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Abstract
The importance of mangrove and seagrass lagoonal habitats as nursery areas for many reef-associated fish species is well established in the...
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We studied the bird communities of five contrasting semi-natural habitats of Lac Bay, Bonaire, South- eastern Caribbean, during the fall of 2011. A...
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Virtually all marine conservation planning and management models in place or proposed have in common the need for improved scientific rigour in...
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Benthic habitats (habitats occurring at the bottom of a water body) and coral reef ecosystems provide many functions. Currently, however, coral reefs...
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Findings:
Species richness
Species richness is highest in Lac’s mangrove thickets and salt flats. They have a two-fold higher total species richness...
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Marine anemones influence oceanic food webs, partake in symbiotic relationships with many marine phyla, and can prove detrimental to coral reef...
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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...
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Benthic habitats have conventionally been monitored through physical site visits by diving. This requires the use of expensive resources and time to...
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Various species of aquatic animals have complex life cycles and utilize different habitats during consecutive phases of their life cycles. For...
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Benthic habitats (habitats occurring at the bottom of a water body) and coral reef ecosystems provide many functions. Currently, however, worldwide...
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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...
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Findings:
The main conclusion of this study is that the shallow, warm and saline back-water habitat which is continuing to increase in importance...
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The implementation of artificial reefs is one effort used to mitigate the rate of decline of coral reefs and the deterioration of fish communities....
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Abstract:
We conducted an ichthyological survey during the dry season of 2006 on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao to provide...
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Connectivity is essential for ecosystem functioning, and in particular for the popula- tion dynamics of species that use different habitats during...
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Although reef corals are dependent of the di- noflagellate Symbiodinium, the large majority of corals spawn gametes that do not contain their vital...
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We studied the micro- and macrohabitat preferences of black rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus) on St. Eustatius, a small, inhabited...
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Dutch below
Tilapia, a freshwater fish originally from Africa, introduced to the islands of Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten, has managed to rapidly...
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At St. Eustatius a project has started for the improvement and expansion of the Seaport St. Eustatius. The planned activities related to the project...
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Recent research has highlighted the valuable role that coastal and marine ecosystems play in sequestering car- bon dioxide (CO2). The carbon (C)...
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Summary
Habitat mapping is crucial for understanding habitat connectivity and for spatial planning, environmental management, conservation, and...
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Saba Bank is a 2,200 km2 submerged carbonate platform in the northeastern Caribbean Sea off Saba Island, Netherlands Antilles. The presence of reef-...
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ABSTRACT: Region-wide assessments of coral cover typically rely on meta-analyses of small- scale ecological studies which have combined different...
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A small submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to explore mid-depth habitats of Saba Bank – a submerged carbonate platform in the...
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Sea turtles are basically creatures that spend their entire lives in marine or estuarine habitats.Their only remaining reptilian ties to terrestrial...
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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...
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Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Caribbean Netherlands islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
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Recovery of the Caribbean long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum from the pathogen-induced mass mortality event of 1983 has been slow and variable...
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Variations in piscivorous fish assemblages across habitats and diets.
Presented at a Public Lecture at CIEE on August 9, 2017.
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Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the Caribbean and...
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ABSTRACT: Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia
testudinum in large parts of their range in the...
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We examine the effects of different biogeographic histories on assemblage composition in three major marine habitats in two biogeographically...
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The Indo-Pacific lionfish species [Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. miles (Bennett, 1828): Family Scorpaenidae] are the first nonnative...
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Saba Bank is a large and completely submerged carbonate platform in the northeastern Caribbean Sea located approximately 4 km southwest of Saba...
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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...
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House geckos in the genus Hemidactylus are highly successful colonizers of regions beyond their native range, with colonization often resulting in...
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Coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods they support are threatened by stressors acting at global and local scales. Here we used the data produced by...
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Abstract
Background: Scleractinian corals and their algal endosymbionts (genus Symbiodinium) exhibit distinct bathymetric distributions on coral...
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The second Saba Bank Expedition in October 2008 aimed at improving the knowledge of the gorgonacea by generating a comprehensive species list for...
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Foraging success is affected by choice of feeding association, color phase, and habitat type. Bar jacks (Caranx ruber) exhibit a number of feeding...
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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...
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Symbiotic relationships are a common phenomenon among marine invertebrates, forming both obligatory and facultative dependencies with their host....
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Many fish prefer to live in certain habitats based on protection, shade cover, rugosity, and foraging return. Haemulidae, also known as grunts, are a...
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Nederlands and Papiamentu below.
Lac Bay is a unique tourism hot spot which boasts a wide array of habitats from fringing coral reefs to expansive...
