a marine mammal sanctuary, named Agoa after “Maï d’Agoa”, Mother or Spirit of the Water in Amerindian mythology. The Agoa...
  • Raw data Brown pelican counts on St.Maarten by Nature Foundation St.Maarten
    Raw data of brown pelican counts on St.Maarten. Counts from 2010-2012 differ in monitoring method from 2016-2019. The latter includes counts for...
  • Other resources Molluscs of St. Eustatius
    Molluscs are one of the largest phyla in the animal kingdom. They make up a large part of marine faunas worldwide (Appeltans et al. 2012), and have a...
  • Other resources A comparison of two different mapping methods for identifying the current distribution of the invasive vine (Antigonon leptopus, Hook & Arn.) on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius
    Research Aim We compared the following two methods for creating a map of the current distribution of Coralita: 1) Observer/Expert-based ground survey...
  • Scientific article Results of management actions for tern populations on Bonaire
    Event: BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference, Topes de Collantes, Cuba, 13-17 July, 2017 Abstract in scientific journal or proceedings Five...
  • Other resources The recreational and cultural value of nature on St Eustatius (policy brief)
    Policy Brief The Challenge Sint Eustatius, or as the local population calls it, Statia, has beautiful dive spots, a rich historical and...
  • Scientific article Multilocus Adaptation Associated with Heat Resistance in Reef-Building Corals
    The evolution of tolerance to future climate change depends on the standing stock of genetic variation for resistance to climate-related impacts [1,...
  • Scientific article Synchronous marine pelagic regime shifts in the Northern Hemisphere
    Regime shifts are characterized by sudden, substantial and temporally persist- ent changes in the state of an ecosystem. They involve major...
  • Scientific article Environmental DNA reveals tropical shark diversity in contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact
    Sharks are charismatic predators that play a key role in most marine food webs. Their demonstrated vulnerability to exploitation has recently turned...
  • Research report Does Sepioteuthis make a visual language on its skin?
    Research consisted of both ethological observation and still and video filming of the squid in the shallow waters off the lee side of Bonaire. The...
  • Other resources Socioeconomic monitoring guidelines for coastal managers in the Caribbean SOCMON Caribbean
    SocMon Caribbean and its companion, the GCRMN Socioeconomic Manual for Coral Reef Management (GCRMN Manual), developed from a need for a greater...
  • Media Exciting Rare Sighting in the Dutch Caribbean: the Antillean manatee
    Exciting Rare Sighting in the Dutch Caribbean: theAntillean manatee Last month STINAPA’s ranger Luigi Eybrecht was diving near Playa in Bonaire when...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius joins Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary
    Excellent news: St. Eustatius has now become part of the “Yarari” Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. St. Eustatius joined Bonaire and Saba when the...
  • Other resources Introductie van de Chevon, een zoektocht naar de afzet van geitenvlees
    A search for the marketing of goat meat
  • Scientific article Host-related Morphological Variation of Dwellings Inhabited by the Crab Domecia acanthophora in the Corals Acropora palmata and Millepora complanata (Southern Caribbean)
    A team of researchers from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, ANEMOON Foundation, and colleagues from various intitutes, performed several bodiversity...
  • Research report A nature inclusive vision for Bonaire in 2050
    Bonaire, one of the Dutch Caribbean islands, is facing major challenges: managing (mass) tourism and population growth, preventing high erosion rates...
  • Media Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve Update
    The Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve is an ongoing project aiming to ensure the sustainable use and protection of Bonaire’s cave system, using...
  • Other resources New Plan for Creating Sustainable Fisheries in the Caribbean Netherlands
    A 2019 policy brief was just released outlining the requirements for sustainably managing fisheries within the Caribbean Netherlands. Using five...
  • Media Recovery of Orbicella annularis corals from parrotfish predation
    Orbicella annularis is an important reef-building coral and an endangered species. Previous studies suggest it is also one of the most intensely...
  • Other resources Species Action Plan Caribbean Spiny Lobster
    Action Plan for Caribbean Spiny Lobster consists of: Threats: overfishing, disease, climate change Management goals Recommendations: management,...
  • Other resources Coral Bleaching in the Bonaire National Marine Park 2016-2020
    Abstract Mass coral bleaching is becoming more frequent and widespread and poses a major threat to coral reefs worldwide. Mass coral bleaching is a...
  • Media Het Christoffelpark is weer tropisch bos aan het worden
    "De Natuur in het Christoffelpark herstelt zich en daardoor krijgt Curaçao weer een tropisch bos. Dit is een succesverhaal over effectief Curaçaos...
  • Research report The Relationship Between Human Development and Economic Growth: A study in the context of Aruba
    ABSTRACT Based on Sen’s capabilities approach, the UNDP’s Human Development Index is commonly used to measure development beyond income alone and...
  • Media The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) Organise Marine Management Workshop in Aruba
    Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   From the 21st to the 23rd of November 2022, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) together with...
  • Research report Benthic community composition of the reef on the leeward side of Bonaire; A comparison of water quality with benthic community
    MSc internship report The health and abundance of coral reefs are declining worldwide. Coastal development, terrestrial runoff, the temperature rise...
  • Scientific article Attraction of settlement-stage coral reef fishes to reef noise
    We compared catches of settlement-stage reef fishes in light traps attached to underwater speakers playing reef sounds with those of silent traps...
  • Research report Generic ecological assessment framework for coastal ecosystems in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract: The aim of this study was to draft a generic ecological assessment framework for coastal systems in Caribbean Netherlands (CN) that offers...
  • Maps and Charts Vulnerable marine areas of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba
    Vulnerable marine areas of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (GIS). Based on RAMSAR sites, important Bird Areas and Marine Park boundaries. See this...
  • Portal Historic Caribbean flora and fauna publications
    Many publications on the Caribbean Flora and Fauna are accessible online. During the last decades, biologists of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and...
  • Other resources The impact of feral goat herbivory on the vegetation of Bonaire
    Feral goats (Capra hircus) are introduced but very successful herbivores found in areas all over the Caribbean island Bonaire. Within the Washington-...
  • Other resources Use of trophic structure as an indicator of reef fish assemblages in areas open and closed to fishing
    The change in the mean trophic level of fish assemblages can be used as an indicator of fishing pressure. To gain a more detailed understanding of...
  • Other resources The Effects of Intruder Size on the Territoriality of the Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)
    The Threespot Damselfish, Stegastes planifrons, defends a variable territory size depending upon the level of threat posed by the species encroaching...
  • Other resources Coral growth on antrhopogenic vs. natural substrates in Bonaire
    Specific anthropogenic substrates demonstrate the ability to aid new coral growth among Caribbean reefs in Bonaire, N.A. In this study I documented...
  • Scientific article Helioseris cucullata as a host coral at St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    In order to demonstrate how scleractinian corals contribute to marine biodiversity by their host function, information on associated fauna was...
  • Other resources Marine (meta) barcoding of St. Eustatius
    To develop our knowledge about Dutch biodiversity in the overseas territories, we performed a barcoding project embedded in the baseline biodiversity...
  • Media Scientific Assessment of Curaçao’s Reefs
    Blue Halo Curaçao, a partnership between the Waitt Institute and the Government of Curaçao, in close cooperation with researchers from CARMABI and...
  • Research report Status and trends of the coral reef ecosystem around Saba 2016 – Netherlands Antilles
    The Caribbean coral reefs showed drastic degradation over the last decades. As most Caribbean islands, Saba is economical dependent on their...
  • Research report Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) survey of elasmobranchs on Bonaire’s reef
    The current status of elasmobranch populations in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean remains generally poorly known (Fowler et al. 2005). There is...
  • Media Volunteers will count endangered species in St. Eustatius (Anemoon)
    The ANEMOON Foundation is a Dutch volunteer organization of citizen scientists who are interested in sea life. The Foundation has started a project...
  • Media BioNews 7-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 7-2017 includes the following news-items:   Status of St. Maarten’s Reef St. Maarten: Impact Hurricane Irma on Nature EPIC...
  • Media BioNews 10-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 10-2017 includes the following news-items: Ecological Restoration Lac Bay and South Coast, Bonaire Bonaire: Roi Sango (EU BEST 2.0) Status of...
  • Scientific article Ocean temperatures chronicle the ongoing warming of Earth
    To the Editor — e global ocean has absorbed 93% of the extra heat trapped by the Earth since 19701 and the rate of change in ocean heat content is a...
  • Other resources Recovery plan, elkhorn and staghorn coral
    Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals were listed as threatened under the ESA on May 9, 2006. Elkhorn and staghorn corals...
  • Scientific article Multilocus phylogeny, species age and biogeography of the Lesser Antillean anoles
    Highlights • A multilocus study provides a resolved phylogeny for Lesser Antillean anoles. • Dense phylogeographic sampling within-species indicates...
  • Media AcroporaNet Symposium
    AcroporaNet Symposium  University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein  (HVHL) invites you to the third annual AcroporaNet Symposium to be held in...
  • Other resources Estimating damages from climate-related natural disasters for the Caribbean at 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming above preindustrial levels
    This paper examines historical and future changes in normalised damages resulting from climate-related natural disasters for the Caribbean....
  • Other resources Adviesrapport lamsvlees op Bonaire
    research price local lamb meat Bonaire
  • Research report Diversity of tryptophan halogenases in sponges of the genus Aplysina
    Marine sponges are a prolific source of novel enzymes with promising biotechnological potential. Especially halogenases, which are key enzymes in the...
  • Media New Study on Red-Bellied Racer Populations on St. Eustatius
    In 2018 and 2019, RAVON/CNSI interns conducted a study on St. Eustatius to better understand the red-bellied racer population. Threatened by habitat...
  • Media Drastic effects of coralita on the biodiversity of insects and spiders
    A study by researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam shows that the invasive plant coralita and urban development have led to large, distinct...
  • Research report The vegetation of the Netherlands Antilles
    This vegetation survey is the outcome of an investigation of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles carried out under the auspices of the Foundation...
  • Other resources Maximizing Student Involvement
    Presentation given during the 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop
  • Other resources Ecological indices from environmental DNA to contrast coastal reefs under different anthropogenic pressures
    Abstract Human activities can degrade the quality of coral reefs, cause a decline in fish species richness and functional diversity and an erosion of...
  • Scientific article Community extinction: the groundwater (stygo‑)fauna of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract The research aimed to recollect specimens from Curaçao of the genus Halosbaena belonging to the rare crustacean order Thermosbaenacea, a...
  • Scientific article Plant–frugivore interactions across the Caribbean islands: Modularity, invader complexes and the importance of generalist species
    Abstract Aim: Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are fundamental for the maintenance of natural communities and the ecosystem...
  • Research report Water quality monitoring Bonaire. Identification of indicators, methods and locations
    Abstract On the island Bonaire, eutrophication is a point of serious concern, affecting the coral reefs in the marine park. Eutrophication can cause...
