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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: 615

  • Research report Marine Area Survey: an inventory of the natural and cultural marine resources of St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
    The purpose of this survey was to describe and map the natural and cultural resources of the marine environment with a view to sustainable...
  • Other resources A comparative study of benthic and coral reef fish communities on artificial versus natural reefs of Bonaire, N.A.
    Caribbean coral reef ecosystems are threatened by anthropogenic impacts such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. In an effort to...
  • Research report The Value Natural Capital for the Tourism Industry of Aruba
    Governments around the world are taking an interest in the measurement of well-being to improve their policy decisions. Aruba has started the process...
  • Research report Management plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean
    On the 10th of October 2010 the governmental entity known as the Netherlands Antilles is scheduled to cease to exist. Each island will aquire a new...
  • Media Extra budget for nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NL)  are pleased...
  • Research report Effect of the use of artificial reefs as substrate on outplanted Acropora cervicornis survival and growth in comparison with outplanting on natural reefs
    Abstract: Knowledge gaps remain regarding the drivers of active coral restoration success that may impede our ability to effectively restore coral...
  • Research report Naturalised and invasive alien plant species in the Caribbean Netherlands: status, distribution, threats, priorities and recommendations
    Abstract: The Netherlands are signatories of the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This implies that the nation will protect...
  • Scientific article A centuries-old manmade reef in the Caribbean does not substitute natural reefs in terms of species assemblages and interspecific competition
    ABSTRACT   With increasing maritime activities in the proximity of coral reefs, a growing number of manmade structures are becoming available for...
  • Research report 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...
  • Other resources Identifying the cultural value of Bonaire’s marine resources
    The island of Bonaire in the lesser Antillean islands is economically dependent on the tourism industry. A majority of tourists who visit the island...
  • Media Is there a future for artificial reefs?
    Manmade structures such as seawalls, breakwaters, and jetties are increasing in frequency in marine coastal environments. Overtime, these structures...
  • Scientific article Assisted Natural Recovery: A Novel Approach to Enhance Diadema antillarum Recruitment
    The massive die-off of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in 1983–1984 is one the main reasons for low coral recruitment and little coral recovery in...
  • Research report The Total Economic Value of Nature on St Eustatius
    This study is part of the research project “What is St Eustatius Nature Worth?”, a project that is part of The Economics of Ecosystems and...
  • Research report Lac Bay: Then and Now… A Historical Interpretation of Environmental Change During the 1900s A Site Characterization of Lac Bay for Resource Managers and Naturalists prepared for Bonaire Marine Park
    Executive Summary This Site Characterization report provides a comprehensive coverage of past and present scientific research that had been conducted...
  • Research report Saba Bank - Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008
    Findings A management plan was prepared in close consultation with a considerable number of stakeholders and stakeholder group representatives. The...
  • Other resources Fish density, species richness and diversity between stands of natural and artificial Acropora cervicornis
    Coral reefs around the world are experiencing high levels of degradation due to temperature changes, increased nutrients and destructive fishing...
  • Media St. Eustatius: economic value of nature
    The Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) hosted two “Economic Value of Nature” workshops on St. Eustatius from 3-6 April 2017. These...
  • Media Innovative Techniques could be key for Sea Urchin Recovery
    Nederlands below. Researchers from Van Hall Larenstein, Wageningen University and Wageningen Marine Research have developed a new approach to assist...
  • Other resources Coral growth on antrhopogenic vs. natural substrates in Bonaire
    Specific anthropogenic substrates demonstrate the ability to aid new coral growth among Caribbean reefs in Bonaire, N.A. In this study I documented...
  • Research report Report on the Economic Valuation of St. Eustatius’ Coral Reef Resources
    Abstract: The St. Eustatius National Marine Park conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Eustatius’ coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2009. This...
  • Research report Working paper on the economic valuation of country St. Maarten's coral reef resources
    The St. Maarten Nature Foundation conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Maarten’s coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2010. This attempted to put a...
  • Research report The potential Outstanding Universal Value and natural heritage values of Bonaire National Marine Park: an ecological perspective
    The Southern Caribbean forms a separate biogeographic province for marine mollusks and marine fish faunas. The terrestrial desert and xeric...
  • Other resources A Short Natural History of Curaçao
    The islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire together with the Venezuelan islands of Los Monjes, Islas Aves, Los Roques, La Orchila and La Blanquilla...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2010
    Management Recommendations: Expand the boundaries of the Washington Slagbaai National Park to include all the salts flats included in this monitoring...
  • Other resources Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease: Lessons Learned & Resources
    Webinar Florida’s corals reefs have been experiencing devastating effects of a multi-year outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). This...