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Abstract
1. Biodiversity inventories and monitoring techniques for marine fishes often over-look small (<5 cm), bottom-associated (‘...
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Student Report - University Groningen
Tropical coastal bays often border coral reefs and host connected ecosystems such as seagrass beds and mangrove...
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Sinds de staatkundige herstructurering van het Koninkrijk in 2010, maken de Caribische eilanden van Bonaire, Saba en St. Eustatius als speciale...
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Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Dutch Caribbean islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
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Quantitative habitat mapping and description form the basis for understanding the provisioning of ecosystem services and habitat connectivity, and...
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Three photographic surveys were conducted during the period; 2010 to 2011, 2013 and 2014, and supplemented by physical sampling for a one-week period...
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Herbivores are important structuring agents for ecosystems worldwide. While effects of grazing by herbivorous fish are well studied, their roles in...
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December 13th marked the beginning of an incredibly exciting and ambitious research expedition organized by the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea...
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Differences in fish community structure between different estuaries, lagoons and bays can be very large, and generalisations are complicated by the...
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Abstract:
Biodiversity surveys were conducted on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles, to assess ichthyofaunal richness and to compare with published...
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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...
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Dutch below
A collaborative study, led by the University of Texas at Austin, deployed 102 specialized fish monitoring structures across six locations...
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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...
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This student thesis research is in support of a Tourism Master Plan for Sint Eustatius; this plan is focused on the development of sustainable...
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In this report we review and assess possible consequences of climate change for the biodiversity of the Dutch BES islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
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Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below
Ocean charity makes initial grant of $90,000 to marine parks on six Dutch Caribbean islands. Award will...
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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...
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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...
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Structural change in both the habitat and reef-associated fish assemblages within spatially managed coral reefs can provide key insights into the...
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Based on four years of butterfly monitoring in four contrasting natural habitats on St. Eustatius, we document large and consistent differences in...
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Predicting the response of endemic species to urbanization has emerged as a fundamental chal- lenge in 21st century conservation biology. The factors...
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Cyanobacteria comprise an extraordinarily diverse group of microorganisms and, as revealed by increasing molecular information, this biodiversity is...
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Abstract:
Lac is a semi-enclosed lagoon located on the south-eastern side of Bonaire, and contains a diversity of shallow water coral reef associated...
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Abstract:
On 10 October 2010 Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius became ‘special municipalities’ of the Netherlands, making the Dutch government...
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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...
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ABSTRACT: There is increasing recognition that habitats should be managed as part of fisheries management. It is generally assumed that amount of...
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Background
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (...
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Reef fishes and invertebrates are quickly losing their habitats due to widespread coral degradation. Artificial reefs are entering the spotlight as...
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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...
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Understanding the population composition and dynamics of migratory megafauna at key developmental habitats is critical for conservation and...
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Understanding the population composition and dynamics of migratory megafauna at key developmental habitats is critical for conservation and...
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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...
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Abstract:
This paper provides a context for the results of recent biodiversity surveys of Saba Bank.
Recent biological surveys of corals, fishes, and...
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Abstract
Reconstruction of past conditions provides important information on how ecosystems have been impacted by climate change, but generally for...
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Dutch, Papiamentu, and Papiamento below
Researchers from Wageningen University & Research and the University of Amsterdam report on a fascinating...
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Free-roaming livestock constitute a major threat to the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of St. Eustatius. In anticipation of a government-led...
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Abstract
Free-roaming livestock constitute a major threat to the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of St. Eustatius. In anticipation of a government-...
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Abstract
The problem of roaming livestock is a major impediment to agricultural development and nature conservation on St. Eustatius, as it also...
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Reef fish assemblages are structured by many factors like depth, habitat and zonation’s in marine protected areas (MPAs). These fish assemblages can...
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A new study from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) showed that reef sharks utilize different areas of the reef throughout their lifetime....
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Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major...
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Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major...
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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...
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Dutch, Papiamento, and Papiamentu below
A new partnership between World Wide Fund for Nature – Netherlands (WWF-NL) the Dutch Caribbean Nature...
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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...
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Abstract:
Globally, arachnids are considered to be one of the less documented classes of animals on our planet. Worldwide distribution comprises all...
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Abstract:
The Netherlands Antilles consists of five Caribbean islands. The leeward islands are Curaçao and Bonaire, close to the mainland of...
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During the fifth leg of the NICO expedition researchers from NIOZ Sea Research, Wageningen Marine Research and Naturalis Biodiversity Center studied...
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Abstract:
The Netherlands are signatories of the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This implies that the nation will protect...
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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...
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Coral reef fish larvae use sound to find suitable habitat during their vital settlement stage. Yet boat noise, which can cause stress and avoidance...
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Our 2008 work plan focused on the following objectives to help us achieve our mission:
Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology...
