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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: 97

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  • Biology of Parrotfishes
    Content: Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces  By Kenneth W. Gobalet The...
  • Importance of seagrass & mangroves
    Jr Ranger presentation about the importance of mangroves and seagrasses.
  • 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...
  • Comparison of growth of the reef fish species Haemulon flavolineatum (French grunt) between seagrass beds, mangroves and the coral reef, as a test for the nursery hypothesis
    Juvenile French grunts (Haemulon flavolineatum) were caught, measured in length and weight and introduced in cages for 6 to 8 weeks to grow in their...
  • What’s Bonaire’s Nature Worth? (Policy Brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are critical to Bonairean society. In the last decades, various...
  • Sargassum Management Brief
    Executive Summary “In 2011, the shores of several Caribbean islands and West African countries were inundated by unprecedented quantities of pelagic...
  • Mosquitoes in Belnem on the island of Bonaire: Sources and management implications
    Student Report  The people of Bonaire are affected by diseases that are transferred by mosquitoes. The problems are related to specifically the Aedes...
  • Maximizing Student Involvement
    Presentation given during the 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop
  • Blue carbon in the Dutch Caribbean
    Recently, the Dutch state of play regarding blue carbon in the Netherlands was reviewed (Tamis & Foekema 2015)1. Since the review was focussed on...
  • Caribbean coastal marine productivity program: 1993-2003.
    The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) Program is a regional scientific effort to study land-sea interaction processes, to monitor for...
  • Fish species community composition of Curacao bays and reef
    Student Report - University Groningen Tropical coastal bays often border coral reefs and host connected ecosystems such as seagrass beds and mangrove...
  • Traditional datu cactus (Ritterocereus griseus) fences reduce runoff rates and transport of sediment and nutrients on hillsides in Bonaire, N.A.
    Most hard corals require seawater with low nutrients and sediment loads to thrive. Unfortunately, on a global scale, increases in both are currently...
  • Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 1
    This is the first part of the Marine Scientific Assessment  The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs document. For part 2 click here, for part 3 here ...
  • Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - St. Maarten
    St Maarten’s IBAs—the country’s international site priorities for bird conservation—cover 815 ha (including marine areas), and about c.36% of the...
  • Which is more attractive to juvenile fish: availability of food or the complexity of habitat in the mangroves of Bonaire, NA?
    Habitat selection is critical to the development, growth and reproductive success for most marine animals. Organisms select habitat based on food...
  • Physis VIII - Journal of marine research
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Marine Scientific Assessment: The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs Part 4
    This is the last part of the Marine Scientific Assessment  The State of Curacao's Coral Reefs document. For part 1 click here, for part 2 here &...
  • 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...
  • Associated mangrove aquaculture farms
    Expanding shrimp aquaculture has been one of the main drivers of the worldwide loss of mangrove forests. Consequently, tropical mud coastlines have...
  • Reef fish recruitment to coral reef versus mangrove and seagrass habitats in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    Recent studies show that late stage pelagic larval fish are not simply drifting with the currents as formerly believed, but are in some cases strong...
  • 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,...
  • Mapping Sargassum on beaches and coastal waters of Bonaire using Sentinel-2 imagery
    Sargassum is a genus of brown macroalgae or seaweed that can be found in shallow waters or free floating in the ocean. Sargassum patches on the open...
  • World Register for Marine Species (WoRMS)
    The aim of a World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including...
  • The Sponge Guide
    Sponges are important members of coral reef ecosystems. They filter water, cycle nutrients, and provide a home to numerous cryptic organisms. Species...
  • 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,...
  • Damages caused by hurricane Irma in the human-degraded mangroves of Saint Martin (Caribbean)
    In early September 2017, Irma was the most powerful hurricane that struck the northern Caribbean over the last 100 years. In the 21stcentury, the...