  • Monitoring protocol Monitoring Tropicbirds, an introductory guide
    This manual emphasises on practical methods, and some methods which (though highly accurate) are too labour-intensive or time-consuming for general...
  • Scientific article The cetaceans of Aruba, southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Aruba is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean. However, very little is known about its cetaceans. In 2010 and 2011, a...
  • Other resources The Science of No-Take Fishery Reserves. A Guide for Managers
    Product of the Connectivity Working Group: This brochure is a product from the Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management (...
  • Other resources STENAPA newsletter January 2007
    STENAPA newsletter: including overview of Corallita research
  • Scientific article Effectiveness of lionfish removal efforts in the southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean Sea since 1985, where they negatively impact native...
  • Other resources Elasmobranchs in the Dutch Caribbean: current population status, fisheries and conservation
    In the Dutch Caribbean EEZ, at least 27 elasmobranch species have been documented. Of these, 9 are listed as “critically endangered” and 8 as “near...
  • Other resources Carmabi Annual Report 2011
    Carmabi’s mission is to work towards a sustainable society, in which the sustainable management of nature leads to benefits that future generations...
  • Book Present day geothermal and seismic activity on Saba and St. Eustatius, the status of activity of the volcanoes, and possible future precursor activities
    Since the European settlement of St. Eustatius in 1636 and Saba in about 1640 there has been no eruptive activity on either island. Westermann and...
  • Other resources Breeding Success of Red-billed Tropicbirds at Pilot Hill, St. Eustatius – Year 3 (2014-2015)
    We assessed the breeding success of red-billed tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) at Pilot Hill on St. Eustatius, particularly in relation to predation...
  • Other resources The analysis of ecological networks: habitat connectivity and population viability on St.Eustatius
    This student thesis research is in support of a Tourism Master Plan for Sint Eustatius; this plan is focused on the development of sustainable...
  • Scientific article Crinoid paradox
    The status of coral reefs around the world is almost exclusively gauged by data on reef-building corals (live coverage, diversity, prevalence of...
  • Portal Plants and Lichens of St. Eustatius. A Virtual Herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden
    St. Eustatius, also informally known as "Statia" is an 11.8 square mile (30.6 square km) island with about 3,200 permanent inhabitants located off...
  • Portal FORCE - Future Of Reefs in a Changing Environment
    FORCE project is an integrated research project which takes an ecosystem approach, linking social and ecological aspects towards managing Caribbean...
  • Scientific article First record from the Atlantic: a Zanclea-scleractinian association at St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Scleractinian reef corals have been acknowledged as the most numerous host group for associated hydroids belonging to the genus Zanclea. To date,...
  • Other resources Blue carbon in the Dutch Caribbean
    Recently, the Dutch state of play regarding blue carbon in the Netherlands was reviewed (Tamis & Foekema 2015)1. Since the review was focussed on...
  • Scientific article Pleurolucina from the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans: a new intertidal species from Curaçao with unusual shell microstructure (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Lucinidae)
    Abstract A new shallow water species of the lucinid bivalve Pleurolucina is described from Curaçao in the southern Caribbean Sea and compared with...
  • Media Coral Reef Rehabilitation in the Dutch Caribbean
    The Dutch Caribbean islands are recognized worldwide for their healthy reefs and outstanding dive sites. Nevertheless, while these reefs are showing...
  • Other resources Stony corals of St. Eustatius
    Previous surveys of the coral fauna of St. Eustatius were usually of short duration and part of a larger research that included all of the windward...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean sharks celebrated throughout the Kingdom
    During Dutch Caribbean Shark Week that was scheduled from June 18th thru 26th, the entire Dutch Kingdom celebrated sharks, both as important ocean...
  • Media Naturalis Marine Expedition: Results marine biodiversity of St. Eustatius
    In September, a report on the preliminary results of the Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition (from June 2015) was published. This expedition served...
  • Other resources Field guide to the marine life of St. Eustatius
    This guide is intended to give an overview of the diversity of the marine life of St. Eustatus. But to show and describe all the species living in...
  • Media Box Jellies of Bonaire
    This news item focuses on three of the well-documented box jellies of Bonaire:  - Tamoya ohboya. The Bonaire Banded Box Jelly - Alatina alata. The...
  • Scientific article Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems: A Geoacoustically Derived Proxy for Habitat and Relative Diversity for the Leeward Shelf of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Current trends demonstrate coral reef health in serious decline worldwide. Some of the most well-preserved coral reefs in the Caribbean basin are...
  • Media Biodiversity of Dutch Caribbean Reefs
    The coral reefs of the Dutch Caribbean have recently received much attention in the scientific journal Marine Biodiversity. The first issue of 2017...
  • Media Status of St. Maarten’s Reef
    Last September, major category 5+ Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage to St. Maarten. This was a strong reminder of the urgency to preserve the...
  • Scientific article The Genus Pustulatirus Vermeij and Snyder, 2006 (Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae: Peristerniinae) in the Western Atlantic, with Descriptions of Three New Species
    Western Atlantic species of the New World genus Pustulatirus Vermeij and Snyder, 2006 are revised. Types of previously named taxa are figured....
  • Scientific article Stable and sporadic symbiotic communities of coral and algal holobionts
    Coral and algal holobionts are assemblages of macroorganisms and microorganisms, including viruses, Bacteria, Archaea, protists and fungi. Despite a...
  • Other resources The recreational and cultural value of nature on Saba (policy brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Local people call Saba ‘The Unspoiled Queen’, showing how proud Saban residents are of their history and the ‘unspoiled...
  • Scientific article Effects of feral goats (Cupru hircus) on island ecosystems
    Feral goats (Capra hircus) are implicated in habitat destruction, and alteration of species composition on sensitive insular ecosystems. In the...
  • Research report Antigonon Leptopus (Corallita) on St Eustatius an Integrated Pest Management approach : Proposal for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach
    Corallita (Antigonon leptopus)) is a vine that is categorized as an invasive species of natural areas (Ernst and Ketner, 2007;; Raju et al., 2001)....
  • Scientific article Microplastic pollution on Caribbean beaches in the Lesser Antilles
    Here we investigate microplastics contamination on beaches of four islands of the Lesser Antilles (Anguilla, St. Barthélemy, St. Eustatius and St....
  • Other resources Ants from the Leeward Group and Some other Caribbean Localities
    The smaller islands of the Caribbean Sea support relatively few species of ants. This article provides a species overview.
  • Book Handbook Professional Vegetable Cultivation Bonaire
    Arie Boers has produced vegetables and herbs for supermarkets and restaurants on Bonaire. His three years of experience is written down in this...
  • Other resources Nearshore, slope and deepwater sediment transport mechanisms: Combining novel and legacy open source seismic datasets in marine Bonaire
    We utilize a high-resolution marine seismic dataset off leeward Bonaire in the South Caribbean to show sedimentary pathways between terrigenous and...
  • Scientific article Coral injuries caused by Spirobranchus opercula with and without epibiotic turf algae at Curaçao
    Reef-dwelling Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus spp.) are common coral associates. Their calcareous tubes are usually embedded in the coral...
  • Other resources Vegetation changes on the island of Saba, effects of huricanes, people and non-native species
    Powerpoint presentation with findings of a 4 week vegetation fieldvisit on Saba: what is vegetation (research)? historic findings (1956 and...
  • Other resources Small populations on small islands: what chance does an orchid have?
    Premise of research. Small populations on small islands are intrinsically more vulnerable to population decline and extinction. Nevertheless, small...
  • Scientific article Implications of ambiguity in Antarctic ice sheet dynamics for future coastal erosion estimates: a probabilistic assessment
    Sea-level rise (SLR) can amplify the episodic erosion from storms and drive chronic erosion on sandy shorelines, threatening many coastal communities...
  • Media First Survey of Arachnids on ABC Islands in over 100 years: 25 new records and 20 species new to science
    A 2004-2005 study led by a researcher from the California Academy of Science worked to catalog arachnid species (such as spiders and scorpions) on...
  • Media Scientists study Saba tropicbirds
    The Red-billed Tropicbird, a unique seabird that largely nests on Saba, direly needs more protection from predators such as feral cats and rats....
  • Media Protecting Saba’s Painted Black Iguanas
    New research describes a unique species of iguana for the islands of Saba and Monserrat. The painted black iguana, with its distinct black coloration...
  • Other resources Ants of Aruba, species list
    This list is the result of the identification of samples collected between 1930 and 1970 by H.J. MacGillavry, P. Wagenaar Hummelinck, R.H. Cobben (...
  • Other resources Bonaire’s First Brown Booby Population Count in Over 50 Years
    Between 2008 and 2010, STINAPA Bonaire and volunteers took to counting Brown Booby seabirds along the northwestern coast of Bonaire. These numbers...
  • Media Watershed-to-Reef: New Approach for Coral Reef Management
    Results from a 2020 study highlight the interconnectivity between watershed areas and neighboring coral reefs on the island of Bonaire. This study...
  • Book The Marine Algal Vegetation of St. Martin, St. Eustatius and Saba
    Although algology deals with a large group of plants, widespread and of great morphological diversity, the history of this branch of botany is fairly...
  • Media Utilizing Citizen Science
    Presentation given during 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop
  • Media Exploring species and functional diversity of coral reef benthic cyanobacterial mats
    Benthic cyanobacterial mats, at low cover, are an important benthic component of coral reefs, but have recently drastically proliferated on reefs...
  • Research report Bonaire (Southern Caribbean) coral restoration project: Acropora Cervicornis (Lamarck, 1816) genotype performance assessment in the nursery phase.
    Abstract Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems worldwide. Since the 1970’s the coral populations of Acropora spp. around...
  • Scientific article Reef Fishes of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles: Assemblage Structure across a Gradient of Habitat Types
    Saba Bank is a 2,200 km2 submerged carbonate platform in the northeastern Caribbean Sea off Saba Island, Netherlands Antilles. The presence of reef-...
  • Research report Management plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean
    On the 10th of October 2010 the governmental entity known as the Netherlands Antilles is scheduled to cease to exist. Each island will aquire a new...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2010
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Scientific article Rapid invasion of Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterios volitans and P.miles) in the Florida Keys, USA: Evidence from multiple pre- and postinvasion data sets
    Over the past decade, Indo-Pacific lionfishes, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), venomous members of the...
  • Research report Species Management Plan: Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot, Amazona barbadensis, Dutch Caribbean
    MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Threat mitigation Boost population growth rate and address nest site limitation Reduce poaching Habitat protection Grow...
  • Research report The effects of trap fisheries on the populations of Caribbean spiny lobster and reef fish species at the Saba Bank
    Abstract: The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is a widespread crustacean species. It inhabits shallow water reefs and rocky substrates from...
  • Scientific article Long-term dynamics of the brown macroalga Lobophora variegata on deep reefs in Curaçao
    Lobophora variegata occurs in the eulittoral zone and in deep water on coral reefs in Curaçao. An analysis of the long-term (1979–2006) changes in...