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Abstract:
The queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is under pressure and has decreased in distribution and abundance as a result of fisheries in the Caribbean...
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Coral reefs are undergoing phase shifts becoming dominated by algae rather than live coral. Algae on reefs is greatly impacted by herbivores such as...
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Abstract:
Lionfish are venomous, predatory reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific region, but have become widely distributed due to its popularity as...
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We focused our 2007 work on six objectives designed to help us achieve our mission:
Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
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Biodiversity of coral reef fish species is often related to the structural complexity and diversity of their habitats. This study explores the...
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Have you ever seen an orange tail molly in Dutch waters? If not, you should go to the ABC Islands. That’s an abbreviation for Aruba, Bonaire, and...
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The landing data for the lobster stock of the Saba Bank, collected annually since 2011, indicate that, despite reduced fishing pressure, there...
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Project description
Title: Increasing resilience to climate change and adaptive capacity of Bonaire National Marine Park
Time: July...
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Sea level rise (SLR) and disturbances from increased storm activity are expected to diminish coastal ecosystems available to nesting species by...
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Abstract
Marine protected areas are a primary strategy for the conservation of marine habitats and species across the globe. In small island...
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Predators can play an important role in shaping prey community structure and function through direct and indirect top-down effects. Bird predators in...
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Human land use causes major changes in species abundance and composition, yet native and exotic species can exhibit different responses to land use...
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Findings
A management plan was prepared in close consultation with a considerable number of stakeholders and stakeholder group representatives.
The...
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Habitat selection is critical to the development, growth and reproductive success for most marine animals. Organisms select habitat based on food...
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This article describes molly's morphology in different sex, natural habitats, captive molly requirements, and feed.
Short summary:
In 1963, there...
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In tropical ecosystems, autotroph organisms are continuously competing for space, with some plant species benefiting from disturbances such as fire,...
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The 2013-2017 Nature Policy for the Caribbean Netherlands flagged the threat of invasive species as a high priority, with recent inventories...
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Highlights
Coastal management is usually too responsive via defense works and not pro-active.
Intervention Concerning the Erosion Causes (ICEC) is a...
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Dutch below
Queen conch are facing immense pressure leading to a dramatic decrease in their populations. Luckily, a new project, started at the...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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The Global Mangrove Alliance’s recent report on the State of the World’s mangroves served as a call to action for mangrove conservation and...
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Lac Bay, Bonaire is the most important mangrove and seagrass area of Bonaire and has been undergoing steady ecological decline in the last decades....
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Dutch and Papiamentu blow
The Yarari Sanctuary is now legally established as a nature park by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality,...
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Increasing green turtle abundance will lead to increased grazing within seagrass habitats—ecosystems that are important for carbon sequestration and...
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Abstract
The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the Caribbean...
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Abstract
The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the...
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Six new monotypic genera and eight new species of hermit crabs of the family Paguridae Latreille, 1802 are fully described based on specimens...
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The American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium in...
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BirdsCaribbean is the largest regional organization dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats in the insular Caribbean (...
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Understanding how reef-associated sharks utilise coastal reef habitats throughout their ontogeny is essential for their effective management. In this...
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Many environmental variables may influence fish assemblage structures in terms of abundance, biomass and mean size. The aim of this study is to...
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The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island‟s sea turtle...
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The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island’s sea turtle...
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The rainbow parrotfish Scarus guacamaia has an obligate dependence on man- groves at juvenile stages, and, as the largest herbivorous fish in the...
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The St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) established the Sea Turtle Conservation Program following concerns that the island’s sea turtle...
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Wageningen University recently published an alarming report on the threatened natural resources on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. The Dutch...
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The shallow marine habitats surrounding St. Eustatius fulfil critical ecosystem services in terms of fishery production, recreation, dive tourism and...
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This report describes the activities undertaken by Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) in 2017. While STCC officially became an NGO in May of 2017...
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The island of Bonaire has achieved worldwide recognition for its rich and diverse marine life, but the island is rapidly gaining momentum as a...
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979. The marine park protects 2,700 hectares of coral reefs, seagrass beds and...
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From cutting edge 3D models to innovative management techniques, 2022 poses to be an exciting year for St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (...
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Researchers from University of Amsterdam and CARMBABI Foundation implemented 3-dimensional reef surveying techniques to improve representation of...
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Introduction and aims
With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
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Introduction and aims
With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
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Large-scale distribution of a large, commercially significant gastropod, Strombus gigas (queen conch), was investigated in a II ,OOO-haregion of the...
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Dutch, Papiamento and Papiamentu below
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) are proud to announce a...
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Dutch below
Sea turtles have been overharvested in the past, resulting in their endangered population status. But since two decades, their...
