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

Other resources Parrotfish: Important Coral Reef Keepers

Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below Parrotfish are more than just a pretty face. The average parrotfish spends up to 90% of its day cleaning the...
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...
Media Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the Dutch Caribbean

Papiamentu, Papiamento and Dutch below Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a highly infectious coral disease that has spread rapidly...
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...
Scientific article Coral reef crisis in deep and shallow reefs: 30 years of constancy and change in reefs of Curacao and Bonaire

Coral reefs are thought to be in worldwide decline but available data are practically limited to reefs shallower than 25 m. Zooxanthellate coral...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
Portal Reefbase

A great part of the coral reef resources in the world are in danger of destruction due to over exploitation, degradation of habitat and, possibly,...
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%...
Monitoring protocol Wider Caribbean Region Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network: Annex D - Biophysical Baselilne Monitoring Methods

The GCRMN baseline scientific monitoring methods provide a basic framework for existing and developing monitoring programs to contribute data that...
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...
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...
Other resources A comparative study of benthic and coral reef fish communities on artificial versus natural reefs of Bonaire, N.A.

Caribbean coral reef ecosystems are threatened by anthropogenic impacts such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. In an effort to...
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 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...
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 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...
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...
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...
Other resources Final report St.Eustatius Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

Coral reefs provide some of the most valuable ecosystem services for the islands. They are a driver of tourism, they protect against storms, and...
Research report Effect of the use of artificial reefs as substrate on outplanted Acropora cervicornis survival and growth in comparison with outplanting on natural reefs

Abstract: Knowledge gaps remain regarding the drivers of active coral restoration success that may impede our ability to effectively restore coral...
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...
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...
Research report A review of coral reef restoration techniques

In this review the following three reef restoration techniques are discussed: 1. Coral gardening, 2. Larval seeding, and 3. Reef balls. These...
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...
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...
Scientific article Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Coral reefs thrive and provide maximal ecosystem services when they support a multilevel trophic structure and grow in favorable water quality...
Research report Draft Business Plan for U.S. Coral Reefs

The Coral Reef Ecosystem business plan describes a comprehensive 10 year strategy to guide NFWF’s conservation investments to achieve measurable...
Scientific article Ecological solutions to reef degradation: optimizing coral reef restoration in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic

Reef restoration activities have proliferated in response to the need to mitigate coral declines and recover lost reef structure, function, and...
Research report A Guide to Assessing Coral Reef Resilience for Decision Support

Coral reef resilience is the capacity of a reef to resist or recover from degradation and maintain provision of ecosystem goods and services (Mumby...
Scientific article Importance of differentiating Orbicella reefs from gorgonian plains for ecological assessments of Caribbean reefs

ABSTRACT: Region-wide assessments of coral cover typically rely on meta-analyses of small- scale ecological studies which have combined different...
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 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...
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,...
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 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...
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 Reef dissolution : Rates and mechanisms of coral dissolution by bioeroding sponges and reef communities

Embargo until April 04 2020 PhD thesis For coral reefs to persist, the rate of CaCO3 production must be greater than the rate of erosion to enable...
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...
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...
Media Coral Restoration Bonaire

The Nature funding from the Netherlands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) (previously Ministry of Economic Affairs), has helped...
Scientific article Applying coral breeding to reef restoration: best practices, knowledge gaps, and priority actions in a rapidly evolving field

Reversing coral reef decline requires reducing environmental threats while actively restoring reef ecological structure and func-tion. A promising...
Scientific article Implications of 2D versus 3D surveys to measure the abundance and composition of benthic coral reef communities

Abstract A paramount challenge in coral reef ecology is to estimate the abundance and composition of the communities residing in such complex...
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...
Research report The influence of herbivorous keystone fish species on the recruitment and growth of corals on artificial reefs: a study regarding the influence of Acanthuridae and Scaridae on coral recruitment and growth on three different types of artificial reefs: reef

Student Report Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems in the world, in terms of both biological diversity and economy. These...
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...
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;...
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...
Other resources Coral Reef Geometry wars: using coral geometry to predict coral competitive outcomes

Msc. Thesis Corals compete with other sessile organisms for the limited benthic surface. We hypothesized that resources available to fight at a coral...
Scientific article Coral diversity matches marine park zonation but not economic value of coral reef sites at St. Eustatius, eastern Caribbean

A B S T R A C T Stony corals play a key role in the marine biodiversity of many tropical coastal areas as suppliers of substrate, food and shelter...
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 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,...
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...
Research report Report on the Economic Valuation of St. Eustatius’ Coral Reef Resources

Abstract: The St. Eustatius National Marine Park conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Eustatius’ coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2009. This...
Scientific article A framework for measuring coral species-specific contribution to reef functioning in the Caribbean

Highlights The configuration of coral communities determines ecosystems’ functioning. There is a high variation in the functional contribution of...
Research report Linking spatial gradients and habitat to reef fish assemblages: Insights from a remote coral reef system

Student Report Drastic loss of Caribbean coral reef habitat in the past decades has recently begun to negatively affect reef fish assemblage...
Research report A Report on the Status of the Coral Reefs of Bonaire in 2007 with Results from Monitoring 2003 – 2007

Bonaire’s reefs remain among the best in the Caribbean. However, our monitoring has revealed some potentially troubling trends that may require...
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...
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...
Research report Exploring Coral Reefs with Interactive Geospatial Visualizations

Abstract This project uses geospatial data to generate custom polygons in an interactive setting to represent the size and location of coral reefs to...
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...
Scientific article Reef flattening effects on total richness and species responses in the Caribbean

1. There has been ongoing flattening of Caribbean coral reefs with the loss of habitat having severe implications for these systems. Complexity and...
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...
Scientific article A centuries-old manmade reef in the Caribbean does not substitute natural reefs in terms of species assemblages and interspecific competition

ABSTRACT With increasing maritime activities in the proximity of coral reefs, a growing number of manmade structures are becoming available for...
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...
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,...
Scientific article Evaluation of coral reef management effectiveness using conventional versus resilience-based metrics

With increasing stressors to coral reefs, defining tools that evaluate their dynamics and resilience is important to interpret system trajectories...
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...
Scientific article Can we measure beauty? Computational evaluation of coral reef aesthetics

The natural beauty of coral reefs attracts millions of tourists worldwide resulting in substantial revenues for the adjoining economies. Although...
Scientific article A review of Computational Intelligence techniques in coral reef-related applications

Studies on coral reefs increasingly combine aspects of science and technology to understand the complex dynamics and processes that shape these...
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...
Other resources The rise of a native sun coral species on southern Caribbean coral reefs

Abstract. In contrast with a general decline of Caribbean reef corals, a previously rare sun coral is increasing in abundance within shallow coral...
Scientific article The rise of a native sun coral species on southern Caribbean coral reefs

Abstract. In contrast with a general decline of Caribbean reef corals, a previously rare sun coral is increasing in abundance within shallow coral...
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 Coral restoration

Coral reef protection is the process of modifying human activities to avoid damage to healthy coral reefs and to help damaged reefs recover. The key...
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...
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...
Scientific article Space-filling and benthic competition on coral reefs

Abstract Reef-building corals are ecosystem engineers that compete with other benthic organisms for space and resources. Corals harvest energy...
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...
Research report Status and trends of St.Eustatius coral reef ecosystem and fisheries: 2015 report card

Caribbean coral reefs have been declining for decades due to a combination of anthropogenic drivers such as unsustainable fishing practises,...
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...
Scientific article Coral reefs and their zonation in the Netherlands Antilles

Although coral reefs are well developed in the Leeward islands of the Netherlands Antilles, they are poorly developed in the Windward group. Coral...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Relevance of coral geometry in the outcomes of the coral-algal benthic war

Abstract Corals have built reefs on the benthos for millennia, becoming an essential element in marine ecosystems. Climate change and human impact,...
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 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...
Scientific article Geographic coupling of juvenile and adult habitat shapes spatial population dynamics of a coral reef fish

Abstract: Marine spatial population dynamics are often addressed with a focus on larval dispersal, without taking into account movement behavior 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-...
Monitoring protocol Methods for Ecological Monitoring of Coral Reefs - A Resource for Managers - Version 1

The aim of this book is to help managers of coral reefs select appropriate ecological monitoring programs, protocols and methods for your coral reef...
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,...
Scientific article The trophic ecology of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) relative to other large teleost predators on an isolated coral atoll.

Bulk stable isotope analysis was used to assess the trophic level and foraging habitats of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) compared to...
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 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...
Scientific article Terrestrial degradation impacts on coral reef health: Evidence from the Caribbean

Coral reefs are in decline worldwide. While coral reef managers are limited in their ability to tackle global challenges, such as ocean warming,...
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...
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...
Scientific article Community structure of coral microbiomes is dependent on host morphology

Abstract Background: The importance of symbiosis has long been recognized on coral reefs, where the photosynthetic dinof lagellates of corals (...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Research report Coral Reef Resilience Assessment of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: Although Bonaire’s coral reefs remain among the healthiest and most resilient in the Caribbean, this IUCN report based on the IUCN...
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...
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-...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Community Change within a Caribbean Coral Reef Marine Protected Area following Two Decades of Local Management

Structural change in both the habitat and reef-associated fish assemblages within spatially managed coral reefs can provide key insights into the...
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...
Other resources Determining the health status of coral reefs: a case-study of the Saba Bank in the Dutch Caribbean

Student Report Coral reefs are impacted by temperature rise, ocean acidification and various local anthropogenic stressors, causing global...
Other resources Determining the health status of coral reefs: a case-study of the Saba Bank in the Dutch Caribbean

Student Report Abstract Coral reefs are impacted by temperature rise, ocean acidification and various local anthropogenic stressors, causing global...
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...
Other resources High biomass and production but low energy transfer effciency of Caribbean parrotfish: implications for trophic models of coral reefs

Quantitative data are presented to assess the trophic role of scarids on the fringing coral reef of Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles), with particular...
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...
Research report Coastal Protection services of coral reefs in Bonaire

The coastal protection value (CPV) of coral reefs is one of the ecosystem services that contribute to the economic value of coral reefs. The basic...
Research report Coral reef monitoring in St Maarten 2016 and 2017 Impact of Hurricane Irma on St Maarten Reefs and on the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area

Carnivorous fish biomass, with a focus on grouper and snapper biomass, varied the most amongst these reefs after the hurricanes. These carnivores...
Other resources Inventory of Bonaire's coral reefs with particular attention to previously undescribed phenomena illustrating the ongoing decline of Bonaire’s reefs

General description New observations indicating undesirable trends on Bonairean reefs Unusual high abundances of the colonial tunicate Trididemnum ...
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...
Scientific article Boat noise disrupts orientation behaviour in a coral reef fish

Coral reef fish larvae use sound to find suitable habitat during their vital settlement stage. Yet boat noise, which can cause stress and avoidance...
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 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)....
Media Invasive Coralita Threatens Biodiversity Dutch Caribbean

Dutch below Coralita is an ornamental plant that was introduced to several Caribbean islands but has quickly found its way to the top of the invasive...
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...
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....
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 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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Long-term Shifts in Coral Communities On Shallow to Deep Reef Slopes of Curaçao and Bonaire: Are There Any Winners?