  • Scientific article Odonata of Curaçao, southern Caribbean, with an update to the fauna of the ABC islands
    A three-year field study (January 2011–December 2013) of the Odonata of Curaçao, supported by photos and exuvial collections, recorded a total of 21...
  • Other resources A new catalogue of orchidaceae for Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    The Orchidaceae on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, have only briefly been studied and described. In January 2003, in cooperation with the...
  • Scientific article Wide-ranging phylogeographic structure of invasive red lionfish in the Western Atlantic and Greater Caribbean
    The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive predatory marine fish that has rapidly expanded its pres- ence in the Western Hemisphere. We...
  • Other resources Categories of habitat and depth are structuring reef fish assemblages over no-fishing and fishing zones in the Saba Marine Park (Caribbean Netherlands)
    Reef fish assemblages are structured by many factors like depth, habitat and zonation’s in marine protected areas (MPAs). These fish assemblages can...
  • Scientific article Tracking the origin of the smearing behavior in long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris spp.)
    A unique and novel stereotypic ‘smearing’ behavior and the formation of an odoriferous dorsal patch have been recently described in two species of...
  • Scientific article Governing cruise tourism at Bonaire: a networks and flows approach
    Conceptual approaches to thoroughly study governance of cruise tourism are lacking in the literature. Relying on Castells’ network society, we...
  • Other resources Are different feeding strategies utilized by the bar jack (Caranx ruber) related to foraging success in coral reef habitats?
    Foraging success is affected by choice of feeding association, color phase, and habitat type. Bar jacks (Caranx ruber) exhibit a number of feeding...
  • Media Science directors and staff of CIEE and CNSI
    News items on: Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI), St. Eustatius CIEE Research Station Bonaire   This news article was published in ...
  • Other resources Octocorals of St. Eustatius
    Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) are a dominant component of Caribbean coral communities. There can be up to 60 octocoral species on a single...
  • Raw data Reef photo quandrants of Bonaire and Curacao. Raw analysis material of the 1973-2016 surveys
    To follow the health of the coral reefs of Bonaire and Curacao a number of locations on each island are photographed each year since 1973. At each...
  • Scientific article Discovery of a new species of hermit crab of the genus Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 from the Caribbean: “den commensal” or “cleaner”? (Crustacea, Anomura, Paguridae)
    A new secretive, yet brightly colored hermit crab species of the family Paguridae, Pylopaguropsismollymullerae sp. n., is fully described based on...
  • Other resources Exploring the occurrence of and explanations for nighttime spikes in dissolved oxygen across coral reef environments
    Primary production due to photosynthesis results in daytime oxygen production across marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, a prevalent, globally...
  • Research report Relating flamingo counts in Lac Goto, Bonaire, to the water balance by coupling this balance to salinity and food availability
    Lac Goto is a saliña of importance for the Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) on Bonaire due to its hydrological conditions. These...
  • Scientific article Costs and benefits of maternally inherited algal symbionts in coral larvae
    Many marine invertebrates provide their offspring with symbionts. Yet the consequences of maternally inherited symbionts on larval fitness remain...
  • Other resources What is Saba’s Nature Worth? (policy brief)
    Policy Brief The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as the corals reef patches and forests on the characteristic Mount Scenery are critical to the...
  • Other resources Management of moored fish aggregation devices (FADs) in the Caribbean
    Humans have used fish aggregation devices (FADs) for centuries to attract fish. Technological advances in recent decades have made FADs more...
  • Other resources Perspectives de développement des DCP ancrés dans les Petites Antilles. L'exemple de trois îles : Guadeloupe, Martinique et Curaçao
    This summary tackles the development of fisheries in the Caribbean using FADs. It highlights the principal causes which explain why, in spite of more...
  • Scientific article Management of moored fish aggregation devices (FADs) in the Caribbean
    Humans have used fish aggregation devices (FADs) for centuries to attract fish. Technological advances in recent decades have made FADs more...
  • Scientific article Managing Recovery Resilience in Coral Reefs Against Climate-Induced Bleaching and Hurricanes: A 15 Year Case Study From Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Coral reefs are among the world’s most endangered ecosystems. Coral mortality can result from ocean warming or other climate-related events such as...
  • Media Evaluation of vegetation development on the Dutch Caribbean islands
    In November 2019, vegetation scientists from Wageningen Environmental Research and Carmabi visited Bonaire, to study the succession of the vegetation...
  • Raw data Taxonomically annotated underwater hyperspectral and color images of coral reef transects from Curaçao
    This dataset contains underwater hyperspectral imagery that can be used by researchers in the domains of computer vision, machine learning, remote...
  • Other resources Molecular relationships in potentially hybridising species of the acropora 'palmata'-group
    Student Report- University of Groningen  Molecular relationships were investigated among the three Caribbean Acropora species Acropora palmata, A....
  • Maps and Charts Land use map of Bonaire
    Land use map Bonaire at 2x2 m2 resolution, based on a classified Pleiades composite orthophoto  the Bonaire vegetation survey and field observations...
  • Research report Filling in of Lac Bay Bonaire, causing loss of vital environments Halimeda sediment production investigated
    Student Report The mangrove forest on Bonaire, located in the south east of the island, is decreasing in area, just like many other mangroves around...
  • Media Raising awareness through mangrove outreach
    Presentation from the Mangrove Restoration Workshop.  
  • Research report Coral Reefs Baseline Study for Aruba 2019
    Background There is almost no systematic information about the state of marine ecosystems in Aruba. A recent report commissioned by the United...
  • Research report Testing a biodegradable engineering product for mangrove restoration along a high wave-energy coastline
    Abstract Human development, extreme weather events and rising sea levels are driving the loss anddegradation of many of the world’s mangrove...
  • Research report Coastal water quality of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba during a period of restricted tourism
    The traveling restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 created a unique possibility to measure water quality parameters along the...
  • Scientific article The Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius: A 2012 population status update and cause for concern
    To assess the status and current population densities of the endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on the island of St. Eustatius...
  • Scientific article Negative effects of gardening damselfish Stegastes planifrons on coral health depend on predator abundance
    On Bonaire, we studied the effects of predator abundance and habitat availability on the abundance of the threespot damselfish Stegastes planifrons,...
  • Scientific article Microbial invasion of the Caribbean by an Indo-Pacific coral zooxanthella
    Abstract Human-induced environmental changes have ushered in the rapid decline of coral reef ecosystems, particularly by disrupting the symbioses...
  • Scientific article The effect of recreational SCUBA divers on the structural complexity and benthic assemblage of a Caribbean coral reef, Biodiversity and Conservation
      Abstract The effect of recreational SCUBA diving on coral reefs is likely secondary to many of the commonly cited stressors that threaten the long-...
  • Other resources Birds of Aruba – ABC Checklist version May 4, 2016 – 252 species
    A bird checklist is a snapshot in time. A checklist becomes outdated the moment a new species is registered. This checklist is based on seven sources...
  • Other resources Small-scale variation in coral reef quality on the leeward side of Bonaire
    In the last three decades, Caribbean coral cover values have been declining from 50% to 10% cover Caribbean wide. Several studies have researched...
  • Scientific article A cryptic species in the Pteroclava krempfi species complex (Hydrozoa, Cladocorynidae) revealed in the Caribbean
    Symbiotic relationships on coral reefs involving benthic hosts other than scleractinian corals have been poorly investigated. The hydroid Pteroclava...
  • Other resources Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) as a potential bioindicator species of sedimentation stress in coral reef environments of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The effect of land-based pollution on Bonaire’s coral reef ecosystem has not been well-quantified. Observations of the coral reefs of Bonaire show a...
  • Media Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean meeting, Curaçao
    18 to 22 May 2015, the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC) held its 37th Scientific Conference on Curaçao. The conference was...
  • Media Invasive species in the Dutch Caribbean: foreign foes or alien allies?
    The aim of Utrecht University’s recently started NWO- funded research project “Invasive species in the Dutch Caribbean: foreign foes or alien allies...
  • Media Science director and staff of CARMABI
    News items on: Research Station CARMABI, Curacao   This news article was published in BioNews 24. BioNews is produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature...
  • Research report The Total Economic Value of Nature on Saba
    This study is part of the project “What is Saba’s Nature Worth?” The project is part of the encompassing project The Economics of Ecosystems and...
  • Research report Mapping erosion on Saba, How to keep the Unspoiled Queen from tumbling down
    In this report; it is discussed where on Saba erosion risk reduction should receive highest priority. This is based on an erosion hazard map and a...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Species Register
    On December 5, 2017, the launch of the Dutch Caribbean Species Register took place: www. dutchcaribbeanspecies.org. This website is intended to...
  • Scientific article Abundance and population structure of queen conch inside and outside a marine protected area: repeat surveys show significant declines
    ABSTRACT: Effectiveness of a marine protected area (MPA) in supporting fisheries productivity depends upon replenishment patterns, both in supplying...
  • Other resources Is Whale Watching a Win-Win for People and Nature? An Analysis of the Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts of Whale Watching in the Caribbean
    A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy. Whale watching has been hailed by...
  • Other resources Sunscreen awareness poster
    Sunscreen Awareness Bonaire made this informative poster. The goal of the poster is to start educating tourists and inhabitants on Bonaire about the...
  • Media First silky shark sightings by Saba Conservation Foundation
    Whilst nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks are regularly spotted on the Saba Bank, it’s not every day that you see silky sharks. During a routine...
  • Other resources A management plan for Spaans Lagoen Aruba
    This management plan is one of the outputs of a two-day participative management planning exercise led by Dr. Lawrence Jones-Walters of Wageningen...
  • Scientific article Uncovering cryptic diversity of Lyngbya: the new tropical marine cyanobacterial genus Dapis (Oscillatoriales)
    Cyanobacteria comprise an extraordinarily diverse group of microorganisms and, as revealed by increasing molecular information, this biodiversity is...
  • Other resources Island of Curacao FAD programme
    The use of FAD can improve the production of artisanal fishers, lowering fuel costs and reducing the time spent loitering at sea looking for fish....
  • Scientific article Migratory destinations and timing of humpback whales in the southeastern Caribbean differ from those off the Dominican Republic
    Humpback whales wintering in the entire West Indies chain are widely treated as comprising a single breeding population. However, most areas outside...
  • Research report The ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
    In 1937, 1949 and 1963 P. Wagenaar Hummelinck collected vertebrates with some co-operators. The ants of these expeditions were selected and stored (...
  • Research report Widely resented yet neglected: latent environmental problems : The case of an invasive alien vine on Saba and Statia
    The invasive alien Coralita vine (Antigonon leptopus) overgrows large parts of Saba and St. Eustatius, posing a threat to agriculture and the unique...
  • Media Rise of a new reef coral species on Curaçao
    A presumably invasive coral species that was discovered on the reefs around Curaçao is not invasive after all. The coral is in fact a native species...
