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Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database

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

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Search results: 1415

  • Research report Rare and/or Endangered Land and Freshwater Molluscs of St. Martin
    Rare and/or Endangered Land and Freshwater Mollusks of St. Martin. In this article, Sint Maarten means the Dutch part and Saint-Martin the French...
  • Media 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...
  • 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 Biodiversity in a globalized world: The journey of exotic species from origin to impact
    Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that have been introduced to locations outside of their distributional range via human transport....
  • Other resources Fish species community composition of Curacao bays and reef
    Student Report - University Groningen Tropical coastal bays often border coral reefs and host connected ecosystems such as seagrass beds and mangrove...
  • Media Two species of endangered elasmobranch are recommended to receive additional protection in the Caribbean
    Thanks to the efforts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the critically endangered largetooth sawfish and the threatened silky shark have...
  • Other resources Spaans Lagoen Species List
    Species List IMPORTANT NOTICE The species list in this document is not all-inclusive, meaning that not all species which can be found in the "Spaans...
  • Media Ants of the Dutch Caribbean
    Between 2015 and 2020, researchers from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center updated the local ant species lists for the Dutch Caribbean. A large number...
  • Scientific article First records of three new lizard species and a range expansion of a fourth lizard species introduced to Aruba
    Introduction The Caribbean region is emerging as a hotspot for the spread of non-native reptile species (Powell et al. 2011; Powell and Henderson...
  • Scientific article Seven new species within western Atlantic Starksia atlantica, S. lepicoelia, and S. sluiteri (Teleostei, Labrisomidae), with comments on congruence of DNA barcodes and species
    Abstract: Specimens of Starksia were collected throughout the western Atlantic, and a 650-bp portion of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase-c...
  • Media New Species of Cone Snail Discovered on Aruba
    Nederlands and Papiamento below. Researchers from the Florida Atlantic University and University of California recently discovered a new species of...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Plant–frugivore interactions across the Caribbean islands: Modularity, invader complexes and the importance of generalist species
    Abstract Aim: Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are fundamental for the maintenance of natural communities and the ecosystem...
  • 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...
  • Research report Rare plant species, establishment of exclosures and recommendations for a monitoring program in the Washington-Slagbaai Park (Bonaire)
    Abstract: The aim of the present project–commissioned by the management of the Washington-Slagbaai Park (WSP)- was to set-up a more strategic...
  • Media Molluscs of the Dutch Caribbean Islands
    The journal of the Netherlands Malacological Society, Vita Malacologica, dedicated its December 2017 edition to the malacofauna of the Dutch...
  • Research report 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 Preliminary inventory of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire
    Abstract: A preliminary inventory is given of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire in order to determine their occurrence in relation to areas...
  • Other resources Conservation species for the Dutch Caribbean (2020)
    This list of species of conservation interest has been developed as part of a project 'Using management effectiveness to strengthen species...
  • 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 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 New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017
    The island of Bonaire has achieved worldwide recognition for its rich and diverse marine life, but the island is rapidly gaining momentum as a...
  • 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...
  • Research report Preliminary overview of exotic and invasive marine species in the Dutch Caribbean
    The marine exotic species of the Dutch Caribbean are less well-known than its terrestrial exotics. So far, only 27 known or suspected marine exotic...
  • 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...
  • Other resources First indication of the abundance and distribution of protected seagrass associated species in the introduced Halophila stipulacea meadows on Sint Eustatius
    Student Report The present study investigated the abundance and distribution of protected seagrass associated species within the introduced Halophila...
  • Research report Exotic and invasive terrestrial and freshwater animal species in the Dutch Caribbean
    We here provide an overview of 72 invasive animals of the terrestrial and freshwater environments of the Dutch Caribbean, eleven of which are no...
  • Research report 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 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....
  • Scientific article The effectiveness of two bat species as pollinators of two species of columnar cacti on Curaçao
    Two species of columnar cacti, Subpilocereus repandus and Stenocereus griseus, are pollinated on Curacao by two species of glossophagine bats,...
  • Scientific article Effect of introduced species and habitat alteration on the occurrence and distribution of euryhaline fishes in fresh- and brackish-water habitats on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (South Caribbean)
    Abstract: We conducted an ichthyological survey during the dry season of 2006 on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao to provide...
  • Research report Introduced agricultural pests, plant and animals diseases and vectors in the Dutch Caribbean, with an “Alert species” list
    A review of the introduced agricultural pests and animal and plant diseases and vectors for the Dutch Caribbean in which a total of 47 exotic pests,...
  • Scientific article Spatially explicit removal strategies increase the efficiency of invasive plant species control
    Effective management strategies are needed to control expansion of invasive alien plant species and attenuate economic and ecological impacts. While...
  • Scientific article Human land use promotes the abundance and diversity of exotic species on caribbean islands
    Human land use causes major changes in species abundance and composition, yet native and exotic species can exhibit different responses to land use...
  • Media Distribution of plant species on the Dutch Caribbean Islands now online
    Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below Since 2018 Wageningen University & Research and Carmabi cooperate in bringing together historical and...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Multilocus phylogeny, species age and biogeography of the Lesser Antillean anoles
    Highlights • A multilocus study provides a resolved phylogeny for Lesser Antillean anoles. • Dense phylogeographic sampling within-species indicates...
  • Scientific article The genus Paragiopagurus Lemaitre, 1996 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Paguroidea, Parapaguridae): A worldwide review and summary, with descriptions of five new species
    A review of the deep-water hermit crab species of the genus Paragiopagurus Lemaitre, 1996 from the world oceans is presented. The core specimen base...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Reconciling Genetic Lineages with Species in Western Atlantic Coryphopterus (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
    Abstract: Species identification of western Atlantic Coryphopterus can be problematic because some of the species are morphologically similar, there...
  • 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...
  • Media Citizen Scientists Needed to Identify Local Manta and Devil Rays
    DCNA is partnering with the Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program, an affiliate project of the Manta Trust, and Observation.org to track local...
  • Research report 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...
  • Scientific article First records of three new lizard species and a range expansion of a fourth lizard species introduced to Aruba
    Abstract The Caribbean islands are becoming a hotspot for the spread of non-native reptiles. Consistent with this trend, we provide the first...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The Role of Tourism and Recreation in the Spread of Non-Native Species: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Managing the pathways by which non-native species are introduced and spread is consid- ered the most effective way of preventing species invasions....
  • Media Disappearance of St. Maarten’s Snails
    Nederlands Below   Land and freshwater mollusks were surveyed over the course of three visits in 2015, 2020 and 2021 on the Dutch and French sides of...
  • Scientific article Citizen science and integrative taxonomy reveal a great diversity within Caribbean Chaetopteridae (Annelida), with the description of one new species
    Chaetopteridae forms a monophyletic clade showing an uncertain position within Annelida. The family has 75 ubiquitous species within four genera that...
  • Media A Critically Endangered Palm Found Only on Bonaire
    A recent report describes, for the first time in its history, the critically endangered Bonaire Palm.  Although first documented in 1979, it took...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Sabal lougheediana (Arecaceae), a critically endangered, endemic palm species from Bonaire
    A new palm species, Sabal lougheediana , is described and illustrated. This critically endangered island endemic, native solely to Bonaire, is...
  • Scientific article Diversity of drift macroalgae in Aruba, Netherland Antilles, Caribbean Sea, including the rarely reported deep-water species Dasya puertoricensis and Cottoniella filamentosa (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta)
    Abstract: Drifting and wrack seaweeds may originate from the detachment of natural populations and transport by currents until reaching the coast....
  • Scientific article 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 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Effects of mixed-species pollen load on fruits, seeds, and seedlings of two sympatric columnar cactus species
    Two sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, share bat pollinators, overlap in flowering phenology, and are floral...
  • Other resources The analysis of ecological networks: habitat connectivity and population viability on St.Eustatius
    This student thesis research is in support of a Tourism Master Plan for Sint Eustatius; this plan is focused on the development of sustainable...
  • Other resources Can native sessile species resist the settlement of the orange cup coral, Tubastraea coccinea, on hard substrate communities of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles?
    Tubastrea coccinea is an invasive coral species found on the reefs of Bonaire. These corals are typically seen at various densities (up to 80% m-2)...
  • Scientific article 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 Discovery of a new species of hermit crab of the genus Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 from the Caribbean: “den commensal” or “cleaner”? (Crustacea, Anomura, Paguridae)
    A new secretive, yet brightly colored hermit crab species of the family Paguridae, Pylopaguropsismollymullerae sp. n., is fully described based on...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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 A comparison of fish communities of subtidal seagrass beds and sandy seabeds in 13 marine embayments of a Caribbean island, based on species, families, size distribution and functional groups
    Differences in fish community structure between different estuaries, lagoons and bays can be very large, and generalisations are complicated by the...
  • Scientific article Taxonomic review of tropical western Atlantic shallow water Drilliidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Conoidea) including descriptions of 100 new species
    A review of the literature and examination of over 3,200 specimens of shallow water (<200 m) tropical western Atlantic (TWA) Drilliidae Olson,...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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)....
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Seagrass coastal protection services reduced by invasive species expansion and megaherbivore grazing
    Seagrasses provide an important ecosystem service by creating a stable erosion‐resistant seabed that contributes to effective coastal protection....
  • 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...
  • Media Hurricane Effects on Critically Endangered Reptiles
    Caribbean flora and fauna have always coped with the destructive forces of hurricanes. However, climate change leading to an increase in their...
  • Media Researchers discover that the three known flamingo tongue snail species are in fact just one species
    Two researchers at Naturalis and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Bastian Reijnen and Sancia van der Meij, recently carried out research...
  • Scientific article Two New Species of Tenorioconus (Gastropoda: Conidae) from Aruba
    ABSTRACT Two new members of the Caribbean Province endemic conid genus Tenorioconus Petuch and Drolshagen, 2011 are described from the Netherlands...
  • Scientific article An Annotated List of Orthoptera from St Eustatius and Saba, Dutch West Indies, with Descriptions of Two New Cricket Species (Trigonidiidae, Mogoplistidae)
    Orthopteran species on the Lesser Antilles islands of St Eustatius and Saba are poorly known. Recent field surveys and examinations of museum...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 A taxonomist‘s nightmare – Cryptic diversity in Caribbean intertidal arthropods (Arachnida, Acari, Oribatida)
    Abstract There has been a long controversy about what defines a species and how to delimitate them which resulted in the existence of more than two...
  • Research report Assessing the impact of Antigonon Leptopus on Saba and St. Eustatius
    The spread of invasive species globally has had acknowledged impacts on species extinction, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gauging the type and...
  • Scientific article A new endemic species of Sesuvium (Aizoaceae: Sesuvioideae) from the Caribbean Basin, with further notes on the genus composition in the West Indies
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12225-021-09985-w Summary A distinctive new species, Sesuvium curassavicum Sukhor. (Aizoaceae:...
  • Media Environmental DNA reveals tropical shark diversity in contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact
    Increased and targeted fishing pressure has led to the collapse of shark populations around the world. According to worldwide estimates, a staggering...
  • Media Bats of St. Eustatius
    In 2015, Naturalis Biodiversity Center set out to create a baseline study of St. Eustatius’ marine and terrestrial fauna and flora in collaboration...
  • Research report Biological Inventory of St. Maarten
    St. Maarten is one of the islands forming the inner arc of the Lesser Antilles. It is older than Saba and St. Eustatius. The oldest rock strata date...
  • Other resources Collecting data on a new endemic species on Saint Eustatius
    Student Report Abstract The Caribbean is home to approximately 11,000 plants species, of which 72% are endemic to the region. However, the Caribbean...
  • Book Biology of Parrotfishes
    Content: Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces  By Kenneth W. Gobalet The...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Geographic variation in Poecilia Bloch and Schneider, 1801 (Teleostei: Poeciliidae), with descriptions of three new species and lectotypes for P. dovii Günther, 1866 and for P. vandepolli van Lidth de Jeude, 1887
    Abstract: The South American species with the vernacular name "mollies" are analyzed and three new species of the genus Poecilia are described and...
  • Scientific article Exploring how non-native seagrass species could provide essential ecosystems services: a perspective on the highly invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in the Caribbean Sea
    The loss of biodiversity by the replacement of invasive species could lead to the loss of functional traits that maintain certain ecosystem services...
  • Media Volunteers will count endangered species in St. Eustatius (Anemoon)
    The ANEMOON Foundation is a Dutch volunteer organization of citizen scientists who are interested in sea life. The Foundation has started a project...
  • 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 A New Species of Soapfish (Teleostei: Serranidae: Rypticus) with Redescription of R. subbidrentus and Comments on the Use of DNA Barcoding in Systematic Studies
    Abstract: A new species of Rypticus is described from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida, and the Caribbean Sea. The species previously has been confused...
  • Other resources Effects of differences in hole size of artificial reef units on coral reef fish abundance and species richness
    The biodiversity of coral reefs will decline as the global degradation of reefs continues, pushing the science of restoration techniques such as the...
  • Scientific article Predictors of bat species richness within the islands of the Caribbean Basin
    Several mechanisms have been shown to influence species richness among island ecosystems, yet most studies limit their focus to a few predictor...
  • Media Aruba Shoco Conservation Project
    The Dutch Caribbean Islands are a treasure trove of rare and endemic (sub) species. Island endemic (sub) species, that is (sub) species restricted to...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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,...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The evolution of the reproductive system of Urodasys (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida).
    Abstract Macrodasyidan gastrotrichs are hermaphrodites with complex reproductive organs that function in sperm transfer and receipt, but homology...
  • Media Protecting Fish Proven Key in Slowing Down Invasive Seagrass
    New research from Wageningen University, University of Amsterdam and Florida International University highlighted the role herbivorous fish species...
  • Media Two new nonnative reptiles identified on Saba
    Wageningen University and Research and the University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein researchers have recently identified two new nonnative...
  • Media Importance of Yarari Sanctuary for Minke Whale
    A new collaborative study provides new insight into how two species of minke whales utilize the Caribbean and neighboring Atlantic waters throughout...
  • Media New beetles discovered in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands below   Two recently published studies document 35 new beetle species for the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius.  Even with these latest...
  • Media Status of the Red-Bellied Racer on Saba and St. Eustatius
    The Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) is a harmless snake species that is native to the St. Christopher and Saba Banks. Today, it...
  • 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 Aruba Birdlife Conservation, Checklist version 2, ABC Birds of Aruba September 5, 2016-254 species
    A bird checklist is a snapshot in time. A checklist becomes outdated the moment a new species is registered. This checklist is based on seven sources...
  • Scientific article Exploring the diversity of western Atlantic Bathygobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) with cytochrome c oxidase-I, with descriptions of two new species
    Bathygobius is currently represented by three species in the western Atlantic (B. soporator, B. curacao and B. mystacium) based on diagnostic...
  • 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 Birds of Aruba – ABC Checklist version May 4, 2016 – 252 species
    A bird checklist is a snapshot in time. A checklist becomes outdated the moment a new species is registered. This checklist is based on seven sources...
  • Media Endangered Dutch Iguana species put on the map
    With the accession of the islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius as special municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the list of ‘Dutch...
  • Scientific article The pollinators of two species of columnar cacti on Curaco, Netherlands Antilles
    Three species of columnar cacti (Stenocereus gri seus, Subpilocereus repandus, and Pilosocereus lan uginosus) are conspicuous elements of arid...
  • Scientific article Wrangelia gordoniae, a new species of Rhodophyta (Ceramiales, Wrangeliaceae) from the tropical western Atlantic
      Abstract On the basis of comparative morphological and molecular analyses, a new red algal species in the genus Wrangelia(Wrangeliaceae, Ceramiales...
  • Scientific article Bathyal sea urchins of the Bahamas, with notes on covering behavior in deep sea echinoids (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
    In a survey of the bathyal echinoderms of the Bahama Islands region using manned submersibles, approximately 200 species of echinoderms were...
  • Scientific article Moss flora and vegetation of Saba and St. Eustatius (West Indies)
    The known moss flora of the small West Indian island Saba (870 m in altitude) consists to date of48 species, while the neighbouring island St....
  • Other resources 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 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....
  • Scientific article Anthropogenic Mortality in the Critically Endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on St. Eustatius
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima (Laurenti 1768) is a Lesser Antillean endemic (Anguilla to Martinique, with the exception of Saba...
  • Scientific article Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)
    The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is...
  • Scientific article Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract   The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima,...
  • Media Hurricane Impact on Statia
    Sint Eustatius was hit by two major hurricanes, Irma and Maria, during the high-intensity season of 2017. Two new studies aid our understanding of...
  • Research report Ten-year assessment of Caribbean Netherlands fisheries monitoring: data challenges and recommendations
    Summary Over the last 10 years, the Caribbean Netherlands fisheries on Saba and St. Eustatius have been monitored and multiple assessment reports...
  • Other resources Invasive seagrass mega herbivore interactions
    Invasive seagrass mega herbivore interactions a study on the invasion of seagrass Halophila stipulacea in a Southern Caribbean lagoon affected by C....
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Other resources CITES Posters- BES islands
    * Also available:  CITES brochures in English, Dutch, Papiamentu and Spanish Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna...
  • Other resources CITES Signs airport and harbors
    * Also available:  CITES brochures in English, Dutch, Papiamentu and Spanish * Also avaiable: CITES posters Convention on International Trade in...
  • Other resources CITES Brochure English
    ** This brochure is also available in Dutch, Papiamentu and Spanish ** This brochure is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Megaherbivores may impact expansion of invasive seagrass in the Caribbean
      1.Our knowledge of the functional role of large herbivores is rapidly expanding, and the impact of grazing on species co‐existence and non‐native...
  • 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...
  • Media Emergency assistance contriubtes to the spread of invasive exotics
    Hurricane Maria devasted several Caribbean islands in 2017. A major relief campaign was launched to help the affected population of the Commonwealth...
  • Scientific article Gonolobus aloiensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a New Species from St. Eustatius
    Abstract: A new species from St. Eustatius, Gonolobus aloiensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Gonolobinae), is described and illustrated. This new...
  • Scientific article Island biogeography of the Anthropocene
    For centuries, biogeographers have examined the factors that pro- duce patterns of biodiversity across regions. The study of islands has proved...
  • 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...
  • 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 A new species of Trapania Pruvot-Fol, 1931 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia) from the Caribbean Sea with an analysis of its phylogenetic relationships
    Trapania bonellenae , a new species from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles belonging to the nudibranch family Goniodorididae, is characterized by having...
  • Other resources The impacts of sea-level rise on the index nesting beach on Klein Bonaire for three species of sea turtle
    Abstract: Globally, all extant sea turtles species are endangered due to centuries of uncontrolled exploitation, furthermore they face future threats...
  • Scientific article Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Saba Island, Lesser Antilles: Unusu- ally high species richness indicates the Caribbean Biodiversity Hotspot is woefully undersampled
    Abstract: Saba Island (Caribbean Netherlands) is one of the northernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles. It is only 13 square kilometers but contains...
  • Other resources Harmful invasive alien species (IAS) in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Following climate change, IAS are recognised as the second-most serious long-term threat to island ecology, worldwide. Of all IAS issues, by far the...
  • Scientific article Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which...
  • Scientific article New plant records for Bonaire and the Dutch Caribbean islands
    Abstract: Although the flora of Bonaire has been well studied three previously undocumented species have been found for Bonaire. Two of these three...
  • Scientific article The Genus Pustulatirus Vermeij and Snyder, 2006 (Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae: Peristerniinae) in the Western Atlantic, with Descriptions of Three New Species
    Western Atlantic species of the New World genus Pustulatirus Vermeij and Snyder, 2006 are revised. Types of previously named taxa are figured....
  • Scientific article A new species of the remarkable brittle star genus Astrophiura (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the western Atlantic Ocean
    Astrophiura caroleae, new species, is described from off Curacao in the southern Caribbean, and from the western Gulf of Mexico, in depths of 244 to...
  • 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....
  • Other resources Species dependent aggression in bicolor damselfish during reproductive and non-reproductive cycles
    Bicolor damselfish, Stegastes partitus, are well known for their aggressive nature. They are known to attack almost any species threatening their...