  • Scientific article Occupation rates of artificial and restored natural nest cavities by yellow-shouldered Amazons Amazona barbadensis on Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    The breeding success of obligate secondary cavity nesting birds, including most parrots, can be limited by the availability and quality of nest...
  • Scientific article POPULATION ESTIMATE, NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF THE MELANISTIC IGUANA IGUANA POPULATION ON SABA, CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
    Abstract.– Intraspecific diversity is among the most important biological variables, although still poorly understood for most species. Iguana iguana...
  • Research report Integrating Global and Local Forecasting Resources and Methods for Flood Warning Systems in Central America and Caribbean Region
    Hurricanes and tropical storms occur very frequently in the Central American and Caribbean Region (CA&CR). These extreme weather events produce a...
  • Media DCNA Launches Bionews Kids – A New Magazine to Empower Youth in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.     Kralendijk, Bonaire –The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) released the first edition of...
  • Research report The Total Economic Value of Nature on Saba
    This study is part of the project “What is Saba’s Nature Worth?” The project is part of the encompassing project The Economics of Ecosystems and...
  • Research report The blue destination strategy in a small island tourism oriented society
    Abstract: Tourism could be discussed as being a damaging phenomenon if not managed correctly as well as being destructive towards its own industry by...
  • Portal Historic Caribbean flora and fauna publications
    Many publications on the Caribbean Flora and Fauna are accessible online. During the last decades, biologists of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and...
  • Other resources What is St Eustatius’ Nature Worth? (Policy Brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as the corals reefs and the forests on the hillsides of Boven and the Quill are critical to the...
  • Media Kingdom Report Sounds Alarm on Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean
    Only Four of Twenty Biodiversity Targets On Track to Achieve Goals in the Dutch Caribbean A recently published report issued by the Kingdom of the...
  • Book Butterflies and Moths of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire
    Foreword Butterflies are a colorful and fascinating group of insects that have attracted a great deal of interest from naturalists in the past. In...
  • Scientific article Harnessing Natural Recovery Processes to Improve Restoration Outcomes: An Experimental Assessment of Sponge-Mediated Coral Reef Restoration
    Abstract: Background: Restoration is increasingly implemented to reestablish habitat structure and function following physical anthropogenic...
  • Other resources Estimating damages from climate-related natural disasters for the Caribbean at 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming above preindustrial levels
    This paper examines historical and future changes in normalised damages resulting from climate-related natural disasters for the Caribbean....
  • Media Assisted natural recovery of sea urchin populations around Saba and St. Eustatius
    Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem by grazing away algae and creating bare substrate for coral...
  • Research report Comparing an ancient artificial reef and a natural reef at St. Eustatius (eastern Caribbean): species assemblages and interspecific competition
    Student Report For more info, contact Bert Hoeksma bert.hoeksema@naturalis.nl  
  • Other resources Density-dependent colonization and natural disturbance limit the effectiveness of invasive lionfish culling efforts
    Culling can be an effective management tool for reducing populations of invasive species to levels that minimize ecological effects. However, culling...
  • Media Naturalis Expedition to St. Eustatius: discovering a new species of land snail
    Since 2010 the tiny island of Sint Eustatius, or Statia, as it is known locally, has been a special municipality of the Netherlands. And despite...
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of Sint Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)
    Abstract: A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) based on field data from 1999 has been available as an update of Stoffers...
  • Scientific article Effects of mixed-species pollen load on fruits, seeds, and seedlings of two sympatric columnar cactus species
    Two sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, share bat pollinators, overlap in flowering phenology, and are floral...
  • Media Big Live Nature Quiz—Winners on Curaçao, Aruba and Saba
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below   Fun Online Nature Game for the Dutch Caribbean  DCNA’s Big Live Nature Quiz local Host Edrieënna...
  • Research report A review of the small pelagics fishery resources of the Dutch Caribbean and adjacent areas
    This deskstudy gives a review of small pelagic fish species and fisheries in the Dutch Caribbean, specifically species which distributions exceed the...
  • Media 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
    The 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) was held in San Andres, (Colombia) from 5–9 November 2018. This...
  • Research report Funding Protected Areas in the Wider Caribbean. A Guide for Managers and Conservation Organizations
    Abstract: This document is an orientation to sources of funding for protected areas and biodiversity conservation. It is designed to serve as a...
  • Media Vegetation Study informs Spatial Planning on Sint Maarten
    Commissioned by Sint Maarten’s Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), a color vegetation map produced...
  • Other resources The value of nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
    The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as the forests on the hillsides of the Quill on St Eustatius and Saba’s Mt Scenery or the corals reefs of...
  • Media Naturalis Marine Expedition: Results marine biodiversity of St. Eustatius
    In September, a report on the preliminary results of the Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition (from June 2015) was published. This expedition served...