  • Biogeographic patterns in major marine realms: function not taxonomy unites fish assemblages in reef, seagrass and mangrove systems
    We examine the effects of different biogeographic histories on assemblage composition in three major marine habitats in two biogeographically...
  • Growth potential and predation risk drive ontogenetic shifts among nursery habitats in a coral reef fish
    Various species of aquatic animals have complex life cycles and utilize different habitats during consecutive phases of their life cycles. For...
  • Hydraulic circulation of the tides in Lac Bay, Bonaire.
    In Lac Bay, Bonaire, a part of the mangrove forest is dying partly because of reduced water circulation through the forest. Tidal waves are the main...
  • Fish species utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats Distributed Along an Ocean-to-Land Environmental Gradient in a Tropical Mangrove and Seagrass Lagoon
    Abstract The importance of mangrove and seagrass lagoonal habitats as nursery areas for many reef-associated fish species is well established in the...
  • 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...
  • The state of the world’s mangroves in the 21st century under climate change
    Concerted mangrove research and rehabilitation efforts over the last several decades have prompted a better understanding of the important ecosystem...
  • Diversity and spatial heterogeneity of mangrove associated sponges of Curaçao and Aruba
    Abstract: Sponges are major epibionts of mangrove roots in the Caribbean. Mangrove sponge communities in the Caribbean mainly consist of species that...
  • 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...
  • Seagrass beds and mangroves as potential nurseries for the threatened Indo-Pacific humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus and Caribbean rainbow parrotfish, Scarus guacamaia
    The importance of seagrass beds and mangroves as a juvenile habitat as opposed to other shallow water habitat types is investigated using a single...
  • 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...
  • Marine debris in mangroves and on the seabed: Largely-neglected litter problems
    While the scarcity of up-to-date data on beach litter contamination in the Caribbean has been stressed in several recent studies, we here point to...
  • 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...
  • Impacts of wetland dieback on carbon dynamics: A comparison between intact and degraded mangroves
    Mangroves are effective blue carbon sinks and are the most carbon rich ecosystems on earth. However, their areal extent has declined by over one-...
  • A review of bottom-up vs. top-down control of sponges on Caribbean fore-reefs: what’s old, what’s new, and future directions
    Interest in the ecology of sponges on coral reefs has grown in recent years with mounting evidence that sponges are becoming dominant members of reef...
  • Spatial and demographic consequences of nursery-dependence in reef fishes: an empirical and simulation study
    The rainbow parrotfish Scarus guacamaia has an obligate dependence on man- groves at juvenile stages, and, as the largest herbivorous fish in the...
  • Mangrove map of Bonaire
    Mangrove map of Bonaire (GIS), based on aerial photograph interpretation from December 1995 and June 1996, true color, scale approximately 1:8,000....
  • Invasive Lionfish - A Guide to Control and Management
    The invasion of lionfish (Pterois miles and P. volitans) may prove to be one of the greatest threats of this century to warm temperate and tropical...
  • Unexpected high number of endemics for the windward Dutch Caribbean Islands
    In light of the mounting impact of humans on our planet, there is an urgent need to assess the status of all current living species so as to ensure...
  • The State of the World's Mangroves 2021
    MANGROVES ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE PLANET’S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. Mangroves sequester carbon at up to four times the rate of terrestrial forests,...
  • Sargassum management brief
    In light of recent and recurring influxes of sargassum on the islands of the Dutch Caribbean, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance has drafted a...
  • Special Edition: Transboundary Species
    There has been a recent increase in public awareness of environmental issues as the effects of climate change have become ever more noticeable in our...
  • Mangrove Restoration Workshop 2021
    The Mangrove Restoration Workshop was held between October 25 - 28, 2021. The goal was to bring together researchers, conservationists, park...
  • BioNews 6 - June/July 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on the development of the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, which addresses one of the biggest gaps for nature...
  • Restoration of Key Biodiversity Areas of St. Maarten
    In July 2017, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation initiated a project to restore coastal and terrestrial biodiversity by...
