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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: 194

  • 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,...
  • Media Molluscs of the Dutch Caribbean Islands
    The journal of the Netherlands Malacological Society, Vita Malacologica, dedicated its December 2017 edition to the malacofauna of the Dutch...
  • Other resources Infaunal communities along a sediment moisture gradient in a hypersaline lake in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    From the abyssal plain to the intertidal zone, benthic fauna are adapted to a variety of extreme physical environments. Shallow water soft-sediment...
  • Scientific article Community extinction: the groundwater (stygo‑)fauna of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract The research aimed to recollect specimens from Curaçao of the genus Halosbaena belonging to the rare crustacean order Thermosbaenacea, a...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten
    The Dutch Windward Islands (St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten) support a collective herpetofauna consisting of two frogs (both introduced), six...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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 Hydroids associated with the coral reef fauna of St. Eustatius
    The hydroids of the Caribbean Sea have been the subject of a restricted number of taxonomical studies. So far, sporadic, taxonomical and/or...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Discovery of a new micro-pagurid fauna (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae) in the Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea
    Six new monotypic genera and eight new species of hermit crabs of the family Paguridae Latreille, 1802 are fully described based on specimens...
  • Other resources 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 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...
  • Other resources An Avifauna Review of Sint Eustatius
    Documentation of significant avian sightings on Sint Eustatius between 19th November 2014 and 11th February 2015 by Steffan Walton, STENAPA. With no...
  • Scientific article Abundance of coral-associated fauna in relation to depth and eutrophication along the leeward side of Curaçao, southern Caribbean
    A B S T R A C T Coral-associated invertebrates contribute much to the biodiversity of Caribbean coral reefs. Although the nature of their symbiotic...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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 Below the Mesophotic
    Mesophotic coral ecosystems, which occur at depths of ~40 to 150 m, have received recent scientific attention as potential refugia for organisms...
  • Media Informational material on protected species (CITES) developed for the Caribbean Netherlands
    Informational material for regulations outlined in the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (also known as...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Helioseris cucullata as a host coral at St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    In order to demonstrate how scleractinian corals contribute to marine biodiversity by their host function, information on associated fauna was...
  • Scientific article The marine fishes of St Eustatius Island, northeastern Caribbean: an annotated, photographic catalog
    Sint Eustatius (Statia) is a 21 km2 island situated in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The most recent published sources of information on that...
  • Other resources Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests: Possible nutrient sources and drivers of community structure in a tropical marine system
    Beach environments are considered nutrient poor systems that support limited abundances of life due to the lack of attainable nutrients. Since the...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs
    Ever since Darwin’s early descriptions of coral reefs, scientists have debated how one of the world’s most productive and diverse ecosystems can...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 population recovery changes population composition at a major southern caribbean juvenile developmental habitat for the green turtle, Chelonia mydas
    Understanding the population composition and dynamics of migratory megafauna at key developmental habitats is critical for conservation and...
  • Scientific article Population recovery changes population composition at a major southern Caribbean juvenile developmental habitat for the green turtle, Chelonia mydas
    Understanding the population composition and dynamics of migratory megafauna at key developmental habitats is critical for conservation and...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Research report Environmental Impact Report for Off Road Driving (ORD) in Parke Nacional Arikok
    Aruba has overstretched its resources beyond sustainable levels (ATA 2018). One of numerous factors putting pressure on Aruba’s natural resources is...
  • Media NICO expedition: eddies
    NICO expedition: eddies Rising ocean temperatures associated with global warming are changing our oceans and are projected to have a considerable...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Defining and Dividing the Greater Caribbean: Insights from the Biogeography of Shorefishes
    The Greater Caribbean biogeographic region is the high-diversity heart of the Tropical West Atlantic, one of four global centers of tropical marine...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Host Range of the Coral-Associated Worm Snail Petaloconchu ssp. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae), a Newly Discovered Cryptogenic Pest Species in the Southern Caribbean
    Abstract: The presence of associated endofauna can have an impact on the health of corals. Duringfieldwork on the southern Caribbean island of...
  • Other resources Octocorals of St. Eustatius
    Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) are a dominant component of Caribbean coral communities. There can be up to 60 octocoral species on a single...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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...
  • Book De Amfibieën en Reptielen van Aruba, Curaçao en Bonaire
    dit informatieboekje,behandelt de terrestrische herpetofauna van Aruba, Curaçao en Bonaire. Het is voor een belangrijk deel gebaseerd op de...