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Accurate species identification of marine mammals is key to improving our knowledge about them, including their distribution, natural history and the...
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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...
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As part of the Caribbean Island Biogeography meets the Anthropocene project, researchers initiated their surveys for exotic reptile and amphibian...
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Sinds de staatkundige herstructurering van het Koninkrijk in 2010, maken de Caribische eilanden van Bonaire, Saba en St. Eustatius als speciale...
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Dutch and Papiamentu below
The Caribbean Netherlands’ Nature and Environmental Policy Plan 2020-2030 is an integrated plan to safeguard and enhance...
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Abstract Corals provide habitat for numerous marine species and ecosystem services for global human populations. However, they are vulnerable...
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The Nature Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands identifies the need to “Evaluate the financial instruments available for nature conservation in the...
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Between October 25th and 28th, Bonaire’s Mangrove Maniacs hosted their first Mangrove Restoration Workshop . The goal was to provide a platform for...
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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...
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Abstract:
A preliminary inventory is given of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire in order to determine their occurrence in relation to areas...
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Abstract
The mangrove-seagrass-coral reef continuum is of immense ecological and socio-economic importance, supporting biodiversity, carbon storage,...
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Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the state of nature for the three Dutch Caribbean islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
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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...
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Lac Bay is the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Dutch Caribbean, offering visitors breathtaking views, white sandy beaches and shallow turquoise...
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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...
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Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance
Imagine a vast expanse of rectangular saline ponds...
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In 2015, Naturalis Biodiversity Center set out to create a baseline study of St. Eustatius’ marine and terrestrial fauna and flora in collaboration...
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Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.
The Junior Rangers just wrapped up their annual exchange event. Youngsters from the islands got...
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Dutch below
Likely introduced via the exotic pet industry, boa constrictors have had an island-wide population on Aruba since 2005. The impact of boa...
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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...
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Manmade structures such as seawalls, breakwaters, and jetties are increasing in frequency in marine coastal environments. Overtime, these structures...
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Two years ago we shared the worrying news that the Bridled Quail-dove population had suffered a significant decline on St. Eustatius (Statia)...
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Dutch, Papiamentu, Papiamento, and French below
Have you ever wondered what kind of species you are seeing around you? A beautiful lizard, flower, or...
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Nederlands and Papiamento below.
Researchers from the Florida Atlantic University and University of California recently discovered a new species of...
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Dutch below
ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – 3 January 2024 – Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) today announced the reintroduction of the locally extinct...
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Dutch below
Known for its striking appearance and important ecological role, the Lesser Antillean Iguana plays a crucial part in the ecosystem on St...
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Abstracts:
TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN: CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES & CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS (Sponsored by CORALINA & GCFI)
Kyne...
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The Sargasso Sea is a fundamentally important part of the world’s ocean, located within the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre with its boundaries...
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Findings
The main conclusion from this study is that the Saba Bank has little modern material/ sediment deposited in relation to present sea level....
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Abstract:
To protect deep-sea biodiversity, the United Nations have adopted a number of resolutions that should protect vulnerable marine ecosystems...
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Seagrass beds are globally declining due to human activities in coastal areas. We here aimed to identify threats from eutrophication to the valuable...
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Many marine invertebrates provide their offspring with symbionts. Yet the consequences of maternally inherited symbionts on larval fitness remain...
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Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) has worked tirelessly since 1991 to protect Bonaire’s sea turtle population and to ensure a safe, protected...
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The dioecious seagrass species Halophila stipulacea reproduces mainly through fast clonal growth, underlying its invasive behavior. Here, we provide...
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Abstract
A paramount challenge in coral reef ecology is to estimate the abundance and composition of the communities residing in such complex...
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Abstract
The Caribbean islands are becoming a hotspot for the spread of non-native reptiles. Consistent with this trend, we provide the first...
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The colonial stony coral genus Madracis is cosmopolitan, lives in shallow and deep water habitats, and includes zooxanthellate,...
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Abstract:
The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) sampling strategy is designed to collect both descriptive and quantitative information...
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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...
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Abstract:
The aim of this study was to draft a generic ecological assessment framework for coastal systems in Caribbean Netherlands (CN) that offers...
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The Lesser Antilles include high volcanic islands with a limited marine shelf, and low coralline islands with a more extensive shelf. Withinthe group...
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To assess the status and current population densities of the endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on the island of St. Eustatius...
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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....
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Summary:
Lionfishes are venomous species of scorpionfishes which are native to Indo-Pacific coral reef ecosystems and adjacent habitats. Because of...
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FishBase is a global species database of fish species. FishBase provides comprehensive species data, including information on taxonomy, geographical...