  • Scientific article Evolutionary history of Caribbean species of Myotis, with evidence of a third Lesser Antillean endemic
    Currently, four species of Myotis are known from the islands of the Caribbean (Myotis dominicensis, M. martiniquensis, M. nesopolus, and M. nigricans...
  • Research report Bird communities of contrasting semi-natural habitats of Lac Bay, Bonaire, during the fall migration season, 2011
    Findings: Species richness Species richness is highest in Lac’s mangrove thickets and salt flats. They have a two-fold higher total species richness...
  • Scientific article Nectar Production of Two Sympatric Species of Columnar Cacti
    We examined the potential for exploitation competition by differential attractiveness in two sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curaçao,...
  • Scientific article New species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Caribbean
    A list of identified oribatid ptyctimous mites from Lesser Antilles and Bahamas, including 18 species, six generaband three families, is provided. Of...
  • Scientific article The complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered Lesser Antillean iguana ( Iguana delicatissima ; Squamata: Iguanidae)
    The Lesser Antillean iguana, Iguana delicatissima Laurenti 1768, is one of the most endangered vertebrate taxa in the West Indies. This species faces...
  • Scientific article Pleurolucina from the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans: a new intertidal species from Curaçao with unusual shell microstructure (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Lucinidae)
    Abstract A new shallow water species of the lucinid bivalve Pleurolucina is described from Curaçao in the southern Caribbean Sea and compared with...
  • Media Marine Species discoveries Curaçao
    Curaçao has a remarkably long and rich history of marine species discoveries. This is reflected by a high number of species descriptions in which...
  • Scientific article A new species of Thecadactylus from Sint Maarten, Lesser Antilles (Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonidae)
    Abstract We describe a new species of Thecadactylus from the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. The new species differs from all other species in the...
  • Scientific article A new species of frog from the Caribbean island of Montserrat (Eleutherodactylidae, Eleutherodactylus)
    Abstract I describe a new species of frog, Eleutherodactylus montserratae sp. nov., from Montserrat, previously confused with E. johnstonei Barbour....
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten
    The Dutch Windward Islands (St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten) support a collective herpetofauna consisting of two frogs (both introduced), six...
  • Other resources Iguana delicatissima. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T10800A122936983
    Taxon Name: Iguana delicatissima Laurenti, 1768 Common Name(s): • English: Lesser Antillean Iguana, West Indian Iguana • French: Iguane des Petites...
  • Scientific article Antigonon leptopus invasion is associated with plant community disassembly in a Caribbean island ecosystem
    Abstract Invasions by non-native plant species are widely recognized as a major driver of biodiversity loss. Globally, (sub-)tropical islands form...
  • Scientific article Revision of the amphiamerican genus Mysidium Dana, 1852 (Crustacea: Mysida: Mysidae), with descriptions of two new species and the establishment of two new subgenera
    Revised definitions are given for the genus Mysidium Dana, 1852, and its eight previously known species, based on material from Curaçao, Bonaire and...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Conservation opportunities for tern species at two Ramsar sites on Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract The island of Bonaire is a nesting location for at least four tern species: a subspecies of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum...
  • Scientific article Highly localized replenishment of coral reef fish populations near nursery habitats
    Connectivity is essential for ecosystem functioning, and in particular for the popula- tion dynamics of species that use different habitats during...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Research report High-resolution prediction of plant species richness in the Christoffel national park
    Previous attempts at mapping the vegetation of the Christoffel national park on the island of Curaçao were done in times of intense grazing pressure...
  • 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...
  • Other resources State of Nature in the Dutch Caribbean: Saba and the Saba Bank
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the state of nature for the three Dutch Caribbean islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Other resources CITES Brochure Spanish
    ** This brochure is also available in English, Papiamentu and Dutch ** This brochure is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Proximate response of fish, conch, and sea turtles to the presence of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in Bonaire
    In this report we examined the proximate response of fish assemblages, queen conch, and sea turtles onH. stipulacea meadows in Lac Bay, Bonaire,...
  • 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 How do the distribution and abundance of columnar cacti relate to microsite types and goat grazing pressure?
    Exotic herbivores are able to disrupt entire ecosystems by competing with native species and feeding on native species. Especially, on islands...
  • Research report A population assessment and habitat description of the Alsophis rufiventris on the Quill and Boven National Park, St. Eustatius
    The genus Alsophis used to be very abundant in the Lesser Antilles. Numbers have declined ascribed to anthropogenic causes and the introduction of...
  • Research report A population assessment and habitat description of the Alsophis rufiventris on the Quill and Boven National Park, St. Eustatius
    Abstract The genus Alsophis used to be very abundant in the Lesser Antilles. Numbers have declined ascribed to anthropogenic causes and the...
  • 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...
  • Media The beetles of the Dutch Caribbean
    Last December, a beetle catalogue for the Dutch Caribbean was published. This voluminous paper provides the first critical review of the beetle...
  • Media Action required to curb Statia’s invasive green iguana threat
    A new study by Wageningen Marine Research, St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation and Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute highlights the need...
  • Media STENAPA’s protection of Caribbean Sea turtles
    Each year, hawksbill and green turtles, and sometimes even leatherback turtles, come to the beaches of Statia to lay their eggs. New protocols,...
  • Research report 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...
  • Portal Historic Caribbean flora and fauna publications
    Many publications on the Caribbean Flora and Fauna are accessible online. During the last decades, biologists of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and...
  • Research report Seed germination methods for native Caribbean trees and shrubs - With emphasis on species relevant for Bonaire
    Summary: This paper is intended as a basis for nature restoration activities using seeds of trees and (larger) shrubs native to Bonaire with the aim...
  • Other resources The number of insect species on a small oceanic island: two solutions to a Fermi problem
    Where the number of species of a particular taxon is not sufficiently known even to allow an estimate by extrapolation, the question becomes a Fermi...
  • Media First Survey of Arachnids on ABC Islands in over 100 years: 25 new records and 20 species new to science
    A 2004-2005 study led by a researcher from the California Academy of Science worked to catalog arachnid species (such as spiders and scorpions) on...
  • Scientific article Occurrence of Vibrio Species in Marine Sources Surroundings Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    ABSTRACT There is a lack of information on presence of vibrios in the marine environment in the Caribbean. The aim of this study was to determine the...
  • Scientific article Invasionsoft: A web-enabled tool for invasive species colonization predictions
    Predicting and averting the spread of invasive species is a core focus of resource managers in all ecosystems. Patterns of invasion are difficult to...
  • Scientific article The reproductive phenology of three sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curacao
    The phenological response by three sympatric species of columnar cacti of the semi-arid island of Curaçao (Stenocereus griseus, Subpilocereus...
  • Research report The impact of invasive species on tourism
    Since the first sightings of the lionfish in the Caribbean, the local marine ecosystems have experienced severe problems due to predation and...
  • Research report Reforestation in Bonaire: a species suitability study in exclosures in the Washington-Slagbaai National Park
    Student Report  he nature organisation Echo aims to conserve the Yellow-Shouldered Amazon parrot on Bonaire. They have established two exclosures for...
  • 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 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...
  • 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 Caldora penicillata gen. nov., comb. nov. (Cyanobacteria), a pantropical marine species with biomedical relevance
    Many tropical marine cyanobacteria are prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites with ecological relevance and promising pharmaceutical...
  • Scientific article Filinia species in brackish waters at St. Maarten (Dutch Caribbean)
    From a brackish lagoon on St. Maarten (Dutch Caribbean) plankton samples were collected from 2003 to 2005. The samples were taken and physical-...
  • Media Eleven Species of Mosquitoes found on Leeward Dutch Caribbean Islands
    A 2018 study of mosquito populations on the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius documented eleven different species, including two new...
  • Scientific article Host Range of the Coral-Associated Worm Snail Petaloconchu ssp. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae), a Newly Discovered Cryptogenic Pest Species in the Southern Caribbean
    Abstract: The presence of associated endofauna can have an impact on the health of corals. Duringfieldwork on the southern Caribbean island of...
  • Scientific article Bird Communities of Contrasting Secondary Habitats of Bonaire, in the Arid South-Eastern Caribbean
    We studied the bird communities of five contrasting semi-natural habitats of Lac Bay, Bonaire, South- eastern Caribbean, during the fall of 2011. A...
  • 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...
  • 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 The status of bats on Curaçao
    The bat population of the island of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, was surveyed in 1992 and 1993. The 1993 survey concentrated mostly on caves, which...
  • 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 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...
  • 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-...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Deep and concordant subdivisions in the self-fertilizing mangrove killifishes (Kryptolebias) revealed by nuclear and mtDNA markers
    We use extensive geographical sampling and surveys of nuclear microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA loci to investigate the phylogeographic structure...
  • Scientific article Thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the critically endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) revealed by double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing: opportunities for previously elusive conservation genetics research
    THOUSANDS OF SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN THE CRITICALLY EN- DANGERED KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII) REVEALED BY DOU- BLE-...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Plastic Waste in the Aquatic Environment: Impacts and Management
    The majority of consumer products used today is composed of some form of plastic. Worldwide, almost 280 million tons of plastic materials are...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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 Effects of Future Sea Level Rise on Coastal Habitat
    Sea level rise (SLR) and disturbances from increased storm activity are expected to diminish coastal ecosystems available to nesting species by...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The cetaceans of Aruba, southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Aruba is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean. However, very little is known about its cetaceans. In 2010 and 2011, a...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the southern Caribbean: A compilation and review of records for the Dutch Leeward islands and the central Venezuelan coast
    The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee and is found from Mexico and the Bahamas south to...
  • 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...
  • Research report Radar Surveys for Audubon’s Shearwater on Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri), known locally as Wedrego on Saba and St. Eustatius, is a medium-sized seabird species that feeds at sea...
  • Research report Proceedings of the Technical Workshop on Mitigating Sea Turtle Bycatch in Coastal Net Fisheries
    Abstract: Sea turtles are adversely affected by a range of factors, some natural and others caused by human activities, such as fishing operations....
  • Media Unraveling the Mysteries of the Saba Bank: DCNA Tiger Shark Expedition 2021
    July 31st – August 7th, 2021 – For the first time on the Saba Bank, an expedition team was able to successfully assess the shark diversity by...
  • Media 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 Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract: The Important Bird Area (IBA) programme is an initiative of BirdLife International aimed at identifying, monitoring and protecting a...
  • Research report The potential Outstanding Universal Value and natural heritage values of Bonaire National Marine Park: an ecological perspective
    The Southern Caribbean forms a separate biogeographic province for marine mollusks and marine fish faunas. The terrestrial desert and xeric...
  • Research report Avifaunal and Botanical Survey of The Jan Thiel Lagoon Conservation Area, Curaçao
    The Jan Thiel lagoon can be considered the most important wetland of Curaçao based on its combined value as a feeding habitat for terns. As is likely...
  • Media Invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea discovered on Saba
    Park ranger Jelle van der Velde has identified the presence of Halophila stipulaceaat the Queen B. II mooring east of Fort Bay. The discovery, made...
  • Media Two new birds recorded on Bonaire in 2020
    In 1983, when the second edition of ‘Birds of The Netherlands Antilles’ by Dr. K.H. Voous was published, the number of birds recorded on Bonaire...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media The struggle is real for the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius
    Two years ago we shared the worrying news that the Bridled Quail-dove population had suffered a significant decline on St. Eustatius (Statia)...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Portal Dutch Caribbean Species Register
    Catalog of Dutch Caribbean Species contains information on: habitat; names; presence and; collection specimens The registeris searchable by: Photo...
  • Scientific article Prioritising Invasive Species Control Actions: Evaluating Effectiveness, Costs, Willingness to Pay and Social Acceptance
    Island ecosystems are recognised as high priority for biodiversity conservation, with invasive species a significant threat. To investigate...
  • 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 Evolution and phylogeny of glass-sponge-associated zoantharians, with a description of two new genera and three new species
    Hexactinellid sponges are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems because they provide available hard substrate habitats for filter-feeding...
  • Other resources The effect of social status and species on habitat preference of grunts, Haemulidae, on the fringing coral reef surrounding Bonaire
    Many fish prefer to live in certain habitats based on protection, shade cover, rugosity, and foraging return. Haemulidae, also known as grunts, are a...
  • Other resources The 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources ANTS OF CURAÇAO, species list
    This list is the result of the identification of samples collected between 1930 and 1970 (94%) by H.J. MacGillavry, P. Wagenaar Hummelinck, R.H....
  • Scientific article The Arachnids (Arachnida) of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao
    Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (ABC Islands) are located at the southern margin of the Caribbean Plate, just north of South America. Little is known of...
  • Scientific article An annotated checklist of the Branchiopoda (Crustacea) of the Dutch Caribbean islands
    The launch of the Dutch Caribbean Species Register by Naturalis Biodiversity Center (2017)—https://www.dutchcaribbeanspecies.org/—raised the question...
  • Media CITES Communication Materials BES
    Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) CITES is an international agreement between governments (...
  • Scientific article Hurricane-induced population decrease in a Critically Endangered long-lived reptile
    ABSTRACT Catastrophic events, like hurricanes, bring lethal conditions that can have population-altering effects. The threatened Caribbean dry forest...
  • Scientific article Evolution and phylogeny of glass-sponge-associated zoantharians, with a description of two new genera and three new species
    Hexactinellid sponges are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems because they provide available hard substrate habitats for filter-feeding...
  • Media Study reveals large number of new bird species for the island of Saba
    The birds of Saba were studied for two years to clarify the composition of the island’s avifauna, with the addition of observationsmade by reliable...
  • 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 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 Vegetation changes on the island of Saba, effects of huricanes, people and non-native species
    Powerpoint presentation with findings of a 4 week vegetation fieldvisit on Saba: what is vegetation (research)? historic findings (1956 and...
  • Other resources eDNA as a tool to monitor invasive species (Preliminary Results)
    eDNA as a tool to monitor invasive species, Priliminary results presented at Association of Marine Laboratories Scientific Meeting,   Merida, Mexico...
  • Scientific article Marine gastropods from the ABC islands and other localities 14. The family Terebridae with the description of a new species from Aruba (Gastropoda: Terebridae)
    The species of the family Terebridae occurring at the Dutch Leeward Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), and other parts of the tropical western...
  • Scientific article Three new species for Aruba, with notes on other significant sightings
    A visit to Aruba during April 2013 yielded three species previously unrecorded there: Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), Swainson’s Flycatcher (...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article New Species of Jaspidiconus (Conidae: Conilithinae) from the Carolinian and Caribbean Molluscan Provinces
    Seven new species of the western Atlantic endemic genus Jaspidiconus Petuch, 2004 are described from the Carolinian and Caribbean Molluscan Provinces...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report Preliminary Checklist of Extant and Fossil Endemic Taxa of the ABC-Islands, Leeward Antilles
    The literature on the endemic flora and fauna of the Dutch Lesser Antilles is scattered and often difficult to find. An initial compilation amounts...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Species Register
    On December 5, 2017, the launch of the Dutch Caribbean Species Register took place: www. dutchcaribbeanspecies.org. This website is intended to...
  • Scientific article 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 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...
  • Scientific article A New Species of Jaspidiconus (Gastropoda: Conidae) from Aruba
    ABSTRACT A new species of small cone shell, in the conilithine genus Jaspidiconus, has been discovered from off the Malmok area of Aruba. The new...
  • Portal World Register for Marine Species (WoRMS)
    The aim of a World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including...
  • 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 Sabal antillensis (Arecaceae): a new palmetto species from the Leeward Antilles
     A new species of palmetto, Sabal antillensis , native to Curaçao and Bonaire, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by a...
  • 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 (...
  • Other resources Ants of Aruba, species list
    This list is the result of the identification of samples collected between 1930 and 1970 by H.J. MacGillavry, P. Wagenaar Hummelinck, R.H. Cobben (...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean: a comparison between EEZ sectors, contrasts and concerns
    We here provide a synoptic overview and preliminary update of the marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean EEZ based on 279 cetacean sighting and...
  • Scientific article Révision et mise à jour taxonomique de la liste et de la distribution des orchidées des Petites Antilles [An updated catalogue of Lesser Antilles Orchids and of their distribution]
    Since the publication of a checklist of Lesser Antilles’ orchids not far of twenty years ago, the orchid family has been the subject of many studies...
  • Scientific article Stable and sporadic symbiotic communities of coral and algal holobionts
    Coral and algal holobionts are assemblages of macroorganisms and microorganisms, including viruses, Bacteria, Archaea, protists and fungi. Despite a...
  • Other resources The 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 What constitutes essential nursery habitat for a marine species? A case study of habitat form and function for queen conch
    ABSTRACT: There is increasing recognition that habitats should be managed as part of fisheries management. It is generally assumed that amount of...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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,...
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of Sint Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract: A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) based on field data from 1999 has been available as an update of Stoffers...
  • 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 Restoration of Key Biodiversity Areas of St. Maarten
    In July 2017, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation initiated a project to restore coastal and terrestrial biodiversity by...
  • Scientific article Systematics and phylogeography of Cerion sensu stricto (Pulmonata: Cerionidae) from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire
    The systematic relationships of the Cerion uva complex and its constituent taxa are reviewed based on partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase I...
  • Portal Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean: online information system
    Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean: online information system.  A free iPhone/iPad/iPod touch application, provides tools to identify and record...
  • Other resources Roadmap towards effective fisheries management of the Caribbean Netherlands
    For the special municipalities of the Netherlands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is...
  • Research report Baseline surveys of Lac Bay benthic and fish communities, Bonaire
    Findings: The main conclusion of this study is that the shallow, warm and saline back-water habitat which is continuing to increase in importance...
  • Other resources Restoring the dry ecosystem of Bonaire
    The dry forest ecosystem of Bonaire has been decimated over the last 500 years by human intervention. Uncontrolled deforestation by early European...
  • Media International Meeting on Protection of Sharks
    From November 20-24th, 2017 a group of international shark experts gathered at Captain Don’s Habitat on Bonaire to discuss measures for the...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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,...
  • 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 Outcompeted by an invader? Interference and exploitative competition between tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) and Barbados leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus pulcher) for diurnal refuges in anthropogenic coastal habitats.
    House geckos in the genus Hemidactylus are highly successful colonizers of regions beyond their native range, with colonization often resulting in...
  • 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...
  • 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 Results of Nature Foundation Marine Mammal Monitoring Project Jan-May 2011
    The St. Maarten Nature Foundation conducted a Marine Mammal Census project which lasted from February until May 2011. The goal of this project was to...
  • 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 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...
  • Media Global Defaunation and Plant Invasion: cascading effects on seagrass ecosystem services
    Ecosystems have been providing our society with useful services to sustain us in our livelihood, survival and health for as long as we exist....
  • Scientific article Some rarely reported deep-water macroalgal species from Bonaire, Caribbean Sea, including Verdigellas discoidea sp. nov. (Palmophyllaceae, Chlorophyta) based on submersible collections
    Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing...
  • Other resources Application Form for Site of Importance for Bat Conservation (SICOM)
    The Island of Bonaire possess a system of more than 150 natural caves, but only five of them are known to be used as diurnal and maternity roosts by...
  • Media Invasive species in the Dutch Caribbean: foreign foes or alien allies?
    The aim of Utrecht University’s recently started NWO- funded research project “Invasive species in the Dutch Caribbean: foreign foes or alien allies...
  • Scientific article Envenomation by the invasive Pterois volitans species (lionfish) in the French West Indies – a two-year prospective study in Martinique
    Abstract Context: The invasion of the lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the French West Indies represents one of the most important marine invasions by...
  • Scientific article Bat Ectoparasites from Sint Eustatius, Lesser Antilles (Diptera: Hippoboscidae: Streblinae; Hemiptera: Polyctenidae)
    In this paper 4 species of bat ectoparasites are recorded from the island of Sint Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean. One species of true bug (Hemiptera:...
  • Scientific article A critical checklist of the non-marine molluscs of St. Martin, with notes on the terrestrial malacofauna of Anguilla and Saint-Barthélemy, and the description of a new subspecies
    Summary - The non-marine malacofauna of St. Martin is critically revised. Forty-seven terrestrial taxa and 7 freshwater taxa are accepted as being...