  • Media Survey of Free Roaming Livestock on St. Eustatius
    The Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) recently conducted surveys of free-roaming livestock on St. Eustatius, highlighting population...
  • Other resources Satellite observations as a tool to monitor the volcanoes of Saba and St. Eustatius
    The Dutch islands of Saba and St. Eustatius are located in the far north of the Lesser Antilles arc, a subduction zone hosting seventeen active...
  • Other resources Annual Report 2019
    Annual Report 2019 Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire protects and restores coral reefs in Bonaire by: Developing new and innovative ways to restore...
  • Media Underwater Sounds around Saba Bank
    Powerpoint Presented at the Saba Bank Symposium 2016 Introduction  Aims of acoustic research Methods Acoustic results and life sound analysis Future...
  • Scientific article Moss flora and vegetation of Saba and St. Eustatius (West Indies)
    The known moss flora of the small West Indian island Saba (870 m in altitude) consists to date of48 species, while the neighbouring island St....
  • Other resources Spawning Potential Ratio of Ten Reef Associated Fish Species around St. Eustatius from 2012 to 2020
    Student Report Many fish stocks and coral reefs around the world are declining. In this study, ten reef associated fish species around St. Eustatius...
  • Scientific article A taxonomist‘s nightmare – Cryptic diversity in Caribbean intertidal arthropods (Arachnida, Acari, Oribatida)
    Abstract There has been a long controversy about what defines a species and how to delimitate them which resulted in the existence of more than two...
  • Scientific article Green ammonia enables sustainable energy production in small island developing states: A case study on the island of Curaçao
    Abstract Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have a high dependency on fossil fuels for energy, water, and food production. This has negative...
  • Scientific article Hydraulic circulation of the tides in Lac Bay, Bonaire.
    In Lac Bay, Bonaire, a part of the mangrove forest is dying partly because of reduced water circulation through the forest. Tidal waves are the main...
  • Research report Future of Bonaire: Greenpeace review on the impacts of climate change on the Dutch Caribbean island Bonaire
    Bonaire or Boneiru, as it is known in Papiamentu, is a Dutch Caribbean island. An island full of heritage, gorgeous sunset views and a place that...
  • Research report Ecosystem stability: How a Plant Community Blows Off Wind Pressure
    Abstract   This research paper aims to understand how Aruba’s plant ecosystem is shaped and affected by the constant wind pressure present on the...
  • Scientific article Citizen science and integrative taxonomy reveal a great diversity within Caribbean Chaetopteridae (Annelida), with the description of one new species
    Chaetopteridae forms a monophyletic clade showing an uncertain position within Annelida. The family has 75 ubiquitous species within four genera that...
  • Research report Systematic assessment of erosion mitigation in a data poor environment. A case study of Lac Cai, Bonaire
    Abstract Lac Cai is one of the lagoons in the Dutch Caribbean with a high environmental value which attracts a lot of tourism to the area. Lac Cai is...
  • Scientific article Recent invasion of a Florida (USA) estuarine system by lionfish Pterois volitans / P. miles
    The invasion by lionfish Pterois volitans and P. miles throughout the western Atlantic and Caribbean is emerging as a serious ecological problem....
  • Scientific article Rapid Assessment of Stony Coral Richness and Condition on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    Findings: Combining the findings of this study with that of other studies, the authors conclude that the coral assemblage on the Saba Bank is diverse...
  • Media BioNews 3 - March 2013
    From a global perspective, March has been busy when it comes to regulatory affairs with the CITES meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in which worldwide...
  • Scientific article Ciguatera in the Eastern Caribbean
    Abstract: Ciguatera fish poisoning plays an important role in Caribbean marine resource development. Many independent eastern Caribbean island...
  • Scientific article Conservation status of Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea in the Netherlands Antilles and other parts of the Caribbean
    Abstract: In 2005 to 2006 we assessed the status of the Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea in the Netherlands Antilles, largely semi-arid islands in the...
  • Other resources Comparative Investigations of Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) spawning aggregations under different management strategies
    A red hind spawning aggregation was found on the northeast edge of the Saba Bank, a large submerged platform in the leeward Antilles of the Caribbean...
  • Scientific article Regional-scale dominance of non-framework building corals on Caribbean reefs affects carbonate production and future reef growth
    Abstract Coral cover on Caribbean reefs has declined rapidly since the early 1980's. Diseases have been a major driver, decimating communities of...
  • Scientific article Crude oil contamination interrupts settlement of coral larvae after direct exposure ends
    Oil spills cause damage to marine wildlife that lasts well past their immediate aftermath. Marine offspring that must settle and metamorphose to...
  • Maps and Charts Fishing restrictions map of Bonaire
    Seasonally restricted lobster fishing, fish reserves and marine reserves.
  • Other resources Aruba Birdlife Conservation, Checklist version 2, ABC Birds of Aruba September 5, 2016-254 species
    A bird checklist is a snapshot in time. A checklist becomes outdated the moment a new species is registered. This checklist is based on seven sources...
  • Other resources Hydroids associated with the coral reef fauna of St. Eustatius
    The hydroids of the Caribbean Sea have been the subject of a restricted number of taxonomical studies. So far, sporadic, taxonomical and/or...
  • Media Upcoming Shark Tagging Expedition on the Saba Bank
    Little is known about the current state of shark populations in the Dutch Caribbean, even less is known about their behavior and which areas they use...
  • Raw data Raw data of shark observations on Statia
    Raw data of shark observations by St.Eustatius Scubaqua dive school. Please contact Wageningen Marine Research for more information.
  • Other resources Groundwater recharge on the cultuurvlakte of St.Eustatius
    MSc Thesis  Groundwater is an important resource and an important factor to consider in pollution management. Accurate estimates of groundwater...
  • Other resources Report on observations of coral bleaching St Eustatius Marine Park, Saba Marine Park, St Maarten Marine Park
    Coral bleaching has been observed in the Windward Islands since late August 2005. Reports and observations have been received from marine parks and...
  • Book Landscapes and Landforms of the Lesser Antilles
    This book focuses on the highly touristed, but surprisingly under-researched Lesser Antilles region. After offering a brief overview of the region’s...
  • Scientific article Four-year-old Caribbean Acropora colonies reared from field-collected gametes are sexually mature
    Rehabilitating populations of Caribbean coral species that have declined in recent decades has become a management priority throughout the region,...
  • Media More than half of Saba’s nature affected by Irma
    THE BOTTOM – About 60 percent of Saba’s nature in general was devastated as a result of the recent hurricane Irma. According to Kai Wulf, Park...
  • Scientific article Resolving Carbonate Platform Geometries on the Island of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands through Semi-Automatic GPR Facies Classification
    The study of exposed carbonate platforms provides observational constraints on regional tectonics and sea-level history. In this work Miocene-aged...
  • Other resources Mesophotic coral ecosystems are threatened and ecologically distinct from shallow water reefs
    The rapid degradation of coral reefs is one of the most serious biodiversity problems facing our generation. Mesophotic coral reefs (at depths of 30...
  • Scientific article Field observations on some Curaçao landsnails, and new records for its fauna.
    Currently 31 species of terrestrial snails are known from Curaçao, 28 of these are indigenous. The taxonomy of Curaçao land snails has been studied...
  • Research report Habitat preference of Iguana delicatissima and the hybrid crossing with Iguana iguana
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is endemic to Sint Eustatius as well as other islands of the Lesser Antilles. Since 2010 I....
  • Scientific article A widespread coral-infecting apicomplexan with chlorophyll biosynthesis genes
    Apicomplexa is a group of obligate intracellular parasites that includes the causative agents of human diseases such as malaria and toxoplasmosis....
  • Other resources Imaging the twilight zone: the morphology and distribution of mesophotic zone features, a case study from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Student thesis Coral reefs are some of the most economically valuable and biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. Current trends show that...
  • Media Changes in Curaçao’s Fish Population Over the 20th Century
    A recently published study looked to compare Curaçao’s historical records of fish catches between the years 1905 and 2016. This study highlights...
  • Media New Butterfly Census for the Dutch Caribbean Windward Islands
    The results of a four-year study were just published, cataloging the butterfly species of St. Eustatius over the winter months of 2009- 2012. This...
  • Research report Proyecto PUDRENA
    Goal of this project was to collect and analyze information available which can be used for planning and sustaible development, with a focus on the...
  • Raw data BEACH PROFILE SURVEY ON SIX BEACHES ON SINT EUSTATIUS
    Student Report & Data This report is about the beach profile survey on St. Eustatius. The objective of this study is to start up a beach profile...
  • Scientific article In-situ incubation of a coral patch for community-scale assessment of metabolic and chemical processes on a reef slope
    Anthropogenic pressures threaten the health of coral reefs globally. Some of these pressures directly affect coral functioning, while others are...
  • Scientific article Shotgun metagenomic sequencing reveals the full taxonomic, trophic, and functional diversity of a coral reef benthic cyanobacterial mat from Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Anthropogenic forcing is spurring cyanobacterial proliferation in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. While planktonic cyanobacterial blooms have received...
  • Scientific article A New Species of Jaspidiconus (Gastropoda: Conidae) from Aruba
    ABSTRACT A new species of small cone shell, in the conilithine genus Jaspidiconus, has been discovered from off the Malmok area of Aruba. The new...
  • Scientific article Metal concentrations in coastal sharks from The Bahamas with a focus on the Caribbean Reef shark
    Over the last century anthropogenic activities have rapidly increased the influx of metals and metalloids entering the marine environment, which can...
  • Scientific article A Short Assessment on Aloe Vera, the Magic Medical Plant
    Aloe Vera is a completely critical and powerful plant with such a lot of fitness utility and stuperfying that scarcely any a part of human frame stay...
  • Research report Modeling and Forecasting Monthly Tourism Arrivals to Aruba Since COVID-19 Pandemic
    ABSTRACT: This paper improves short-term forecasting models of monthly tourism arrivals by estimating and evaluating a time-series model with...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2008
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Scientific article Coastal stratigraphies of eastern Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles): New insights into the palaeo-tsunami history of the southern Caribbean
    Abstract: A sediment record of three alluvial sites along the east- and northeast-oriented shore of Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles) provides evidence...
  • Research report Interactions between invasive mammals and their effects on Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) nesting productivity
    Abstract: Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) are cavity-nesting seabirds with important nesting colonies on Saba and Sint Eustatius in the...
  • Research report Proceedings of the 2013 AAUS/ESDP Curaçao Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium, October 24-27, 2013, Curaçao
    Edited Index (relevant to the Dutch Caribbean Islands) FOREWORD Michael A. Lang, and Martin D.J. Sayer...
  • Scientific article Sound production as an indicator of red hind density at a spawning aggregation
    Abstract: Annual spawning aggregations of red hind Epinephelus guttatus form at predictable times and locations and have historically succumbed to...