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In a survey of the bathyal echinoderms of the Bahama Islands region using manned submersibles, approximately 200 species of echinoderms were...
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Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) are a dominant component of Caribbean coral communities. There can be up to 60 octocoral species on a single...
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Two new intertidal oribatid mite species were found on the coast of Bonaire. Litoribates bonairensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its only...
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Highlights
• UV filters oxybenzone and octocrylene are detected at Lac Bay Bonaire.
• They are present at significant levels in both water column and...
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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...
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Student Report
Species composition, distribution, and relative abundance
Elasmobranchs are suffering from habitat loss and are declining at a rapid...
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ABSTRACT
Catastrophic events, like hurricanes, bring lethal conditions that can have population-altering effects. The threatened Caribbean dry forest...
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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...
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Abstract The Bonaire Marine Biodiversity Expedition (2019) was organized by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (the national museum of natural...
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Abstract
Tropical deep reefs (~40–300 m) are diverse ecosystems that serve as habitats for diverse communities of reef-associated fishes. Deep-reef...
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Coral reefs worldwide are attracting increasing numbers of scuba divers, leading to growing concern about damage. There is now a need to manage diver...
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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...
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Het Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) staat sinds 2011 op de Nederlandse Voorlopige lijst van het Werelderfgoed. Dit betekent dat een nominatie kan...
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Abstract:
Based on the goals set forth in the Dutch Biodiversity Policy Programme, The Netherlands has a traditionally strong commitment to protect...
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Findings
The main issues that Lac Bay faces were identified as follows:
Filling-in of Lac and reduced water circulation. Over-grazing by extensive...
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Abstract:
The St. Eustatius National Marine Park conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Eustatius’ coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2009. This...
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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...
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Deterioration of mangrove forests is occurring globally. The loss of mangrove habitats causes a decline in fishery resources, livelihood and...
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The extent to which evolution is deterministic (predictable), or random, is a fundamental question in evolution. This case study attempts to...
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As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
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The notion of an ecological corridor is to connect protected areas of high biodiversity to counteract the fragmentation of habitats, the loss of...
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We present the first comprehensive review of the present and past shark and ray diversity in marine waters of Tropical America, examining the...
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Coral reefs fulfil many ecological functions such as maintaining the diversity, providing habitats and
shoreline protection. One of the most...
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Smalls islands are especially vulnerable to climate change and land use changes due to the competing needs for limited resources. To support...
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Macroalgae on Bonaire
Macroalgae are large algae, also called seaweeds, that are typically divided in three major groups: red macroalgae (Rhodophyta...
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As invasive seagrass continues to expand and replace native species, populations such as the queen conch are seeing significant changes to their...
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In the June 2005 issue of Lundkvist wrote about the habitats of Poecilia vandepolli in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (“Orange Tail Mollies in Dutch...
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Student Report
The mangrove forest on Bonaire, located in the south east of the island, is decreasing in area, just like many other mangroves around...
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MANGROVES ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE PLANET’S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. Mangroves sequester carbon at up to four times the rate of terrestrial forests,...
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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...
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Abstract
During field investigations of deep-reefs off the coast of Curaçao in the Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, a female specimen was collected of...
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The Dutch Caribbean is home to a wide variety of unique animal and plant species and tropical habitats like coral reefs, mangroves and elfin forest....
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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...
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The invasion by lionfish Pterois volitans and P. miles throughout the western Atlantic and Caribbean is emerging as a serious ecological problem....
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Abstract:
The endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima, is an emblematic species for the island of St. Eustatius and in Caribbean...
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The purpose of this survey was to describe and map the natural and cultural resources of the marine environment with a view to sustainable...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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The goal of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), an operational network of ICRI, the International Coral Reef Initiative, is to improve...
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Herbivory drives ecosystem dynamics in both terrestrial and marine habitats, controlling type and biomass of vegetation. In tropical coral reefs,...
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Health of tropical coral reefs depends largely on the balance between constructive (calcification and cementation) and destructive forces (mechanical...
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Bulk stable isotope analysis was used to assess the trophic level and foraging habitats of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) compared to...
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Shallow marine macrophyte communities serve key roles in the tropical coastal ecosystem but are undergoing large and rapid deterioration worldwide,...
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Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing...
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Raw photo material of the 2019 reef survey using the GCRMN method.
The 12 survey sites lie within the Bonaire National Marine Park, which surrounds...
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Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the Caribbean Netherlands islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
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Coral reefs are declining worldwide. The abundance of corals has decreased alongside the rise of filter feeders, turf and algae in response to...
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Hexactinellid sponges are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems because they provide available hard substrate habitats for filter-feeding...
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Hexactinellid sponges are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems because they provide available hard substrate habitats for filter-feeding...