  • Other resources Identification key of the ant species of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
    It is intended that this key will be updated regularly. version 1.0, 23 X 2020 Check for the latest update https://www.nlmieren.nl The ants mentioned...
  • 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...
  • Monitoring protocol A manual for the landbird monitoring program of STINAPA Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    About 210 resident and migratory bird species are found on the island of Bonaire. More than half of these species are landbirds. Some of the...
  • Scientific article The Aruba Island rattlesnake Crotalus unicolor Species Survival Plan: a case history in ex situ and in situ conservation
    Established in 1982, the Aruba Island rattlesnake Crotalus unicolor Species Survival Plan (SSP) is the longest continual functioning snake...
  • Scientific article Boas of the World (Superfamily Booidae): A Checklist With Systematic, Taxonomic, and Conservation Assessments
    The booid snakes (superfamily Booidae) are a near–circumglobally distributed group of macrostoman alethinophidian squamates, and several lineages are...
  • Scientific article Cerion uva gouldi, a new fossil subspecies from Aruba (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Cerionidae)
    Cerion uva gouldi is described as a new subspecies to include only fossil and subfossil Cerion uva from Aruba. The name Cerion uva arubanum Baker,...
  • Media Three New Species of Birds Identified on Bonaire
    2019 proved to be an exciting year for birders on Bonaire, as three new species have been identified. The Brown-chested martin, Whitecollared swift...
  • Media Naturalis Expedition to St. Eustatius: discovering a new species of land snail
    Since 2010 the tiny island of Sint Eustatius, or Statia, as it is known locally, has been a special municipality of the Netherlands. And despite...
  • 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...
  • Book The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of St. Martin
    This field guide is not a comprehensive guide to the wildlife of St. Martin. The species included are restricted primarily to those which the author ...
  • Other resources Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) as a potential bioindicator species of sedimentation stress in coral reef environments of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The effect of land-based pollution on Bonaire’s coral reef ecosystem has not been well-quantified. Observations of the coral reefs of Bonaire show a...
  • Media Invasive Alien Species strategy
    News article on: Smith, S.R., W.J. van der Burg, A.O. Debrot, G. van Buurt, J.A. de Freitas (2014) Key elements towards a Joint Invasive Alien...
  • Media Island biogeography meets the Anthropocene - The first expedition.
    Many modern human activities result in environmental problems such as pollution, overfishing and deforestation, which have a considerable impact on...
  • Research report Living Blue Planet Report: Species, habitats and human well-being
    Living Planet Report WWF’s Living Planet Report, released every two years, is a leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the...
  • Other resources Species Action Plan Nassau Grouper
    Action Plan for Nassau Grouper consists of: Threats: overfishing, invasive species, climate change Management goals Recommendations: management,...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The beetles of Barbados, West Indies (Insecta: Coleoptera): diversity, distribution and faunal structure
    Abstract: The beetle fauna of the island of Barbados is summarized. It is now known to contain 202 genera, and 254 species (in 40 families), of which...
  • 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 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...
  • Raw data Raw data of seagrass observations
    Raw data of seagras monitoring on Lac, Bonaire.  At 49 locations 6 square meter quadrants are investigated. The coverage per seagrass species is...
  • Scientific article Some rarely reported deep-water macroalgal species from Bonaire, Caribbean Sea, including Verdigellas discoidea sp. nov. (Palmophyllaceae, Chlorophyta) based on submersible collections
    Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing...
  • Other resources 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 New Species of Pleurotomariidae, Volutidae, and Conidae from the Caribbean Sea and Namibia, Southwestern Africa
    In preparation for a forthcoming monographic work on marine molluscan biogeography at the worldwide level, five new biogeographical index species are...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The Diet and Reproductive Schedules of Leptonycteris curasoae curasoae and Glossophaga longirostris elongata (Chiroptera: Glossophaginae) on Curaçao
    Two bat species, Leptonyrteris curasoae and Glossophaga longirostris, are the principal pollinators of at least two of the three species of columnar...
  • 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...
  • Media Aruba Birdlife Conservation releases new bird checklist: number of bird species for Aruba has increased
    News article on: Aruba Birdlife Conservation, Checklist version 2, ABC Birds of Aruba September 5, 2016-254 species   This news article was published...
  • Other resources Species Action Plan Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Lora)
    Action Plan for Yellow-shouldered Amazon consists of: Threats: habitat loss. poaching, climate changes Management goals Recommendations: management,...
  • Scientific article Geographic Patterns In Pollen Production In The Plant Ring Species Euphorbia tithymaloides In The Caribbean
    Abstract—We examine investment in male function in the context of geography and floral morphology in the plant ring species Euphorbia tithymaloides,...
  • 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...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2005
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report Sustainability of Wild Plant Extraction on the Dutch Caribbean Island Sint Eustatius
      An often overlooked mechanism driving local extinction or scarcity of species is the selective  plant extraction by humans. Not much...
  • 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...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2007
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Media 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...
  • Scientific article The butterflies of St.Eustatius with faunal comparisons among the adjacent islands of the Lesser Antilles
    Based on four years of butterfly monitoring in four contrasting natural habitats on St. Eustatius, we document large and consistent differences in...
  • Other resources Population size and feeding ecology of the Lesser Antillean Iguana
    Student report Abstract A reptile species that suffers from anthropogenic changes is Iguana delicatissima. This species was common on all Lesser...
  • Other resources ANTS OF SABA, species list
    This list is based on specimen collected by Peter Boer on Saba, March 2018*, supplemented with historical, unpublished data and two data from...
  • 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...
  • 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.,...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2006
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Media Alarming Decline of Bridled Quail-Dove populations on Statia
    The Bridled Quail-dove is a regionally endemic species that, on Statia, is only found in upper elevations of the Quill (above ~150m) and inside the...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report The Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius: 2012 status update and review of limiting factors
    Abstract: The endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima, is an emblematic species for the island of St. Eustatius and in Caribbean...
  • 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...
  • Research report Shark protection plan for the Dutch Caribbean EEZ
    Summary: Shark populations have steeply declined worldwide due to unsustainable overexploitation and in this the Caribbean region is no exception....
  • 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 New species, taxonomist’s delight and faunist’s plight. On the variation range in Loxosomella vivipara Nielsen, 1966 (Entoprocta: Loxosomatidae)
    The Entoprocta Nitsche, 1870, or Kamptozoa Cori, 1929, are a small animal class with only two orders, Solitaria Emschermann, 1972, and Coloniales...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Research report Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment
    Summary: We review the conservation status of, and threats to, all 346 species of seabirds, based on BirdLife International’s data and assessments...
  • 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-...
  • Scientific article Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire
    Curaçao and Bonaire form part of the Netherlands Antilles, while Aruba has a “status aparte” within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All three islands...
  • Other resources Butterflies and Moths of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire
    This book is intended as a popular picture guide to butterflies and moths of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire. It is not designed as a field guide for...
  • 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 Territorial and reproductive behavior of the three Caribbean Razorfishes of the Genus Xyrichtys (Labridae) at Bonaire
    We conducted field studies of the three known species of Caribbean razorfishes of the genus Xyrichtys at four study sites in Bonaire during 1984,...
  • Scientific article Taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the Dutch Leeward Islands, with a key to the adults and fourth instar larvae
    Abstract Assessing mosquito biodiversity is important for disease surveillance and ecosystem health assessments. Such studies are particularly needed...
  • Scientific article Geographical structure and cryptic lineages within common green iguanas, Iguana iguana
    Aim Our aim was to investigate genetic structure in Neotropical populations of common green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and to compare that structure...
  • Research report Distinct Microbiomes in three Tropical seagrasses around the island of Curaçao: Halophila stipulacea, Halodule wrightii and Thalassia testudinum
    Seagrasses represent the unique re-colonization of the marine ecosystem by angiosperms. As their terrestrial relatives, seagrasses are important...
  • Scientific article Surveying bats for conservation: the status of cave-dwelling bats on Curaçao from 1993 to 2003
    In view of their ecological importance and the abundance of threats on a developing Caribbean island, we surveyed the bats of Curaçao, Netherlands...
  • 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 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 An Assessment of Nesting Seabirds within San Nicolas Bay, Aruba, 2009
    Executive Summary: The eleventh field season of the Aruba Tern Project was completed in 2009. The study continued its stated aim of producing a...
  • Media Crowned Slaty Flycatcher: another new bird for Bonaire and for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
    In BioNews 11 (2017) an article was dedicated to the eight bird species that in 2016 and 2017 were added to the Bonaire-bird list. One of these, Pied...
  • 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 Exciting Rare Sighting in the Dutch Caribbean: the Antillean manatee
    Exciting Rare Sighting in the Dutch Caribbean: theAntillean manatee Last month STINAPA’s ranger Luigi Eybrecht was diving near Playa in Bonaire when...
  • Research report St. Eustatius National Marine Park Management Plan 2007
    Abstract: The St. Eustatius Marine Park was created in 1996 and extends around the entire island from the high water line to 30m depth contour. St....
  • Media Urgent Conservation Action Needed to Save the Lesser Antillean Iguana
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana is an endangered endemic reptile found in the Lesser Antilles whose population is rapidly decreasing. Although once also...
  • Other resources Tunicates of St. Eustatius
    Tunicates belong to the subphylum Tunicata in the phylum Chordata, which includes all animals with dorsal nerve cords and notocords. Some tunicates...
  • Research report A Proposal Towards a Dutch Caribbean Marine Mammal Sanctuary
    Abstract: Based on the goals set forth in the Dutch Biodiversity Policy Programme, The Netherlands has a traditionally strong commitment to protect...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2010
    The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island’s sea turtle...
  • Media Parental Behavior Linked to Declining Nest Success
    New Red-billed Tropicbird data suggested declining nest survival rates may be more related to parental behavior than previously thought. A researcher...
  • Media Biosecurity concern for humanitarian aid highlighted by Caribbean organizations
    Although the La Soufrière volcano on St. Vincent saw its latest explosive eruption over a week ago, and the threat level has decreased to Orange,...
  • Media Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance
    Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance Imagine a vast expanse of rectangular saline ponds...
  • Research report Using the perception of fishermen, residents and tourists to support sustainable fishing practices on the Saba Bank
    Summary   Saba is a tropical island in the Dutch Caribbean that is known for its unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity both above and below the...
  • Media New Insight for Protecting the Future of Queen Conch
    A new survey technique provides insight into Queen Conch populations off the islands of Anguilla, St. Eustatius and within the Saba Bank. This...
  • Media Research Expedition for Lesser Antillean Sperm Whales
    The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) are proud to support Caribbean Cetacean Society’s (CCS...
  • Scientific article Preliminary checklist of the bees of St. Eustatius, Lesser Antilles (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila)
    A preliminary checklist of bees is presented (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) compiled for St. Eustatius, an island located in the Lesser Antilles...
  • 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 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...
  • Other resources PhD Research Proposals
    Proposal 1: Study #1: Evolution of Anolis in response to xeric-mesic gradients Questions: (I) Are xeric and mesic populations of A. gingivinus and A...
  • Scientific article A Stage-Based Population Model for Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Implications for Conservation
    Management of many species is currently based on an inadequate under- standing of their population dynamics. Lack of age-specific demographic...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Three new records of cetacean species for Aruba, Leeward Antilles, southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Very little information exists about the cetaceans of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire (ABC Islands), in the southern Caribbean. During the first...
  • 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-...
  • Research report Species Management Plan: Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot, Amazona barbadensis, Dutch Caribbean
    MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Threat mitigation Boost population growth rate and address nest site limitation Reduce poaching Habitat protection Grow...
  • 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...
  • Media Saba: Goat Buy Back Project
    The 2013-2017 Nature Policy for the Caribbean Netherlands flagged the threat of invasive species as a high priority, with recent inventories...
  • Scientific article A Review of the Freshwater Fishes of Curacao, with Comments on those of Aruba and Bonaire
    Based on a field survey and review of published records, I report the occurrence of 13 species of fishes in fresh waters of Curacao. Seven species...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Trends in element incorporation in hyaline and porcelaneous foraminifera as a function of pCO2
    Abstract In this study we analyzed the impact of seawater carbonate chemistry on the incorporation of elements in both hyaline and porcelaneous...
  • Scientific article First record on fecundity of an Iguana hybrid and its implications for conservation: evidence for genetic swamping of Iguana delicatissima populations by non-native iguanas
       The Lesser Antillean iguana, Iguana delicatissima Laurenti, 1768, is a large herbivorous iguana historically ranging from Anguilla to Martinique (...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Species Action Plan Mountain mahogany
    Action Plan for Mountain mahogany consists of: Threats: storms (hurricanes), climate change, volcanic activity Management goals Recommendations:...
  • Scientific article A Review of the Freshwater Fishes of Curaçao, with Comments on those of Aruba and Bonaire
    Abstract: Based on a field survey and review of published records, I report the occurrence of 13 species of fishes in fresh waters of Curaçao. Seven...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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  
  • 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 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...
  • Other resources Impact of Terrestrial Invasive Grazing on Bonaire: case study
    Long periods of isolation and small island size make island ecosystems highly vulnerable to degradation and invasive species are one of the most...
  • Scientific article Field observations on some Curaçao landsnails, and new records for its fauna.
    Currently 31 species of terrestrial snails are known from Curaçao, 28 of these are indigenous. The taxonomy of Curaçao land snails has been studied...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media SPAW: new protected areas, new species!
    In December 2014, the 8th SPAW (Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) Protocol Conference of Parties (COP8) in Cartagena, Colombia, recognized...
  • Other resources Field guide to the marine life of St. Eustatius
    This guide is intended to give an overview of the diversity of the marine life of St. Eustatus. But to show and describe all the species living in...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Species action plan, long-nosed bat
    This action plan for the long-nosed bat describes: population status globally declining distribution: Occurs in northeast Colombia, north...
  • Other resources Species Action Common Lignum Vitae
    Action Plan for Lignum Vitae consists of: Threats: overgrazing, residential/ commercial development, historical wood harvesting Management goals...
  • Scientific article A Historical Perspective of the Biology and Conservation of the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
    The history of the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) has presented scientists and conservationists with a variety...
  • Other resources Species Action Plan Caribbean Spiny Lobster
    Action Plan for Caribbean Spiny Lobster consists of: Threats: overfishing, disease, climate change Management goals Recommendations: management,...
  • Scientific article An integrative approach to assess non-native iguana presence on Saba and Montserrat: are we losing all native Iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles?
    Abstract Invasive alien species are among the main drivers of the ongoing sixth mass extinction wave, especially affecting island populations....
  • Scientific article An updated checklist of the lichens of St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
    In the course of a multi-taxon biodiversity inventory for the island of St. Eustatius, lichens were collected from 11 plots representing different...
  • Portal Dutch Caribbean species distribution
    The distribution is presented in 1 km-grids, based on vegetation relevés and digitized data from herbarium specimen, photos, literature and...
  • Other resources Occurrence of deep water Cyanobacterial Mats surrounding Bonaire
    Student Report  The abundance of CyanoBacterial Mats (CBMs) at a depth of 50-90m was mapped along the west coast of Bonaire. Simultaneously local...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The Superior Colonizing Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia on Curaçao: Conservation Implications for the Native Gecko Phyllodactylus martini
    ABSTRACT We used nightly surveys to monitor the status of building-dwelling gecko species on the southern Caribbean island, Curac ̧ ao. Two gecko...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media Saba Iguanas Receive Attention
    The Caribbean Netherlands island of Saba is home to a unique but relatively unknown iguana population. Given the many threats faced by islands...
  • Scientific article First records of the mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris Duméril and Bibron, 1836), common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus in Duméril, 1836), and Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko Linnaeus, 1758) on Curaçao, Dutch Antilles
    and remarks on their Caribbean distributions Abstract Globally, geckos (Gekkonidae) are one of the most successful reptile families for exotic...
  • Book Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao
    A site and field guide. Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao is the essential guide for anyone traveling to those islands. It showcases the more than...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Ranking Herbivory in Coral Reef Fish
    Herbivory grazing patterns by parrotfish, family Scaridae, and surgeonfish, family Acanthuridae, were investigated on the leeward side of Bonaire,...
  • Other resources Application Form for Area of Importance for Bat Conservation (AICOM) Washington - Slagbaai
    The Island of Bonaire has a system of natural caves that probably exceeds 150 in number. Those caves house at least five species of bats:...
  • 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 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Other resources The Phenomenology of Shark Diving Tourism Experiences
    Student Report Tourism is continuously changing and growing on a larger scale, creating the need for different and unique types of tourism products....
  • Media 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 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...
  • Research report Seagrasses and coastal protection: The role of Halophila stipulacea in sediment stability at the coast of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract Seagrasses are increasingly being recognized for their potential in protecting the coastlines from flooding and erosion. As ecosystem...
  • Scientific article Introduction to the Special Issue on the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
    The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is an iconic Gulf of Mexico species and an enduring symbol of restoration and recovery. Its...
  • Scientific article Endolymphatic Sac Use and Reproductive Activity in the Lesser Antilles Endemic Gecko Gonatodes antillensis (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae)
    Geckos are among the most diverse radiations of lizards; however, the lack of baseline natural history data on the reproductive biology for many...
  • 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 catastrophic impact of invasive mammalian predators on birds of the UK Overseas Territories: a review and synthesis
    Abstract: The UK has sovereignty over 16 Overseas Territories, which hold some of the world’s great seabird colonies and collectively support more...
  • Scientific article Vegetation associations and relative abundance of rodents on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Since the introduction of non-native rodents to the Caribbean region, these invaders have successfully occupied many, if not most, islands where they...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Mosquitoes in Belnem on the island of Bonaire: Sources and management implications
    Student Report  The people of Bonaire are affected by diseases that are transferred by mosquitoes. The problems are related to specifically the Aedes...
  • Research report 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...
  • Scientific article Bat Inventories at Caves and Mines on the Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and Proposed Conservation Actions
    Abstract Bats play key ecological roles on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (ABC islands), Caribbean Netherlands; however, most bat species...
  • Scientific article A Rapid Sustainability Assessment of Wild Plant Extraction on the Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius
    The Caribbean islands are considered a biodiversity hotspot, with high levels of endemism but also extreme levels of habitat loss. One factor causing...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - St. Maarten
    St Maarten’s IBAs—the country’s international site priorities for bird conservation—cover 815 ha (including marine areas), and about c.36% of the...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 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 (...
  • 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...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2012
    The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island‟s sea turtle...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2009
    The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island’s sea turtle...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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. (...
  • Media Bonaire’s Yearly Parrot Count
    Every year on Bonaire, dozens of dedicated volunteers wake up before dawn with one simple but important mission: count as many yellow-shouldered...
  • 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...
  • 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 A landscape ecological vegetation map of Saba (Lesser Antilles)
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 13 km2 Lesser Antillean steep volcanic island of Saba,...
  • 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...
  • 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 Marine molluscs from the island of St. Eustatius, Eastern Caribbean: results of the Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition 2015
    A baseline record of the marine fauna of St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands, was established during the Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition in...
  • Scientific article Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Nesting on the Texas Coast: Geographic, Temporal, and Demographic Trends Through 2014
    Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is the world’s most endangered sea turtle species, and nests primarily on the Gulf of Mexico coast in Mexico. In...
  • Scientific article First records of the mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris Duméril and Bibron, 1836), common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus in Duméril, 1836), and Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko Linnaeus, 1758) on Curaçao, Dutch Antilles, and remarks on their Caribbean di
    Globally, geckos (Gekkonidae) are one of the most successful reptile families for exotic species. With the exception of the widespread invader, ...
  • Scientific article Results of an entomological collecting trip to St. Eustatius (Coleoptera)
    In February and March 2020 the second author visited St. Eustatius to collect various insect groups. The beetles collected during this trip were...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Scientific article Range-wide population genetic structure of the Caribbean marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum
    Many marine species have widespread geographic ranges derived from their evolutionary and ecological history particularly their modes of dispersal....