  • Other resources Slim samenwerken met de natuur Herbebossing op de Nederlands-Caribische Benedenwindse Eilanden
    Herbebossen in een droog, zonovergoten en zout klimaat, kan dat wel? Ja, zolang je maar slim samenwerkt met de natuur. De vernietigende werking van...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 (...
  • 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 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 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 Seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality under the rise of a flagship marine megaherbivore
    Abstract Large grazers (megaherbivores) have a profound impact on ecosystem functioning. However, how ecosystem multifunctionality is affected by...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 ...
  • 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...
  • Media DCNA Junior Ranger Exchange Event 2022
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is excited to announce the 2022 Junior Ranger Exchange...
  • 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 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 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 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,...
  • 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...
  • 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....
  • Media The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) Organise Marine Management Workshop in Aruba
    Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   From the 21st to the 23rd of November 2022, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) together with...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Landscape ecological vegetation map of St. Maarten (Lesser Antilles)
    Vegetation maps are a primary and essential tool in biodiversity science, conservation, management, and monitoring as well as in land-use management...
  • Media 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Physis V - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media BioNews 11 - December 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on the Audubon’s Shearwater. Despite its resounding and unique call, this threatened bird often goes unnoticed on our...
  • Other resources 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...
  • 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 Biodiversity of Dutch Caribbean Reefs
    The coral reefs of the Dutch Caribbean have recently received much attention in the scientific journal Marine Biodiversity. The first issue of 2017...
  • 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,...
  • 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...
  • Media Theme: Nature in the Dutch Caribbean
    Articles on STENAPA, CNSI, fauna on St. Maarten, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Nature education Curacao, Bonaire's reefs, STINAPA
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Research report Ecologyand Microeconomics as "Joint Products": The Bonaire Marine Park in the Caribbean
    FOREWORD Many countries are strugglingwith the task of meeting ecological and economicgoals associated with the establishment and management of...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Landsbesluit: Nieuwe aanwijzing domeingronden als natuurreservaat
    In overweging genomen hebbende: Dat het wenselijk is een aantal domeingronden aan te wijzen als natuurreservaat in de zin van artikel 10 van de...
  • Research report Biodiversity in a globalized world: The journey of exotic species from origin to impact
    Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that have been introduced to locations outside of their distributional range via human transport....
  • Research report 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...
  • 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 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...
  • 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 Bonaire deep reef expedition I
    The deep reef of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, was explored with the aid of the “Curasub” submarine of Substation Curaçao. The shallow reefs of the...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Other resources Landsbesluit Parke Marino Aruba
    LANDSBESLUIT, houdende algemene maatregelen, van 20 december 2018 houdende instelling van het Parke Marino Aruba (Landsbesluit Parke Marino Aruba) In...
  • Scientific article Black Mantle Tissue of Endolithic Mussels (Leiosolenus spp.) Is Cloaking Borehole Orifices in Caribbean Reef Corals
    Abstract: Bioerosion caused by boring mussels (Mytilidae: Lithophaginae) can negatively impact coral reef health. During biodiversity surveys of...
  • Research report 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Marine turtles of the Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles
    Although marine turtles are conspicuous members of the Caribbean fauna, significant gaps remain in our knowledge of their distribution and status...
  • Other resources Preliminary list of fishes from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute expedition to Curaçao with comparison to previously formulated lists
    In 2005, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute sponsored a collecting trip to Curaçao and Klien Curaçao , as part of a grant to Ross Robertson...
  • Scientific article Variability and sustainability of the Southern Subarea of the Caribbean Sea large marine ecosystem
    The Southern Subarea of the Caribbean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem encompasses most of the continental and island coasts of Venezuela, as well as...
  • Scientific article A quantitative study of the seagrass and algal meadows of the Spaanse Water, Curaçao, the Netherlands Antilles
    The Spaanse Water is a relatively turbid, 3.19 km2 inland bay of virtually oceanic salinities and contains the largest seagrass, algal and mangrove...
  • Scientific article A Long-term Dietary Assessment of Invasive Boa constrictor on Aruba
    Invasive Boa Constrictors (Boa constrictor) have established a reproductive population on Aruba. High B. constrictor densities could stress prey...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Media Caribbean biodiversity on-line
    Many publications on the Caribbean Flora and Fauna have recently become accessible online via a new database at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 Nature conservation ordinance St.Maarten
    Island Ordinance from September 1ST, 2003 concerning regulations pertaining to the management and protection of flora and fauna and nature parks in...