  • Maps and Charts Archaeological Predictive Map Sint Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    In 2013 ARGEOgraph created the Archaeological Predictive Map of Sint Eustatius for the Dutch ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This map has...
  • Research report Some Observations Made From ROV on Mid-Depth Habitats and Reef Fish Communities of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    A small submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to explore mid-depth habitats of Saba Bank – a submerged carbonate platform in the...
  • Maps and Charts Reference map of Curacao
    Land/sea border digitized from Google maps November 2012.
  • Scientific article First Atlantic record of the green alga Parvocaulis exiguus from St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    The Polyphysaceae is a well-studied family of green algae occurring in tropical and warm-temperate regions around the world. One of its species, ...
  • Scientific article Does Slow and Variable Recovery of Diadema antillarum on Caribbean Fore-Reefs Reflect Density-Dependent Habitat Selection?
    Recovery of the Caribbean long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum from the pathogen-induced mass mortality event of 1983 has been slow and variable...
  • Other resources Physical and behavioral differences between the three color morphologies of Aulostomus maculatus
    Behavioral and physical differences are sometimes the result of a particular color morphology of a species. Aulostomus maculatus, the west Atlantic...
  • Other resources The effect of SCUBA divers on the reproductive behavior of Halichoeres bivittatus in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    The purpose of this study is to determine if divers are affecting the reproductive behavior of Halichoeres bivittatus, commonly known as slippery...
  • Media Shark sightings around the SSS Islands
    Shark sightings around the SSS islands (Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten) are currently being recorded to provide information on the occurrence of...
  • Other resources Tunicates of St. Eustatius
    Tunicates belong to the subphylum Tunicata in the phylum Chordata, which includes all animals with dorsal nerve cords and notocords. Some tunicates...
  • Other resources status and trends of St. Eustatius coral reefs, Dutch Caribbean : 2005-2015
    Msc thesis The present report aims to summarise Reef Check data from 2005 to 2015 in order to find out the most reliable conclusions to the following...
  • Other resources What is St Eustatius’ Nature Worth?
    Healthy ecosystems such as the corals reefs and the forests on the hillsides of Boven and the Quill are critical to the society of St Eustatius. The...
  • Media Saba Bank: coral status and trends
    The University of Wageningen (IMARES) has participated in research voyages to the Saba Bank in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Monitoring of coral reefs has...
  • Media BioNews 2-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 2-2017 includes the following news items: Nature Funding Projects BES islands - P. Hoetjes Restoring Bonaire’s dry forest Tiger shark crosses...
  • Research report The status and trends of the coral reefs around Saba, Dutch Caribbean, 2016
    Coral reefs are of great value for millions of people, but at the same time they are facing a lot of threats of which almost all come down to human...
  • Media BioNews 3-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 3-2017 includes the following news items: Status of Bonaire’s reefs Natuurgelden Projects: Coral Restoration on Bonaire and St. Eustatius...
  • Media Saba: Hurricane Impacts
    Since the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria through the windward islands, the staff of the dive operators on Saba, comprising Saba Divers, Sea...
  • Portal Reef.org
    Protecting Marine Life Through Education, Service, and Research REEF was founded in 1990, out of growing concern about the health of the marine...
  • Research report The local cultural and recreational value of nature on St Eustatius
    St Eustatius, is a small island in the Caribbean and a special municipality of the Netherlands. As many other small islands, St Eustatius’ marine and...
  • Research report The impact of invasive species on tourism
    Since the first sightings of the lionfish in the Caribbean, the local marine ecosystems have experienced severe problems due to predation and...
  • Other resources Bonaire Coastal Dolphin Project
    The Bonaire Coastal Dolphin Project was launched in February 2008 in collaboration with STINAPA and CIEE Research Station Bonaire.   This is the...
  • Scientific article On a collection of deep-water shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda) from the Dutch Caribbean, with the description of a new species of Pseudocoutierea
    A collection of shrimp from deep reefs in the Dutch Caribbean is described. Most material originates from the Bonaire deep reef expedition (2013) by...
  • Book Antillean Fish Guide
    This booklet is meant as a guide to identify the fishes and turtles of the reefs of the Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St....
  • Research report Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute Annual Report 2017
    CNSI’s Annual Report 2017 includes articles on: Statian Invasions Invasive Alien Species Rodent Control Conch Chronicles Outreach and Education...
  • Scientific article The water bore of Oranjestad 1942-1943, and its implication as to the geology and geohydrology of the island of Aruba (Netherlands West Indies)
    In 1942-1943 a water test well was drilled by the Government of Curacao within the limits of Aruba's capital Oranjestad, following the "discovery" of...
  • Research report St. Eustatius GCRMN Caribbean Final report 2017
    Twenty sites across four monitoring zones of St. Eustatius’s marine ecosystem were assessed using the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network Caribbean...
  • Scientific article Observations of territorial behavior of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) on St. Eustatius
    Abstract Little information is available on territorial behavior of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus). This study set out to...
  • Research report Studies on the flora of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands
    This vegetation survey is the outcome of an investigation of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles carried out under the auspices of the Foundation...
  • Maps and Charts WERBATA historical topographical maps
    In 1911, J. Smeulders & Co. at The Hague published the “Topographic map of Curaçao” in 18 pages, measuring 46 x 46 cm; nowadays known as the “...
  • Research report The influence of goats on soil hydrological properties on semi-arid Bonaire
    Invasive species are known to alter ecosystems all over the world. On the island of Bonaire, domestic goats (Capra hircus) were introduced in the...
  • Media A Critically Endangered Palm Found Only on Bonaire
    A recent report describes, for the first time in its history, the critically endangered Bonaire Palm.  Although first documented in 1979, it took...
  • Research report An analysis for the potential implementation of co-management in the fisheries of the Caribbean Netherlands
    Student Report Abstract The fisheries of the Caribbean Netherlands have been described as unsustainable through various reports by the Wageningen...
  • Scientific article First evidence of plastic ingestion by Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus from St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    We present the first confirmed evidence of plastic ingestion by a Red-billed Tropicbird on the Caribbean Netherlands island of St. Eustatius, which...
  • Media Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SISSTEM)
    On August 1, 2019 the SISSTEM project kicked off at the University of Aruba, an ambitious program aimed at the development of critical capacity for...
  • Other resources SLEEP IN CAPTIVE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS
    Student Report- University of Groningen  Sleep can be identified using electrophysiological and/or with behavioral criteria. Both methods have been...
  • Media Millions of sightings by citizens contribute to mapping Biodiversity
    Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) provides a global platform for citizen scientists to upload biological observations from anywhere in...
  • Research report Developing sustainable agriculture on St.Eustatius
    The aim of the paper is to elaborate how St. Eustatius can develop its agricultural sector in an environmentally sustainable way, while...
  • Media CITES Communication Materials BES
    Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) CITES is an international agreement between governments (...
  • Research report St. Eustatius GCRMN Caribbean Final Report 2018
    Twenty-two sites across four monitoring zones of St. Eustatius’s marine ecosystem were assessed using the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network...
  • Scientific article Variation in herbivore grazing behavior across Caribbean reef sites
    Herbivorous fish can increase coral growth and survival by grazing down algal competitors. With coral reefs in global decline, maintaining adequate...
  • Media Restoration of Resilience of Nature and Society in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Poster Significance and Relevance Multiple stressors (e.g., pollution, eutrophication, sedimentation, coastal development, overfishing, coral disease...
  • Scientific article Results of an entomological collecting trip to St. Eustatius (Coleoptera)
    In February and March 2020 the second author visited St. Eustatius to collect various insect groups. The beetles collected during this trip were...
  • Scientific article Host Range of the Coral-Associated Worm Snail Petaloconchu ssp. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae), a Newly Discovered Cryptogenic Pest Species in the Southern Caribbean
    Abstract: The presence of associated endofauna can have an impact on the health of corals. Duringfieldwork on the southern Caribbean island of...
  • Scientific article Phenological trajectories of Caribbean very dry tropical forests diverge under different geologic formations
    Abstract Tropical dry forests experience pronounced seasonal changes in precipitation mani-  fested in varied plant phenologies. At landscape scales...
  • Media FPNA hosts first coral reef monitoring workshop
    Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) is proud to be hosting its first Coral Reef Monitoring Workshop this week, together with trainers – marine...
  • Scientific article Status of the Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) on and around the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire
    Abstract Red-billed Tropicbirds have historically been considered rare visitors to the waters around the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire in...
  • Raw data shark tagging dataset
    Dataset 2016-2022   Harmonized shark tagging dataset of different shark species around Saba and Sint Maarten.   This dataset includes variables such...
  • Scientific article Unforeseen importance of historical collections as baselines to determine biotic change of coral reefs: the Saba Bank case
    Botanical and zoological collections may serve as archives for historical ecologi- cal research on the effects of global change and human impact on...
  • Scientific article Status of coral reefs in the south central Caribbean
    Caribbean corals have suffered from bleaching, diseases and Diadema die-off. Reefs on narrow shelves adjacent to high human population and many...
  • Scientific article A New Species of Soapfish (Teleostei: Serranidae: Rypticus) with Redescription of R. subbidrentus and Comments on the Use of DNA Barcoding in Systematic Studies
    Abstract: A new species of Rypticus is described from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida, and the Caribbean Sea. The species previously has been confused...
  • Research report The current state of Cuaçao's Coral Reefs
    Abstract: The coral reefs of Curaçao represent one of the best reef systems left in the Caribbean at present. However, this does not mean that these...
  • Research report The non-use value of nature in the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands
    Since 10 October 2010 Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius (Statia) are part of the Netherlands. These three islands are referred to as the Caribbean...
  • Maps and Charts Historical Geological map of Saba
    The historical geological map of Saba was published by the foundation for scientific research in Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles at a scale of 1...
  • Scientific article A baseline water quality assessment of the coastal reefs of Bonaire, Southern Caribbean
    Bonaire is considered to harbor some of the best remaining coral reefs of the Caribbean, but faces multiple pressures including eutrophication. We...
  • Maps and Charts Archaeological Predictive Map Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
    In 2015 ARGEOgraph created the Archaeological Predictive Map of Saba for the Dutch ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This map has been made...
  • Scientific article The Aruba Island rattlesnake Crotalus unicolor Species Survival Plan: a case history in ex situ and in situ conservation
    Established in 1982, the Aruba Island rattlesnake Crotalus unicolor Species Survival Plan (SSP) is the longest continual functioning snake...
  • Scientific article The genus Paragiopagurus Lemaitre, 1996 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Paguroidea, Parapaguridae): A worldwide review and summary, with descriptions of five new species
    A review of the deep-water hermit crab species of the genus Paragiopagurus Lemaitre, 1996 from the world oceans is presented. The core specimen base...
  • Other resources RARE Parrot conservation campaign, Bonaire
    Scanned flyers of the RARE concerted conservation campaign to save the Yellowshouldered parrot on Bonaire.   The campaign was supported by: World...