  • Scientific article High Prevalence and Endemism of Trypanosomatids on a Small Caribbean Island
    We describe the monoxenous trypanosomatids parasitizing true bugs and flies on the island of Curaçao. Out of 248 examined true bugs belonging to 17...
  • Media New Butterfly Census for the Dutch Caribbean Windward Islands
    The results of a four-year study were just published, cataloging the butterfly species of St. Eustatius over the winter months of 2009- 2012. This...
  • Scientific article Drie nog niet vermelde landslakkensoorten van Saba en Sint Maarten, Nederlandse Antillen, verzameld in 1991
    Three not yet reported land snail species from Saba and St. Martin (Netherlands’ Antilles), collected in 1991 Summary. During a one-day visit to Saba...
  • 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...
  • 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 Extirpation of the Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) on St. Martin, West Indies
    Abstract: Recent surveys for the Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) on St. Martin reveal that the species is no longer a resident on the island...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea forms dense mats under eutrophic conditions in the Caribbean
    Seagrasses comprise 78 species and are rarely invasive. But the seagrass Halophila stipulacea, firstly recorded in the Caribbean in the year 2002,...
  • Scientific article Results of management actions for tern populations on Bonaire
    Event: BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference, Topes de Collantes, Cuba, 13-17 July, 2017 Abstract in scientific journal or proceedings Five...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Scientific article Bats of Saba, Netherlands Antilles: a zoogeographic perspective
    Data presented herein provide records of four species of bats new to the fauna of the Antillean island of Saba — Monophyllus plethodon, Ardops...
  • 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...
  • Research report Diversity of tryptophan halogenases in sponges of the genus Aplysina
    Marine sponges are a prolific source of novel enzymes with promising biotechnological potential. Especially halogenases, which are key enzymes in the...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Tracking the origin of the smearing behavior in long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris spp.)
    A unique and novel stereotypic ‘smearing’ behavior and the formation of an odoriferous dorsal patch have been recently described in two species of...
  • Other resources Comparison of fish assemblages of branching artificial reef habitat to adjacent habitats on the leeward coast of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The implementation of artificial reefs is one effort used to mitigate the rate of decline of coral reefs and the deterioration of fish communities....
  • Other resources 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...
  • Scientific article Predictability in evolution: Adaptation of the Bonaire anole (Anolis bonairensis) to an extreme environment.
    The extent to which evolution is deterministic (predictable), or random, is a fundamental question in evolution. This case study attempts to...
  • Scientific article Morphological and molecular taxonomy of calcareous sponges (Porifera: Calcarea) from Curaçao, Caribbean Sea
    Despite the acknowledged high diversity of sponges in the Caribbean Sea, calcareous sponges from this region have been poorly studied. In order to...
  • Scientific article Environmental DNA illuminates the dark diversity of sharks
    In the era of “Anthropocene defaunation,” large species are often no longer detected in habitats where they formerly occurred. However, it is unclear...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Sint Eustatius, Lesser Antilles
    In the present note, we revise the scorpion fauna of the small island of Sint Eustatius, in the Lesser Antilles. A total of two families, three...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 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 New Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Bonaire (Lesser Antilles) and morphometric comparison between Eastern Pacific and Caribbean populations of Fortuyniidae
    Two new intertidal oribatid mite species were found on the coast of Bonaire. Litoribates bonairensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its only...
  • Scientific article Severity of the Effects of Invasive Rats on Seabirds: A Global Review
    Abstract: Invasive rats are some of the largest contributors to seabird extinction and endangerment world- wide. We conducted a meta-analysis of...
  • Scientific article Range‐wide population genetic structure of the Caribbean marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum
    Many marine species have widespread geographic ranges derived from their evolu-tionary and ecological history particularly their modes of dispersal....
  • Scientific article Caribbean Bryozoa: Anasca and Ascophora Imperfecta of the inner bays of Curaçao and Bonaire
    The present paper deals with the Anasca and Ascophora Imperfecta of the inland bays of Curaçao and Bonaire. Collections were made by P. Wagenaar...
  • Other resources Invasive lionfish obesity in Bonaire
    Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.) have spread to and established sufficient numbers throughout the Caribbean. They are extreme generalists that...
  • Scientific article Growth patterns and demography of pioneer Caribbean seagrasses Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme
    The shoot demography and rhizome growth of Syringodium filiforme Kutz. and Halodule wrightii Aschers. were studied, based on plant dating techniques...
  • Raw data Raw data of terrestrial bird observation on Bonaire
    Raw monitoring data on terrestrial bird abundance observations. A long list of species is recorded accompanied by date/time and location. The species...
  • Scientific article Bats of Sint Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    The bat fauna of the Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius consists of five documented species—Monophyllus plethodon, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Artibeus...
  • Scientific article Impending Trade Suspensions of Caribbean Queen Conch under CITES: A Case Study on Fishery Impacts and Potential for Stock Recovery
    The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Authority issued injunctions in 2003 and 2004 to halt export trade of Caribbean...
  • Research report The influence of goats on soil hydrological properties on semi-arid Bonaire
    Invasive species are known to alter ecosystems all over the world. On the island of Bonaire, domestic goats (Capra hircus) were introduced in the...
  • Media Rodent Control Implemented to Help Save Tropicbirds on Statia
    Black rats (Rattus rattus) probably arrived on St. Eustatius along with the first Europeans. While a nuisance for the human population, their...
  • Scientific article Evolutionary trends in the seagrass Halophila (Thouars): Insights from molecular phylogeny
    Relationships among members of the seagrass genus Halophila (Hydrocharitaceae) were investigated using phylogenetic analysis of the internal...
  • 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...
  • Research report Aerial surveys of marine mammals and other fauna around Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, November 2013
    Summary: In November 2013 aerial surveys were conducted for the first time in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire to evaluate...
  • 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...
  • Research report Strategic Plan for Eliminating the Incidental Capture and Mortality of Leatherback Turtles in the Coastal Gillnet Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago
    Abstract: Accidental entanglement of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the gillnet fisheries of Trinidad is the most serious...
  • Other resources Report of the First meeting of the WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CITES/CFMC working group on shark conservation and management, Bridgetown, Barbados, 17-19 October 2017
    The First meeting of the WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CITES/CFMC working group on shark conservation and management was held in Barbados on 17-19 October 2017...
  • Other resources Recent Developments in CITES Concerning the International Trade in Queen Conch (Strombus gigas)
    Despite years of regional discussions and trade regulation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), most queen...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - St. Eustatius
    Statia’s two IBAs—the island’s international priority sites for bird conservation—cover 41% of the island’s land area. Both IBAs are formally...
  • Scientific article Hurricane-Driven Patterns of Clonality in an Ecosystem Engineer: The Caribbean Coral Montastraea annularis
    Abstract: K-selected species with low rates of sexual recruitment may utilise storage effects where low adult mortality allows a number of...
  • Scientific article A quantitative assessment of the vegetation types on the island of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Caribbean dry forests are among the most endangered tropical ecosystems on earth. Several studies exist on their floristic composition and their...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations
    Abstract: Conservation translocation is the deliberate movement of organisms from one site for release in  another. It must be intended to yield a...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 Genetic diversity and connectivity of populations on the Saba bank
    From 19-27 October 2013, IMARES (Wageningen UR) organized a research expedition to the Saba Bank, to investigate the ecological functioning of the...
  • Scientific article Climate change and temperature-linked hatchling mortality at a globally important sea turtle nesting site
    The study of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in vertebrates has attracted major scientific interest. Recently, concerns for species...
  • 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 Comparing the dietary niche overlap and ecomorphological differences between invasive Hemidactylus mabouia geckos and a native gecko competitor
    Abstract Hemidactylus mabouia is one of the most successful, widespread invasive reptile species and has become ubiquitous across tropical urban...
  • Scientific article Redescription of Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract: Here we establish a neotype for Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) from the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire. The species was originally...
  • Media New field guide on invasive seagrass flowers
    Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that can reproduce both sexually (through flowering and subsequent seed formation) and asexually (through...
  • Scientific article Trends in Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Relative Abundance, Distribution, and Size Composition in Nearshore Waters of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
    Long-term monitoring of in-water life history stages of the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is essential for...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Molluscs of St. Eustatius
    Molluscs are one of the largest phyla in the animal kingdom. They make up a large part of marine faunas worldwide (Appeltans et al. 2012), and have a...
  • Research report Extent and health of mangroves in Lac Bay Bonaire using satellite data
    Remote sensing is an important tool for monitoring the environment. In this report we investigate the use of satellite images from two different...
  • 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 Ecological and Physiological Aspects of Caribbean Shrublands
    Shrubland vegetation has not received as much scientific attention in the Carib- bean as forest vegetation has. However, shrublands constitute ~25%...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources The Yellow-Shouldered Amazon - Perspectives
    There are 330 parrot species worldwide, of which a third is threatened with extinction. The Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona Barbadensis) is a...
  • Media ROADMAP TOWARDS EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ON THE CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
    EXCERPT FROM: MAS PISKA PA BONEIRU: A SOCIAL MAPPING STUDY OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR OF BONAIRE, ST. EUSTATIUS AND SABA.   For the special...
  • Scientific article 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 A review of records of the Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata in the Caribbean Sea
    The Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata is a pelagic seabird with a dangerously small population size. Remaining breeding sites are threatened by...
  • Media Ecological Restoration Lac Bay and South Coast, Bonaire
    Lac Bay is the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Dutch Caribbean, offering visitors breathtaking views, white sandy beaches and shallow turquoise...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Arachnid Project
    Abstract: Globally, arachnids are considered to be one of the less documented classes of animals on our planet. Worldwide distribution comprises all...
  • 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 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...
  • Media Tree Adoption website to help heal Bonaire’s dry forests
    Echo is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis) on Bonaire, and the unique dry-...
  • Research report The Distribution and Dispersion of the Alsophis rufiventris on the Quill, Sint Eustatius
    The Lesser Antilles are home to four different colubrid snakes of the Alsophis genus. Alsophis used to be common around the Lesser Antilles, but has...
  • 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...
  • 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 Animal-borne video reveals atypical behaviour in provisioned green turtles: A global perspective of a widespread tourist activity
    Abstract Feeding wildlife as a tourist activity is a growing industry around the world. However,providing alternative food sources can affect...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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 Bonaire's Southern Wetlands Management Plan
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The southern wetlands of Bonaire represent a unique environment for the island. Consisting of a wide variety of habitat types...
  • 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 St. Eustatius: Bridled Quail-Dove Population Continues Declining
    In the December 2017 edition of BioNews, we provided an overview of the results of two population assessments of the Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon...
  • Portal SPAW-RAC MARINE MAMMAL MAPPING APPLICATION
    Project "Broad-scale marine spatial planning of mammal corridors & protected areas in Wider Caribbean & Southeast & Northeast Pacific" (...
  • Research report Update on the 2012-2020 trends in the St. Eustatius fisheries
    This report is an update of previously published reports presenting an overview of the trends in St. Eustatius fisheries based on the fisheries data...
  • Research report 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 (...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Cay Bay Post-Restoration Assessment
    The Cay Bay restoration site is located within the Seaside Nature Park (thus it has been referred to as “Seaside Nature Park” in previous reports ...
  • 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...
  • 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 (...
  • Research report Structure and financing of nature management costs in Caribbean Netherlands
    The Nature Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands identifies the need to “Evaluate the financial instruments available for nature conservation in the...
  • 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...
  • Portal Ocean Biogeographic Information System
    History: The concept of OBIS was first developed at a conference sponsored by the Census of Marine Life (CoML) in 1997. At the time, a comprehensive...
  • Media Recommendations for avoiding collisions with humpback whales in the Dutch Caribbean
    A new study from the Aeres University of Applied Sciences combined expert knowledge and an analysis of historical data concerning whale ship strikes...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Satellite tracking of sea turtles: Where have we been and where do we go next?
    The use of satellite tracking for the fundamental and applied study of marine turtles began in the 1980s but has undergone rapid growth in recent...
  • Scientific article Notes on the Flowers and Distribution of the Caribbean islands endemic Ipomoea sphenophylla (Convolvulaceae)
    Abstract: The original description of Ipomoea sphenophylla by Urban in 1908, based upon a fruiting specimen, did not include a description of the...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2011 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) is a non-governmental, non-profit, research and conservation organization that began in 1991. Our mission is...
  • Other resources Elasmobranchs in the Dutch Caribbean: current population status, fisheries and conservation
    In the Dutch Caribbean EEZ, at least 27 elasmobranch species have been documented. Of these, 9 are listed as “critically endangered” and 8 as “near...
  • Scientific article First Atlantic record of the green alga Parvocaulis exiguus from St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    The Polyphysaceae is a well-studied family of green algae occurring in tropical and warm-temperate regions around the world. One of its species, ...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Recent brachiopoda from the Snellius and Luymes Expeditions to the Surinam-Guyana Shelf, Bonaire-Curacao, and Saba Bank, Caribbean Sea, 1966 and 1969-1972
    Recent brachiopods collected by the Snellius and Luymes expeditions to the Surinam-Guyana shelf, Bonaire-Curacao region and Saba Bank area in 1966...
  • Scientific article Feral goat eradications on islands.
    Abstract: Introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction. Feral goats (Capra hircus) are particularly devastating to island ecosystems, causing...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Nutritional properties of the invasive lionfish: A delicious and nutritious approach for controlling the invasion
    Lionfish, Pterois volitans and P. miles, are native to the Indo-Pacific and have recently invaded the Western Atlantic Ocean. Strategies for control...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2010 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    In 2010, we completed our 8th year of systematic research on the sea turtles of Bonaire. In this report you will read about the methods and results...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 ...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Monitoring of terrestrial avifauna in six habitats on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands, 2009–2017
    The Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot due to its rich biodiversity and wholesale loss of primary vegetation. Yet, there is a paucity of studies on...
  • Media Some Experiences Keeping a Rare Wild Poeciliid
    In the June 2005 issue of Lundkvist wrote about the habitats of Poecilia vandepolli in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (“Orange Tail Mollies in Dutch...
  • 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...
  • Portal SeaLifeBase
    The long-term goal of this project is to create and maintain a FishBase-like information system for all aquatic living organisms (marine and...
  • Scientific article Marine Mammals of the Northeastern Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands: Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and the Saba Bank
    Abstract: At least 33 native species of marine mammals have been documented from the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). For many of these species, the...
  • Scientific article Sand temperatures for nesting sea turtles in the Caribbean: Implications for hatchling sex ratios in the face of climate change
    A 200-year time series of incubation temperatures and primary sex ratios for green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Other resources A Preliminary Survey for Spiders on St. Eustatius, West Indies
    Three photographic surveys were conducted during the period; 2010 to 2011, 2013 and 2014, and supplemented by physical sampling for a one-week period...
  • Other resources Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 4
    This is the last part of the Marine Scientific Assessment  The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs document. For part 1 click here, for part 2 here &...
  • Other resources A new lectotype for Passiflora laurifolia L.
    From the "Description des plantes d'Amérique" by Plumier, in 1693, to the "Species Plantarum" by Linnaeus in 1753, several dubious synonymies of...
  • 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 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 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...
  • Media BirdsCaribbean Landbird Monitoring Workshop
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) recently supported the attendance of representatives from...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media Protecting Saba’s Painted Black Iguanas
    New research describes a unique species of iguana for the islands of Saba and Monserrat. The painted black iguana, with its distinct black coloration...
  • Other resources Feral goats shape the Caribbean drylands
    Goats were introduced to the Caribbean islands almost five centuries ago resulting in direct and indirect changes in terrestrial and surrounding...
  • Research report Goat Culling on Saba
    Student Report After six months of ethnographic fieldwork on Saba, a small island in the Caribbean Netherlands, the student developed her thesis...
  • Scientific article A renewed call for conservation leadership 10 years further in the feral cat Trap-Neuter-Return debate and new opportunities for constructive dialogue
    Abstract It has been 10 years since a seminal paper in the journalConservation Biologycalled for stronger leadership from the conservation community...
  • 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 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 A survey of butterflies from Aruba and Bonaire and new records for Curacao
    We document 29 butterfly species for the island of Aruba and 32 for Bonaire. We also document five new records for Curaçao, increasing the total to...
  • Research report Tanker Anchoring Impact Study and Recommendations St Eustatius Marine Park
    Abstract: St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) is the only active environmental non-government organization on St. Eustatius, and was...
  • Media 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 Odonata of Curaçao, southern Caribbean, with an update to the fauna of the ABC islands
    A three-year field study (January 2011–December 2013) of the Odonata of Curaçao, supported by photos and exuvial collections, recorded a total of 21...
  • Other resources Macroalgae of Statia
    During the Statia Marine Expedition species-habitat relations of algal communities were explored to identify biodiversity patterns, to assess whether...
  • 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...
  • Media Caribbean island launches plan to remove invasive rats and goats
    The remote Caribbean island of Redonda, part of Antigua and Barbuda, is home to numerous species of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth....
  • Scientific article The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on St. Eustatius: genetically depauperate and threatened by ongoing hybridization.
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and hybridization with non-native Green...
  • Raw data Raw data of invertebrate monitoring at Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Raw Invertebrate monitoring data. During monitoring the species and the number of individuals of that species is counted at 66 different locations....
  • Scientific article First Occurrence of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the Caribbean Island of Curaçao
    Abstract The predatory ladybird species, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), is native to Asia and Australia but has established populations outside...
  • Scientific article Discovery of the Leeward Blindsnake, Antillotyphlops geotomus (Thomas, 1966), on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    The Leeward Blindsnake (Antillotyphlops geotomus) is a near threatened species according to the IUCN Red list (Powell et al., 2016), and was known...
  • Media Diurnal reptile is found to be active during full moon
    Generally, species are described as being diurnal or nocturnal active, depending on physiological limitations; diurnal species are not able to...
  • Scientific article A survey of medicinal plants of Curacao
    Autopsy records (1936-66) show esophageal cancer to be the most common tumor for both men and women among the locally-born negroid population of...
  • Scientific article First record of Fraser’s dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei for the Dutch Caribbean
    A dead dolphin found on Bonaire in August 2011 is identified as adult Fraser’s dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei, a new species for the Dutch Caribbean. A...
  • 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...
  • Other resources A comparison of cleaning stations operated by the cleaner shrimp Periclemenes pedersoni on host anemones Condylactis gigantea and Bartholomea annulata
    Cleaner shrimp are commonly found throughout Caribbean coral reefs and can effectively reduce parasite loads on reef fish resulting in increased...
  • Scientific article 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 Effects of feral goats (Cupru hircus) on island ecosystems
    Feral goats (Capra hircus) are implicated in habitat destruction, and alteration of species composition on sensitive insular ecosystems. In the...
  • Other resources The Teiid Lizards of Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean), and the Península de Paraguaná (Venezuela)
    Herein I discuss the larger teiid lizards of the genera Ameiva and Cnemidophorus on the Dutch L eeward Islands (Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire) and...
  • Scientific article Establishment of two nonnative parthenogenetic reptiles on Saba, Dutch Caribbean: Gymnophthalmus underwoodi and Indotyphlops braminus
    The native herpetofauna of the Lesser Antillean island of Saba (13 km2; 17.63°N, -63.24°W) includes one snake, Alsophis rufiventris, and four species...
  • Other resources Goat Excluder Project in the Quill National Park Year 2
    The presence of feral goats (Capra hircus) can have detrimental effects to island ecosystems where native plants have evolved in the absence of these...
  • Scientific article A historical review of records of the West Indian manatee and the American crocodile in the Dutch Antilles
    We discuss the significance of two manatee records for the Dutch Windward Islands (Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten) as well as six manatid and one...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Portal Fishbase
    FishBase is a global species database of fish species. FishBase provides comprehensive species data, including information on taxonomy, geographical...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Juvenile French Angelfish Exhibit Cleaning Activity in Bonaire
    Juvenile french angelfish, Pomacanthus paru, are known to be cleaner fish. Cleaning is an interesting mutualistic behavior between 2 individuals...