Tropical coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically important ecosystems on earth. Nevertheless, we found dramatic changes...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Variation in habitat soundscape characteristics influences settlement of a reef-building coral

Coral populations, and the productive reef ecosystems they support, rely on successful recruitment of reef-building species, beginning with...
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...
Scientific article Long-term change in coral communities along depth gradients over leeward reefs in the Netherlands Antilles

Reef slope coral communities were surveyed for long-term (20 years) changes in scleractinian coral cover, numbers of coral colonies and species...
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...
Research report The fishery value of coral reefs in Bonaire

Fishing provides an important source of income and livelihood on the Caribbean Island of Bonaire, also many people fish for recreational purposes. A...
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...
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...
Scientific article New Seeding Approach Reduces Costs and Time to Outplant Sexually Propagated Corals for Reef Restoration

The use of sexually propagated corals is gaining popularity as an approach for reef restoration. However, manually attaching substrates with recently...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Research report Reef Degradation and Tourism The macroeconomic costs of climate change on Bonaire

Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here Summary This paper studies the macroeconomic...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 Towards a predictive model supporting coral reef management of Bonaire’s coral reef. Progress report 2012.
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...
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 Can a thermally tolerant symbiont improve the future of Caribbean coral reefs?

The detrimental effect of climate change induced bleaching on Caribbean coral reefs has been widely documented in recent decades. Several studies...
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...
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 Coral reefs under rapid climate change and ocean acidification

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is expected to exceed 500 parts per million and global temperatures to rise by at least 2°C by 2050 to 2100...
Other resources Coral Reef Resilience Assessment of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles

Although Bonaire’s coral reefs remain among the healthiest and most resilient in the Caribbean, this IUCN report based on the IUCN Resilience...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Harnessing Natural Recovery Processes to Improve Restoration Outcomes: An Experimental Assessment of Sponge-Mediated Coral Reef Restoration

Abstract: Background: Restoration is increasingly implemented to reestablish habitat structure and function following physical anthropogenic...
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 The Effects of Nutrient Enrichment and Herbivore Abundance on the Ability of Turf Algae to Overgrow Coral in the Caribbean

Turf algae are multispecies communities of small marine macrophytes that are becoming a dominant component of coral reef communities around the world...
Scientific article Extreme spatial heterogeneity in carbonate accretion potential on a Caribbean fringing reef linked to local human disturbance gradients

The capacity of coral reefs to maintain their structurally complex frameworks and to retain the potential for vertical accretion is vitally important...
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...
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...
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...
Other resources Final report St.Eustatius 2016 Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

The goal of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), an operational network of ICRI, the International Coral Reef Initiative, is to improve...
Scientific article Geographic variation in long-term trajectories of change in coral recruitment: a global-to-local perspective

Compiled abundances of juvenile corals revealed no change over time in the Pacific, but a decline in the Caribbean. Using these analyses as a...
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...
Scientific article Fisher and diver perceptions of coral reef degradation and implications for sustainable management

Fishers and divers are the major resource users of Caribbean coral reefs. On Curaçao and Bonaire, reef condition is good relative to the Caribbean...
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...
Scientific article Sharing the slope: depth partitioning of agariciid corals and associated Symbiodinium across shallow and mesophotic habitats (2-60 m) on a Caribbean reef

Abstract Background: Scleractinian corals and their algal endosymbionts (genus Symbiodinium) exhibit distinct bathymetric distributions on coral...
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-...
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...
Scientific article 40 years of change on the coral reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire

Over the past decades, numerous studies have reported declines in stony corals and, in many cases, phase shifts to fleshy macroalgae. However, long-...
Scientific article Evidence for microbially-mediated tradeoffs between growth and defense throughout coral evolution

Abstract Evolutionary tradeoffs between life-history strategies are central to animal evolution. However, because microbes can influence...
Scientific article A post-hurricane rapid assessment of reefs in the Windward Netherlands Antilles (stony corals, algae and fishes)

Reefs of the windward Netherlands Antilles (Saba, Saba Bank, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten) were assessed at 24 sites in the late 1999. The...
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...
Scientific article Functional consequences of Caribbean coral reef habitat degradation

Coral reefs are declining worldwide. The abundance of corals has decreased alongside the rise of filter feeders, turf and algae in response to...
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....
Research report Monitoring Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas. A practical guide on how monitoring can support effective management of MPAs

Abstract: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are an important tool for marine conservation and management; monitoring plays a critical role in managing...
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...
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 Fishery value of coral reefs in Bonaire (policy brief)

Policy Briefs: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity on Bonaire The Challenge Fishing provides an important source of income and...
Media Coral Reef Mapping using hyperspectral imagery

The Dutch Caribbean island Bonaire has been protecting its marine resources for more than 35 years and is ranked as one of the Caribbean’s top dive...
Scientific article Coral Larvae Move toward Reef Sounds

Free-swimming larvae of tropical corals go through a critical life-phase when they return from the open ocean to select a suitable settlement...
Scientific article Caribbean-wide decline in carbonate production threatens coral reef growth

Global-scale deteriorations in coral reef health have caused major shifts in species composition. One projected consequence is a lowering of reef...
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 Fish assemblages of three common artificial reef designs during early colonization

Highlights Fish abundance and biomass differed per artificial reef type. This difference is driven by the availability of small shelters. Artificial...
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...
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...
Scientific article Hierarchical spatial patterns in Caribbean reef benthic assemblages

Aim Coral assemblages on Caribbean reefs have largely been considered to be biogeographically homogeneous at a regional scale. We reassess this in...
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...
Other resources Survey of Reef Fish Communities of the Fringing reefs of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

The coral reefs of Bonaire have been reported to be one of the most pristine reefs, with the reefs on the leeward coast of Bonaire regarded as one of...
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...
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 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 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 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 Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) and their role as bioindicators of environmental stress on coral reefs of Bonaire, N.A.

The use of biological entities as indicators of environmental stress can provide links between changes in ecological conditions and ecosystem...
Media Using Satellite Imagery to Map St. Eustatius Coralita Invasion

Coralita is an invasive plant species, rapidly spreading across St. Eustatius. A recently published report highlighted the ability to use satellite...
Research report Atlas of the Living Reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles)

The importance of reefs for man is multilateral and ranges from age-old functions, such as acting as a rampart preventing shore erosion, to modern...
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...
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...
Scientific article Using standardized fish-specific autonomous reef monitoring structures (FARMS) to quantify cryptobenthic fish communities

Abstract 1. Biodiversity inventories and monitoring techniques for marine fishes often over-look small (<5 cm), bottom-associated (‘...
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...
Maps and Charts Extrapolated Reef Health Index parameters of Bonaire reefs

Extrapolated zones of the point-based Bonaire coral inventory by de Froe et al. (2017). Original point data was captured at a 500 meter...
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...
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 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 Consumption of benthic cyanobacterial mats on a Caribbean coral reef

Herbivory is an important process in the general structuring of coral reef benthic communities. However, evidence of its ability to control coral...
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...
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...
Other resources Corals in healthy populations produce more larvae per unit cover

In coral reef conservation and management, the prevailing metric of reef health is percent coral cover, a measurement commonly used with the...
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...
Scientific article Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Abstract Benzophenone-3 (BP-3; oxybenzone) is an ingredient in sunscreen lotions and personal-care products that protects against the damaging...
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...
Scientific article Scuba diver behaviour and the management of diving impacts on coral reefs

Coral reefs worldwide are attracting increasing numbers of scuba divers, leading to growing concern about damage. There is now a need to manage diver...
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 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...
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...
Other resources DOC concentrations across a depth gradient on a Caribbean coral reef

The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool on tropical coral reefs is mainly fueled by photosynthates released from benthic primary producers (BPP),...
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 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 Occurrence and life history characteristics of tropical flatfishes at the coral reefs of Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

Highlights: • Four flatfish species were caught at the coral reef. • Three Bothidae species were common. • Growth varied between species with maximum...
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...
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-...
Scientific article Anatomically-specific coupling between innate immune gene repertoire and microbiome structure during coral evolution

Abstract Tropical reef-building corals exist in intimate symbiosis with diverse microbes and viruses. Coral microbiomes are generally much...
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 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...
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 Small-scale oxygen distribution patterns in a coral reef

One mechanism giving fleshy algae a competitive advantage over corals during reef degradation is algal-induced and microbially-mediated hypoxia (...
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,...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
Other resources Caribbean - GCRMN Coral Reef Monitoring started in St. Eustatius

Brief description of the recently started (Feb 2015) coral reef monitoring program in St. Eustatius using the guidelines agreed upon by the Caribbean...
Scientific article Coral overgrowth by an encrusting red alga (Ramicrusta sp.): a threat to Caribbean reefs?

An encrusting red alga (Ramicrusta sp., Peyssonneliaceae) present in Lac Bay, Bonaire, overgrows and kills corals and other sessile organisms. Living...
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 The effects of wave exposure and host cover on coral-associated fauna of a centuries-old artificial reef in the Caribbean

A B S T R A C T An increasing number of artificial reefs (ARs) are constructed to compensate for the loss of natural reefs (NRs), but little is known...
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...
Research report Status and trends reef fish and coastal fisheries Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands): report card 2014-2015

Caribbean coral reefs have been declining for decades due to a combination of anthropogenic drivers and natural phenomena like hurricanes. The...
Scientific article Invasive lionfish had no measurable effect on prey fish community structure across the Belizean Barrier Reef

Invasive lionfish are assumed to significantly affect Caribbean reef fish communities. However, evidence of lionfish effects on native reef fishes is...
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...
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...
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 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...
Other resources A Proposal for Development of a Coral Reef Mapping Tool for the Simpson Bay Lagoon of St. Maarten

This student proposal contained herein has been submitted to University of Redlands MS GIS program as a component of the GIS 691 course, in...
Scientific article Adding insult to injury: Effects of chronic oxybenzone exposure and elevated temperature on two reef-building corals

Abstract: Coral bleaching due to global warming currently is the largest threat to coral reefs, which may be exacerbated by altered water quality....
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...
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...
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...
Research report Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire 2021 Annual Report

As I compose this message in 2022, reflecting on Reef Renewal Bonaire’s accomplishments during 2021, and during its first ten years of operation – I...
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...
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...
Scientific article Chemical defenses and resource trade-offs structure sponge communities on Caribbean coral reefs

Abstract: Ecological studies have rarely been performed at the community level across a large biogeographic region. Sponges are now the primary...
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 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....
Scientific article Status of Western Atlantic coral reefs in the Lesser Antilles

The Lesser Antilles include high volcanic islands with a limited marine shelf, and low coralline islands with a more extensive shelf. Withinthe group...
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....
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...
Other resources Impact of Increased Nutrient Input on Coral Reefs on Bonaire and Curacao

Coral reefs are one of the most sensitive ecosystems and are under enormous human pressure. Since a relative short period of time the impact of...
Scientific article Host-dependent variation in density of corallivorous snails (Coralliophila spp.) at Curaçao, southern Caribbean.