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After the 2021 Workshop on Mangrove Restoration held on Bonaire, Jessica Johnson (Coastal Dynamics; Bonaire), Jimena Samper Villareal (Centro de...
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Abstract
Mangrove forests are essential habitats for species that are of commercial significance and provide various ecosystem services, including...
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Botanical and zoological collections may serve as archives for historical ecologi- cal research on the effects of global change and human impact on...
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We compared catches of settlement-stage reef fishes in light traps attached to underwater speakers playing reef sounds with those of silent traps...
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In comparison to other CARICOMP sites, the tiny island of Saba, in the Windward Islands arc of the Lesser Antilles, can be described as atypical in...
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Findings:
The main conclusion from this study is that at the moment tourists and locals use Lac Bay and its catchment area at levels and in ways that...
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As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
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Abstract:
Saba Island (Caribbean Netherlands) is one of the northernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles. It is only 13 square kilometers but contains...
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Marine habitat map of St. Eustatius (GIS)
See this report for more info.
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Corals are the building blocks of coral reefs as they provide countless marine organisms with protection and habitat. However, coral diseases are...
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Coral reefs are important marine ecosystems with high biodiversity that provides food and socioeconomic benefits to people in tropical regions around...
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The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous, voracious predator with a high dispersal capactity. In the space of 30 years, it has...
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This book has been created to help you make decisions about practical conservation management by providing an assessment, from the available...
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Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius form the Dutch Caribbean within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the...
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In November 2019, vegetation scientists from Wageningen Environmental Research and Carmabi visited Bonaire, to study the succession of the vegetation...
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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...
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Although coral reefs are well developed in the Leeward islands of the Netherlands Antilles, they are poorly developed in the Windward group. Coral...
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Satellite image-based mapping of tropical forests is vital to conservation planning. Standard methods for automated image classification, however,...
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General description
New observations indicating undesirable trends on Bonairean reefs
Unusual high abundances of the colonial tunicate Trididemnum ...
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Across the Caribbean, national economies are heavily dependent on coastal ecosystem services. Coral reefs, mangroves, and other coastal ecosystems...
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As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
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Marine habitat map of Saba (GIS)
See this report for more info.
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Abstract
Satellite transmitters were deployed on three green turtles, Chelonia mydas, and two hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, nesting in...
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The Nes subgroup of the Gobiosomatini (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) is an ecologically diverse clade of fishes endemic to the tropical western...
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Raw photo material of the 2016 reef survey using the GCRMN method.
The 20 survey sites lie within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which...
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Seagrass beds are important habitats associated with coral reefs. Seagrasses are nursery areas for juvenile fish, and they act as buffering zones by...
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The Caribbean Sea is home to a diversity of coastal habitats that support the installation of three rich and complex ecosystems - coral reefs,...
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Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing...
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Executive summary
Both in the ocean and on land the Netherlands Antilles possesses an enormous wealth in the diversity of its nature. Biological...
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Student Report
Seagrass ecosystems are rapidly declining around the world as human pressures are increasing. To build the resilience of seagrass...
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Abstract
Invasive species are a worldwide threat to biodiversity, especially on Caribbean islands.
Through their impact on the structure and...
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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...
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A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale 1:50,000) is presented for the southern Caribbean arid island of Bonaire (mean annual...
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Although marine turtles are conspicuous members of the Caribbean fauna, significant gaps remain in our knowledge of their distribution and status...
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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...
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Stenorhynchus seticornis (Yellowline arrow crab) is a decapod crustacean native to the Western Atlantic in tropical and subtropical climates....
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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...
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A number of studies have investigated the effect of climate change on sea turtles, such as the loss of nesting beaches from sea level rise (Fish et ...
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Sharks are charismatic predators that play a key role in most marine food webs. Their demonstrated vulnerability to exploitation has recently turned...
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Raw photo material of the 2017 reef survey using the GCRMN method.
The 20 survey sites lie within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which...
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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...
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Island ecosystems are vulnerable to the influence of goats which are invasive to most islands and are considered the most damaging for island...
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Dutch below
Many divers have promoted feeding lionfish to eels and sharks as a way to entice these species to start hunting for these fish...
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Abstract
Ninetinae are a group of small to tiny short-legged spiders largely restricted to arid habitats. Among daddy-long-legs spiders (Pholcidae)...
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This document will clearly define the V ision, Mission and Goals of The Quill/Boven National Park and Botanical Garden, and s tate the management s...
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The St. Maarten Nature Foundation conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Maarten’s coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2010. This attempted to put a...
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Findings:
The main conclusion from this study is that the health of the reefs of the Saba Bank has deteriorated since the first observations in 1972...