  • Nature in the Dutch Caribbean is critically threatened and intervention is necessary
    Wageningen University recently published an alarming report on the threatened natural resources on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. The Dutch...
  • Bonaire Mangrove Restoration Overview
    Bonaire Mangrove Restoration Overview Presented in 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop
  • Healthier Mangrove Key in Managing Our Carbon Footprint
    Healthy mangroves act as carbon sinks, storing a variety of greenhouse gases.  As mangroves degrade this ability is lost, but to what extend is still...
  • BioNews 12 - January 2014
    Very exciting news this month from St. Eustatius where the ongoing study of the island’s flora led to the discovery of a plant species new to science...
  • How to Respond to a Sargassum Influx
    In May 2018 the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) launched a new infographic guide for the tourism sector on to how to respond to the...
  • State of Nature in the Caribbean Netherlands: St. Eustatius
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Caribbean Netherlands islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Utilizing Citizen Science
    Presentation given during 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop
  • State of the World’s Mangroves 2021
    The Global Mangrove Alliance’s recent report on the State of the World’s mangroves served as a call to action for mangrove conservation and...
  • Status of St. Maarten’s Reef
    Last September, major category 5+ Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage to St. Maarten. This was a strong reminder of the urgency to preserve the...
  • Aruba’s Value of Nature
    There is strong link between economy and nature in the Dutch Caribbean due to our economic dependence on nature-based tourism. TEEB Aruba - The...
  • State of Nature: Bonaire
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Dutch Caribbean islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • What's Blue Carbon Got To Do With It?
    How blue lcarbon supports sustainable development goals. Presented in 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop
  • Bonaire Hosts an International Mangrove Restoration Workshop
    Between October 25th and 28th, Bonaire’s Mangrove Maniacs hosted their first Mangrove Restoration Workshop .  The goal was to provide a platform for...
  • Ma Kote Mangroves
    Overview of St. Lucia's Mangroves Used to draw comparisons with the mangroves of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and St. Maarten Presented in 2021 Mangrove...
  • 2022 promises new nature parks on Curaçao
    The Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) recently highlighted some big changes and impressive achievements for Curaçao during...
  • Ecological Restoration Lac Bay and South Coast, Bonaire
    Lac Bay is the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Dutch Caribbean, offering visitors breathtaking views, white sandy beaches and shallow turquoise...
  • Raising awareness through mangrove outreach
    Presentation from the Mangrove Restoration Workshop.  
  • The role of creeks for tidal exchange in the mangroves of Lac Bay, Bonaire
    This presentation gives an overview of the thesis work conducted to map the hydrological connectivity within the mangrove channels of Lac Bay,...
  • Mangroves and seagrass beds as nurseries
    News article on: Hylkema, A., W. Vogelaar, H.W.G. Meesters, I. Nagelkerken, A.O. Debrot (2014) Fish Species Utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats...
  • Mangrove Population of Lac Bay (Bonaire) 1961-1996
    Map of Mangrove Populations of Lac Bay   Erdmann, W., Scheffers, A. 2006. Mangrove Population of Lac (Bonaire) 1961 and 1996,  Universität Duisburg-...
  • UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2019
    This volume presents academic papers and personal reflections written by the participants of the UAUCU student research exchange project 2019. These...
  • Recreational and land use survey for Lac Bay Bonaire: A study towards mapping human activities in Lac Bay Bonaire and its catchment area and advising about the current management system.
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that at the moment tourists and locals use Lac Bay and its catchment area at levels and in ways that...
  • The role of creeks for tidal exchange in the mangrove forest of Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Abstract The mangrove forest in Lac Bay, Bonaire, experiences a die-off of trees in its northern area (Awa di Lodo). This die-off is caused by a...
  • Fresh water and sediment dynamics in the catchment of Lac at Bonaire.