Snails of the genus Coralliophila (Muricidae: Coralliophilinae) are common in the Caribbean as corallivores that feed on a large range of host...
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...
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...
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 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 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 Global assessment of the status of coral reef herbivorous fishes: evidence for fishing effects

Abstract: On coral reefs, herbivorous fishes consume benthic primary producers and regulate competition between fleshy algae and reef-building corals...
Other resources Invading is not always bad: A study of positive interactions between the invasive coral Tubastraea coccinea and native reef species of Bonaire, NA

The orange cup coral, Tubastraea coccinea, was introduced into the Caribbean in the 1930s from the Indo-Pacific. Since then, it has spread throughout...
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...
Research report Diversity, abundance, distribution and habitat use reef-associated sharks in the Dutch Caribbean

Shark are in serious decline in the Caribbean due to fishing pressure and slow reproductive life-history. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan in...
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 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...
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...
Scientific article Ocean acidification compromises recruitment success of the threatened Caribbean coral Acropora palmata

Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the ongoing decline in oceanic pH resulting from the uptake of atmospheric CO2. Mounting experimental evidence...
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...
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 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...
Scientific article Coral community decline at Bonaire, Southern Caribbean

We assessed the status of coral reef benthic communities at Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, in December 2008 and January 2009 through ~5 km of photo...
Research report Bonaire deep reef expedition I

The deep reef of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, was explored with the aid of the “Curasub” submarine of Substation Curaçao. The shallow reefs of the...
Scientific article Nitrogen fixation and diversity of benthic cyanobacterial mats on coral reefs in Curaçao

Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) have increased in abundance on coral reefs worldwide. However, their species diversity and role in nitrogen...
Media Co-funded by the EU’s RESEMBID program and Wageningen University & Research, Pilot Project ‘Turning the Tide’ launches in Aruba

Dutch below ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) in collaboration with Wageningen University...
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 From Ocean to Aquarium. The global trade in marine ornamental species

Abstract: Between 1.5 and 2 million people worldwide are believed to keep marine aquaria. The trade which supplies this hobby with live marine...
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 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...
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 &...
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...
Scientific article Predicted impact of the invasive lionfish Pterois volitans on the food web of a Caribbean coral reef

The invasion of lionfish in the Caribbean is causing grave concern because of its deleterious impacts on coral reef food-webs. We have used an...
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 Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP): a Smithsonian-substation Curacao collaboration

Scientists have studied shallow Caribbean reefs for more than a century. In contrast tropical mesophotic and deep reefs, which are below the depths...
Scientific article Coral reef ecosystem integrated observing system: In-situ oceanographic observations at the US Pacific islands and atolls

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) established the Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System (CREIOS) to provide...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Distribution, abundance and survival of juvenile hermatypic corals (Scleractinia) and the importance of life history strategies in the parent coral community

The distribution and abundance of juvenile corals were examined at depths from 3 to 37 m on the reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles)....
Scientific article Creating landscape-scale maps of coral reef cover for marine reserve management from high resolution multispectral remote sensing

New methods are needed for the study of coral reefs, as they are changing rapidly. Satellite remote sensing has become a common method for benthic...
Other resources Diver impact on coral and fish communities: A comparison of sites with varying intensities of diving at Yellow Submarine, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

SCUBA diving on coral reefs is a beneficial economic option for small tropical islands, that can have a lower impact on the environment than...
Scientific article Abundance of coral-associated fauna in relation to depth and eutrophication along the leeward side of Curaçao, southern Caribbean

A B S T R A C T Coral-associated invertebrates contribute much to the biodiversity of Caribbean coral reefs. Although the nature of their symbiotic...
Scientific article Adding insult to injury: Effects of chronic oxybenzone exposure and elevated temperature on two reef-building corals

Coral bleaching due to globalwarming currently is the largest threat to coral reefs,which may be exacerbated by altered water quality. Elevated...
Scientific article Deep down on a Caribbean reef: lower mesophotic depths harbor a specialized coral-endosymbiont community

The composition, ecology and environmental conditions of mesophotic coral ecosystems near the lower limits of their bathymetric distributions remain...
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 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...
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...
Scientific article Preservation of in situ reef framework in regions of low hurricane frequency: Pleistocene of Curaçao and Bonaire, southern Caribbean

Luxuriant fringing reefs along the southwestern shores of the Caribbean islands of Curaçao and Bonaire (12°N), located outside the most frequent...
Scientific article Multimodal Optical Microscopy Methods Reveal Polyp Tissue Morphology and Structure in Caribbean Reef Building Corals

Abstract An integrated suite of imaging techniques has been applied to determine the three-dimensional (3D) morphology and cellular structure of ...
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...
Other resources Changing benthic communities on Saba Bank Is Saba Bank becoming a ‘Sponge reef’?

Abstract - Due to multiple stressors, many coral reefs are degrading. Shifts from a coral dominated system to an alternate phase are observed. For...
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...
Scientific article Successful demonstration of assisted gene flow in the threatened coral acropora palmata across genetically-isolated caribbean populations using cryopreserved sperm

Global change will compromise the population sizes, species ranges, and survival of economically-important plants and animals, including crops,...
Scientific article Variability of size structure and species composition in Caribbean octocoral communities under contrasting environmental conditions

Octocorals have increased in abundance on a number of Caribbean reefs, but this trend has largely been reported with functional group or genus...
Scientific article Prevalent endosymbiont zonation shapes the depth distributions of scleractinian coral species

Bathymetric distributions of photosynthetic marine invertebrate species are relatively well studied, however the importance of symbiont zonation (i.e...
Scientific article Reducing bycatch in coral reef trap fisheries: escape gaps as a step towards sustainability

Widespread use of minimally selective fish traps has contributed to the overfishing of Caribbean coral reefs. Traps typically target high-value fish...
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...
Scientific article Coral reef flounders, Bothus lunatus, choose substrates on which they can achieve camouflage with their limited body pattern repertoire

Abstract Camouflage is a common tactic to avoid detection or recognition by predators and prey. Flounders have adaptive camouflage but a limited body...
Other resources The State of Antigonon Leptopus (Corallita) on St Eustatius in 2014

Corallita dominates roadsides, infests entire neighborhoods, and has sullied otherwise ecologically varied landscapes. Corallita has been steadily...
Scientific article Commentary: Managing Recovery Resilience in Coral Reefs Against Climate-Induced Bleaching and Hurricanes: A 15 Year Case Study From Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

A Commentary onManaging Recovery Resilience in Coral Reefs Against Climate-Induced Bleaching and Hurricanes: A 15 Year Case Study From Bonaire, Dutch...
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...
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...
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...
Research report A Management Capacity Assessment of Selected Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas in the Caribbean

Abstract: This report presents the findings of an assessment of capacity building needs for the management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the...
Other resources Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 2

This is the second part of the Marine Scientific Assessment The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs document. For part 1 click here, for part 4 here....
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...
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 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,...
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...
Scientific article Effect of light availability on dissolved organic carbon release by Caribbean reef algae and corals

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release of three algal and two coral species was determined at three light intensities (0, 30–80, and 200–400 μmol...
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...
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...
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 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...
Research report Testing the suitability of three locations for out-planting staghorn coral on Saba

Bachelor thesis research project The previously dominant, reef-building Acropora cervicornis abundance decreased drastically across the greater...
Scientific article Settlement yields in large-scale in situ culture of Caribbean coral larvae for restoration

Abstract The dire state of coral reefs demands a rapid increase in the scale and efficiency of coral restoration methods in addition to mitigating...
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...
Scientific article 40 Years of benthic community change on the Caribbean reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire: the rise of slimy cyanobacterial mats

Over the past decades numerous studies have reported declines in stony corals and, in many cases, phase shifts to fleshy macroalgae. However, long-...
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...
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...
Scientific article Population structure and connectivity of the mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata, throughout the wider Caribbean region,

As coral reefs continue to decline worldwide, it becomes ever more necessary to understand the connectivity between coral populations to develop...
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 Effects of depth and ultraviolet radiation on coral reef turf algae.

Abstract Despite the increasing dominance of turf algae in coral reefs, few studies have investigated their physiological and ecological responses to...
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...
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...
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...
Other resources Competition for space in benthic environments: the allelopathic and overgrowth responses of native sponges and a non-native ascidian on a coral reef in Bonaire, NA

This study explores the competitive and allelopathic interactions of native sponges and the non-native ascidian, Trididemnum solidum, in the space-...
Media Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network training workshop

Kai Wulf, Tadzio Bervoets, Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern and Steve Piontek represented the Caribbean Netherlands at the Global Coral Reef Monitoring...
Media Status of St. Eustatius’s Reef

Five major studies of St. Eustatius’ coral reefs have taken place over the past five years and have shed light on the rapid decline of the island’s...
Maps and Charts Coral reef map of Saba

Coral reef map of Saba (GIS)
Media Dermal parasites on coral reef fish

In 2013 Dr. Martin de Graaf from IMARES noted an unusually high number of coral reef fish at the Salt Pier on Bonaire, infected with dermal parasites...
Scientific article LONG-TERM DECLINES IN CORAL COVER AT BONAIRE, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

The reefs surrounding Bonaire have long been renowned for their high abundance and diversity of scleractinian corals and for their long-time status...
Maps and Charts Hyperspectral coral reef classification

Coral reef map of Bonaire based on 2013 1x1 meter resolution hyperspectral mapping (101 channels) and a 2016 diving campaign to collect in-situ...
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...
Scientific article Quantification of chemical and mechanical bioerosion rates of six Caribbean excavating sponge species found on the coral reefs of Curaçao

Excavating sponges are among the most important macro-eroders of carbonate substrates in marine systems. Their capacity to remove substantial amounts...
Scientific article Salpivory by Colonial Reef Corals at Curaçao, Southern Caribbean