  • Scientific article Multiyear Sampling Reveals an Increased Population Density of an Endemic Lizard after the Establishment of an Invasive Snake on Aruba
    The island of Aruba is home to several endemic species, and has been colonized recently by the invasive boa, Boa constrictor. We present data for a...
  • Scientific article New bird records for the island of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, with notes on other significant sightings
    The avifauna of the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius has been little studied. We document 22 new bird species for the island and update the...
  • Other resources Spatial and size distribution of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) veligers in relation with ocean surface currents in Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Since the 1970s the demand for Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) meat increased due to the growth of tourism. This resulted in the collapse of the...
  • Scientific article Variability in size at maturity and reproductive season of queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in the Wider Caribbean Region
    Queen conch (Lobatus gigas), is an economically and culturally important marine gastropod. The species is subject to extensive exploitation...
  • Scientific article First record of a Caribbean green turtle (Chelonia mydas) grazing on invasive seagrass (Halophila stipulacea)
    From Bonaire, we here provide the first documented case of the green turtle feeding on the invasive seagrass, Halophila stipulacea, in the Caribbean...
  • Scientific article Invasive house (Rattus rattus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) threaten the viability of red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) in Abrolhos National Park, Brazil.
    Destruction of nests and predation by introduced species are among the main factors responsible for seabird declines.The red-billed tropicbird (...
  • Media Special Edition: State of Nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the Caribbean Netherlands islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Media Unlocking the Evolutionary Secrets of Local Amphibians and Lizards
    Two new research projects were set out to map the evolution and historical geographical migration of key amphibian and reptile species within the...
  • Scientific article Phenological trajectories of Caribbean very dry tropical forests diverge under different geologic formations
    Abstract Tropical dry forests experience pronounced seasonal changes in precipitation mani-  fested in varied plant phenologies. At landscape scales...
  • Scientific article Assessment of the Distribution of Seed Plants Endemic to the Lesser Antilles in Terms of Habitat, Elevation, and Conservation Status
    The Lesser Antilles is part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot and a priority for conservation of its flora is its endemic taxa. Using data from...
  • 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 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...
  • Other resources Ecosystem profile for the 15 European Overseas entities in the Caribbean region.
    The Caribbean Islands are composed of 30 nations and overseas entities: 12 independent nations, 3 U.S. territories (Puerto-Rico, US Virgin Islands,...
  • Scientific article 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 Preliminary Study to identify Filamentous Fungi in Sands of Three Beaches of the Caribbean
    The Caribbean has several white sand beaches visited by many tourists, especially during the summer. The beaches of Copacabana in Barbados Bridgetown...
  • Other resources Fish communities and fisheries of the Dutch Caribbean: status and trends
    Abstract in scientific journal or proceedings 1st Annual AcroporaNet Symposium, 2016-06-10 Since 2012 the fish and elasmobranch communities of the...
  • Research report Caribbean Pelagic Seabird Map Project September 2020 Status Report
    Even though there are very many scattered seabird sighting records for the pelagic waters of the wider Caribbean Sea, only few studies bring these...
  • Scientific article Presence of the Island Least Gecko, Sphaerodactylus sputator, confirmed for Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
    Accurate assessment of species ranges is important not only for conservation planning but also for our understanding of their ecology and evolution (...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Island–island and island–mainland movements of the Curaçaoan long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris curasoae
    Of the 3 species comprising the genus Leptonycteris Miller, L. curasoae has been the least studied with respect to its long-distance flights and...
  • 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 Diet preference of roaming goats (Capra hircus) on columnar cacti in Bonairian scrublands
    The introduction of goats to Bonaire in the 17th century, caused direct and indirect changes in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and has led to...
  • Media Two Dutch Caribbean Tagged Tiger Sharks Follow Similar Migration Patterns in the Caribbean
    Two years ago the DCNA organized the first of its kind shark tagging expedition to the Saba Bank and St Maarten as part of the Dutch Postcode Lottery...
  • Research report Habitat preference of Iguana delicatissima and the hybrid crossing with Iguana iguana
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is endemic to Sint Eustatius as well as other islands of the Lesser Antilles. Since 2010 I....
  • Other resources Which is more attractive to juvenile fish: availability of food or the complexity of habitat in the mangroves of Bonaire, NA?
    Habitat selection is critical to the development, growth and reproductive success for most marine animals. Organisms select habitat based on food...
  • 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....
  • Other resources Rapid response to the discovery of an invasive Green Iguana on St. Eustatius
    On February 16 2016, an invasive Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) was discovered in a residential area on the island of St Eustatius by STENAPA, the...
  • 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...
  • 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 DCNA Organizes Junior Ranger Exchange Week 2022
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Junior Rangers just wrapped up their annual exchange event. Youngsters from the islands got...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Other resources The Biology and Distribution of Iguana delicatissima on St. Eustatius
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is native to the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The species is in...
  • 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 Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Saba
    The Saba coastline IBA (AN006)—the island’s site priority for bird conservation—has been identified on the basis of nine key bird species (listed in...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Development of a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Stock Assessment Model
    We developed a Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) stock assessment model to evaluate the relative contributions of conservation efforts and other...
  • 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 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...
  • 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 Marine Macroalgal Diversity Assessment of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    Background: Located in the Dutch Windward Islands, Saba Bank is a flat-topped seamount (20–45 m deep in the shallower regions). The primary goals of...
  • Media Second whale and dolphin research program in the Caribbean
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below   The whale and dolphin research program  Ti Whale An Nou started March 25, 2022 and the objective is to study the...
  • Scientific article Find me if you can: Pre- and Post-hurricane Densities of the Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on St. Eustatius, and a review of the genus in the Caribbean
    Abstract We estimated population densities of the red-bellied racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius in 2011, 2018 and...
  • 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 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...
  • Research report The infauna habitat of invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea on the Dutch Caribbean island of St Eustatius.
    Student Report  Since the opening of the 160km long Suez canal on November 17, 1869, it was possible for large ships to navigate between the...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Bonaire
    Bonaire’s six IBAs—the island’s international site priorities for bird conservation—cover 23,830 ha (including their marine extensions). They embrace...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Scientific article Conservation status of Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea in the Netherlands Antilles and other parts of the Caribbean
    Abstract: In 2005 to 2006 we assessed the status of the Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea in the Netherlands Antilles, largely semi-arid islands in the...
  • 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 Field Evaluation of DNA Based Biodiversity Monitoring of Caribbean Mosquitoes
    Mosquito borne diseases pose a threat to human health worldwide. Disease risk is primarily determined by presence and abundance of vector species. A...
  • Research report The ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
    In 1937, 1949 and 1963 P. Wagenaar Hummelinck collected vertebrates with some co-operators. The ants of these expeditions were selected and stored (...
  • Other resources Project rapportage. Regeling Bijzondere Uitkering Natuur voor Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (2013 – 2019)
    The Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, virtually all nature organizations, private companies and most individuals on Bonaire recognize caves as important...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Exciting New Nature Conservation Projects for STENAPA in 2022
    From cutting edge 3D models to innovative management techniques, 2022 poses to be an exciting year for St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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...
  • Media Uncovering the mystery of tiger shark reproduction in the eastern Caribbean
    Much of the lives of the most iconic shark species – including the tiger shark – remains a secret, even to shark researchers. This is because these...
  • Research report St. Eustatius invasive alien Green Iguana : Case study of a Rapid Response Extermination Campaign (RREC)
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima is the largest extant native land vertebrate of St. Eustatius and was recently lost (~1990s) from...
  • Research report Predation threats to the Red- billed Tropicbird breeding colony of Saba: focus on cats
    Summary: Feral domestic cats (Felis catus) are recognized as one of the most devastating alien predator species in the world and are a major threat...
  • 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...
  • Portal observado
    About us Volunteers, researchers and scientists do a lot of field observations. Including these data into a global digital system creates a powerful...
  • 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...
  • Book Saba Bank Research 2011-2016
    This book will let you dive into the underwater worl of the Saba Bank and gives you an introduction to its amazing biodiversity. At the same time you...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Key Insights for Mangrove Restoration Discovered on Bonaire
    Dutch below   Since 2016 the Mangrove Maniacs of Bonaire have dedicated themselves to the restoration and conservation of mangroves on the island....
  • 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 Health is Wealth: A One Health Approach to control vector-born diseases and promote sustainability
    At the Sustainability Conference held on St. Eustatius in December 2017, the panel “Health is Wealth” explored the interrelationship between the...
  • 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 Priorities in management implementation for marine mammal conservation in the Saba sector of the Yarari sanctuary
    The Yarari Marine Mammal Sanctuary (hereafter simply referred to as the Yarari Sanctuary, or Yarari) was formally established on September 2, 2015....
  • Research report Saliña Goto and reduced flamingo abundance since 2010 Ecological and ecotoxicological research
    In 2010 a petrochemical fire took place at the BOPEC oil terminals on Bonaire. These facilities are located on the shores of the Goto lake, a legally...
  • Research report Saliña Goto and reduced flamingo abundance since 2010 - Ecological and ecotoxicological research
    Abstract: In 2010 a petrochemical fire took place at the BOPEC oil terminals on Bonaire. These facilities are located on the shores of the Goto lake...
  • 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...
  • Book Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire
    While translating the Dutch version of "de Amfibieen en Reptielen van Aruba, Curaçao en Bonaire" into English, I was forced to go through the entire...
  • 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...
  • Other resources St Maarten: Adopt a Shark Program
    The St Maarten Nature Foundation launched the “Adopt a Shark” program during St Maarten Shark Week in June 2018, but due to the continued demand of...
  • Research report Monitoring the Saba Bank Fishery
    Findings The main conclusion from this study is that no new fishing permits should be issued until a long-term fishery monitoring program is in place...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 New study aids in sea urchin restoration efforts
    Nederlands below: Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem and their restoration is essential to assist...
  • Research report Mountain biking on Aruba's wild coast
    The island of Aruba predominantly has a ‘sun, sea and sand’ tourism destination image. The Arub Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) aims to diversify the...
  • 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...
  • 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,...
  • 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 Parrots, goats and sun: population dynamics of the yellow-shouldered amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis) in Bonaire island, Dutch Antilles.
    Abstract: With the new status of special municipality Bonaire’s development aims have focused toward more efficient  sustainable policies. With...
  • Other resources Goat problems in the national parks of the Netherlands Antilles
  • Scientific article Continued expansion of the trans-Atlantic invasive marine angiosperm Halophila stipulacea in the Eastern Caribbean
    Abstract: Halophila stipulacea (Hydrocharitaceae) is reported for the first time from Aruba, Curaçao, Grenadines (Grenada), St. Eustatius, St. John (...
  • Scientific article Survey of Columnar Cacti and Carrying Capacity for Nectar-Feeding Bats on Curaçao
    We estimated the population sizes of the three species of columnar cacti that grow on the island of Curaçao using ground and aerial transects, and we...
  • Scientific article Pseudoscorpion diversity and distribution in the West Indies: sequence data confirm single island endemism for some clades, but not others
    The Caribbean Islands are a biodiversity hotspot harboring high levels of endemic biodiversity. In an effort to contribute to the characterization of...
  • 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 Ecology and conservation of sea turtles in the Dutch Caribbean
    Early in 2015 the research project “Ecology and conservation of green and hawksbill turtles in the Dutch Caribbean” started funded by NWO.  The six...
  • Media Climate change impacts on sea turtle nesting within the Dutch Caribbean
    The effect of climate change on fragile populations of endemic and endangered species has become a topic of special concern, with one creature that...
  • Scientific article Notes on the flowers and distribution of the Caribbean island endemic ipomoea sphenophylla (Covolvulaceae)
    The original description of Ipomoea sphenophylla by Urban in 1908, based upon a fruiting specimen, did not include a description of the owers. The...
  • 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 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 New avifaunal records and checklist for the island of Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract The avifauna of the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has been little studied, as the last comprehensive publication dates from 1983. Here I...
  • Media Diet and growth of juvenile queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in native, mixed and invasive seagrass habitats
    ABSTRACT: Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the...
  • Media Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve Update
    The Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve is an ongoing project aiming to ensure the sustainable use and protection of Bonaire’s cave system, using...
  • Media Leeward Blindsnake: Native to St. Eustatius
    Using DNA-and morphological analysis, a team from Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON) and Naturalis have discovered that the...
  • Other resources CITES Brochure Papiamentu
    ** This brochure is also available in English, Dutch, and Spanish ** This brochure is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality...
  • Scientific article Nieuwe gegevens over de land- en zoetwatermollusken van Sint Maarten (Nederlandse Antillen)
    New data on the land and freshwater mollusks of St. Martin (Lesser Antilles) Summary. In follow-up of a species list of St. Martin, Anguilla and St....
  • 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...
  • Research report MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF BONAIRE: A BASELINE SURVEY
    Abstract The Bonaire Marine Biodiversity Expedition (2019) was organized by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (the national museum of natural...
  • Research report Estatus taxonómico de la lagartija de Los Roques (Cnemidophorus nigricolor) mediante el uso de morfología clásica y de técnicas moleculares
    Abstract Resumen C. nigricolor fue considerada una especie plena, luego fue reasignada como una subespecie de C. lemnniscatus. Posteriormente fue...
  • Raw data shark tagging dataset
    Dataset 2016-2022   Harmonized shark tagging dataset of different shark species around Saba and Sint Maarten.   This dataset includes variables such...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Scientific article Ciguatera in the Eastern Caribbean
    Abstract: Ciguatera fish poisoning plays an important role in Caribbean marine resource development. Many independent eastern Caribbean island...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Scientific article De landslakken van Saba
    Summary.   Based on the literature and own observations a checklist is provided with 27 species of land- and freshwater snails that may occur on Saba...
  • Scientific article Disentangling the Influence of Urbanization and Invasion on Endemic Geckos in Tropical Biodiversity Hot Spots: A Case Study of Phyllodactylus martini (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) along an Urban Gradient in Curaçao
    Predicting the response of endemic species to urbanization has emerged as a fundamental chal- lenge in 21st century conservation biology. The factors...
  • 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 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...
  • Other resources Comparison of Epibionts between Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Sea Turtles in Bonaire, NA
    Many pelagic organisms, including sea turtles, host unique communities of epibionts on the surfaces of their bodies. Although sea turtle epibiota...
  • Scientific article Terrestrial molluscs of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao in the Dutch Caribbean: an updated checklist and guide to identification
    A review is given of the terrestrial malacofauna of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao in the Dutch Caribbean. The most recent reviews of these islands were...
  • Research report Sustainable boat-based marine wildlife
    Convention on migratory species 12th MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES  Manila, Philippines, 23 - 28 October 2017  Agenda Item 24.4.5 CMS...
  • Scientific article Leptospira seroprevalence in animals in the Caribbean region: a systematic review
    This systematic review summarises the data published on the Leptospira seroprevalence, serovar diversity and distribution among animal species in the...
  • Research report Humpback and minke whale acoustic presence with reference to fish sounds and ambient noise levels at Saba Bank, Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands
    The Antillean Island chain is a known breeding and calving ground for North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). However, while most...
  • Media Invasive Seagrass and its effects on Juvenile Queen Conch
    As invasive seagrass continues to expand and replace native species, populations such as the queen conch are seeing significant changes to their...
  • Media Mollies of The ABC Islands
    This article describes molly's morphology in different sex, natural habitats, captive molly requirements, and feed.  Short summary: In 1963, there...
  • Scientific article Two small beetle collections from Saba (Coleoptera)
    In January and February 2009 the third and fourth authors visited Saba to sample the invertebrate fauna of tank bromeliads. They also collected a...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2009
    Management Recommendations: Include all the area of Salina Goto and salina Frans inside the borders of WSNP. This expansion will not only benefit the...
  • 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 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2008
    Our 2008 work plan focused on the following objectives to help us achieve our mission: Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
  • Scientific article Iguana Delicatissima Mortality and Reproduction
    The Lesser Antillean Iguana was originally found in the Lesser Antilles from Anguilla to Martinique, but is rapidly being lost from both large and...
  • Scientific article First Recorded Introduction for the Saba Anole (Anolis sabanus) and an Overview of Introduced Amphibians and Reptiles on St. Eustatius
    The Lesser Antillean island of St. Eustatius harbors two native anole species, the large Panther or Statia Bank and the smaller Schwartz’s or Saint...
  • Scientific article The Dynastinae of the island of Saba, Dutch Caribbean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
    The fauna of Dynastinae (Scarabaeidae) on the island of Saba, Dutch Caribbean, was investigated through fieldwork during 2006 to 2015. Three species...
  • Research report The genus Ramicrusta (Peyssonneliales, Rhodophyta) in the Caribbean Sea, including Ramicrusta bonairensis sp. nov. and Ramicrusta monensis sp. nov.
    Two new species of Ramicrusta (Peysson- neliaceae, Rhodophyta), Ramicrusta bonairensis from Bonaire, The Netherlands Antilles and Puerto Rico and...
  • 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...
  • Research report Caribbean Humpback Acoustic Monitoring Programme: 2016-2017 Report
    In September 2016, the West Indies distinct population segment (DPS) of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), was delisted under the US...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Assessment of the degree of mercury contamination of marine fish around Bonaire
    Many reports indicate that the levels of mercury (Hg) contamination of marine fish in other regions are above the United States Food and Drug...
  • Scientific article Reproduction, Laboratory Culture, and Growth of Strombus Gigas, S. Costatus and S. Pugilus in Los Roques, Venezuela
    Egg masses of Strombus gigas, S. costatus, and S. pugilus were gathered from depths of 3 to 18 m in the western part of the Los Roques Archipelago,...
  • Scientific article A comparison of eight country plans for the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Wider Caribbean
    Highlights • The Caribbean region is being negatively impacted by the invasive lionfish. • Management efforts by eight Caribbean islands addressing...
  • Scientific article First records of Odonata from Sint Eustatius, Dutch Lesser Antilles
    Six species of dragonflies are recorded for the island of Sint Eustatius, Lesser Antilles. Breeding records are established for four out of the six...
  • Media New Study on Red-Bellied Racer Populations on St. Eustatius
    In 2018 and 2019, RAVON/CNSI interns conducted a study on St. Eustatius to better understand the red-bellied racer population. Threatened by habitat...
  • 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...
  • Raw data Areal survey- Bait balls East Coast Bonaire
    Aerial survey by the DCNA recording data and taking photos of almost 30 bait balls. Species observed include: skipjack tuna, various seabirds,...
  • Other resources Striated or Green Herons in the South Caribbean Islands?
    Abstract: Of 123 adult and semi-adult Little Herons Butorides striatus examined from the South Caribbean Islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire,...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2007
    We focused our 2007 work on six objectives designed to help us achieve our mission: Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
  • 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 A new catalogue of orchidaceae for Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    The Orchidaceae on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, have only briefly been studied and described. In January 2003, in cooperation with the...
  • Scientific article 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 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...
  • 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 St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2014
    The 2014 Sea Turtle nesting season continued in the up and down trend of busy and slow years. It was a year with less than 50 activities per species...
  • Other resources Marine biodiversity survey of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, 2015.
    The Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition (2015) was organized by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (the national museum of natural history of...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Ants from the Leeward Group and Some other Caribbean Localities
    The smaller islands of the Caribbean Sea support relatively few species of ants. This article provides a species overview.
  • Media Manatee sighting on Bonaire
    manateeBonaire.mp4 Manatee in the Bonaire National Marine Park On July 10th, STINAPA ranger Luigi Eybrecht filmed...
  • 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 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 (...
  • 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 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...
  • Scientific article First record of Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) for Aruba
    Abstract Robert L. Norton encountered a Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) approximately 60 km NNW of Aruba, providing Aruba’s first record...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2009
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Scientific article Update on geographic spread of invasive lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico
    The Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) are the first nonnative marine...
  • 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 On the relationship between native grouper and invasive lionfish in the Caribbean
    Abstract: The Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois volitans, has invaded most of the Tropical Western Atlantic in the last few years. The degree to which...
  • Scientific article Effectiveness of lionfish removal efforts in the southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean Sea since 1985, where they negatively impact native...
  • Scientific article Population stock structure of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the Atlantic revealed using mtDNA and microsatellite markers
    Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive genetic analysis of stock structure for leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), combining 17...