  • Research report Landscape-ecological survey of Arikok National Park, Aruba Restoring vegetation of a dry tropical island
    Aruba invokes the image of a Caribbean tropical island paradise, with white sandy beaches and palm trees waving in the wind. The interior of the...
  • Other resources Cephalopholis cruentata (graysby) behavior and interspecific response to invasive Pterois volitans (lionfish) in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The invasion of Pterois volitans (lionfish) is a serious concern for Caribbean coral reef health. The morphology and behavior of lionfish is novel to...
  • Other resources Symbiotic copepods associated with invertebrates at St. Eustatius
    The research goal was to collect symbiotic copepods from most scleractinian species and to inspect common species of octocorals, sponges and...
  • Scientific article Phylogeographic patterns of a lower intertidal isopod in the Gulf of California and the Caribbean and comparison with other intertidal isopods
    A growing body of knowledge on the diversity and evolution of intertidal isopods across different regions worldwide has enhanced our understanding on...
  • Media Sharks around Saba
    News item on high tech acoustic telemetry research on sharks around Saba.    This news article was published in BioNews 30.  BioNews is produced by ...
  • Media Tiger shark crosses thirteen maritime boundaries in four weeks
    A tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) tagged with a satellite transmitter by scientists and researchers from Saba, Sint Maarten and the United States has...
  • Other resources A Short Natural History of Curaçao
    The islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire together with the Venezuelan islands of Los Monjes, Islas Aves, Los Roques, La Orchila and La Blanquilla...
  • Media Status of Bonaire’s reefs
    While the coral reefs around Bonaire have suffered in recent decades from regional phenomena such as repeated bleaching events, urchin die-off, coral...
  • Media BioNews 5-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 5-2017 includes the following news-items: Status Of St. Eustatius’s Reef Nature on St. Eustatius Hit Hard by Hurricanes BRUV Work In The...
  • Media BioNews 8-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 8-2017 includes the following news-items:   Status of Saba Bank’s reefs Economic value of Sharks Annual Shark Conference of the European...
  • Scientific article Terrestrial molluscs of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao in the Dutch Caribbean: an updated checklist and guide to identification
    A review is given of the terrestrial malacofauna of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao in the Dutch Caribbean. The most recent reviews of these islands were...
  • Scientific article Biological oxygen demand optode analysis of coral reef-associated microbial communities exposed to algal exudates
    Algae-derived dissolved organic matter has been hypothesized to induce mortality of reef building corals. One proposed killing mechanism is a zone of...
  • Other resources Regional Queen Conch Fisheries Management and Conservation Plan (Draft)
    The overall objective of this 10-year Regional Queen Conch Fishery Management and Conservation Plan is to guide the implementation of a set of...
  • Other resources Mating games squid play
    In the summer of 1998 I began a long-term field research project in Bonaire to evaluate the skin colours and patterns of Sepioteuthis sepiodea to...
  • Scientific article A review of the sponge increase hypothesis for Caribbean mesophotic reefs
    Sponges are major components of benthic ecosystems, particularly on Caribbean reefs, where their importance in carbon cycling and ecosystem function...
  • Other resources Carimam Project - report on kick'off meeting
    The Agoa Sanctuary (named after a Caribbean - Amerindian sea goddess) was established because of the abundance and diversity of cetacean species...
  • Research report Onderzoek naar stikstofuitspoeling en verzouting
    Research nitrogen leaching and salinisation Summary (Dutch): Op het terrein van dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserie (LVV) op Bonaire zal in 2012...
  • Monitoring protocol Coral Spawning Predictions 2020
    Predictions for coral spawning events in the Southern Caribbean for 2020 Based on Carmabi’s surveys, a prediction is available of expected times and...
  • Other resources Parrotfish as a possible vector for zooxanthellae dispersal on coral reefs
    The stoplight parrotfish, Sparisoma viride, is one of the dominant herbivores on the reefs of Bonaire. The effects of macroalgae herbivory have been...
  • Scientific article Marine Mammals of the Northeastern Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands: Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and the Saba Bank
    Abstract: At least 33 native species of marine mammals have been documented from the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). For many of these species, the...
  • Other resources The relationship between fish diversity and live coral cover and changes in fish diversity over time in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles has one of the healthiest coral reef systems in terms of fish species richness and live coral cover in the Caribbean....
  • Book Status of Dutch Caribbean Reefs
    Following the Royal Palace Symposium in the Netherlands in December 2016, and the harsh call to action by Professor Jeremy Jackson (Scripps...
  • Other resources Density of benthic meiofauna and macrofauna with relationship to depth in sandy coral reef substrate
    The relationship that benthic organisms have on fish that live on the reef is well known. Some benthic organisms can be regarded as bio-indicators,...
  • Scientific article Preliminary Study to identify Filamentous Fungi in Sands of Three Beaches of the Caribbean
    The Caribbean has several white sand beaches visited by many tourists, especially during the summer. The beaches of Copacabana in Barbados Bridgetown...
  • Other resources The effect of predation and competition on the slow population return of Diadema antillarum
    Populations of Diadema antillarum have had low densities ever since its mass mortality event in 1983. A slow population density increase has resulted...
  • Other resources Exciting New Nature Conservation Projects for STENAPA in 2022
    From cutting edge 3D models to innovative management techniques, 2022 poses to be an exciting year for St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (...
  • Other resources The effect of social status and species on habitat preference of grunts, Haemulidae, on the fringing coral reef surrounding Bonaire
    Many fish prefer to live in certain habitats based on protection, shade cover, rugosity, and foraging return. Haemulidae, also known as grunts, are a...
  • Other resources The role of mimicry within congruencies amongst herbivorous and carnivorous fish in Bonaire
    Mimetic behavior signifies organisms evolving to share behaviors and a common resemblance despite different phylogeny. Relationships in mimicry rely...
  • Other resources The effects of daily spawning patterns on cleaning dynamics of Thalassoma bifasciatum, bluehead wrasse
    - Cleaning is a prevalent behavior on coral reefs. Many fish, including Thalassoma bifasciatum (bluehead wrasse), obtain some portion of their diet...
  • Research report Cruise report RV Pelagia 64PE430 : Bottom topography, groundwater discharge and cyanobacterial mats of mesophotic reefs, 25 January - 2 February 2018Curaçao-Bonaire-Aruba (NICO expedition leg 3)
    The Caribbean is well known for its tropical islands fringed by beautiful coral reefs. However, reefs nowadays shift from coral dominance to...
  • Scientific article The importance of the marine ornamental reef fish trade in the wider Caribbean
    Abstract: The marine ornamental fish trade began in the 1930s in Sri Lanka, spread to Hawaii and the Philippines in the 1950s, and expanded to a...
  • Research report Seed germination methods for native Caribbean trees and shrubs - With emphasis on species relevant for Bonaire
    Summary: This paper is intended as a basis for nature restoration activities using seeds of trees and (larger) shrubs native to Bonaire with the aim...
  • Scientific article Shark and ray diversity in the Tropical America (Neotropics)—an examination of environmental and historical factors affecting diversity
    We present the first comprehensive review of the present and past shark and ray diversity in marine waters of Tropical America, examining the...
  • Other resources Good fences make good neighbors: Habitat partitioning by spinyhead (Acanthemblemaria spinosa) and secretary (Acanthemblemaria maria) blennies.
    Spinyhead blennies (Acanthemblemaria spinosa) and secretary blennies (Acanthemblemaria maria) are abundant, tube-dwelling fishes on the reefs of...
  • Research report The blue destination strategy in a small island tourism oriented society
    Abstract: Tourism could be discussed as being a damaging phenomenon if not managed correctly as well as being destructive towards its own industry by...
  • Other resources The effects of storm damage on reef rugosity and coral species composition in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
    Located below the hurricane belt in the Netherlands Antilles, the island of Bonaire is rarely affected by major storms and high-wave action. In a...
  • Other resources Color matching during shadow stalking by the West Atlantic Trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus
    This study examines the importance of color in camouflage of the West Atlantic Trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus during shadow stalking behavior....
  • Media FPNA: Transitioning to a Conservation Management Organization
    Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) recently highlighted their successes and struggles of 2021 and gave a brief preview of their Multi-Annual...
  • Other resources Anti-predator responses of herbivorous ocean surgeonfish, Acanthurus bahianus, to invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans
    Since their introduction into the western Atlantic, lionfish (Pterois volitans) have become a major threat to the coral-reef ecosystems. Lionfish...
  • Scientific article The Relationship between Diver Experience Levels and Perceptions of Attractiveness of Artificial Reefs - Examination of a Potential Management Tool
    Abstract: Artificial reefs are increasingly used worldwide as a method for managing recreational diving since they have the potential to satisfy both...
  • Other resources Is the introduced cup coral Tubastraea coccinea an invasive species in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean?
    The orange cup coral Tubastraea coccinea has expanded its range from the Indo-Pacific into the western Atlantic region. It grows on a wide variety of...
  • Scientific article Organic Matter Degradation Drives Benthic Cyanobacterial Mat Abundance on Caribbean Coral Reefs
    Abstract Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are impacting coral reefs worldwide. However, the factors and mechanisms driving their proliferation are...
  • Research report Assessment of the Commercial Fishery of Saba Bank
    The commercial fishery of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles, was assessed for six months from June 1 through November 30, 2007, by conducting port...
  • Research report Description of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Proposed Marine Nomination Properties of the Bonaire and Curaçao Marine Parks (BCMP
    This report describes the possible Outstanding Universal Value of the potential World Heritage nomination that combines the Bonaire National Marine...
  • Other resources The effects of density and size on the hiding response of Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus)
    Hiding is a common anti-predatory behavior that many organisms utilize. This anti-predatory tactic is adjusted to minimize factors such as lost time...
  • Other resources Fish communities and fisheries of the Dutch Caribbean: status and trends
    Abstract in scientific journal or proceedings 1st Annual AcroporaNet Symposium, 2016-06-10 Since 2012 the fish and elasmobranch communities of the...
  • Scientific article Widespread local chronic stressors in Caribbean coastal habitats
    Coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods they support are threatened by stressors acting at global and local scales. Here we used the data produced by...
  • Scientific article Sound production by red hind Epinephelus guttatus in spatially segregated spawning aggregations
    Abstract: Many fishes, including groupers, produce sounds associated with mating behavior; recording and analyzing the occurrence of these sounds can...
  • Other resources Finding a correlation between zooplankton abundance and the aggregation of Abudefduf saxatilis (sergeant major damselfish) beneath boats
    Abudefduf saxatilis, or sergeant major damselfish, are a common reef fish in the Caribbean and western Atlantic that form large feeding aggregations...
  • Scientific article Impending Trade Suspensions of Caribbean Queen Conch under CITES: A Case Study on Fishery Impacts and Potential for Stock Recovery
    The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Authority issued injunctions in 2003 and 2004 to halt export trade of Caribbean...