    Deterioration of mangrove forests is occurring globally. The loss of mangrove habitats causes a decline in fishery resources, livelihood and...
  • The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Aruba
    Aruba’s natural capital value for tourism, culture, fishing and carbon exceeds US$ 287.3 million per year. ARUBA, an island of 115,000 human...
  • Filling in of Lac Bay Bonaire, causing loss of vital environments Halimeda sediment production investigated
    Student Report The mangrove forest on Bonaire, located in the south east of the island, is decreasing in area, just like many other mangroves around...
  • Eutrophication status of Lac, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Including proposals for measures
    Abstract: Lac is a semi-enclosed lagoon located on the south-eastern side of Bonaire, and contains a diversity of shallow water coral reef associated...
  • Influence of coastal economic valuations un the Caribbean: enabling conditions and lessons learned
    Across the Caribbean, national economies are heavily dependent on coastal ecosystem services. Coral reefs, mangroves, and other coastal ecosystems...
  • Bonaire's Southern Wetlands Management Plan
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The southern wetlands of Bonaire represent a unique environment for the island. Consisting of a wide variety of habitat types...
  • 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...
  • Lac Bay: Then and Now… A Historical Interpretation of Environmental Change During the 1900s A Site Characterization of Lac Bay for Resource Managers and Naturalists prepared for Bonaire Marine Park
    Executive Summary This Site Characterization report provides a comprehensive coverage of past and present scientific research that had been conducted...
  • Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract: The Important Bird Area (IBA) programme is an initiative of BirdLife International aimed at identifying, monitoring and protecting a...
  • Chapter 12. Status and trends of coral reefs of the Caribbean region
    Regional Context: The Caribbean Region represents only 1% of Earth’s marine surface but hosts 10% of the world’s coral reefs, including fringing...
  • The total economic value of nature on Bonaire
    Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are critical to Bonairean society. In the last decades, various local and global developments...
  • The current status of mangrove forests in Spanish Lagoon (Aruba) evaluated from a hydrological point of view. Assessing the water balance and modelling tree growth rates.
    The importance of mangroves is widely recognized because of the number of services they provide (e.g. habitat function and coastal protection). In...
  • Modelling Mangrove growth and salinity: a semi-arid case study
    of the mangrove forest in Lac Bay, Bonaire is an environmental issue. Mangrove forests surround Lac Bay. Lac Bay has a status as RAMSAR site (RAMSAR...
  • How channel dimensions relate to the erosivity of tidal flows in mangrove channels in Lac Bay, Bonaire. BSc thesis
    Almost the entire shoreline of Bonaire belongs to the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP), from the high water line to 60m depth. The marine park...
  • 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...
  • Extent and health of mangroves in Lac Bay Bonaire using satellite data
    Remote sensing is an important tool for monitoring the environment. In this report we investigate the use of satellite images from two different...
  • Remote Sensing Tools to support NEXUS challenges
    Smalls islands are especially vulnerable to climate change and land  use changes due to the competing needs for limited resources. To support...
  • Improving water circulation into backlands of Lac Bay through channel management
    Lac Bay is the lagoon of Bonaire; in that lagoon a mangrove forest of red and black mangroves grows. The mangrove forest of Lac provides birds and...
  • 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....
  • 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...
  • Land cover classification Bonaire
    Mapping the land cover of Bonaire based on very high resolution PLEIADES satellite data of 2014-2016 Bonaire is rich in natural terrestrial...
  • Opportunities for valorisation of pelagic Sargassum in the Dutch Caribbean
    Since 2011, unprecedented beaching events of Sargassum seaweed have caused major environmental, health and economic problems in the Caribbean, Gulf...
  • Assessment of Ramsar site Lac Bonaire – June 2010
    Findings The main issues that Lac Bay faces were identified as follows: Filling-in of Lac and reduced water circulation. Over-grazing by extensive...
  • 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...

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ECHO, parrots and people
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