  • Other resources The Wild Orchids of Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    This field guide includes all the orchid species located during the orchid survey conducted between winter of 2002 to date of publication. In keeping...
  • 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...
  • Media Naturalis Marine Expedition: Results marine biodiversity of St. Eustatius
    In September, a report on the preliminary results of the Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition (from June 2015) was published. This expedition served...
  • Media Great news for shark and ray conservation in the Caribbean (SPAW-STAC)
    The first cross-border protective management in a Wider Caribbean context for elasmobranch species. In March 2017 it was officially decided to...
  • Media Conservation Efforts Continued: New Vegetation on Te Amo Beach
    In the beginning of January, as part of the Ecological Restoration of Lac and the South of Bonaire, 50 green buttonwood trees (a native species of...
  • Scientific article The Status of Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, Research in the Caribbean
    An important scientific workshop on queen conch was held in Caracas, Ven­ ezuela, in July 1991. This workshop and the proceedings that emerged from...
  • Other resources Seagrass and Seagrass Beds
    Seagrasses are found in shallow salty and brackish waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. Seagrasses are so-named...
  • Research report Iguana conservation - what can be learned from other conservation efforts when protecting the Lesser Antillean Iguana
    With a lot of threats facing the Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on Sint Eustatius it is important to look at solutions that will work...
  • Scientific article Are Geckos Paratenic Hosts for Caribbean Island Acanthocephalans? Evidence from Gonatodes antillensis and a Global Review of Squamate Reptiles Acting as Transport Hosts.
    It is well known that reptiles can act as paratenic hosts for parasites that use mammals as their definitive hosts. However, studies of potential...
  • Scientific article Micro- and Macrohabitat Preferences of Invasive Rodents on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    We studied the micro- and macrohabitat preferences of black rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus) on St. Eustatius, a small, inhabited...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Inconclusive evidence of sexual reproduction of invasive Halophila stipulacea: a new field guide to encourage investigation of flower and fruit production throughout its invasive range
    The dioecious seagrass species Halophila stipulacea reproduces mainly through fast clonal growth, underlying its invasive behavior. Here, we provide...
  • Scientific article Some Notes on Charophyta Collected in The Netherlands West Indies, North Venezuela and Colombia
    In 1930 Mr. P. Wagenaar Hummelinck made an excursion to Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire with the main object of studying the land and freshwater fauna....
  • 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...
  • Other resources Are different feeding strategies utilized by the bar jack (Caranx ruber) related to foraging success in coral reef habitats?
    Foraging success is affected by choice of feeding association, color phase, and habitat type. Bar jacks (Caranx ruber) exhibit a number of feeding...
  • Media Coral Reef Rehabilitation in the Dutch Caribbean
    The Dutch Caribbean islands are recognized worldwide for their healthy reefs and outstanding dive sites. Nevertheless, while these reefs are showing...
  • Other resources Position Statement of the IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group on Non-Native Invasive Iguanas
    The purpose of this Position Statement is to highlight the pest status that non-native iguanas can attain when introduced to tropical and sub-...
  • Raw data Raw data of native tree planting on Bonaire
    Around 20,000 trees are being planted in various locations on the island. Mostly indigenous trees will be planted, although several non-indigenous...
  • Scientific article Orange-bellied racer (Alsophis rufiventris); diet and arboreality
    The orange bellied racer, Alsophis rufiventris (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854), is one of four Alsophis species endemic to the Caribbean Lesser...
  • 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,...
  • 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 Ballast Water Best Management Practices to Reduce the Likelihood of Transporting Pathogens That May Spread Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
    The Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as participants of the Caribbean Coral Reef Partnership, were recently provided...
  • Research report CARI'MAM Scientific Survey 2021 Final Report
    The CARI’MAM project More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile...
  • Research report The influence of factors that negatively affect nesting activity of sea turtles on Sint Maarten
    Abstract Seven species of turtles are present in a wide range of areas across the earth. The species that use  the beaches of Sint Maarten as nesting...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Community extinction: the groundwater (stygo‑)fauna of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract The research aimed to recollect specimens from Curaçao of the genus Halosbaena belonging to the rare crustacean order Thermosbaenacea, a...
  • 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 Attraction of settlement-stage coral reef fishes to reef noise
    We compared catches of settlement-stage reef fishes in light traps attached to underwater speakers playing reef sounds with those of silent traps...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2008
    Management Recommendations: The boundaries of the WSNP should be expended to include all the salinas included in this survey. This expansion will not...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Additional Records and a Review of the Cetacean Fauna of the Leeward Dutch Antilles
    Forty-one additional cetacean records are reported for the Leeward Dutch Antilles, expanding the list of documented records to 70 (53 sightings and...
  • Scientific article Sea Turtles as Flagships for Protection of the Wider Caribbean Region
    Abstract: Sea turtles are emerging as one of the most popular icons of the marine environment. Capitalising on their charismatic image, a remarkable...
  • 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...
  • 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 A comparative study of the feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Caribbean
    Invasive species are often a detriment to the environment due to the lack of parasites, disease and natural predators in the invaded environment,...
  • Other resources Variation in Threespot Damselfish Aggression Using Models of a Conspecific, Predator, and Herbivore
    The purpose of this research was to determine the level of defensive aggression of the threespot damselfish, Stagastes planifrons, when exposed to...
  • Other resources Reef fish recruitment to coral reef versus mangrove and seagrass habitats in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Recent studies show that late stage pelagic larval fish are not simply drifting with the currents as formerly believed, but are in some cases strong...
  • Other resources Distribution and density of Leucaena leucocephala on St. Eustatius
    Student Report   This report was commissioned by St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) in order to investigate the distribution and density of...
  • 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 Climate change impact on Balearic shearwater through a trophic cascade
    A recent study showed that a critically endangered migratory predator species, the Balearic shear- water Puffinus mauretanicus, rapidly expanded...
  • Raw data Bats Bonaire
    As pollinators of the typical dry forest cacti, bats are a keystone species. Dry tropical forests are the most threatened type of forest in the Dutch...
  • Other resources Kick off for the 2019 Sea Turtle Nesting Season
    Sea turtle season has officially started and each of the Dutch Caribbean Islands has reported their first hatchlings of the year. Officially running...
  • 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...
  • 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 ...
  • Scientific article Bromeliad Invertebrate Communities on Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    We sampled tank bromeliads and censused their invertebrate fauna at four elevations on the small Caribbean island of Saba. We expected that...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Case study of a Rapid Response Removal Campaign for the invasive alien green iguana, Iguana iguana
    Abstract The Invasive Alien Green Iguana (IAGI), Iguana iguana, has spread worldwide via the pet trade, as stowaways and via other means and has...
  • Research report CARI'MAM Scientific Survey 2021 Final Report for Saba's Waters
    The CARI’MAM project More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile...
  • Other resources Shark abundance on the deep island slopes of the Dutch Caribbean ABC - islands: A potential conservation and research opportunity
    Large marine apex predators have become exceedlingly rare in shallow neritic waters around most Caribbean islands, including the ABC-island (Aruba,...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Marine turtles of the Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles
    Although marine turtles are conspicuous members of the Caribbean fauna, significant gaps remain in our knowledge of their distribution and status...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Saba Bank
    Abstract: Over the past 12 months a comprehensive assessment has been made of the fish stock of the Saba Bank. The assessment was initiated by the...
  • Media BioNews 4 - April 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on the conservation efforts for the Red-billed Tropicbird, which is taking place on the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius...
  • Media BioNews 8 - September 2013
    This month’s issue focuses attention on the conservation efforts on the Windward side of the Dutch Caribbean. On St. Maarten, these days sharks are...
  • Scientific article Coral reef fish and benthic community structure of Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
    Coral reefs throughout the Caribbean have suffered the effects of human activities, including overfishing, nutrient pollution, and global climate...
  • Research report 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...
  • Research report Humpback and minke whale acoustic presence with reference to fish sounds and ambient noise levels at Saba Bank, Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands
    The Antillean Island chain is a known breeding and calving ground for North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). However, while most...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Additions to the marine mollusk checklist for the island of Saba, Leeward Islands, West Indies
    Forty-one species of marine mollusks are added to the checklist for Saba island. The majority of records are from Rüdiger Bieler, who observed and...
  • Other resources Queen Conch Expert Workshop
    Introduction The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is one of the most important fishery resources in the Caribbean in terms of its annual landings and...
  • Scientific article Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems
    Coastal ecosystems and the services they provide are adversely affected by a wide variety of human activities. In particular, seagrass meadows are...
  • Other resources Carimam Project - report on kick'off meeting
    The Agoa Sanctuary (named after a Caribbean - Amerindian sea goddess) was established because of the abundance and diversity of cetacean species...
  • 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 BioNews 22- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources 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 Illegal trade of morphologically distinct populations prior to taxonomic assessment and elevation, with recommendations for future prevention
    The negative impacts of international wildlife trafficking are well known, and such negative impacts can be even more pronounced for insular species...
  • 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 Application Form for Site of Importance for Bat Conservation (SICOM)
    The Island of Bonaire possess a system of more than 150 natural caves, but only five of them are known to be used as diurnal and maternity roosts by...
  • Research report On the spatial-temporal distribution of the minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata and B. bonaerensis) in the Wider Caribbean Region and adjacent western tropical North Atlantic
    Abstract Until recently, minke whale sightings in the northern Atlantic Ocean (NA) were thought to belong exclusively to the common species...
  • Scientific article The mitochondrial genome of Nemalecium lighti (Hydrozoa, Leptothecata)
    The hydrozoan species Nemalecium lighti (Hargitt, 1924) is widely distributed in tropical marine waters around the world. Here we report the complete...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Status of the Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) on and around the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire
    Abstract Red-billed Tropicbirds have historically been considered rare visitors to the waters around the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire in...
  • Scientific article A comparison of ungrazed and livestock-grazed rock vegetations in Curacao.
    Five of the largest remaining patches of livestock-inaccessible rock vegetation of Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, were described and compared to rock...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Metal concentrations in coastal sharks from The Bahamas with a focus on the Caribbean Reef shark
    Over the last century anthropogenic activities have rapidly increased the influx of metals and metalloids entering the marine environment, which can...
  • Scientific article 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 Important foraging areas of seabirds from Anguilla,Caribbean: Implications for marine spatial planning
    Marine spatial planning(MSP) has become an important tool to balance the needs of commercial,economical and recreational users of the marine...
  • Scientific article Global Analysis of Anthropogenic Debris Ingestion by Sea Turtles
    Abstract: Ingestion of marine debris can have lethal and sublethal effects on sea turtles and other wildlife. Although researchers have reported on...
  • Media 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-...
  • Other resources Investigation of depth-dependence of pumping rates and filtration efficiencies in two Caribbean reef sponges
    Suspension feeders perform a crucial role in uniting the benthic and pelagic environments in coral reef ecosystems. Of suspension feeders, sponges...
  • Other resources 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 Bright spots of sustainable shark fishing
    Sharks, rays and chimeras (class Chondrichthyes; herein 'sharks') today face possibly the largest crisis of their 420 million year history. Tens of...
  • 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 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,...
  • Scientific article Assessment of the Distribution of Seed Plants Endemic to the Lesser Antilles in Terms of Habitat, Elevation, and Conservation Status
    Abstract - The Lesser Antilles is part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot and a priorityfor conservation of its flora is its endemic taxa. Using...
  • 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...
  • Research report Results of Nature Foundation Research into invasive Seagrass H. stipulacea in the Simpson Bay Lagoon
    Abstract: In February 2013 the St. Maarten Nature Foundation confirmed the presence of Halophila stipulacea, an invasive seagrass, in the Simpson Bay...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Book Butterflies and Moths of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire
    Foreword Butterflies are a colorful and fascinating group of insects that have attracted a great deal of interest from naturalists in the past. In...
  • 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 Sea-grass communities: structure, distribution and classification
    Aims: In the marine biological literature sea-grass beds are generally regarded as being more or less similarly structured, and typically indicated...
  • 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...
  • 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 The foraminifera of the Saba Bank Expedition
    Bottom samples obtained by means of a Van Veen grab during the 1972 Saba Bank Expedition ( CICAR cruises 34 and 35) appeared to comprise many samples...
  • Scientific article CO2 and inorganic nutrient enrichment affect the performance of a calcifying green alga and its noncalcifying epiphyte
    Abstract Ocean acidification studies in the past decade have greatly improved our knowledge of how calcifying organisms respond to increased surface...
  • Scientific article Phylogeographic patterns of a lower intertidal isopod in the Gulf of California and the Caribbean and comparison with other intertidal isopods
    A growing body of knowledge on the diversity and evolution of intertidal isopods across different regions worldwide has enhanced our understanding on...
  • Other resources The effects of ultraviolet radiation on the covering behavior of the sea urchin Tripneustes ventricosus
    Recent studies have indicated that levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are increasing globally as ozone is depleted. Ultraviolet radiation...
  • Research report Interactions between invasive mammals and their effects on Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) nesting productivity
    Abstract: Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) are cavity-nesting seabirds with important nesting colonies on Saba and Sint Eustatius in the...
  • Scientific article Helioseris cucullata as a host coral at St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    In order to demonstrate how scleractinian corals contribute to marine biodiversity by their host function, information on associated fauna was...
  • Other resources 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 Effects of pumping efficiency on the antibacterial properties of sponges Aplysina archeri and Aplysina lacunosa on Bonaire
    The filter feeding mechanism of marine sponges exposes them to water-borne toxins and bacteria, forcing them to evolve immune systems effective in...
  • Other resources Antibacterial effects of three Caribbean sponges from areas of varying pollution
    Sponges are sessile marine organisms that have developed efficient defense mechanisms against microbial pathogens. These organisms are one of the...
  • Media Tropical sea urchins move from a marine lab in Leeuwarden to the Rotterdam Zoo
    At Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (HVHL) in Leeuwarden, the sea urchin Diadema antillarum has been cultivated to help restore the...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: 2021 DCNA Convention
    Between November 23rd and the 27th, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) held its annual Nature Convention on Curaçao.  Due to covid-19...
  • Other resources Natuurbeleid van de Nederlandse Antillen 2000 – 2005: Aan de dageraad van een nieuw millennium
    Executive summary Both in the ocean and on land the Netherlands Antilles possesses an enormous wealth in the diversity of its nature. Biological...
  • 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 Vibrio communities associated with the azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea coccinea as compared to zooxanthellate shallow sea corals
    A coral is made up of key associations between endosymbiotic zooxanthellae, protists, bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. These microbe-coral...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Scientific article Mosses from the Netherlands Antilles
    The Netherlands Antilles comprise the islands Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire of the Leeward Group, and St. Eustatius, Saba and the southern part of St....
  • Media FPNA hosts first coral reef monitoring workshop
    Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) is proud to be hosting its first Coral Reef Monitoring Workshop this week, together with trainers – marine...
  • Scientific article Foraging ecology of red-billed tropicbrid phaethon aethereus in the Caribbean during early chick rearing revealed by GPS tracking
    Investigating the foraging patterns of tropical seabirds can provide important information about their ocean habitat affinities as well as prey...
  • Scientific article FORAGING ECOLOGY OF RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD PHAETHON AETHEREUS IN THE CARIBBEAN DURING EARLY CHICK REARING REVEALED BY GPS TRACKING
    Investigating the foraging patterns of tropical seabirds can provide important information about their ocean habitat affinities as well as prey...
  • 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...
  • 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 Ecological regime shift drives declining growth rates of sea turtles throughout the West Atlantic
    Somatic growth is an integrated, individual-based response to environmental conditions, especially in ectotherms. Growth dynamics of large, mobile...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Rapid declines in lionfish catches in the Saba Bank lobster and snapper trap fisheries, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract Since its introduction in the Western Atlantic more than 30 years ago, the lionsh (Pterois volitans/miles complex) has spread throughout the...
  • Scientific article Citizen science regarding invasive lionfish in Dutch Caribbean MPAs: Drivers and barriers to participation
    Abstract Understanding the drivers and barriers to participation in citizen science initiatives for conservation is important if long-term...
  • Media Rats be Gone: Rodent control begins on St. Eustatius
    Sint Eustatius:---The island of Sint Eustatius has initiated an ambitious two-year project to reduce the number of rats on the island. The project...
  • Portal Plants and Lichens of St. Eustatius. A Virtual Herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden
    St. Eustatius, also informally known as "Statia" is an 11.8 square mile (30.6 square km) island with about 3,200 permanent inhabitants located off...
  • Scientific article Life-history traits of the common snook Centropomus undecimalis in a Caribbean estuary and large-scale biogeographic patterns relevant to management
    The ecology of common snook Centropomus undecimalis in Amatique Bay, a tropical estuary in eastern Guatemala, was investigated and life-history...
  • Other resources A study on the growing conditions, distribution and propagation of Statia Morning Glory (Ipomoea sphenophylla) on Sint Eustatius
    Statia Morning Glory (Ipomoea sphenophylla) is one of two endemic species found on the island of Sint Eustatius. The plant is currently found in the...
  • Other resources Sharks, rays and marine protected areas: A critical evaluation of current perspectives
    Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly advocated for the conservation and management of sharks and rays. However, substantial uncertainty...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2003
    Abstract: St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) is the only environmental non-governmental organization on St Eustatius. In 1996, the...
  • Scientific article Underwater Towed Video: A Novel Method to Estimate Densities of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas; Strombidae) Across Its Depth Range
    Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) populations living deeper than 20 m are rarely studied, because of the limitations of conventional survey methods using...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article The Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius: A 2012 population status update and cause for concern
    To assess the status and current population densities of the endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on the island of St. Eustatius...
  • Media Sargassum management brief
    In light of recent and recurring influxes of sargassum on the islands of the Dutch Caribbean, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance has drafted a...
  • 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 Reproductive cycle of Strombus gigas Linnaeus 1758 (Caenogastropoda: Strombidae) from Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia
    The reproductive cycle of the Queen Conch, S. gigas, in the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia, was estimated during...
  • Research report Initial Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) studies on St. Eustatius
    The large marine gastropod, Queen conch (Strombus gigas) was studied over a period of 3 months on the island of St. Eustatius. Strombus gigas are...
  • 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 Conflicts and solutions related to marine turtle conservation initiatives in the Caribbean basin: Identifying new challenges
    Highlights   • We identified up to 161 human-derived conflicts which are related to marine turtle conservation initiatives. • We found that each...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Caribbean Sea Soundscapes: Monitoring Humpback Whales, Biological Sounds, Geological Events, and Anthropogenic Impacts of Vessel Noise
     Assessing marine soundscapes provides an understanding of the biological, geological and anthropogenic composition of a habitat, including species...
  • Scientific article Prevalence of External Injuries in Small Cetaceans in Aruban Waters, Southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Aruba, located close to the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean and supports a...
  • Scientific article A review of bottom-up vs. top-down control of sponges on Caribbean fore-reefs: what’s old, what’s new, and future directions
    Interest in the ecology of sponges on coral reefs has grown in recent years with mounting evidence that sponges are becoming dominant members of reef...
  • Media Sixth Caribbean marine expedition ‘Ti Whale An Nou 2022’ taking place this month
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below. Organized by CCS with the support of WWF and DCNA As of August 15th through August 30th, the sixth joint scientific...
  • Scientific article A Post-hurricane Quantitative Assessment of the Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on Saba and Comparison with St. Eustatius
    We estimated occupancy, abundance (lambda), detection probability, density/ha and abundance of a regionally endemic snake in the Colubrid family on...
  • 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 Wave exposure as a driver of dissimilarities in submerged macrophyte community structure of Saint Martins' tropical seagrass meadows- successional stages and future drama?
    Seagrass meadows provide a spectrum of anthropogenically important ecological functions. However, these ecosystems are globally declining under human...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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...
  • Monitoring protocol A stranding guide to the marine mammals of the wider Caribbean region
    Accurate species identification of marine mammals is key to improving our knowledge about them, including their distribution, natural history and the...
  • 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...
  • Monitoring protocol An Introductory Guide to Monitoring Birds
    This manual is intended as an introduction to bird monitoring and census techniques. Counting birds, or indeed any animals or plants, is probably one...