  • Scientific article New species, taxonomist’s delight and faunist’s plight. On the variation range in Loxosomella vivipara Nielsen, 1966 (Entoprocta: Loxosomatidae)
    The Entoprocta Nitsche, 1870, or Kamptozoa Cori, 1929, are a small animal class with only two orders, Solitaria Emschermann, 1972, and Coloniales...
  • Other resources Effects of elevated CO2 levels on Coryphopterus glaucofraenum response to injured conspecific chemical cues
    Carbon dioxide levels in the ocean are predicted to double by the end of the century, making the marine environment more acidic than it is today....
  • Other resources Effects of a small harbour on nutrient levels and coral reef health in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The creation of harbours through dredging combined with boat maintenance and waste is known to increase nutrients and sedimentation within coastal...
  • Other resources Is it possible to predict which areas of Bonaire are more susceptible to coral bleaching?
    Bleaching is caused by the combination of light and temperature stress on corals, and can result in coral mortality. On the island of Bonaire, a...
  • Other resources Comparing the diversity, total abundance, and richness of fish species associated with two stony corals: Diploria strigosa and Orbicella annularis
    Coral reef environments exhibit numerous ecological interactions between different organisms. The habitat structure of a healthy coral reef is...
  • Media Two species of endangered elasmobranch are recommended to receive additional protection in the Caribbean
    Thanks to the efforts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the critically endangered largetooth sawfish and the threatened silky shark have...
  • Other resources Nest site selection of sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis): artificial vs. natural reef structures
    Nesting animals select sites for reproduction based on adaptive behaviors that have evolved to improve reproductive success and the survival rates of...
  • Other resources Abundance and size distribution of the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata on sand flats and coral reefs in Bonaire
    Hermodice carunculata the bearded fireworm is abundant in Bonaire‘s coral reefs. The corallivorous fireworm is a voracious eater, and a generalist...
  • Other resources Are damselfish detrimental to Bonaire’s coral reefs?
    Damselfish are small herbivores that cultivate algal gardens on coral heads throughout Caribbean reefs. These gardens are used to grow specific types...
  • Research report A population assessment and habitat description of the Alsophis rufiventris on the Quill and Boven National Park, St. Eustatius
    The genus Alsophis used to be very abundant in the Lesser Antilles. Numbers have declined ascribed to anthropogenic causes and the introduction of...
  • Other resources Anthropogenic influence on sedimentation and hydrocarbon concentration by terrestrial run-off near a drain in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The anthropogenic effect of terrestrial run-off on coral reef ecosystems is a topic of high concern to marine ecologists. In the Caribbean, coral...
  • Other resources Goat keeping, useful management practices for smallholders
    Goats are important in many regions because they provide people with valuable food and or income. They supply animal protein in the form of milk and...
  • Scientific article Preliminary Assessment of Sponge Biodiversity on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract Background: Saba Bank Atoll, Netherlands Antilles, is one of the three largest atolls on Earth and provides habitat for an extensive coral...
  • Other resources Coral Health Chart
    For more information, check: https://coralwatch.org About CoralWatch CoralWatch, based at The University of Queensland, Australia, is a well-...
  • Other resources Fish density, species richness and diversity between stands of natural and artificial Acropora cervicornis
    Coral reefs around the world are experiencing high levels of degradation due to temperature changes, increased nutrients and destructive fishing...
  • Other resources Investigating effects of depth and size on pumping rate and filtering efficiency of the Caribbean reef sponge Aplysina lacunosa
    Marine sponges provide an important link between the benthic and pelagic environments of coral reef ecosystems, yet there is relatively little known...
  • Other resources The sensitivity of the invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans, to parasitism in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Invasive species have a history of damaging their invaded ecosystems and in the case of the Pterois volitans invasion to the waters of many Caribbean...
  • Scientific article Engineered substrates reveal species-specific inorganic cues for coral larval settlement
    ABSTRACT: The widespread loss of stony reef-building coral populations has been compounded by the low settlement and survival of coral juveniles. To...
  • Other resources Temporal dynamics of fish assemblage on artificial reefs with varying distances from a coral reef ecosystem
    Increasing coral reef degradation worldwide is putting more reef fish under stressful circumstances. A possible solution to mitigating the effects of...
  • Other resources Using relative brain mass to better understand trophic interactions and phenotypic plasticity of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans)
    Understanding predator-prey relationships gives greater insight into coral reef health. A recent study on predator-prey relationships linked the...
  • Other resources Determining how surroundings impact abundance and behavior of the yellow Atlantic trumpetfish Aulostomus maculatus phenotype
    The use of color is seen throughout the animal kingdom. In coral reef ecosystems, organism colorations are suggested to assist in behaviors such as...
  • Monitoring protocol A manual for the landbird monitoring program of STINAPA Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    About 210 resident and migratory bird species are found on the island of Bonaire. More than half of these species are landbirds. Some of the...
  • Research report A population assessment and habitat description of the Alsophis rufiventris on the Quill and Boven National Park, St. Eustatius
    Abstract The genus Alsophis used to be very abundant in the Lesser Antilles. Numbers have declined ascribed to anthropogenic causes and the...
  • Other resources Investigation of depth-dependence of pumping rates and filtration efficiencies in two Caribbean reef sponges
    Suspension feeders perform a crucial role in uniting the benthic and pelagic environments in coral reef ecosystems. Of suspension feeders, sponges...
  • Other resources An assessment of the economic impact of climate change on the tourism sector in Curacao
    The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean wishes to acknowledge the assistance...
  • Scientific article Discovery of the Leeward Blindsnake, Antillotyphlops geotomus (Thomas, 1966), on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    The Leeward Blindsnake (Antillotyphlops geotomus) is a near threatened species according to the IUCN Red list (Powell et al., 2016), and was known...
  • Scientific article Population recovery changes population composition at a major southern Caribbean juvenile developmental habitat for the green turtle, Chelonia mydas
    Understanding the population composition and dynamics of migratory megafauna at key developmental habitats is critical for conservation and...
  • Other resources Size Distribution of Spirobranchus gianteus in Bonaire: Is There a Benefit of Recruitment to Live Coral?
    Spirobranchus giganteus is a tube-dwelling polychaete more commonly known as the Christmas tree worm. S. giganteus larvae are planktonic, which is...
  • Other resources Effects of sediment grain size on abundance of marine nematodes in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Free-living marine nematodes are a functionally and morphologically diverse group of animals. They have important ecological functions, many of which...
  • Other resources Effects of differences in hole size of artificial reef units on coral reef fish abundance and species richness
    The biodiversity of coral reefs will decline as the global degradation of reefs continues, pushing the science of restoration techniques such as the...
  • Scientific article The effect of artificial reef design on the attraction of herbivorous fish and on coral recruitment, survival and growth
    A B S T R A C T Fish assemblages of different types of artificial reefs can differ greatly in abundance, biomass and composition, with some reef...
  • Other resources Comparison of foraging strategies and feeding rates of the Atlantic Trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus
    Coral reef fish exhibit remarkably diverse hunting techniques such as solitary hunting, shadow stalking, nuclear hunting, and hunting in schools of...
  • Research report Bonaire's Southern Wetlands Management Plan
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The southern wetlands of Bonaire represent a unique environment for the island. Consisting of a wide variety of habitat types...
  • Scientific article The Reef Fish Assemblage of Bonaire Marine Park: An Analysis of REEF Fish Survey Data
    Abstract: The REEF/TNC Fish Survey Project is a volunteer fish monitoring program developed by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)...
  • Scientific article The marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean: a comparison between EEZ sectors, contrasts and concerns
    We here provide a synoptic overview and preliminary update of the marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean EEZ based on 279 cetacean sighting and...
  • Research report High-resolution prediction of plant species richness in the Christoffel national park
    Previous attempts at mapping the vegetation of the Christoffel national park on the island of Curaçao were done in times of intense grazing pressure...
  • Other resources Influence of habitat on defecation behavior of queen (Scarus vetula) and princess (Scarus taeniopterus) parrotfish
    Herbivores are important structuring agents for ecosystems worldwide. While effects of grazing by herbivorous fish are well studied, their roles in...
  • Other resources Go with the flow: patterns of connectivity in low dispersal coral reef gobies (Coryphopterus spp.) throughout the western Atlantic
    Masters thesis Gene flow is an integral biological process that can mediate speciation. While many consider the ocean to be an open environment,...
  • Other resources Can the lionfish, Pterois spp., differentiate between colors?
    Since the invasion of red lionfish, Pterois spp., in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, many studies have evaluated the predatory behavior of the...
  • Other resources The relationship between algae, depth, and abundance of terminal and initial phase parrotfish (Sparisoma viride and Scarus taeniopterus)
    Coral reefs are undergoing phase shifts becoming dominated by algae rather than live coral. Algae on reefs is greatly impacted by herbivores such as...
  • Other resources Parrotfish mucus cocoon production at night in Bonaire, N.A.
    Many marine organisms use mucus to catch food, clean themselves, or for protection from predators. Some species of parrotfish (Family Scaridae) use...
  • Other resources Utilization of smaller grouper species (Cephalopholis cruentata, Cephalopholis fulva, Epinephelus guttatus, Epinephelus adscensionis) densities as a coral reef health indicator
    Serranidae, the grouper family, are common carnivorous fish that inhabit Bonaire’s coral reefs. Smaller grouper species are commonly spotted along...
  • Other resources Parrotfish abundance and corallivory at the Yellow Sub dive site in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Parrotfish are some of the most widely recognized reef fish in the world. They occupy almost every tropical reef on the planet, and through their...
  • Scientific article Resource Partitioning by Corallivorous Snails on Bonaire (Southern Caribbean)
    Abstract: A biodiversity survey on three corallivorous snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) was performed at 28 sites around the island of Bonaire to assess...
  • Other resources Response of three predatory reef fish species to fishing protection in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Fish protected areas are increasingly utilized as a means of bolstering existing fish stocks while laying the foundation for healthy future...
  • Scientific article Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)
    The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is...
  • Other resources Fluorescent patterns, size, and abundance of the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata in the intertidal zone on Bonaire
    Hermodice carunculata, commonly known as the Bearded Fireworm, is a corallivorous Polychaete found throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean...
  • Scientific article Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which...
  • Scientific article Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract   The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima,...
  • Other resources Caribbean parrotfish foraging: An interspecific comparison of algal preferences
    In recent decades, reduced grazing pressure caused by a die-off of Diadema antillarum and the overexploitation of herbivorous fishes have facilitated...
  • Scientific article Defining and Dividing the Greater Caribbean: Insights from the Biogeography of Shorefishes
    The Greater Caribbean biogeographic region is the high-diversity heart of the Tropical West Atlantic, one of four global centers of tropical marine...