  • Research report Seabirds, marine mammals and human activities on the Saba Bank
    During the HNLMS 'TYDEMAN' bathymetric expedition on the Saba Bank, April - May 1996, two observers spent 7 weeks on board and to collect data on the...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Research report Saba Bank - Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008
    Findings A management plan was prepared in close consultation with a considerable number of stakeholders and stakeholder group representatives. The...
  • Other resources St Maarten Proposed Land Parks Management Plan 2009
    NAFSXM would like to secure a long term management agreement to protect the environment of the entire Dutch side of the island. The proposed St....
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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 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 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...
  • 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 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 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...
  • Other resources Physis I - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Other resources Sponges (Porifera) of St. Eustatius
    This article was published in the following report: MARINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF ST. EUSTATIUS, DUTCH CARIBBEAN 2015 by Naturalis Biodiversity...
  • Scientific article 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 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...
  • Media BioNews 17-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Scientific article 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....
  • 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...
  • Scientific article Preliminary Assessment of Sponge Biodiversity on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract Background: Saba Bank Atoll, Netherlands Antilles, is one of the three largest atolls on Earth and provides habitat for an extensive coral...
  • Other resources 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 Recent Occurrence and Dietary Habits of Boa constrictor on Aruba, Dutch West Indies
    Boa constrictor was first documented on the island of Aruba in April of 1999. By the end of December, 2003, 273 B. constrictor had been captured....
  • 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...
  • Other resources Sustainable Fisheries & Coastal zoning in Curaçao
    In February 2015, the Government of Curaçao and the Waitt Institute signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Blue Halo Curaçao (BHC), a...
  • Other resources Sustainable Fisheries and Coastal Zoning in Curacao "Legal and institutional assessment of authorities and approaches"
    In February 2015, the Government of Curaçao and the Waitt Institute signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Blue Halo Curaçao (BHC), a...
  • Other resources Colonization and initial succession on artificial substrates over spatial and temporal gradients in a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem
    Human activity and higher frequencies of disturbance have increased coral reef degradation and created barren substrates with the opportunity for...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Media POP Bonaire: Rural Development Program: 2014-2018
    Increasing concern over Bonaire’s dependence on dive tourism and the importation of food products has led the government to push for the sustainable...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Scientific article New Locality, Depth, and Size Records and Species Character Modifications of Some Caribbean Deep-Reef/Shallow Slope Fishes and a New Host and Locality Record for the Chimaera Cestodarian
    New geographic localities are noted for chimaera cestodarian, Gyrocotyle rugosa, from the central Atlantic; it and Antillean snake eel, Ophichthus...
  • Other resources Project rapportage. Regeling Bijzondere Uitkering Natuur voor Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (2013 – 2019)
    The Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, virtually all nature organizations, private companies and most individuals on Bonaire recognize caves as important...
  • Other resources Mapping Benthic Habitats for Representation in Marine Protected Areas
    Virtually all marine conservation planning and management models in place or proposed have in common the need for improved scientific rigour in...
  • Scientific article 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 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 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....
  • Book Saba Bank Research 2011-2016
    This book will let you dive into the underwater worl of the Saba Bank and gives you an introduction to its amazing biodiversity. At the same time you...
  • Media 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,...
  • 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 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....
  • 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 Biological Inventory of Saba
    Abstract: Saba is the smallest of the three Windward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles, with an area of 13 km2. Saba is the northernmost island...
  • Other resources Summary of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) research undertaken in Anguilla and the implications for current management practices
    Prior to 2014 little research had been conducted on the Anguilla conch fishery aside from indirect data collected by the Department of Fisheries and...
  • Media Ants of the Dutch Caribbean
    Between 2015 and 2020, researchers from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center updated the local ant species lists for the Dutch Caribbean. A large number...
  • Research report Mountain biking on Aruba's wild coast
    The island of Aruba predominantly has a ‘sun, sea and sand’ tourism destination image. The Arub Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) aims to diversify the...
  • Media 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...
  • 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 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...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2017 (Vol. 3)
    Introduction to the third edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume presents academic papers and personal...
  • Research report 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...
  • Book Biology of Parrotfishes
    Content: Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces  By Kenneth W. Gobalet The...
  • 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,...

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