  • 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...
  • 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 Biodiversity of the Saba Bank supports status of Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)
    Abstract: This report contains a study regarding the biodiversity of the Saba Bank, one of the three largest atolls in the world. All scientific and...
  • 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...
  • Other resources 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Book of abstracts
    Abstracts: TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN: CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES & CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS (Sponsored by CORALINA & GCFI) Kyne,...
  • Research report Roaming livestock distribution, densities and population estimates for St. Eustatius, 2013.
    Abstract The problem of roaming livestock is a major impediment to agricultural development and nature conservation on St. Eustatius, as it also...
  • Research report Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire’s landscapes
    Introduction and aims  With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
  • Research report Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire's landscapes - spatial distribution and characterisation of tourists on Bonaire using social media
    Introduction and aims With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
  • Research report Cetaceans of Saba, Sint Eustatius & Sint Maarten: current knowledge and future monitoring
    Abstract: In December 2012 IMARES conducted workshops on the identification of whales & dolphins in the Caribbean on the islands of Sint Maarten...
  • 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...
  • Media Big Live Nature Quiz—Winners on Curaçao, Aruba and Saba
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below   Fun Online Nature Game for the Dutch Caribbean  DCNA’s Big Live Nature Quiz local Host Edrieënna...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Habitat Surveys of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles: An Assessment of Benthic Communities and Fish Assemblages
    Saba Bank is a large and completely submerged carbonate platform in the northeastern Caribbean Sea located approximately 4 km southwest of Saba...
  • Media The 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...
  • Scientific article Long-term movements of an adult male Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
    LONG-TERM MOVEMENTS OF AN ADULT MALE KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE (LEPI- DOCHELYS KEMPII) IN THE NORTHWEST- ERN GULF OF MEXICO—Despite recent insights...
  • Other resources Research and Monitoring of Bonaire's Sea Turtles: 2017 Technical Report
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) has been protecting sea turtles on Bonaire since 1991, so this year represents the 26th Anniversary of our...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database: The Future of Data Sharing
    A big obstacle in nature- policy, management and research is to access excising long-term data in an environment that experiences a high turnover in...
  • Scientific article Saving Saba Bank: Policy Implications of Biodiversity Studies
    Abstract: This paper provides a context for the results of recent biodiversity surveys of Saba Bank. Recent biological surveys of corals, fishes, and...
  • Media First mosquito survey for the ABC islands in nearly 75 years
    Dutch and Papiamentu below Kralendijk, Bonaire – 10th of November – In 2018 , Naturalis Biodiversity Center conducted the first mosquito survey for...
  • 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 Pelagic movements of pacific leatherback turtles (dermochelys coriacea) highlight the role of prey and ocean currents
    Abstract: Background: Leatherback turtles are renowned for their trans-oceanic migrations. However, despite numerous movement studies, the precise...
  • Media Sea & Learn 2018
    This year Sea & Learn celebrated their 16thannual event on Saba. A total of 16 experts provided dynamic hands-on field projects and powerful...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report Breeding success survey of White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaeton lepturus catsbyii, on the islands of Bermuda - 2006 to 2008 Nesting Seasons
  • Research report Biological inventory of St. Eustatius
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Report of the Scientific Committee (Annual meeting 2011, 30 May-11 June 2011, Trømso, Norway)
    ...National Progress Reports presented at the 2002-10 meetings are accessible on the IWC website. Reports from previous years will also become...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Portal Algae Base
    AlgaeBase is a database of information on algae that includes terrestrial, marine and freshwater organisms. At present, the data for the marine algae...
  • Other resources STENAPA newsletter January 2007
    STENAPA newsletter: including overview of Corallita research
  • Scientific article Misleading criticisms of invasion science: a field guide
    Invasion science is the study of the causes and consequences of the introduction of organisms to the areas outside their native ranges. It concerns...
  • Media BioNews 9 - October 2013
    This month’s issue focuses attention on a very important species group – butterflies. Due to their sensitivity to environmental conditions,...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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,...
  • Scientific article Genetic Characterization of an Invasive Boa constrictor Population on the Caribbean Island of Aruba
    Boa constrictor was first documented on the Caribbean island of Aruba in 1999. Despite intensive efforts to eradicate the snake from the island, B....
  • Other resources The impact of feral goat herbivory on the vegetation of Bonaire
    Feral goats (Capra hircus) are introduced but very successful herbivores found in areas all over the Caribbean island Bonaire. Within the Washington-...
  • Other resources 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • Media Post-breeding migration routes of marine turtles from Bonaire and Klein Bonaire
    News items on: Becking, L.E.; Christianen, M.J.A.; Nava, M.I.; Miller, N.; Willis, S.; van Dam, R.P. (2016) Post-breeding migration routes of marine...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle observations on St.Eustatius 2004-2016
    Raw data of turtle observations, both nesting and in-water surveys. Information includes: nest identification, species, weather, moonphase, size of...
  • Other resources Investigating reproductive ecology and postspawning vitality of Alatina alata population in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Alatina alata is a cubozoan species that forms spawning aggregations eight to ten days after each full moon. From October 2015 to January 2016, we...
  • 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...
  • Media St. Eustatius: rat control program
    Introduced predators such as cats, dogs, and rats can be found all over St. Eustatius and are a primary threat to the island's biodiversity. Rats,...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Status of the queen conch Strombus gigas stocks, management and trade in the Caribbean: a CITES review.
    The Queen conch Strombus gigas, a large marine gastropod, is found in the territorial waters of 36 countries and tettitories in the Caribbean region...
  • Media Rat Invaders: Islands Fighting Back Against Killer Rodents
    Since the furry stowaways landed here aboard sealing and whaling ships in the 19th century, they've been wreaking ecological havoc on the island and...
  • 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 Early cementation and lithification in intertidal cryptalgal structures, boca jewfish, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    On the shore of the Boca Jewfish area of the Lac, Bonaire, N.A., blue-green algae perform a sediment-stabilizing and binding function resulting in a...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Scientific article New Sea Turtle Nesting Records for the Netherlands Antilles Provide Impetus to Conservation Action
    Until the early 1990s, information on sea turtle nesting in the Netherlands Antilles amounted to little more than a few anecdotal accounts and sea...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius joins Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary
    Excellent news: St. Eustatius has now become part of the “Yarari” Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. St. Eustatius joined Bonaire and Saba when the...
  • Research report Evaluation of the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database: user perspectives
    The Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database (DCBD; www.dcbd.nl) is a nature and biodiversity web-platform for the Dutch Caribbean funded by the Dutch...
  • Media Survey of Free Roaming Livestock on St. Eustatius
    The Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) recently conducted surveys of free-roaming livestock on St. Eustatius, highlighting population...
  • 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 Fish grazing enhanced by nutrient enrichment may limit invasive seagrass expansion
    The success of invasive macrophytes can depend on local nutrient availability and consumer pressure, which may interact. We therefore experimentally...
  • Scientific article POPULATION ESTIMATE, NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF THE MELANISTIC IGUANA IGUANA POPULATION ON SABA, CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
    Abstract.– Intraspecific diversity is among the most important biological variables, although still poorly understood for most species. Iguana iguana...
  • Media BioNews 54 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 54 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • Book ÁREAS Y SITIOS DE IMPORTANCIA PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN DE LOS MURCIÉLAGOS EN LATINOAMÉRICA Y EL CARIBE.
    Este libro es el corolario de muchos años de trabajo y dedicación de los miembros de la RELCOM (Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe para la Conservación...
  • Research report Population Surveys of the Yellow-shouldered Parrot (Amazona barbadensis rothschildi) on Bonaire in March and October 2010−2012.
  • Research report Fisheries Baseline Assessment of Statia Marine Park, St Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
  • 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...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2008
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Other resources Bat Crossword Puzzle
    A crossword puzzle for children about bats
  • 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,...
  • Monitoring protocol Monitoring Tropicbirds, an introductory guide
    This manual emphasises on practical methods, and some methods which (though highly accurate) are too labour-intensive or time-consuming for general...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2004
    Abstract: The Sea Turtle Conservation Programme is managed by St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA), which is the main environmental non-...
  • Scientific article First Specimen Record of the Barn Owl Tyto alba in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    The cosmopolitan Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli) lives on many Caribbean islands, where a number of morphologically distinct forms have evolved. Some of...
  • Scientific article Distribution, feeding habits and morphology of killer whales Orcinus orca in the Caribbean Sea
    Abstract: 1. Killer whales Orcinus orca are found in all oceans of the world, but most of our knowledge on the species comes from studies conducted...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Disease Surveys in Curacao - 2005
    In 2004, as part of a GEF funded project entitled “Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building” (CRTR), to assess the current status and...
  • Scientific article Visual-Acoustic Survey of Cetaceans during a Seismic Study in the South- east Caribbean Sea, April–June 2004
    Abstract Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s monitoring and mitigation program during an academic seismic study in April–June 2004 was the largest...
  • Other resources Pilot trials on St. Eustatius to contain the spread of and eradicate the invasive Giant African Land Snail
    In 2013, the invasive Giant African Land Snail, Achatina fulica was found in a small part of urban St. Eustatius. In collaboration with local...
  • 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...
  • Media Shark sightings around the SSS Islands
    Shark sightings around the SSS islands (Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten) are currently being recorded to provide information on the occurrence of...
  • Media Ocean acidification and global warming impacts on sharks
    Sharks have populated our oceans for millions of years, but in just a few decades a slew of anthropogenic pressures have caused shark populations...
  • Research report The status and trends of the coral reefs around Saba, Dutch Caribbean, 2016
    Coral reefs are of great value for millions of people, but at the same time they are facing a lot of threats of which almost all come down to human...
  • Media Fieldwork on Seagrass Ecosystem Services: Lac, Bonaire
    Seagrasses are essential components of coastal zones ecosystems due to their extremely high productivity and the high biodiversity they support. ...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Other resources Proceedings of the 2013 AAUS/ESDP Curaçao Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium, October 24-27, 2013
    The American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium in...
  • Book What works in conservation (2015)
    This book has been created to help you make decisions about practical conservation management by providing an assessment, from the available...
  • Scientific article Controversies and consensus on the lionfish invasion in the Western Atlantic Ocean
    This study investigates how the lionfish (Pterois sp.) invasion of the Western Atlantic Ocean has been socially constructed by natural scientists,...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Misspent youth: Does catching immature fish affect fisheries sustainability?
    The “spawn-at-least-once” principle suggests that sustainability is secured if fish become vulnerable to commercial gears only after they have...
  • Scientific article Seagrasses as indicators for coastal trace metal pollution: A global meta-analysis serving as a benchmark, and a Caribbean case study
    Seagrass beds are highly productive coastal ecosystems providing a large array of ecosystem services including !sheries and carbon sequestration. As...
  • Other resources Mapping Sargassum on beaches and coastal waters of Bonaire using Sentinel-2 imagery
    Sargassum is a genus of brown macroalgae or seaweed that can be found in shallow waters or free floating in the ocean. Sargassum patches on the open...
  • 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....
  • Research report Testing the effectiviness of two methods for selectively trapping lionfish and estimating the feasibilty of a commercial lionfish fishery on Saba
    Student Report The invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) started invading the Caribbean Sea since the 1980's and were first sighted...
  • 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...
  • Media BioNews 30 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Media BioNews 31 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article The complete mitochondrial genome of Costapex baldwinae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Turbinelloidea: Costellariidae) from the Caribbean Deep-Sea
    We report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Costapex baldwinae, a Caribbean representative of a predominantly Indo-Pacific genus of...
  • 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...
  • Research report The effect of Sargassum on settlement of Diadema antillarum larvae around Saba
    Abstract  Before its mass-mortality in the 1980’s, Diadema antillarum was the most important benthic herbivore on Caribbean reefs. Since then, reefs...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Media BioNews 60
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Scientific article Habitat use of raptors in response to anthropogenic land use on Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract: We conducted fieldwork on Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, to assess the distribu- tion and abundance of resident diurnal...
  • Media BioNews 11 - December 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on the Audubon’s Shearwater. Despite its resounding and unique call, this threatened bird often goes unnoticed on our...
  • Portal Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Explorer
    The Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Explorer is an authoritative source for information on more than 5,000 plants, animals, and ecosystems of the Dutch...
  • Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Curaçao
    Curaçao’s five IBAs—the island’s international priority sites for bird conservation—cover 16,280 ha (including marine areas) and c.24% of the land...
  • 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 Establishing a marine conservation baseline for the insular Caribbean
    Abstract Marine protected areas are a primary strategy for the conservation of marine habitats and species across the globe. In small island...
  • 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...
  • Other resources The role of mimicry within congruencies amongst herbivorous and carnivorous fish in Bonaire
    Mimetic behavior signifies organisms evolving to share behaviors and a common resemblance despite different phylogeny. Relationships in mimicry rely...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 The red palm weevil, rhynchophorus ferr ugine us, a new pest threat in the Caribbean: biology and options for management
    The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhyncophorus ferrugineus, is a serious pest of palms. RPW is native to Asia, but over the last few decades it has spread to...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media Hurricane Impacts on Bridled Quail-doves in St. Eustatius
    An immediate concern after hurricanes Irma and Maria fell to the Bridled Quail-dove, a species that forages for fruits and seeds on the forest floor...
  • Scientific article Effects of "swim with the turtles" tourist attractions on green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) health in Barbados, West Indies
    Along the West Coast of Barbados a unique relationship has developed between endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and humans. Fishermen...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Butterflies and moths in the West Indies of the Caribbean
    List of butterfly and moth species in the Caribbean
  • Scientific article Shark and ray diversity in the Tropical America (Neotropics)—an examination of environmental and historical factors affecting diversity
    We present the first comprehensive review of the present and past shark and ray diversity in marine waters of Tropical America, examining the...
  • 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...
  • 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....
  • Scientific article A catalogue of the Coleoptera of the Dutch Antilles
    Little has changed since Wallace (1876) and almost a century later Geijskes & Wagenaar Hummelinck (1951) wrote that only few have occupied...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article First record of the Mourning Gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bi-bron), from Bonaire
    On the 14th of December, 2020, an individual of Lepidodactylus lugubris was found and photographed in Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean) by Hans Smulders in a...
  • 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 Ecosystem stability: How a Plant Community Blows Off Wind Pressure
    Abstract   This research paper aims to understand how Aruba’s plant ecosystem is shaped and affected by the constant wind pressure present on the...
  • Media BioNews 41 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 41 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
  • 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 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 Future Directions for Biodiversity Action in Europe Overseas: Outcomes of the Review of the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, December 2010
    1. Introduction...
  • Research report Workshop report: St. Maarten Nature Foundation Training and Sea Turtle Assessment
  • 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...
  • Research report The National Bird Count in 2011 in Aruba
  • 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...
  • Research report Lac Bonaire - Restoration Action Spear Points, September 2010
    Lac Bay, Bonaire is the most important mangrove and seagrass area of Bonaire and has been undergoing steady ecological decline in the last decades....
  • Other resources 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 ...
  • Research report Manual of Best Practices for Safeguarding Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
  • Portal Malacolog - A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca
    Malacolog is a database for research on the systematics, biogeography and diversity of mollusks. Malacolog attempts to document all names that have...
  • Research report Biology and fishery management of the White Sea Urchin, Tripneutus ventricosus, in the eastern Caribbean
    Abstract: The white sea urchin, Tripneustes ventricosus, is common in shallow coastal waters of the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and is widely...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Eutrophication threatens Caribbean seagrasses – An example from Curaçao and Bonaire
    Seagrass beds are globally declining due to human activities in coastal areas. We here aimed to identify threats from eutrophication to the valuable...
  • Scientific article 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 Aggressive nest guarding behavior of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis) in association with guarding male and nest size
    Among fish that lay their eggs on the ground (demersal) and have external fertilization (oviparous), typical parental care includes building a nest,...
  • Other resources Enterococci, a bacterial fecal indicator, and its correlation with coral disease abundance in Bonaire
    Coral reef environments are diverse and productive ecosystems that supply a variety of benefits to marine species and humans alike. Unfortunately,...
  • Other resources Age And Growth Of The Invasive Lionfish: North Carolina, USA, vs Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Lionfish are an invasive species that are now well established throughout the Atlantic. Originally from the Indo-Pacific, they have decimated local...
  • Raw data Raw data of lion fish observations on St.Eustatius by STENAPA
    Raw data of lion fish observations counts on St.Eustatius. Please contact STENAPA for more information.
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle nesting monitoring on St.Maarten by Nature Foundation
    Raw data of turtle nest observations, including: nest identification, species, false crawls, etc. Please contact Nature Foundation St.Maarten for...
  • Other resources Age and Growth of Invasive Lionfish: North Carolina, USA vs Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Lionfish are an invasive species that are now well established throughout the Atlantic. Originally from the Indo-Pacific, they have decimated local...
  • Media BRUV Work In The Dutch Caribbean
    Data collection with stereo Baited Remote Underwater Videos (sBRUV) deployed throughout the islands of the Dutch Caribbean over the past few years is...
  • Media BioNews 10-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews 10-2017 includes the following news-items: Ecological Restoration Lac Bay and South Coast, Bonaire Bonaire: Roi Sango (EU BEST 2.0) Status of...
  • Scientific article Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles
    The most recent climate change projections show a global increase in temperatures along with precipitation changes throughout the 21st century....
  • Other resources The recreational and cultural value of nature on Saba (policy brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Local people call Saba ‘The Unspoiled Queen’, showing how proud Saban residents are of their history and the ‘unspoiled...
  • Other resources Aruba Bird Checklist Version March 2018
    Aruba Birdlife Conservation  266 species of birds From 2010 to date: - 31 new observations - 23 new Papiamento bird names  Celebrating 2018 Year of...
  • Scientific article Range extension of the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) within the Dutch Caribbean: First records of young individuals in the waters of Sint Eustatius
    The first observations of juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) around the island of Sint Eustatius are described. Observations were made in...
  • 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)....
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Raw data Raw fisheries data
    Raw data of landings of fisheries on Saba. The data include: triplogs, fishing area, catch, fishing method, species composition, whale sightings, etc...
  • Scientific article Light-regulated collective contractility in a multicellular choanoflagellate
    Collective cell contractions that generate global tissue deformations are a signature feature of animal movement and morphogenesis. However, the...
  • Scientific article Notes on bats (mammal:chiroptera) from Bonaire and Curaçao, Dutch West Indies
    Five species of bats are reported from islands of Bonaire and Curaçao. 
  • Scientific article Host-related Morphological Variation of Dwellings Inhabited by the Crab Domecia acanthophora in the Corals Acropora palmata and Millepora complanata (Southern Caribbean)
    A team of researchers from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, ANEMOON Foundation, and colleagues from various intitutes, performed several bodiversity...
  • Research report Investigating the endogenous sediment infilling by the calcareous macroalgae Halimeda opuntia in Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Student report  Coastal lagoon ecosystems are transitional waters, that provide important ecological features and deliver valuable services to...
  • 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...
  • 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....
  • Other resources Evolutionary ecology of sea turtles
    Summary PHD Thesis The genetic diversity and structure of natural populations is  the product of past and  present  ecological  and  evolutionary ...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Range expansion of Marinomyxa marina, a phytomyxid parasite of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea, to the Caribbean
    Abstract Halophila stipulacea, a small seagrass species native to the Indo-Pacific, is a Lessepsian migrant and a high-profile invader that has...
  • Raw data Receiver logbook template - harmonized shark data
    Please find attached a receivers logbook template  with explanation and recommendations in the email below, developed by DCNA's Shark Intern Estela...
  • 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 Reptiles and Amphibians Introduced on St. Martin, Lesser Antilles
  • Research report Policy and management options for invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish in U.S. waters
  • Research report An Integrated Assessment of the Introduction of Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles complex) to the Western Atlantic Ocean
  • Research report Status and trends of Bonaire's coral reefs & need for action
  • 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 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...
  • Portal Plants of the Eastern Caribbean - Online Database
    The aim of this website is to serve as an accessible resource for identifying the plants of the archipelago and to provide a forum for sharing...