Abstract: A salp swarm was observed in Director’s Bay, Curaçao in July 2021, where salps were caught and consumed by three scleractinian colonial...
Scientific article Survival and dispersal of turf algae and macroalgae consumed by herbivorous coral reef fishes

Abstract: The mechanisms by which algae disperse across space on coral reefs are poorly known. We inves- tigated the ability of four common...
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...
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...
Other resources A comparison between two methods for surveying reef fish in St. Eustatius

Student Thesis Coral reef ecosystems are considered the most productive and diverse of all marine systems. However, these are being dramatically...
Scientific article Host use of the elkhorn coral crab Domecia acanthophora (Brachyura : Domeciidae), with a phylogeny of the genus

Abstract Coral-dwelling crabs form a diverse community on coral reefs, and various families independently colonised scleractinian corals. Species...
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...
Research report The Saba Bank- A large atoll in the northeastern Caribbean

Findings Abundant coral growth within the Saba Bank is restricted mainly to the two large windward reefs. These two reefs carry a very rich reef...
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...
Scientific article Assisted gene flow using cryopreserved sperm in critically endangered coral

Assisted gene flow (AGF) is a conservation intervention to accelerate species adaptation to climate change by importing genetic diversity into at-...
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)....
Scientific article Cavity-dwelling sponges in southern Caribbean coral reef and their paleontological implication

The cryptobiontic (cavity-dwelling) sponges from 32 growth framework reef cavities were collected over the depth range 12 m to 43 m along the leeward...
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...
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...
Scientific article Occurrence patterns of coral-dwelling gall crabs (Cryptochiridae) over depth intervals in the Caribbean.

Coral-associated invertebrates form a major part of the diversity on reefs, but their distribution and occurrence patterns are virtually unstudied....
Scientific article Comparing the Complete Hierarchical Structuration of Species Abundances in Reef Fish Communities According to Coral Morphology, Using the Numerical Extrapolation of Only Incomplete Inventories

Numerous investigations have been conducted trying to unveil some possible correlations between coral-associated fish communities and different gross...
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...
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 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 Dynamics of the Deep The influence of spatial heterogeneity of water quality on dominant benthic groups on Bonaire.

MSc thesis Shifts of coral reefs towards alternative states occur due to local and global stressors. Although global stressors are expected to...
Scientific article Change detection in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) over three decades on Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

The island of Bonaire is a long-established Marine Protected Area (MPA), the reefs of which were extensively mapped in the early 1980s. Satellite...
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...
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...
Other resources The Mystery of the Mass Sea Urchin Die off Unraveled

Dutch below Long-spined sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) help maintain healthy coral reefs by grazing on algae. In 2022, there was a die-off of long-...
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....
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...
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 Status and trends of Bonaire's coral reefs & need for action
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,...
Other resources Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 3

For part 1 of this document click here. WAITT Institute identified eight distinct zones of Curaçao’s nearshore environment. This document contains...
Scientific article Indo-Pacific lionfish are larger and more abundant on invaded reefs: a comparison of Kenyan and Bahamian lionfish populations

The invasion by Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) of the western Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico is emerging as a major...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Widespread Occurrence of a Rarely Known Association between the Hydrocorals Stylaster roseus and Millepora alcicornis at Bonaire, Southern Caribbean

Among symbiotic associations, cases of pseudo-auto-epizoism, in which a species uses a resembling but not directly related species as substrate, are...
Scientific article Comparison between Colony Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny in the Caribbean Scleractinian Coral Genus Madracis

Abstract: A major challenge in coral biology is to find the most adequate and phylogenetically informative characters that allow for distinction of...
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 The scleractinian Agaricia undata as a new host for the coral-gall crab Opecarcinus hypostegus at Bonaire, southern Caribbean

Abstract The Caribbean scleractinian reef coral Agaricia undata (Agariciidae) is recorded for the first time as a host of the coral-gall crab ...
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...
Scientific article Real-time high resolution tracking of coral and oyster larvae

ABSTRACT Coral and oyster reefs have declined greatly due to anthropogenic stressors. Low recruitment rates from larvae hamper recovery of...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article The reproductive biology and early life ecology of a common Caribbean brain coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis (Scleractinia: Faviinae)

Despite the fact that most of the severe demographic bottlenecks in coral populations occur during their earliest life stages, information on the...
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...
Scientific article A mesophotic record of the gall crab Opecarcinus hypostegus from a Curacaoan reef

Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, is home to three species of gall crabs belonging to Cryptochiridae, a family obligatorily associated with a wide range of...
Scientific article Natural Diet of Coral-Excavating Sponges Consists Mainly of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)

Abstract: Coral-excavating sponges are the most important bioeroders on Caribbean reefs and increase in abundance throughout the region. This...
Scientific article Host Differentiation and Compartmentalization of Microbial Communities in the Azooxanthellate Cupcorals Tubastrea coccinea and Rhizopsammia goesi in the Caribbean

Abstract We investigated the microbial communities associated with surface mucus layer, tissue, and gastrovascular cavity of two azooxanthellate...
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 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...
Scientific article Time preferences and the management of coral reef fisheries

Abstract: To investigate a potential relationship between financial and marine resource use decisions, we conducted a time preference experiment with...
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...
Scientific article Combined Effects of Experimental Acidification and Eutrophication on Reef Sponge Bioerosion Rates

Health of tropical coral reefs depends largely on the balance between constructive (calcification and cementation) and destructive forces (mechanical...
Raw data Coral inventory Bonaire, 2014 and 2017

zone DO = DROP-OFF at ~10m depth, LT= Lower Terrace at ~5m depth length transect in cm rugosity measure...
Scientific article Habitat selection of the coral-dwelling spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa, at Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

The distribution, abundance, and habitat preferences of the spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa (Perciformes, Blennioidei, Chaenopsidae), were...
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...
Scientific article High coral cover at lower mesophotic depths: a dense Agaricia community at the leeward side of Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

Coral cover at lower mesophotic depths (particular- ly >75 m) by zooxanthellate scleractinians is usually very scarce, largely due to the...
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...
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 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...
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...
Scientific article Crustose, calcareous algal bloom (Ramicrusta sp.) overgrowing scleractinian corals, gorgonians, a hydrocoral, sponges, and other algae in Lac Bay, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Findings: Ramicrusta overgrows 14 of Lac’s species of scleractinian corals including Acropora, Agaricia, and Diploria, as well as three species of...
Research report Reef Reminiscences: Ratcheting back the shifted baselines concerning what reefs used to be
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,...
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...
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...
Scientific article Host-related Morphological Variation of Dwellings Inhabited by the Crab Domecia acanthophora in the Corals Acropora palmata and Millepora complanata (Southern Caribbean)

Brachyuran crabs of various families are known as obligate associates of stony corals, with many of these species living as endosymbionts inside the...
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 Large-scale invasion of western Atlantic mesophotic reefs by lionfish potentially undermines culling-based management

The detrimental effects of invasive lion- fishes (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) on western Atlantic shallow reefs are well documented,...
Scientific article High dissolved organic carbon release by benthic cyanobacterial mats in a Caribbean reef ecosystem.

Abstract Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are increasing in abundance on coral reefs worldwide. However, their impacts on biogeochemical cycling in...
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 Genetic Connectivity among Gorgonia ventalina Linnaeus, 1758 (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae) Populations in the Caribbean Sea

Abstract: The geographic partition of genetic variation, also known as population structure, is an essential attribute of a species’ biology and a...
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....
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...
Scientific article Distribution and ontogenetic habitat shifts of reef associated shark species in the northeastern Caribbean

Understanding how reef-associated sharks utilise coastal reef habitats throughout their ontogeny is essential for their effective management. In this...
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...
Media SEALINK PROJECT

Water quality is often cited as a key driver of coral reef health, yet this topic is rarely studied in the Dutch Caribbean. In coastal waters, the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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,...
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...
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...
Scientific article Vectored dispersal of Symbiodinium by larvae of a Caribbean gorgonian octocoral

Abstract: The ability of coral reefs to recover from natural and anthropogenic disturbance is difficult to predict, in part due to uncertainty...
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...
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...
Scientific article Reproductive natural history and successful juvenile propagation of the threatened Caribbean Pillar Coral Dendrogyra cylindrus

Background The Caribbean pillar coral Dendrogyra cylindrus was recently listed as a threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act...
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)...
Media Mesoamerican Reef gets improving bill of health

The Healthy Reefs Initiative released its report card on the state of the Mesoamerican Reef. In the last decade, the grade has risen from poor to...
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...
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 Predictions for coral spawning events in the Southern Caribbean for 2020

Based on last year’s surveys, a prediction is now available of expected times and dates that some of the more abundant Caribbean coral species will...
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...
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...
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 Response of coral calcification to environmental stress over the recent decades along an environmental gradient of water quality

This study aims to provide historical information on key environmental parameters and describe the current trends of coral growth in Bonaire. In...
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...
Scientific article Recreational diver preferences for reef fish attributes: Economic implications of future change

Abstract This study sought to quantify the potential effects of changes in Caribbean reef fish populations on recreational divers' consumer surplus....
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
Scientific article What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Wary? Effect of Repeated Culling on the Behaviour of an Invasive Predator

Abstract: As a result of being hunted, animals often alter their behaviour in ways that make future encounters with predators less likely. When...
Research report Towards sustainable management of the Saba Bank

Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that the Saba Bank is particularly important for several reasons: It is an important and unique...
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...
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...
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 Multiple dating approach (14C, 230Th/U and 36Cl) of tsunami-transported reef-top boulders on Bonaire (Leeward Antilles) – Current achievements and challenges

Dating the transport/deposition time of supratidal coarse-clast deposits is difficult, limiting their value for inferring frequency-magnitude...
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...
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...
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...
Research report A dynamic model of parrotfish (family: Scaridae) populations for the management of herbivory on Caribbean coral reefs
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 The invasive sun coral Tubastraea coccinea hosting a native Christmas tree worm at Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

Interspecific relationships of invasive species hosting a native associated species are noteworthy, particularly if the invasive does not have a...
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...
Other resources The consequences of construction activities associated with the build- ing of the second megapier on the coral reefs near the Holiday Beach Hotel, Curacao

On April 22nd, 2017, vessels (a large barge and a smaller working boat) that aid with the construction of the second megapier on Curacao were...
Monitoring protocol Hurricane reef damage form

Form to inventory reef damage of hurricanes, incl. fields: dive site and dive depth date are corals/sponges covered in sand? are there overturned/...
Research report Comparing an ancient artificial reef and a natural reef at St. Eustatius (eastern Caribbean): species assemblages and interspecific competition

Student Report For more info, contact Bert Hoeksma bert.hoeksema@naturalis.nl
Media Sunscreens and Corals: Oxybenzone

Coral reefs face innumerable human-induced threats including climate change, sedimentation, pollution and destructive fishing practices all of which...
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...
Raw data Reef photo quandrants of Bonaire and Curacao. Raw photo 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...
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...
Media Status of Curaçao’s Reefs

The island of Curaçao is almost entirely surrounded by narrow fringing reef that covers an estimated area of 7.85 km2 (Vermeij, 2012). These reefs,...
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 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 Innovations for coral finance

Coral ecosystems are of primary importance for many coastal populations, while being subject to many threats. Their conservation now and in the...
Media New discoveries on relationships between host corals, crabs and christmas tree worms

A series of recent surveys worked to highlight the important relationships between host corals, crabs and christmas tree worms. Studies were...
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...
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...
Other resources Editorial: biodiversity of Caribbean coral reefs (with a focus on the Dutch Caribbean)
Scientific article Mapping ecosystem functions to the valuation of ecosystem services: implications of species–habitat associations for coastal land-use decisions

Abstract: The reefs surrounding Bonaire have long been renowned for their high abundance and diversity of scleractinian corals and for their long-...
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...
Scientific article Native Predators Do Not Influence Invasion Success of Pacific Lionfish on Caribbean Reefs

Abstract: Biotic resistance, the process by which new colonists are excluded from a community by predation from and/or competition with resident...
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...
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....
Scientific article Large birth size does not reduce negative latent effects of harsh environments across life stages in two coral species.