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Global-scale deteriorations in coral reef health have caused major shifts in species composition. One projected consequence is a lowering of reef...
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Abstract:
Marine spatial population dynamics are often addressed with a focus on larval dispersal, without taking into account movement behavior of...
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Abstract
Mantellina translucens n. sp. inhabits the deep reefs (215–310 m) off southeastern Curaçao, occurring singly or in pairs, attached to...
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Raw photo material of the 2015 reef survey using the GCRMN method.
The 20 survey sites lie within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which...
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Various marine organisms are known to consciously select specific types of habitat that provide maximum shelter from potential predators. Reef fish...
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A lack of sufficient wastewater treatment practices on the island of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean suggests that contaminated groundwater seepage or...
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News article on:
Hylkema, A., W. Vogelaar, H.W.G. Meesters, I. Nagelkerken, A.O. Debrot (2014) Fish Species Utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats...
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Orthopteran species on the Lesser Antilles islands of St Eustatius and Saba are poorly known. Recent field surveys and examinations of museum...
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In the era of “Anthropocene defaunation,” large species are often no longer detected in habitats where they formerly occurred. However, it is unclear...
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The importance of seagrass beds and mangroves as a juvenile habitat as opposed to other shallow water habitat types is investigated using a single...
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zone DO = DROP-OFF at ~10m depth, LT= Lower Terrace at ~5m depth
length transect in cm
rugosity measure...
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An international research team will come to Bonaire from 21 October to 9 November 2019 to investigate its marine biodiversity. Although Bonaire’s...
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Each of the six Dutch Caribbean islands have their own unique draw, enticing visitors from around the world each year. From environments ranging from...
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Abstract Distribution and abundance of coral diseases have been well documented, but only a few studies con- sidered diseases affecting crustose...
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This paper is part of a series on the developments that relate to the Aruban landscape. To bring perspective to current environmental threats and...
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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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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...
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Coral reef environments exhibit numerous ecological interactions between different organisms. The habitat structure of a healthy coral reef is...
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The anemone shrimp Periclimenes rathbunae Schmitt, 1924 (family Palaemonidae), is a common associate of shallow- water anthozoans in the tropical...
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Research on the order Zoantharia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) has a long history in the Caribbean Sea, with the first species, Zoanthus...
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Bathymetric distributions of photosynthetic marine invertebrate species are relatively well studied, however the importance of symbiont zonation (i.e...
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Over the past decade, Indo-Pacific lionfishes, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), venomous members of the...
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Msc. thesis
Tropical seagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems threatened by both storm activity and human interference. Intense hurricane...
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Very high resolution satellite imagery has been acquired for Bonaire and concerns very detailed ortho-rectified imagery from the Pleiades satellites...
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Located in the South Caribbean xeric region, approximately 800 m from the Island of Bonaire, Klein Bonaire is a small flat island (maximum elevation...
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Effects of long-term trends in climatic variability on the morphodynamics of a reflective and a dissipative sandy beach in Uruguay (SW Atlantic Ocean...
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Redlip blennies (Ophioblennius macclurei) are common reef fish in Caribbean coral reef environments. They are vitally important to reefs as primary...
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Artificial reefs are commonly used to increase habitat space for reef-dwelling organisms. Coral reefs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean, are degrading due...
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Project "Broad-scale marine spatial planning of mammal corridors & protected areas in Wider Caribbean & Southeast & Northeast Pacific" (...
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The estimated number of species of Moray Eels (Family: Muraenidae) worldwide is around 200. A majority of morays hide in crevices and holes during...
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As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
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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...
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As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
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Structural vegetation damage and food limitation are important effects of major hurricanes, particularly
for fruit/seed-eating, forest-dependent...
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The Greater Caribbean biogeographic region is the high-diversity heart of the Tropical West Atlantic, one of four global centers of tropical marine...
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Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) populations living deeper than 20 m are rarely studied, because of the limitations of conventional survey methods using...
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Summary:
Shark populations have steeply declined worldwide due to unsustainable overexploitation and in this the Caribbean region is no exception....
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This report describes the possible Outstanding Universal Value of the potential World Heritage nomination that combines the Bonaire National Marine...
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Sint Eustatius (Statia) is a 21 km2 island situated in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The most recent published sources of information on that...
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In 2016 the Government of Aruba in partnership with TNO Caribbean was awarded the BEST 2.0 Program grant to establish Marine Protected Areas (...
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Findings on Marine Turtles
· Migration routes to and from nesting sites (typically index beaches) are variously known in the Caribbean,...
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Abstract
We investigated the microbial communities associated with surface mucus layer, tissue, and gastrovascular cavity of two azooxanthellate...
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Abstract
Human activities can degrade the quality of coral reefs, cause a decline in fish species richness and functional diversity and an erosion of...