  • Scientific article Nieuwe Pectinoidea vondsten van Bonaire
    In March 2004, eight pectinoidean species (7 Pectinidae and one Propeamussiidae) are collected by scuba-diving from Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles),...
  • Maps and Charts Vegetation map of St. Eustatius
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (GIS; scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 21 km2 Lesser Antillean island of St. Eustatius,...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Fish, Fishing, Diving and the Management of Coral Reefs
    Peer-reviewed PHD dissertation, University of California San Diego.   This dissertation is a multi-disciplinary attempt to understand how coral...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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 Competion and facilitation between seagrass and calcifying algae (Halimeda and penicillus) in the Caribbean coastal ecosystem
    ABSTRACT The Caribbean coastal ecosystem could protect shorelines from wave erosion. Key elements are the calcifying algae (Halimeda spp. and...
  • 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 Changes in the healing rate of Ventricaria ventricosa in acidified ocean water
    Given the amount of CO2 currently being absorbed by the ocean, there is a great deal of research studying the effects of ocean acidification on a...
  • Other resources Fishermen’s by-catch: Effect on fish feeding behaviors in shallow sand flats of Bonaire, N.A.
    Worldwide, fisheries produce ~27 million tons of by-catch yr -1 . By-catch is defined as unwanted fish that are accidentally caught, or discarded...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Raw data Raw data of vegetation observations on Saba
    Raw data of vegetation observations. Information includes: species (family, genus), habitat,edibility, toxcicity, medicinality, etc. Please contact ...
  • Media Caribbean Birding Trail training on Bonaire
    Twenty-two Caribbean Birding Trail Guides were certified on Bonaire in September 2016 at the end of an intense week long training workshop....
  • 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...
  • 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 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 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Sargassum Management Brief
    Executive Summary “In 2011, the shores of several Caribbean islands and West African countries were inundated by unprecedented quantities of pelagic...
  • 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 Get to Know Bonaire’s Seaweeds
    The 2019 Naturalis Biodiversity Center and ANEMOON Foundation expeditions worked, among other things, to catalog the wide variety of seaweeds off the...
  • Scientific article 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....
  • Scientific article Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) roosting at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) are known to roost on the northwestern coast of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands. A published account from the 1950s...
  • Book The Flora of the Dutch West Indian Islands vol 2
    Endemic species found on St. Martin, Saba and St. Eustatius
  • Scientific article The molecular phylogenetic position of Mariplanella piscadera sp. nov. reveals a new major group of rhabdocoel flatworms: Mariplanellida status novus (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela)
    Abstract Rhabdocoels comprise a large group of flatworms that currently consists of two major subgroups: (1) Kalyptorhynchia with an anterior...
  • Raw data Receivers logbook template- harmonized shark data (R script)
    R script Stela also attached the R script she used for the report. Please let her know if anyone wants to use it and needs her help, and she’ll go...
  • Media Marine mammals in the Caribbean: a threatened treasure in our waters
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below.   Over the last two years, the Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) has been studying cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in...
  • Other resources CARMABI Soorten- en exotenlijst
  • 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 Conch restoration project report
  • Scientific article Estimating sex ratios in Caribbean hawksbill turtles: testosterone levels and climate effects
    Evolutionary theory predicts that male and female offspring should be produced at a 1:1 ratio, but this may rarely be the case for species in which...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Other resources Sea Turtle Identification Card
    This identification card will aid you in the identification of all seven sea turtle species in the world. It shows you exactly where the differences...
  • Scientific article Sound production by red hind Epinephelus guttatus in spatially segregated spawning aggregations
    Abstract: Many fishes, including groupers, produce sounds associated with mating behavior; recording and analyzing the occurrence of these sounds can...
  • 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...
  • Research report Population status and reproductive biology of queen conch (Lobatus gigas) in the coastal waters around St Eustatius
    Abstract: The queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is under pressure and has decreased in distribution and abundance as a result of fisheries in the Caribbean...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring of Bonaire’s Sea Turtles: 2013
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) was initiated in the early 1990s to protect the island’s marine turtle populations. Our current research and...
  • 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...
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle nesting monitoring on Bonaire by STCB
    Raw data of sea turtle nesting monitoring on Bonaire, including nesting efforts, nest locations, species, number of eggs, number of hatchlings, etc....
  • 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...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Other resources Marine (meta) barcoding of St. Eustatius
    To develop our knowledge about Dutch biodiversity in the overseas territories, we performed a barcoding project embedded in the baseline biodiversity...
  • 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...
  • Media Saba Bank: Fisheries
    The Saba Bank supports a vibrant local fishing industry. Fishing effort focuses mainly on a trap fishery, targeting lobster and deep water red fish (...
  • Scientific article Wave-swept coralliths of Saba Bank, Dutch Caribbean
    During a recent reef coral survey at the submarine Saba Bank (Eastern Caribbean), an uncommon and diverse assemblage of unattached scleractinian...
  • Scientific article 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,...
  • Media Status of the Queen Conch on the Windward Islands
    Concern for the future of Queen Conch has resulted in a number of regional and international measures, which have been taken to protect them. Trade...
  • 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...
  • Maps and Charts Caves map of Bonaire
    Detailed 3D maps of known Bonairian cave systems. Caves are especially found in relative soft calcareous rock dissolving and eroding as a result from...
  • Media Video message from St. Eustatius’s local Iguana
    St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) has released a video message from the endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana. Developed by Veldkijker,...
  • Other resources Mesophotic coral ecosystems are threatened and ecologically distinct from shallow water reefs
    The rapid degradation of coral reefs is one of the most serious biodiversity problems facing our generation. Mesophotic coral reefs (at depths of 30...
  • Scientific article Qualitative Impact Evaluation of a Social Marketing Campaign for Conservation
    Social marketing campaigns use marketing techniques to influence human behavior for the greater social good. In conservation, social marketing...
  • Media BioNews 20 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Observations of territorial behavior of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) on St. Eustatius
    Abstract Little information is available on territorial behavior of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus). This study set out to...
  • 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...
  • 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 New Plan for Creating Sustainable Fisheries in the Caribbean Netherlands
    A 2019 policy brief was just released outlining the requirements for sustainably managing fisheries within the Caribbean Netherlands. Using five...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Post-mortem examination of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus, Latreille 1804) and pathology in a fishery of the Lesser Antilles
    Highlights • We present the first illustrated postmortem examination guide for Panulirus argus. • We confirm that microsporidiosis is rare in fishery...
  • Other resources Using Sound to Track Marine Mammals in Saba Bank
    Since 2011, the Saba Bank noise logger research project has been collecting acoustic data of marine mammals, fish and man-made noises within the Saba...
  • Scientific article No need for artificial light: nocturnal activity by a diurnal reptile under lunar light
    Species are commonly described as either diurnal or nocturnal, with rare reports of deviations outside their normal activity period. Observations of...
  • Other resources Reforestation Project Final Report
    Bonaire has never recovered from the historic felling of its trees. The strong influence of feral goats prevents rejuvenation in those parts where a...
  • Research report Modelling Mangrove growth and salinity: a semi-arid case study
    of the mangrove forest in Lac Bay, Bonaire is an environmental issue. Mangrove forests surround Lac Bay. Lac Bay has a status as RAMSAR site (RAMSAR...
  • Scientific article Growth parameter estimation and model simulation for three industrially relevant microalgae:Picochlorum, Nannochloropsis,and Neochloris
    Abstract Multiple models have been developed in the field to simulate growth and product accumulation of microalgal cultures. These models heavily...
  • Media BioNews 56
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Presence of the invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans, on the coast of Venezuela, southeastern Caribbean Sea
    We report the presence of the invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in 23 localities of the Venezuelan coast, southeastern Caribbean...
  • Research report Kennisvraag haaien: wat is er bekend over haaien voor de voor Nederland relevante gebieden?
  • Other resources Island lists of West Indian amphibians and reptiles
  • Research report Sea Turtle In-water Monitoring Survey 2011
    Seven sea turtles species inhabit the world’s oceans today and have a unique evolutionary lineage that dates back at least 110 million years.Sea...
  • Other resources Physis VII - Journal of marine research
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 3 - March 2013
    From a global perspective, March has been busy when it comes to regulatory affairs with the CITES meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in which worldwide...
  • Scientific article Status and Range of Introduced Mammals on St. Martin, Lesser Antilles
    Abstract: The introduction of mammals to islands is one of the leading causes of extirpation of native biota worldwide. Data gaps in the introduction...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Molecular characterization of Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP6/VGII isolated from woody debris of divi-divi (Caesalpinia coriaria), Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract: Background: The basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus gattii is an emerging and primary pathogen. There is a lack of information about its...
  • Media BioNews 15 - April 2014
    This month’s issue is all about migration. An exciting discovery in Venezuela of bats originally tagged on Aruba and Bonaire, confirms their long...
  • Maps and Charts Vegetation map of Saba
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 21 km2 Lesser Antillean island of St. Eustatius, Netherlands...
  • Other resources The abundance of feral livestock in the Washington Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire
    Feral livestock grazing has long been recognized to have a negative effect on the ecosystem of the Washington Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire....
  • Raw data Raw data of turtle in-water-catch monitoring on Bonaire by STCB
    Raw data of sea turtle in-water-catch monitoring on Bonaire, including locations, species, carapace size, diseases, parasites, etc. Please contact ...
  • Other resources Physical and behavioral differences between the three color morphologies of Aulostomus maculatus
    Behavioral and physical differences are sometimes the result of a particular color morphology of a species. Aulostomus maculatus, the west Atlantic...
  • Other resources The salinas of Bonaire: how does bird activity impact epi- and infaunal communities?
    Predators can play an important role in shaping prey community structure and function through direct and indirect top-down effects. Bird predators in...
  • 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...
  • Raw data Raw data of tern observations by STINAPA
    Raw data of tern observations by STINAPA. The observations include species, habitat and eggs and hatching information, Please contact STINAPA for...
  • Media Saba Bank: Sharks
    Want to know the best place to see sharks in the Netherlands? Recent studies would seem to indicate that it’s the Saba Bank! Researchers on early...
  • Scientific article Predicting the impact of sea‐level rise on Caribbean Sea turtle nesting habitat
    The projected rise in sea level is likely to increase the vulnerability of coastal zones in the Caribbean, which are already under pressure from a...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Diet and growth of juvenile queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in native, mixed and invasive seagrass habitats
    Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the Caribbean and...
  • 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, ...
  • Scientific article First evidence of plastic ingestion by Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus from St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    We present the first confirmed evidence of plastic ingestion by a Red-billed Tropicbird on the Caribbean Netherlands island of St. Eustatius, which...
  • Media Changes in Curaçao’s Fish Population Over the 20th Century
    A recently published study looked to compare Curaçao’s historical records of fish catches between the years 1905 and 2016. This study highlights...
  • Media 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...
  • 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 Systematic assessment of erosion mitigation in a data poor environment. A case study of Lac Cai, Bonaire
    Abstract Lac Cai is one of the lagoons in the Dutch Caribbean with a high environmental value which attracts a lot of tourism to the area. Lac Cai is...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Research report Project Report: St. Maarten Pelican Project
  • 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...
  • Research report Bioenergetics and Trophic Impacts of Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2010
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report Production of Digital Terrain Models for the Dutch Caribbean
    Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, islands in the Caribbean, became Dutch municipalities in October 2010. These islands are considered hotspots 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Media Mangroves and seagrass beds as nurseries
    News article on: Hylkema, A., W. Vogelaar, H.W.G. Meesters, I. Nagelkerken, A.O. Debrot (2014) Fish Species Utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats...
  • Raw data Raw data of terrestrial bird observation on St.Eustatius from 2009-2015
    Raw data of terrestrial bird observation on St.Eustatius by STENAPA. Observation include habitat, observer, plot, transect/point observation, species...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media This Little Island is a Haven for Migratory Shorebirds
    Fernando and I are at our one of our “high density” points (counting stations) on the Cargill Salt Production Facility in southern Bonaire. We are...
  • Scientific article Maturation and age in queen conch (Strombus gigas): Urgent need for changes in harvest criteria
    Abstract The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large economically important gastropod that has been severely depleted throughout much of the...
  • Other resources Life Cycle of Bats at Pos di Kalbas
    Infographic Female Bats on Bonaire give birth to only one offspring per year after along pregnancy. For some species, the entire island population...
  • 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...
  • 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....
  • 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 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...
  • Scientific article Gastrointestinal Helminths of Ruthven's Anole, Anolis bonairensis (Squamata: Dactyloidae), from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract Twenty-three dactyloid anoles (Ruthven's anole, Anolis bonairensis) from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, were examined for gastrointestinal...
  • 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...
  • Media BioNews 23- Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article Patterns of distribution and drivers of change in shallow seagrass and algal assemblages of a non-estuarine Southern Caribbean mangrove lagoon
    Shallow marine macrophyte communities serve key roles in the tropical coastal ecosystem but are undergoing large and rapid deterioration worldwide,...
  • Research report 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 Crowdfunding: Tortuga ‘The Survival of Humanity’
    Motivation In March 2018 I went to Curaçao for six months. I have been able to take a lot of underwater shots here and have experienced the problems...
  • 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 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...
  • Monitoring protocol WSNP Monitoring Protocol
    This document contains the written guidelines of the monitoring project in the Washington-Slagbaai National park of Bonaire. These monitoring...
  • 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...
  • Other resources St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2013
    The 2013 Sea Turtle nesting season was a varied season whereby there was as in previous years not much in the way of leatherback activity but towards...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Reproductive Success of Red-Billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract The daily nest-survival rates of Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) were estimated over six breeding seasons on St. Eustatius in...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean: “home” of unique, and likely vulnerable, populations of Bryde’s and humpback whales
    During the last decade several marine areas in the Wider Caribbean have been awarded extra protection as “marine mammal reserves”, such as the the...
  • Media 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...
  • Scientific article Phytomyxid infection in the non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea in St Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Highlights   • First record of phytomyxid infection in H. stipulacea in the Caribbean. • Morphological changes to leaves, roots and internodes in...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade
    Simple Summary: The illegal pet trade remains an ongoing, substantial threat to wild populations, especially small insular populations, and can even...
  • Other resources Nest site selection of sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis): artificial vs. natural reef structures
    Nesting animals select sites for reproduction based on adaptive behaviors that have evolved to improve reproductive success and the survival rates of...
  • Other resources 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...
  • Scientific article Seagrass ecosystem metabolic carbon capture in response to green turtle grazing across Caribbean meadows
    Increasing green turtle abundance will lead to increased grazing within seagrass habitats—ecosystems that are important for carbon sequestration and...
  • Portal Plants and Lichens of Saba. A Virtual Herbarium of The New York Botanical Garden.
    Saba is a five square mile island with about 1200 permanent inhabitants located off the coast of St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles (go to map...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Media FPNA: Transitioning to a Conservation Management Organization
    Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) recently highlighted their successes and struggles of 2021 and gave a brief preview of their Multi-Annual...
  • Other resources Effects of elevated CO2 levels on Coryphopterus glaucofraenum response to injured conspecific chemical cues
    Carbon dioxide levels in the ocean are predicted to double by the end of the century, making the marine environment more acidic than it is today....
  • Other resources Natural Catastrophes in the Flamingo Colony of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
     In the past 25 years the Red Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber)  of Bonaire, estimated by ROOTH (1965) to comprise a population of at least 5,...
  • Scientific article Diving behaviour of hawksbill turtles during the inter-nesting interval: Strategies to conserve energy
    Abstract: Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting in Barbados were outfitted with time-depth recorders (TDRs) with temperature sensors...
  • 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...
  • Research report Widely resented yet neglected: latent environmental problems : The case of an invasive alien vine on Saba and Statia
    The invasive alien Coralita vine (Antigonon leptopus) overgrows large parts of Saba and St. Eustatius, posing a threat to agriculture and the unique...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report The local cultural and recreational value of nature on St Eustatius
    St Eustatius, is a small island in the Caribbean and a special municipality of the Netherlands. As many other small islands, St Eustatius’ marine and...
  • Media BioNews archive
    DCNA produces BioNews*, a free monthly digital newsletter featuring recent nature related news-items about the Dutch Caribbean as well as overviews...
  • Scientific article Post-breeding migration routes of marine turtles from Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    The management of small rookeries is key to conserving the regional genetic diversity of marine turtle populations and requires knowledge on...
  • Other resources Physis XI - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media 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 Green and hawksbill turtle abundance and population dynamics at foraging grounds in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Green turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata are neg- atively impacted by natural and anthropogenic disturbances....
  • Other resources 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...
  • Other resources Is Whale Watching a Win-Win for People and Nature? An Analysis of the Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts of Whale Watching in the Caribbean
    A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy. Whale watching has been hailed by...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Superior biological traits of invaded (Caribbean) versus native (Red Sea) populations of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea
    Abstract The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the Caribbean...
  • 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,...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report Results of Survey Lac Bay, Bonaire for Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) and Seagrass characterization in 2007
    Abstract: In 1999 a survey was carried out (Lott, 2000) to estimate the conch population and determine the status of the seagrass beds in Lac Bay,...
  • Research report 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...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: Caribbean Cetacean Society Expedition
    Whale and dolphin research expedition 2022 This year, the third and sixth joint scientific expeditions of the Ti Whale An Nou program took...
  • Scientific article A Quantitative, Non-Destructive Methodology for Habitat Characterisation and Benthic Monitoring at Offshore Renewable Energy Developments
    Following governments’ policies to tackle global climate change, the development of offshore renewable energy sites is likely to increase...
  • 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 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 State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen receives an urgent message regarding nature protection in the Dutch Caribbean.
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below. On Saturday, June 18th 2022, State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen visited the ...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of the island of Bonaire, southern Caribbean
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale 1:50,000) is presented for the southern Caribbean arid island of Bonaire (mean annual...
  • Other resources 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 (...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Isolation by oceanic distance and spatial genetic structure in an overharvested international fishery, Diversity and Distributions
    Abstract Aim A detailed understanding of spatial genetic structure (SGS) and the factors driving contemporary patterns of gene flow and genetic...
  • Research report Description of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Proposed Marine Nomination Properties of the Bonaire and Curaçao Marine Parks (BCMP
    This report describes the possible Outstanding Universal Value of the potential World Heritage nomination that combines the Bonaire National Marine...
  • Monitoring protocol PROALAS: Latin American Program for Landbirds
    About this manual and how to use it conabio’s community monitoring network is a citizen science project aimed at local communities. It was created in...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Interaction of Physical and Biological Factors in the Large-Scale Distribution of Juvenile Queen Conch in Seagrass Meadows
    Large-scale distribution of a large, commercially significant gastropod, Strombus gigas (queen conch), was investigated in a II ,OOO-haregion of the...
  • Portal Birds Caribbean
    BirdsCaribbean is the largest regional organization dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats in the insular Caribbean (...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Blue Marine Foundation launches new partnership with Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
    Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   Ocean charity makes initial grant of $90,000 to marine parks on six Dutch Caribbean islands. Award will...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Research report Depth matters: (anti) microbial diversity of marine sponges
    https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/depth-matters-anti-microbial-div...   Abstract This thesis aims to investigate the impact of depth on...
  • 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 The value of sharks
    My name is Francois Mille, I am a Marine Park Ranger at STENAPA in Sint Eustatius. Sint Eustatius is a small volcanic island, 21km2, that belongs to...
  • Research report Management of European (Sub)Tropical Biodiversity In support of sustainable development: Policy recommendations and priorities for research
    NetBiome-CSA is a European funded project that aims to extend and strengthen research partnerships and cooperation for the smart and sustainable...
  • 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...
  • 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 Student essays on economic values of nature of Bonaire
    To inform decision makers about the most effective strategies to protect the ecosystems of Bonaire, a full-scale valuation of all ecosystem services...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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...
  • 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%...
  • 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 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Coralita, we're gonna beat ya! The social and ecological contexts of invasive plant management in the Caribbean
    Power point Recommendations Coralita management on Statia Reforestation efforts and Coralita management can reinforce one another, and we should...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: 2022 Park Updates
    The Nature Conservation Network Organization the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) hosted its biannual Board Meeting on Sint Maarten between...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...

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