When juveniles must tolerate harsh environments early in life, the disproportionate success of certain phenotypes across multiple early life stages...
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 Spatial and demographic consequences of nursery-dependence in reef fishes: an empirical and simulation study

The rainbow parrotfish Scarus guacamaia has an obligate dependence on man- groves at juvenile stages, and, as the largest herbivorous fish in the...
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...
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 Linking removal targets to the ecological effects of invaders: a predictive model and field test

Abstract: Species invasions have a range of negative effects on recipient ecosystems, and many occur at a scale and magnitude that preclude complete...
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...
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...
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...
Research report Regional Strategy for the Control of Invasive Lionfish in the Wider Caribbean

Summary: Lionfishes are venomous species of scorpionfishes which are native to Indo-Pacific coral reef ecosystems and adjacent habitats. Because of...
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 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 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...
Raw data Reef photo quadrants of St.Eustatius. Raw photo material of the 2017 survey

Raw photo material of the 2017 reef survey using the GCRMN method. The 20 survey sites lie within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which...
Raw data Reef photo quadrants of Bonaire. Raw photo material of the 2019 survey

Raw photo material of the 2019 reef survey using the GCRMN method. The 12 survey sites lie within the Bonaire National Marine Park, which surrounds...
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...
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...
Raw data Reef photo quadrants of St.Eustatius. Raw photo material of the 2015 survey

Raw photo material of the 2015 reef survey using the GCRMN method. The 20 survey sites lie within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which...
Other resources Bonaire National Marine Park Hurricane Matthew – Reef Damage Assessment

On the evening of the 29th September 2016 Hurricane Matthew passed north of Bonaire by approximately 240km, with maximum sustained wind speeds over...
Raw data Reef photo quadrants of St.Eustatius. Raw photo material of the 2016 survey

Raw photo material of the 2016 reef survey using the GCRMN method. The 20 survey sites lie within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which...
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...
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...
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-...
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...
Other resources 3D reef model of Curacao

In 2014 a part of the Curacao reef was captured by underwater photography. From this photo collection a 3D model and an ortho-photo of that part of...
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...
Other resources Coral Spawning Predictions for the Southern Caribbean

Based on last year’s surveys, a prediction is now available of expected times and dates that some of the more abundant Caribbean coral species will...
Other resources Coral decline, causes and effects: local variables, regional issues. What can be done?

Abstract: In a recent dissertation (Vermeij, 2002) it is stated that with no action by the Curaçao government, the coral reefs will have disappeared...
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...
Scientific article The effects of partial mortality on the fecundity of three common Caribbean corals

The recent intensification of human disturbances in the Caribbean has increased the prevalence of partial mortality on coral colonies. Partial...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Decline of crinoids on the reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract Since 1996 at the latest, comatulid crinoids on the leeward reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire have declined drastically in population size and...
Scientific article User fees across ecosystem boundaries: Are SCUBA divers willing to pay for terrestrial biodiversity conservation?

Highlights Ecosystems are intrinsically linked, but conservation across boundaries is limited. User fees applied across ecosystem boundaries may...
Scientific article A review of Caribbean Copepoda associated with reef-dwelling cnidarians, echinoderms and sponges

This review of copepod crustaceans associated with reef-dwelling cnidarians, sponges and echinoderms of the Greater Caribbean is based on published...
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 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...
Other resources Characterizing population structure of coral-associated fauna from mesophotic and shallow habitats in the Caribbean

Symbiotic relationships are a common phenomenon among marine invertebrates, forming both obligatory and facultative dependencies with their host....
Research report Evaluating the Effectiveness of Marine No-Take Reserves in St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: Marine reserves, in which exploitation of marine organisms and other human activities are restricted or prohibited, can be valuable tools...
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 More new deep-reef basslets (Teleostei, Grammatidae, Lipogramma), with updates on the eco-evolutionary relationships within the genus

Two new Lipogramma basslets are described, L. barrettorum and L. schrieri, captured during submersible diving to 300 m depth off Curaçao, southern...
Scientific article High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)

On the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) is an aggressive invasive vine posing major biodiversity conservation...
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...
Scientific article Limestone cliff morphology on Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles), with special attention to the origin of notches and vermetid/coralline algal surf benches ("cornices", "trottoirs")

The coasts of Curacao as well as the other leeward islands of the Netherlands Antilles, consists predominately of limestone cliffs, cut into...
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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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)....
Raw data Coral inventory Bonaire, 2014 and 2017

Coral inventory
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 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...
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 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...
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 St. Maarten Nature Foundation coral bleaching response plan
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...
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...
Research report Millimeter-scale topography enables coral larval settlement in wave-driven oscillatory flow

Larval settlement in wave-dominated, nearshore environments is the most critical life stage for a vast array of marine invertebrates, yet it is...
Scientific article A review of Caribbean Copepoda associated with reef-dwelling cnidarians, echinoderms and sponges

This review of copepod crustaceans associated with reef-dwelling cnidarians, sponges and echinoderms of the Greater Caribbean is based on published...
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...
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...
Raw data Raw photos of coral bleaching event, Bonaire 2016

At the end of 2016 / beginning of 2017 a coral bleaching event was reported on Bonaire. Directly after the event quadrant photographs were taken to...
Scientific article Octocorals as secondary hosts for Christmas tree worms off Curaçao

Christmas tree worms, Spirobranchus spp. (Serpulidae), are known for their wide range of stony host corals, being either scleractinians or...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article New Records of the Cryptogenic Soft Coral Genus Stragulum (Tubiporidae) from the Eastern Caribbean and the Persian Gulf

Abstract The monotypic soft coral genus Stragulum van Ofwegen and Haddad, 2011 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Tubiporidae) was originally described...
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...
Scientific article The stony coral Agaricia tenuifolia Dana, 1848 as a new gall crab host (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae)

Infrequently studied coral species are seldom mentioned as host organisms of associated fauna. Here we report on the stony coralAgaricia...
Other resources Scuba diving as a significant control on coral diversity

With the SCUBA diving industry growing at a reate of 7% per annum and a major qualifying agency havig just certified its 10 millionth diver, an...
Maps and Charts Living reef map of Bonaire

Living Reef map of Bonaire (GIS). Paper source from 1985. Scanned, geo-referenced and digitized in 2011-2012. De oorspronkelijke atlas omvat een...
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...
Scientific article Extreme mitochondrial variation in the Atlantic gall crab Opecarcinus hypostegus (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae) reveals adaptive genetic divergence over Agaricia coral hosts

The effectiveness of migration in marine species exhibiting a pelagic larval stage is determined by various factors, such as ocean currents, pelagic...
Scientific article A new Haptoclinus blenny (Teleostei, Labrisomidae) from deep reefs off Curaçao, southern Caribbean, with comments on relationships of the genus

A second species of the blenniiform genus Haptoclinus is described from deep reefs off Curaçao, southern Caribbean. Haptoclinus dropi sp. n. differs...
Scientific article High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)

On the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) is an aggressive invasive vine posing major biodiversity conservation...
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 Genome-wide survey of single-nucleotide polymorphisms reveals fine-scale population structure and signs of selection in the threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata.

The advent of next-generation sequencing tools has made it possible to conduct fine-scale surveys of population differentiation and genome-wide scans...
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...
Other resources Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Improve the Accuracy and Efficiency of Managing the Invasive Pacific Red Lionfish in the Caribbean

Abstract The Pacific Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) was introduced to the Atlantic Ocean in the 1980’s. Since their introduction the lionfish have...
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...
Scientific article Spatial Ecology of the Association between Demosponges and Nemalecium lighti at Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Abstract Coral reefs are known to be among the most biodiverse marine ecosystems and one of the richest in terms of associations and species...
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...
Scientific article Coprophagy in Caribbean parrotfishes

Parrotfishes are widely considered to be important grazers on coral reefs that remove autotrophic biomass from the reef substrate and create bare...
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 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. Corals found in high nutrient...
Other resources Rates and mechanisms of sponge bioerosion

Coral reefs are complex marine ecosystems providing valuable economic and environmental services. These ecosystems are under serious threat worldwide...
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...
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...
Scientific article Territoriality drives patterns of fixed space use in Caribbean parrotfishes

Abstract Animals often occupy home ranges where they conduct daily activities. In many parrotfishes, large terminal phase (TP) males defend their...
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 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...
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 A new deep-reef scorpionfish (Teleostei, Scorpaenidae, Scorpaenodes) from the southern Caribbean with comments on depth distributions and relationships of western Atlantic members of the genus

A new species of scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes barrybrowni Pitassy & Baldwin, sp. n. which is described, was collected during submersible diving in...
Other resources Picture Guide to Common Stony Corals of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

This picture guide will help with the identification of stony coral species in the Caribbean. Pictures originate from the Flower Garden Bank Marine...
Research report Marine Area Survey: an inventory of the natural and cultural marine resources of St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

The purpose of this survey was to describe and map the natural and cultural resources of the marine environment with a view to sustainable...
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...
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...
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...
Maps and Charts Reefs and lac Bay map of Bonaire
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
Scientific article Reference DNA barcodes and other mitochondrial markers for identifying Caribbean Octocorals