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Dutch below
(Hammerhead) sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy oceans, which is important for the fisheries and the economy of the...
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Dutch, Papiamento, and Papiamentu below
ORANJESTAD | As the world witnesses and experiences the impacts of climate change, turning to nature could be...
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Since the severe decline of the Acropora populations in Bonaire in the 1980s, no assessment has characterized the distribution of remnant colonies....
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Abstract
Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that have been introduced to locations outside of their distributional range via human transport....
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Abstract
Since the severe decline of the Acropora populations in Bonaire in the 1980s, no assessment has characterized the distribution of remnant...
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Dutch below
ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) in collaboration with Wageningen University...
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Seagrasses, marine flowering plants, are widely distributed along temperate and tropical coastlines of the world. Seagrasses have key ecological...
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Thanks to the efforts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the critically endangered largetooth sawfish and the threatened silky shark have...
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Editor’s Note
Considering the Sea Turtle Umwelt
Coined by Jakob von Uexküll in 1909, the word umwelt derives from the German word for environment,...
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Dutch below
The neem tree is an invasive species that was introduced to the Caribbean in the early 1900s. Originally from India, this tree was...
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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...
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The southern wetlands of Bonaire represent a unique environment for the island. Consisting of a wide variety of habitat types...
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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...
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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...
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Coral reefs provide some of the most valuable ecosystem services for the islands. They are a driver of tourism, they protect against storms, and...
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In 2015 an Expert group assessed the ten Dutch World Heritage candidate sites and advised the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science with regards...
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University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein and Wageningen University and Research recently conducted a comparative study of artificial reefs...
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Bonaire might have been on lockdown in 2020, but that didn’t keep Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire from working hard. Their recently published annual...
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Student Report
The present study investigated the abundance and distribution of protected seagrass associated species within the introduced Halophila...
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NetBiome-CSA is a European funded project that aims to extend and strengthen research partnerships and cooperation for the smart and sustainable...
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Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below
On Friday, January 20th, 2023, Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Mr. Robbert Dijkgraaf, visited the...
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Increased and targeted fishing pressure has led to the collapse of shark populations around the world. According to worldwide estimates, a staggering...
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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...
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Abstract:
The Important Bird Area (IBA) programme is an initiative of BirdLife International aimed at identifying, monitoring and protecting a...
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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...
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Hi everyone, my name is Giancarlo Nunes and I’m the Research and Conservation manager for Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba. I can be considered a jack...
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The islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, were both mapped along their leeward coasts for dominant coral community and other benthic cover...
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Dutch, Papiamento and Papiamentu below
The Kingdom of the Netherlands will ask for increased protection for the Caribbean reef shark during next...
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Prior to 2014 little research had been conducted on the Anguilla conch fishery aside from indirect data collected by the Department of Fisheries and...
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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assumed leadership of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) in 2010 with...
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Exciting Rare Sighting in the Dutch Caribbean: theAntillean manatee
Last month STINAPA’s ranger Luigi Eybrecht was diving near Playa in Bonaire when...
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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...
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Non-native species pose a threat to biodiversity across the globe. The majority of modern extinctions occur on islands, and competition and predation...
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Vegetation maps are a primary and essential tool in biodiversity science, conservation, management, and monitoring as well as in land-use management...
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Coralita is an invasive plant species, rapidly spreading across St. Eustatius. A recently published report highlighted the ability to use satellite...
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Dutch, Papiamento and Papiamentu below
A new DCNA project “Monitoring for Bird Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean” has officially...
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The “resilience” of coral reef ecosystems has been an important goal of managers and policy makers for decades. At its most basic level, resilience...
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The Nature Conservation Network Organization the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) hosted its biannual Board Meeting on Sint Maarten between...
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The Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) is a harmless snake species that is native to the St. Christopher and Saba Banks. Today, it...
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Shark are in serious decline in the Caribbean due to fishing pressure and slow reproductive life-history. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan in...
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Coral reef ecosystems
Tropical coral reefs are among the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems found on earth (Odum and Odum 1955;...
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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...
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DCNA is partnering with the Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program, an affiliate project of the Manta Trust, and Observation.org to track local...
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Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.
The Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC) met for their first in-person summit in St. Maarten from September...
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Executive Summary
This Site Characterization report provides a comprehensive coverage of past and present scientific research that had been conducted...
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Dutch below
In alignment with the Nature and Environment Policy Plan (NEPP), a groundbreaking project is underway to address critical environmental...
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Executive Summary
This report provides a comprehensive coverage of accomplishments completed to date by Environics for the Lac Bay queen conch (...
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Content:
Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces
By Kenneth W. Gobalet...
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Abstract:
The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...