  • Other resources Predation and habitat depth affect coral reef fish recruitment
    Reef fish have a pelagic larval stage and settle onto the reef before transitioning to their juvenile or adult morphologies. Settlement can be...
  • Other resources Interactions among sponges, algae, and coral in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean: an analysis of sponge and algae prevalence in relation to coral abundance and health
    Stressors causing coral reef degradation are making reefs susceptible to domination by other organisms. One documented phase-shift is increased...
  • Other resources Control of algae on coral reefs by large herbivorous fishes
    Coral reefs harbor a vast amount of global diversity relative to their size, and are an important economic resource to coastal communities. Over the...
  • Other resources Brood location preference and paternal care behavior by sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis)
    Sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis) engage in male-dominated reproduction: males establish territories, females are courted, mate with the male and...
  • Other resources Hydrocarbons on coral reefs: An analysis of the presence of anthropogenic PAHs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Phototoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been welldocumented as major marine pollutants. While PAHs are known to have negative...
  • Other resources Behavior of the Princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus): a comparison between daylight and sunset
    Most animals are active either during the day or night, and at twilight, nocturnal and diurnal animals alike engage in behaviors to avoid predators,...
  • Other resources The effect of flash photography on the feeding, reemergence time, and time spent in refuge of Bicolor Damselfish, Stegastes partitus
    Diving on reefs is a great means for tourism around the world. The impacts of divers differ based on experience and if there is something of high...
  • Other resources Reef fish assemblage and invertebrate cover in relationship to the degree of artificial reef isolation
    Reef fishes and invertebrates are quickly losing their habitats due to widespread coral degradation. Artificial reefs are entering the spotlight as...
  • Research report St. Eustatius invasive alien Green Iguana : Case study of a Rapid Response Extermination Campaign (RREC)
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima is the largest extant native land vertebrate of St. Eustatius and was recently lost (~1990s) from...
  • Other resources Determining how coral reef habitat structure correlates with fish species richness at six dive sites in Bonaire, N.A.
    Biodiversity of coral reef fish species is often related to the structural complexity and diversity of their habitats. This study explores the...
  • Other resources Spawning behaviour of the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma Viride Bonnaterre, on Bonaire and Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
    Student Report- University of Groningen  The reproductive behaviour of the stoplight parrotfish, Sparisoma viride Bonnaterre, was studied on two...
  • Other resources Client choice, competition, and cleaner dependence pressure cleaner fish to cooperate in mutualistic symbiosis
    Mutualistic symbiosis is a finely tuned relationship between two species in which each receives a service that increases its own fitness in exchange...
  • Scientific article Coral reef fish and benthic community structure of Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
    Coral reefs throughout the Caribbean have suffered the effects of human activities, including overfishing, nutrient pollution, and global climate...
  • Research report A Case Study in the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): the Islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean
    The islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, were both mapped along their leeward coasts for dominant coral community and other benthic cover...
  • Other resources Contacts between recreational scuba divers and coral reefs in Bonaire
    The number and type of diver contacts with coral reefs on Bonaire and Klein Bonaire’s fringing reefs were studied in fall 2006. The goal of this...
  • Scientific article Conservation opportunities for tern species at two Ramsar sites on Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract The island of Bonaire is a nesting location for at least four tern species: a subspecies of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum...
  • Other resources Risky business: Ecological trade-offs of sub-tidal foraging behavior in parrotfish (Scaridae)
    Parrotfish promote coral growth by controlling the abundance of algae on coral reefs. Although the importance of parrotfish herbivory on coral reefs...
  • Media WWF Policy Brief: CREATING EFFECTIVE, SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
    Throughout the Caribbean, like in the rest of the world, the abundance of marine fish species have been declining over the past decades. The health...
  • Other resources Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) Distribution and Feeding Behavior in Relation to Salinity Levels on Bonaire, Netherland Antilles
    Bonaire is home to the largest natural flamingo reserve in the western hemisphere, housing one of the four remaining crucial breeding grounds in the...
  • Other resources Antibacterial effects of three Caribbean sponges from areas of varying pollution
    Sponges are sessile marine organisms that have developed efficient defense mechanisms against microbial pathogens. These organisms are one of the...
  • Other resources Temporal use of two artificial reef morphologies by coral reef fishes
    Coral reefs are important marine ecosystems with high biodiversity that provides food and socioeconomic benefits to people in tropical regions around...
  • Other resources Effect of population density and aggressive behavior of Three Spot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) on macroalgae cover and parrotfish grazing activity
    When overly abundant, macroalgae can be a major threat to the health of a coral reef ecosystem due to its capability to smother live coral and reduce...
  • Scientific article Same but different? Zoantharian assemblages (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) in Bonaire and Curaçao, southern Caribbean
    Abstract Marine community datasets are key to the effective management and conservation of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, which are...
  • Other resources Bioaccumulation of run-off pollutants: An evaluation of marine sponges as bioindicators
    Runoff and sewage discharge present serious consequences if left unchecked in coral reef ecosystems. Eutrophication and the introduction of harmful...
  • Other resources To eat or be eaten: Consumer induced behavior in variegated feather duster worms (Bispira variegata)
    Predator-prey interactions are a driving force for many identifying features of ecosystems. Predation pressure not only strongly influences...
  • Other resources The Morphology of the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) from the Antigua and Barbuda Shelf – Implications for Fisheries Management
    Morphometric measurements were taken from queen conch (Strombus gigas) from various sections of the Antigua and Barbuda shelf to: 1) ascertain if...
  • Other resources Feeding ecology and twilight interspecific interactions of lionfish (Pterois spp.) in Bonaire, N.A.
    Bioinvasions are defined as the establishment of a species in an area where it has not existed previously. Usually the result of an anthropogenic...
  • Research report Investigating Variation in Coral Reef Morphology with Photomosaics and Analysis of Percent Cover
    Coral reefs serve as an important component of tropical marine ecosystems’ functionality and composition. However, coral cover in the Caribbean reefs...
  • Other resources Species diversity and abundance of Moray Eels (Family: Muraenidae) in Western Bonaire
    The estimated number of species of Moray Eels (Family: Muraenidae) worldwide is around 200. A majority of morays hide in crevices and holes during...
  • Research report Naturalised and invasive alien plant species in the Caribbean Netherlands: status, distribution, threats, priorities and recommendations
    Abstract: The Netherlands are signatories of the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This implies that the nation will protect...
  • Other resources Tubastraea coccinea: Distribution and substratum preference of an exotic coral in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The study of introduced species has gained popularity in recent years. A species introduced to a new area can have negative effects on the native...
  • Other resources Reproductive Behavior in Abudefduf saxatilis: The Relationship Between Nest Location, Brood Size and Aggression
    This study investigated the reproductive behavior of the Caribbean Sergeant Major, Abudefduf saxatilis. The aim was to identify the possible...
  • Scientific article Mapping the economic loss of ecosystem services caused by the invasive plant species Antigonon leptopus on the Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius
    Abstract Invasive species are a worldwide threat to biodiversity, especially on Caribbean islands. Through their impact on the structure and...
  • Other resources Effectiveness of the burglar alarm hypothesis: a comparison between bioluminescent displays in dinoflagellates and abundance of copepods at various depths
    The burglar alarm hypothesis states that dinoflagellate bioluminescence is used to avoid predation from copepods by taking an altruistic approach....
  • Other resources Abundance and diversity of fluorescent anemone species across reef habitats off the coast of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Marine anemones influence oceanic food webs, partake in symbiotic relationships with many marine phyla, and can prove detrimental to coral reef...
  • Other resources Diel vertical migration and luminescent activity of bioluminescent dinoflagellates in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Bioluminescence is a cold-light produced by chemical reactions and has been observed in over 90% of marine organisms. The largely speculated adaptive...
  • Scientific article Archaeal and Bacterial Communities Associated with the Surface Mucus of Caribbean Corals Differ in Their Degree of Host Specificity and Community Turnover Over Reefs
    Comparative studies on the distribution of archaeal versus bacterial communities associ- ated with the surface mucus layer of corals have rarely...
  • Other resources Fishermen’s by-catch: Effect on fish feeding behaviors in shallow sand flats of Bonaire, N.A.
    Worldwide, fisheries produce ~27 million tons of by-catch yr -1 . By-catch is defined as unwanted fish that are accidentally caught, or discarded...
  • Other resources Annual Report 2008 Nature Foundation St Maarten
    Throughout 2008 the staff and board of Nature Foundation St. Maarten undertook a range of activities addressing both core management of the Marine...
  • Other resources Coastal marine water quality based on the presence of Polychaetes, coliforms,
    A lack of sufficient wastewater treatment practices on the island of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean suggests that contaminated groundwater seepage or...
  • Other resources Using prey fish species as bioindicators of anthropogenic stress and predictors of predator density and diversity on coral reefs in Bonaire, N.A.
    Bioindicator species have been used to determine changes in water quality and the effect of pollution at sites of environmental concern. Increasingly...
  • Portal Birds Caribbean
    BirdsCaribbean is the largest regional organization dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats in the insular Caribbean (...
  • Scientific article Synthesis of coral reef health indicators for the Western Atlantic: Results of the AGRRA program (1997-2000)
    Abstract: The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) sampling strategy is designed to collect both descriptive and quantitative information...
  • Other resources Below the golden rock - the social practice of diving at St.Eustatius
    Dive tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry. Particularly for tropical destinations, diving tourism is of great...
  • Scientific article Indirect effects of overfishing on Caribbean reefs: sponges overgrow reef-building corals
    Consumer-mediated indirect effects at the community level are difficult to demonstrate empirically. Here, we show an explicit indirect effect of...
  • Other resources Circadian rhythms and food entrainment of lionfish (Pterois volitans)
    Circadian rhythms are common in many organisms and provide an organism synchrony with its environment, which is vital for survival. Entraining...
  • Research report Mapping the Economic Value of Ecosystems on St Eustatius
    This report will specifically focus on the spatial distribution of the ecosystem service values and will eventually visualize these values...
  • Other resources Can the first few decades of coral colonization give insight to species interactions and ecological complexity? A case study on artificial coral-based structures
    A greater understanding of coralbased communities must be achieved in order to maximize reef conservation efforts. While a multitude of studies have...
  • Other resources Can native sessile species resist the settlement of the orange cup coral, Tubastraea coccinea, on hard substrate communities of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles?
    Tubastrea coccinea is an invasive coral species found on the reefs of Bonaire. These corals are typically seen at various densities (up to 80% m-2)...
  • Scientific article First records of three new lizard species and a range expansion of a fourth lizard species introduced to Aruba
    Introduction The Caribbean region is emerging as a hotspot for the spread of non-native reptile species (Powell et al. 2011; Powell and Henderson...
  • Research report Spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a in coastal waters of Sint Eustatius
    MSc report Land based nutrient input from anthropogenic sources is a worldwide issue and a threat to coral reef health. Coral