DNA barcoding is a useful tool for documenting the diversity of metazoans. The most commonly used barcode markers, 16S and COI, are not considered...
Media Discovery of a new host coral for a Caribbean parasitic crab species

Scientists from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the ANEMOON Foundation discovered a new host coral for a...
Research report Restoration of Resilience of Nature and Society in the Caribbean Netherlands

The project "Resilience Restoration of Nature and Society in the Caribbean Netherlands" contributes to halting the decline of the coral reefs in 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 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...
Scientific article Varicus lacerta, a new species of goby (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini, Nes subgroup) from a mesophotic reef in the southern Caribbean

We describe a new species of goby, Varicus lacerta sp. n., which was collected from a mesophotic reef at Curacao, southern Caribbean. The new species...
Other resources Density-dependent colonization and natural disturbance limit the effectiveness of invasive lionfish culling efforts

Culling can be an effective management tool for reducing populations of invasive species to levels that minimize ecological effects. However, culling...
Scientific article Extension of the Recorded Host Range of Caribbean Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus spp.) with Two Scleractinians, a Zoantharian, and an Ascidian

Caribbean Christmas tree worms (Annelida: Polychaeta: Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) are considered host generalists in their associations with anthozoan...
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...
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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 Fish assemblages on the Saba bank (Dutch Caribbean): the effect of habitat, depth and fisheries

Many environmental variables may influence fish assemblage structures in terms of abundance, biomass and mean size. The aim of this study is to...
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...
Scientific article Cell turnover and detritus production in marine sponges from tropical and temperate benthic ecosystems

Abtsract This study describes in vivo cell turnover (the balance between cell proliferation and cell loss) in eight marine sponge species from...
Research report Spatial and Temporal variation of Chlorophyll-a and nutrients in coastal waters of Saba

Abstract Anthropogenic stressors such as improper wastewater treatment, dump sites and construction sites can increase nutrient input into marine...
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...
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...
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 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 Microcharon quilli, a new asellote isopod crustacean from interstitial spaces in shallow coralline sands off St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

The genus Microcharon is known in the Caribbean from the widely separated islands of Bonaire and Cuba, occurring in brackish and freshwater...
Scientific article Extension of the Recorded Host Range of Caribbean Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus spp.) with Two Scleractinians, a Zoantharian, and an Ascidian

Caribbean Christmas tree worms (Annelida: Polychaeta: Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) are considered host generalists in their associations with anthozoan...
Scientific article Electronic Supplementary Material 1

This supplementary data belongs to the article: Hoeksema, B.W., van der Loos, L.M., van Moorsel, G.W.N.M., 2022. Coral diversity matches marine park...
Research report Assessing water quality and the benthic species communities around the Dutch Caribbean Island Sint Eustatius.

Summary The health of coral reefs is threatened by anthropogenic land-based input, which is a global problem. High nutrient conditions make corals...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Een nieuwe wormslak Petaloconchus spec. voor Caribisch Nederland

Coral reef surveys in 2021 at the leeward side of Curacao (Duthc Caribbean) yielded the discoery of a new worm snail for the Atlantic. With the help...
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...
Maps and Charts Is Saba Bank becoming a ‘sponge reef’?

Poster: Objectives • Assess sponge and coral cover • Quantify the diversity and health of the sponge assemblages on Saba Bank
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...
Scientific article A new genus and species of micro-pagurid hermit crab (Crustacea, Decapoda, Paguridae) from the rariphotic reef zone in Curaçao, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea

Abstract During field investigations of deep-reefs off the coast of Curaçao in the Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, a female specimen was collected of...
Scientific article Morphological and genetic evaluation of the hydrocoral Millepora species complex in the Caribbean

Abstract: Background: The hydrocoral Millepora is an important framework builder that dominates shallow turbulent environments in the Indo-Pacific...
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 Macro- and Micro-topography preferences of coral recruits.

Macro- and Micro-topography preferences of coral recruits. Presented at a Public Lecture at CIEE on August 9, 2017.
Scientific article Caribbean shallow water corallimorpharia

The present paper comprises a review of the Caribbean shallow water Corallimorpharia. Six species, belonging to four genera and three families are...
Scientific article Effects of tropical storm Bret on Curaçao reefs

Here we report on damage caused by tropical storm Bret, passing south of the island of Curacao at a distance of 110-145 km in August 1993. Damage on...
Scientific article The Miocene genus Mantellina (Bivalvia: Limidae) discovered living on the deep reefs off Curaçao, with the description of a new species

Abstract Mantellina translucens n. sp. inhabits the deep reefs (215–310 m) off southeastern Curaçao, occurring singly or in pairs, attached to...
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 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...
Scientific article Day time spawning of a Caribbean coral
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...
Media Bonaire World Heritage Nomination Project

The Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) has received a number of international recognitions due to the outstanding biodiversity that it protects and...
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...
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...
Scientific article Supplementary Material Host Range of the Coral-Associated Worm SnailPetaloconchussp. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae), a Newly Discovered Cryptogenic Pest Species in the Southern Caribbean

Appendix S1.Photographic host records of Petaloconchus sp. Figure S1. Agaricia agaricitesat Bonaire (2019). Figure S2. Agaricia humilisat Curaçao (...
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...
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 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 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...
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,...
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, ...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
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 Ecologyand Microeconomics as "Joint Products": The Bonaire Marine Park in the Caribbean

FOREWORD Many countries are strugglingwith the task of meeting ecological and economicgoals associated with the establishment and management of...
Research report Environmental Conservation Across Ecosystem Boundaries: Connecting Management And Funding

A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews: Abstract Environmental degradation is accelerating worldwide, yet...
Research report Growth, mortality and recruitment rates of the brown alga Lobophora variegata in relation to herbivory and nutrients on Bonaire

Abstract: Declines in herbivory and increases in nutrient concentrations on tropical coral reefs are considered two of the major drivers of coral-...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
Scientific article Territoriality drives patterns of fixed space use in Caribbean parrotfishes

Animals often occupy home ranges where they conduct daily activities. In many parrotfishes, large terminal phase (TP) males defend their diurnal (i.e...
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...
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...
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 Biochemical variability in sponges across the Caribbean basin

Abstract Sponges are a diverse phylum of sessile filter-feeding invertebrates that are abundant on Caribbean reefs and provide essential ecological...
Scientific article Host Differentiation and Compartmentalization of Microbial Communities in the Azooxanthellate Cupcorals Tubastrea coccinea and Rhizopsammia goesi in the Caribbean
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 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...
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 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...
Scientific article Host Differentiation and Compartmentalization of Microbial Communities in the Azooxanthellate Cupcorals Tubastrea coccinea and Rhizopsammia goesi in the Caribbean
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...
Other resources On some telestacea and alcyonacea (coelenterata: actocorallia) from the west indian region

During several cruises of H.N1.M .S. Snellius and H.N1.M .S. Luymes in the Guyana shelf region and the Caribbean in the period of 1966 to 1972 a...
Research report Sponge density increases with depth throughout the Caribbean

Mesophotic coral reefs (MCEs) are ecologically unique components of coral reef ecosystems that occur at depths from ~30 to 150 m where they support a...
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...
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....
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...
Research report Bonaire National Marine Park. Tropical Storm Omar; Report of Reef Condition

Abstract: On October 14 and 15, 2008 Tropical Storm Omar reached Bonaire. Wind speed averaging 18 to 20 knots from SW started at 3 am on October 14...
Research report Sinkhole expedition Luymes bank, Saba bank

The Saba Bank is a large (ca 2400 km2 ) submerged carbonate platform of 15-40m depth rising up from 800-1000m depth and fringed with coral reefs. It...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
Media Natuurgelden projects: coral restoration on Bonaire and St. Eustatius

This news article was published in BioNews 3-2017. BioNews is produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and funded by the Ministry of Economic...
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 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...
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 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 Biodiversity Assessment of the Fishes of Saba Bank Atoll, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: Biodiversity surveys were conducted on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles, to assess ichthyofaunal richness and to compare with published...
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 Controls on Neogene carbonate facies and stratigraphic architecture of an isolated carbonate platform – the Caribbean island of Bonaire

Highlights • Isolated carbonate platforms respond to allogenic controls by changing depositional styles. • Allogenic factors are the dominant...
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...
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...
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 Antagonistic behavior between two honeycomb cowfish, Acanthostracion polygonius Poey, 1876, at Curaçao

The honeycomb cowfish, Acanthostracion polygonius Poey, 1876 (Ostraciidae) is easily distinguishable from other Caribbean coral reef fish. Both...
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...
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 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 A new species of Chromis damselfish from the tropical western Atlantic (Teleostei, Pomacentridae)

Initially described in 1882, Chromis enchrysurus, the Yellowtail Reeffish, was redescribed in 1982 to account for an observed color morph that...
Research report Fisheries Baseline Assessment of Statia Marine Park, St Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: St. Eustatius Marine Park was established in 1996 and became actively managed in 1997 to conserve and protect the marine environment. It...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Spatial and Temporal variation of Chlorophyll-a and nutrients in coastal waters of Saba

Anthropogenic stressors such as improper wastewater treatment, dump sites and construction sites can increase nutrient input into marine coastal...
Research report Mapping the Economic Value of Ecosystems on Saba

This report will specifically focus on the spatial distribution of the ecosystem values and eventually visualize these values geographically in a...
Scientific article Historical changes (1905-present) in catch size and composition reflect altering fisheries practices on a small Caribbean island

Effective assessments of the status of Caribbean fish communities require historical baselines to adequately understand how much fish communities...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 “...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
Media Combating Erosion and Nature Restoration on Bonaire

Erosion and resulting sediment run-off are big environmental concerns throughout the Caribbean Region and for good reason. Not only does the removal...
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....
Portal The Sponge Guide

Sponges are important members of coral reef ecosystems. They filter water, cycle nutrients, and provide a home to numerous cryptic organisms. Species...
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 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 (...
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,...
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,...
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...
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 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...
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...
Scientific article Preferential dolomitization in Mio–Pliocene bioclastic clinoforms, Bonaire Island, South Caribbean: insights from petrographic and geochemical analyses

Selective dolomitization, where certain carbonate components are preferentially dolomitized over others, can be significant in the overall dynamic...
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...
Scientific article Geographic distances and ocean currents influence Caribbean Acropora palmata population connectivity in the Lesser Antilles

The critically endangered coral species Acropora palmata used to dominate shallow Caribbean reefs but since the early 1980s, populations have...
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...
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...
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 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...
Research report Methods for Assessing Acropora spp. Populations in the Caribbean

Abstract Since the severe decline of the Acropora populations in Bonaire in the 1980s, no assessment has characterized the distribution of remnant...
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...
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 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 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...
Scientific article An age-based demographic analysis of the Caribbean stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride

The parrotfish Sparisoma viride is an abundant and ecologically important member of the tropical NW Atlantic reef fish fauna. Sagittal otoliths of...
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....
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Spatio–temporal variation in stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of sponges on the Saba Bank

Sponges are ubiquitous on coral reefs, mostly long lived and therefore adaptive to changing environmental conditions. They feed on organic matter...
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...
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...
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...
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 Relação entre a diversidade funcional e área em assembleias de peixes recifais sujeitas a um gradiente de riqueza de espécies

Abstract: Understanding the patterns and processes that govern the functional structuring of communities along spatial scales is still a challenge in...
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...
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...
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...
Other resources Baited Remote Underwater stereo0Video (stereo0BRUV) survey as a basis for elasmobranch conservation and management on Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean

Elasmobranch populations (sharks, rays and skates) worldwide have declined drastically over the past decades and the situation in the Dutch Caribbean...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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 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....
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...
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,...
Research report Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Instruments and Implementation Methods for Reduction in Single- Use Plastic Bag Consumption

Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean is recognized as one of the best diving places in the world because it has one of the healthiest and most resilient coral...
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 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....
Research report Supplementary Information: High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)

Supplementary information for Coralita mapping (Report) publication (BioNews Article). Supplementary Text In the Material and Methods section of...
Research report Urban Wastewater Management of Willemstad, Curaçao, and Environmental Implications

Curaçao's coral reefs are subjected to a deteriorating momentum risking the health and therefore sustainability of this vital ecosystem. Despite the...
Media BioNews 63

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...
Scientific article Sponges hosting the zoantharia-associated crab Platypodiella spectabilis at St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean

Crabs of the genus Platypodiella (Brachyura: Xanthidae) are known for their association with zoantharians (Hexacorallia: Zoantharia), predom- inantly...
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 Presentation - Assessing the Relationship between Coastal Currents and Water Quality Indicators on Bonaire: ADCP & CTD approach

Final presentation
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,...
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...
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...
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....
Maps and Charts Raster layers: High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)

Description: This is a raster layer showing the results of a supervised Support Vector Machines classification of Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) land...
Scientific article The influence of sponge-dwelling gobies (Elacatinus horsti) on pumping rates of Caribbean sponge hosts, Aplysina lacunosa and Aplysina archeri

Mutualistic associations between benthic marine invertebrates and reef taxa are common. Sponge-dwelling gobies benefit from protection within sponge...
Scientific article Description of the First Species of Polylepion (Teleostei: Labridae) from the Atlantic Ocean with Analysis of Evolutionary Relationships of the New Species

Submersible diving in the 1980/90s in the Bahamas and Cuba and 2013–2018 at Curaçao, Dominica, and Roatan resulted in the collection of a new species...
Scientific article Non-native, invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans), is first recorded in the southern Gulf of Mexico, off the northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

We recorded the first sighting and collection of the non-native, invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758]: Scorpaenidae) in the...
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...
Scientific article Diversity and spatial heterogeneity of mangrove associated sponges of Curaçao and Aruba

Abstract: Sponges are major epibionts of mangrove roots in the Caribbean. Mangrove sponge communities in the Caribbean mainly consist of species that...
Scientific article First documentation of encrusting specimen of Cliona delitrix on Curaçao: a cause for concern?

The coral excavating sponge Cliona delitrix is one of the most aggressive and conspicuous excavating sponges on Caribbean reefs. While C. delitrix is...
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...
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 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,...
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....
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...
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....
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 Inorganic nutrients, photosynthetic pigments, and zooplankton species richness and species diversity in the surrounding waters of urban Kralendijk, Bonaire

Excess nutrients as a result of agricultural, urban, and industrial runoff are major causes to increases in plankton. Coral reefs are nutrient poor...
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 Deep-water sponges (Porifera) from Bonaire and Klein Curaçao, Southern Caribbean

Four submersible dives off the coast of Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands) and Klein Curaçao (Curaçao) to depths of 99.5–242 m, covering lower...
Scientific article Methods for Assessing Acropora spp. Populations in the Caribbean

Since the severe decline of the Acropora populations in Bonaire in the 1980s, no assessment has characterized the distribution of remnant colonies....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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 The Nature Funding Projects

In the wake of the constitutional change in 2010, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (now the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food...
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 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...
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...
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...
Research report Multivariate Analysis of Gorgonian Habitats on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles

The second Saba Bank Expedition in October 2008 aimed at improving the knowledge of the gorgonacea by generating a comprehensive species list for...
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....
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...
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 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...
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 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...
Media Rays of Hope: Strengthening Conservation Efforts for Manta Rays

Papiamento, Papiamentu, and Dutch below. Manta rays are highly charismatic creatures that inhabit the waters of the Dutch Caribbean. In...
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...
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,...
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 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...
Research report Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) op weg naar werelderfgoed

Het Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) staat sinds 2011 op de Nederlandse Voorlopige lijst van het Werelderfgoed. Dit betekent dat een nominatie kan...
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...
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 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 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...
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,...
Scientific article Lytic to temperate switching of viral communities

Microbial viruses can control host abundances via density-dependent lytic predator-prey dynamics. Less clear is how temperate viruses, which coexist...
Raw data Raw data of fish biomass (AGGRA)

Raw data of fish biomass based on the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment method (AGGRA) for the locations: calabas no dive reserve front porch...
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...
Research report Activity budget of the princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus): a comparison between daylight and sunset periods

Abstract: Most animals are active either during the day, night, or twilight, and transition periods between these times exhibit interesting behavior...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
Other resources STENAPA newsletter January 2007

STENAPA newsletter: including overview of Corallita research
Research report Activity budget of the princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus): a comparison between daylight and sunset periods

Abstract: Most animals are active either during the day, night, or twilight, and transition periods between these times exhibit interesting behavior...
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 Genetic evidence supports larval retention in the Western Caribbean for an invertebrate with high dispersal capability (Ophiothrix suensonii: Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea)

Abstract The brittle star Ophiothrix suensonii is a com- mon coral reef sponge commensal with high dispersal potential. Here, we utilize COI sequence...
Other resources Sponges (Porifera) of St. Eustatius

This article was published in the following report: MARINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF ST. EUSTATIUS, DUTCH CARIBBEAN 2015 by Naturalis Biodiversity...
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 The Nature Funding Projects

In the wake of the constitutional change in 2010, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (now the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food...
Research report Achteruitgang koraalriffen Caribisch Nederland: oorzaken en mogelijke oplossingen voor koraalherstel

Koraalriffen zijn de belangrijkste economische hulpbron voor de eilanden van Caribisch Nederland. Zij verkeren in een slechte toestand en zonder...
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....
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,...
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 GCRMN-Caribbean Steering Committee Meeting

Global Coral Reef Monitoing Network-Caribbean Steering Committee Meeting A meeting under the framework of UN Environment-Caribbean Environment...
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...
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 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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 Economic Value of Sharks

Shark populations around the globe have been in rapid decline for the past decades as overfishing and habitat loss have severely reduced their...
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 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...
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 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....
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 Saba Bank: a scientific surprise

Background The Saba Bank, west of the Caribbean island of Saba, is a large (2400 km2) submerged carbonate platform of 15-40m depth rising from 800-...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Media BioNews special: Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary

The Dutch Caribbean is an important area for marine mammals, sharks and rays. More than twenty marine mammal and thirty shark and ray species are...
Other resources BioNews special: Climate Change

Conditions all around the world are changing due to climate change. These changes can be felt throughout all environments, from changing water ...
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...
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....
Scientific article Coat of many colours - DNA reveals polymorphism of mantle patterns and colouration in Caribbean Cyphoma Röding, 1798 (Gastropoda, Ovulidae).

The iconic gastropod genus Cyphoma is commonly observed in the Caribbean, where it lives in association with various octocorallian hosts. Each...
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...
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 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 ...
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...
Scientific article Diet choice in a generalist predator, the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles)

Diet choice in marine species is typically derived from indirect methods such as stomach contents and stable isotope analysis, while choice...
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 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...
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...
Media Where have all the crinoids gone?

Colorful feather stars (comatulid crinoids, Phylum Echinodermata) were plentiful on the reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire in the late 1960s when David...
Research report Assessing the viabiliy of the groasis waterboxx for dry forest restoration and reforestation projects.

Extensive deforestation of dry tropical forests is globally impeding the ecosystem services and functions that the forests provide, which millions of...
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...
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....
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...
Scientific article Leveraging sex change in parrotfish to manage fished populations

Healthy parrotfish (family Scaridae) communities fulfill the essential ecosystem process of herbivory in coral reefs, but artisanal fisheries that...
Other resources Erosion around Kralendijk, Bonaire

Student Report On Bonaire, special municipality of the Netherlands, there is a big problem with erosion. In and around the capital Kralendijk, most...
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....
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 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...
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 Feeding on Feces: The nutritional value of fish feces to Caribbean Parrotfishes

Parrotfishes can often be observed consuming fish feces on coral reefs. Our recent study highlights the nutritional value of these feces to...
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...
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 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...
Other resources Integrating economic, environmental and social issues in an evaluation of Saba Marine Park, N.A., Caribbean Sea
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 Invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans blow directed jets of water at prey fish

Field and laboratory observations of feeding by invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans were conducted during June through August of 2008,...
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 Koraalriffen in Nederland

Abstract: The accession of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (the BES islands) to the Netherlands has considerably increased the government’s political...
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...
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 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...
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 The economics of expanding the Marine Protected Areas of the Cayman Islands

Quantification of the benefits humans obtain from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) supports decision-makers by elucidating the link between the...
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...
Scientific article Homing decisions reveal lack of risk perception by Caribbean damselfish of invasive lionfish

Prey naïveté, or the failure of prey to recognize non-native predators due to a lack of co-evolutionary history, is thought to underpin the large...
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...
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...
Scientific article Feeding on Feces: The Nutritional Value of Fish Feces to Caribbean Parrotfishes

Parrotfishes can often be observed consuming fish feces on coral reefs. Our recent study highlights the nutritional value of these feces to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
Media The State of the World's Mangroves 2021

MANGROVES ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE PLANET’S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. Mangroves sequester carbon at up to four times the rate of terrestrial forests,...
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 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
Other resources Landscape ecological vegetation map of St. Maarten (Lesser Antilles)

Vegetation maps are a primary and essential tool in biodiversity science, conservation, management, and monitoring as well as in land-use management...
Media A Decade of Lionfish Management on Bonaire

Lionfish were first spotted off the coast of Bonaire back in 2009. Since then, STINAPA has been working alongside a cast of dedicated volunteers to...
Media Invasive Alien Species in the Dutch Caribbean

Dutch below More than 210 invasive alien species have been documented in the wild within the Dutch Caribbean. These species can have major...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Disentangling the effects of plant species invasion and urban development on arthropod community composition

Abstract Urban development and species invasion are two major global threats to biodiversity. These threats often co-occur, as developed areas are...
Scientific article Internal Wave Observations Off Saba Bank

The deep sloping sides of Saba Bank, the largest submarine atoll in the Atlantic Ocean, show quite different internal wave characteristics. 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...
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 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...
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...
Other resources Sixth National Report of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Background The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (...
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...
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...
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 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 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 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 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...
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 Extra budget for nature in the Caribbean Netherlands

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NL) are pleased...
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...
Media Bonaire 2050, a nature inclusive vision put into numbers

Dutch below A study by Wageningen University and Research set-up a series of design sessions, workshops and interviews to describe a vision for...
Media Kingdom Report Sounds Alarm on Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean

Only Four of Twenty Biodiversity Targets On Track to Achieve Goals in the Dutch Caribbean A recently published report issued by the Kingdom of the...
Other resources BEST 2.0 Regeneration Study

Habitat degradation and destruction, as well as the introduction of invasive species re-main amongst the key threats to the world’s biodiversity (...
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...
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...
Scientific article Lionfish Invasion off the Northern Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Southern Gulf of Mexico: What Do we Know?

Abstract: In 2009, the first lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) was found in the Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel, in Quintana Roo, in the Mexican...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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....
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...
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....
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....
Scientific article Occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans and other yeast-like fungi in environmental sources in Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean)

Introduction We report here the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans, and other potentially pathogenic yeasts and yeast-like fungi in environmental...
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 The effects of dolomite geobodies within carbonate clinoforms on fluid flow and connectivity: Insights from an outcrop analogue on Bonaire, The Netherlands (South Caribbean)

Abstract Carbonate clinoforms are often challenging to characterize and model due to their complex geometries and additional heterogeneity introduced...
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...
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 Attenuiconus marileeae, a new species of cone (Gastropoda: Conidae: Puncticulinae) from Curacao

Attenuiconus marileeae new species is described from deep reefs off southeastern Curac ̧ao. It resembles A. attenuatus, A. honkeri, and A....
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...
Media Lionfish Culling: the Solution to Managing Lionfish Populations in the Dutch Caribbean?

One of the most talked about fish in the Caribbean Region is an exotic looking fish with eye-catching stripes and remarkable feathery pectoral fins:...
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 Spatially explicit dispersal dynamics and equilibrium population sizes in marine harvest refuges

For marine reserves to function as effective harvest refuges for exploited species, the reserve must protect a substantial proportion of the...
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 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...
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....
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....
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 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...
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...
Scientific article A stage-based matrix population model of invasive lionfish with implications for control

The rapid invasion of lionfish into the Western North Atlantic and Caribbean will undoubtedly affect native reef fishes via processes such as trophic...
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 A new, mesophotic Coryphopterus goby (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the southern Caribbean, with comments on relationships and depth distributions within the genus

A new species of western Atlantic Coryphopterus is described from mesophotic depths off Curaçao, south- ern Caribbean. Coryphopterus curasub sp. n.,...
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...
Scientific article Growth, morphological variations in the shell, and biological data of the conch (“Cobo”) Strombus gigs L. (Mollusca, Mesogastropoda)

The present study was undertaken in nine locations along the north coast of Havana province; at the reefs located east and south of Batabano Gulf,...
Media Special Edition: Safeguarding Nature Projects

In the wake of the constitutional change in 2010, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality, as part of its Nature Policy Plan for...
Scientific article The effects of dolomite geobodies within carbonate clinoforms on fluid flow and connectivity: Insights from an outcrop analogue on Bonaire, The Netherlands (South Caribbean)

Abstract Carbonate clinoforms are often challenging to characterize and model due to their complex geometries and additional heterogeneity introduced...
Maps and Charts Topographic Wetness Index raster layer for Statia

Topographic Wetness Index raster layer for Statia developed for use in the Coralita mapping (Report) publication (BioNews Article). The zip file...
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 Evolutionary patterns of host switching, lifestyle mode, and the diversification history in symbiotic zoantharians

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1055790323000325 Abstract Symbioses play important roles in forming the structural and...
Scientific article Host specificity and phylogenetic relationships among Atlantic Ovulidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

Abstract: Ovulid gastropods and their octocoral hosts were collected along the leeward coast of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles. New molecular data of...
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...
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,...
Other resources Tsunami imprints on the Leeward Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire) and their relation to other coastal problems

Tsunami are one of the major natural hazards in the Caribbean. The historical record lists 88 tsunami, from local events to teletsunami, in the time...
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...
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....
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...
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 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...
Maps and Charts Land cover map of St.Eustatius

The land cover map of St. Eustatius gives a coarse representation of the distribution of forest, shrub, pasture and artificial surface. Invasive...
Scientific article Cell kinetics during regeneration in the sponge Halisarca caerulea: how local is the response to tissue damage?

Sponges have a remarkable capacity to rapidly regenerate in response to wound infliction. In addition, sponges rapidly renew their filter systems (...
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 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...
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...
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 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 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....
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...
Media Pregnant Tiger Shark Expedition 2021 is well underway!

It’s finally happening! After over a year of corona-related delays the Pregnant Tiger Shark Expedition is finally underway. We just finished our very...
Scientific article Understanding the Lionfish Invasion in Bonaire to Develop the Best Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract: Lionfish are venomous, predatory reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific region, but have become widely distributed due to its popularity as...
Maps and Charts Land cover map of Saba

The land cover map of Saba gives a coarse representation of the distribution of forest, shrub, pasture and artificial surface. Invasive species (like...
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...
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...
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...
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 Theme: Nature in the Dutch Caribbean

Articles on STENAPA, CNSI, fauna on St. Maarten, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Nature education Curacao, Bonaire's reefs, STINAPA
Scientific article High human influence on beach response to tropical cyclones in small islands: Saint-Martin Island, Lesser Antilles

Using multi-date satellite imagery and field observations, this paper assesses the inferred impacts of September 2017 cyclones on the beaches of...
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...
Scientific article First Records of the Stout Four-eyed Frog, Pleurodema brachyops (Cope 1869) on St. Martin

The Stout Four-eyed Frog (Pleurodema brachyops) is native to the northern South American and Central American nations of Guyana, northern Brazil (...
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 Shifting Seagrass Cues for Conch

Dutch below The Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute, partnering with the Queen Conch Lab at the Florida Atlantic University is exploring the...
Media BioNews 64

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
Scientific article Holocene tsunamis in the southern Caribbean: Evidence from stratigraphic archives and the coarse-clast record

Abstract: We present sediment cores from seven coastal geoarchives on Bonaire, southern Caribbean, containing layers of high- energy sedimentation....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Media Tracking Sharks around Sint Maarten

The St. Maarten Nature Foundation recently retrieved acoustic receivers (loggers) to learn about the movement patterns and home ranges of Caribbean...
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 Various invertebrate taxa of St. Eustatius

This report deals with Anthozoa (Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia), Hydrozoa, Decapoda and Polychaeta in the waters around St. Eustatius. No written...
Scientific article Patterns, causes, and consequences of marine larval dispersal

Quantifying the probability of larval exchange among marine populations is key to predicting local population dynamics and optimizing networks of...
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...
Research report Hurricane Lenny, Klein Bonaire dive site damage report

This handwritten report hurricane Lenny's damage to all dive sites on Klein Bonaire provides an overall impression of the condition of all corals /...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 (...
Scientific article New species and records of Heterospio (Annelida, Longosomatidae) from continental shelf, slope and abyssal depths of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and adjacent seas

Abstract Nineteen species of the rare polychaete genus Heterospio are reported, 15 of which are new to science. The status of H. longissima Ehlers,...
Media Sorobon and Lagoen covered by sargassum

March 6, 2018 Sorobon en Lagoen overspoeld door sargassum. Sinds gisteren is er een enorme invasie van sargassum wier aan de oostkust. Sorobon en...
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 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...
Research report Update on the 2016-2017 catch trends in the Saba Bank fisheries

The recent status and trends in the Saba Bank fisheries up to and including 2015 port sampling data have been previously reported by de Graaf et al...
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...
Research report Brief biological inventory of Bolivia, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

The lands of the former Bolivia Plantation amount to about three-thousand three-hundred (3,300) hectares of wildlands and basically constitute the...
Other resources Photoacclimation of Ventricaria ventricosa to a change in available light’s wavelength

A prominent process of photoacclimation accounts for the change in pigment concentration to improve photosynthetic performance. It occurs in algae...
Research report A status report of nature policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean

The National Nature Policy Plan 2001-2005 (NPP-5) and its current status of implementation was assessed as a first step towards a new Nature Policy...
Research report A status report of nature policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean over the last 10 years and recommendations towards the Nature Policy Plan 2012-2017

The National Nature Policy Plan 2001-2005 (NPP-5) and its current status of implementation was assessed as a first step towards a new Nature Policy...
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...
Research report Status and trends in Saba Bank fisheries: Analysis of fisheries data collected over the period 2011-2020

This report is an update of earlier published reports on the status and trends in the of Saba Bank fisheries (Graaf et al. 2017, Brunel et al. 2018...
Scientific article Molecular phylogeny, analysis of character evolution, and submersible collections enable a new classification of a diverse group of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Nes subgroup), including nine new species and four new genera

The Nes subgroup of the Gobiosomatini (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) is an ecologically diverse clade of fishes endemic to the tropical western...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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 (...
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...
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...
Research report Indicators on the status and trends of ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean

The Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Saba, St.Eustatius, Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands have a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Media Tiger Sharks and the Saba Bank

Hi everyone. My name is Ayumi Kuramae Izioka and I work as the as the science coordinator and daily operations manager of the Saba Bank Management...
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...
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...
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 The STINAPA Bonaire Junior Ranger Program

This document contains a detailed program overview The Junior Ranger Program is an out-of-school nature education program run by STINAPA to help ...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
Media Statian invasions

This news-item was published in the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute Annual Report 2017 Introduced predators such as cats, dogs, and rats are ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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 (...
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 Restoring Balance: Catchment Wide Conservation Methods for Mangrove Ecosystems

Dutch below Mangroves create new land by slowly packing sediment within their roots, however too much sediment can lead to dieback. Researchers from...
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...

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