  • Scientific article Natural Diet of Coral-Excavating Sponges Consists Mainly of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)
    Abstract: Coral-excavating sponges are the most important bioeroders on Caribbean reefs and increase in abundance throughout the region. This...
  • Other resources Nest site selection of sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis): artificial vs. natural reef structures
    Nesting animals select sites for reproduction based on adaptive behaviors that have evolved to improve reproductive success and the survival rates of...
  • Other resources Natural Catastrophes in the Flamingo Colony of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
     In the past 25 years the Red Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber)  of Bonaire, estimated by ROOTH (1965) to comprise a population of at least 5,...
  • Scientific article Reproductive natural history and successful juvenile propagation of the threatened Caribbean Pillar Coral Dendrogyra cylindrus
    Background The Caribbean pillar coral Dendrogyra cylindrus was recently listed as a threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act...
  • Other resources A Review of the Ecology and Economics of Curaçao’s Marine Resources
    This report contains information on: General Description of Curacao Physical description Marine Ecosystems: Descriptions, Status and Threats Seafood...
  • Scientific article Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs
    Ever since Darwin’s early descriptions of coral reefs, scientists have debated how one of the world’s most productive and diverse ecosystems can...
  • Other resources Economic Valuation of Curaçao’s Marine Resources
    This report contains information on: Value of Curaçao’s Fisheries Value of Marine Tourism and Recreation  Habitat Valuations Ocean Zoning Potential...
  • Research report Bird communities of contrasting semi-natural habitats of Lac Bay, Bonaire, during the fall migration season, 2011
    Findings: Species richness Species richness is highest in Lac’s mangrove thickets and salt flats. They have a two-fold higher total species richness...
  • Other resources What is St Eustatius’ Nature Worth?
    Healthy ecosystems such as the corals reefs and the forests on the hillsides of Boven and the Quill are critical to the society of St Eustatius. The...
  • Research report Environmental Impact Report for Off Road Driving (ORD) in Parke Nacional Arikok
    Aruba has overstretched its resources beyond sustainable levels (ATA 2018). One of numerous factors putting pressure on Aruba’s natural resources is...
  • Other resources 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Book of abstracts
    Abstracts: TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN: CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES & CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS (Sponsored by CORALINA & GCFI) Kyne,...
  • Media Aruba’s Value of Nature
    There is strong link between economy and nature in the Dutch Caribbean due to our economic dependence on nature-based tourism. TEEB Aruba - The...
  • Media The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) Organise Marine Management Workshop in Aruba
    Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   From the 21st to the 23rd of November 2022, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) together with...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Lobbies Internationally for Increased Support for Nature Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   DCNA has been actively promoting a nature focused agenda both within The Netherlands and...
  • Media First mosquito survey for the ABC islands in nearly 75 years
    Dutch and Papiamentu below Kralendijk, Bonaire – 10th of November – In 2018 , Naturalis Biodiversity Center conducted the first mosquito survey for...
  • Media State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen receives an urgent message regarding nature protection in the Dutch Caribbean.
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below. On Saturday, June 18th 2022, State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen visited the ...
  • Research report Influence of coastal economic valuations un the Caribbean: enabling conditions and lessons learned
    Across the Caribbean, national economies are heavily dependent on coastal ecosystem services. Coral reefs, mangroves, and other coastal ecosystems...
  • Media DCNA Organizes Junior Ranger Exchange Week 2022
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Junior Rangers just wrapped up their annual exchange event. Youngsters from the islands got...
  • Other resources Benefits of valuing nature for the Caribbean Netherlands
    The Natural Capital of the Caribbean Netherlands Ongoing developmental pressures in a context of global environmental change and economic...
  • Research report Key Elements Towards a Joint Invasive Alien Species Strategy for the Dutch Caribbean
    Summary: Recent inventories have documented no less than 211 exotic alien species in the wild for the Dutch Caribbean. These amount to no less than...
  • Media 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...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2009
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Other resources Significance of boulder shape for the transport of boulders by tsunamis
    Physical experiments and numerical models support investigations on the transport of boulders by tsunamis, and based on this, on hydrodynamic...
  • Other resources Tourism: synergizing people and nature for a better tomorrow (2017-2027)
    Impressively, since the 1970’s Bonaire has championed efforts to protect its natural environment and resources. There is no doubt that these efforts...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2010
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Other resources Tourism: synergizing people and nature for a better tomorrow
    Impressively, since the 1970’s Bonaire has championed efforts to protect its natural environment and resources. There is no doubt that these efforts...
  • Other resources The recreational and cultural value of nature on Saba (policy brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Local people call Saba ‘The Unspoiled Queen’, showing how proud Saban residents are of their history and the ‘unspoiled...
  • Media Bionews Diadema Special Edition: Restoration Effects
    The Diadema RAAK Project is a collaborative effort between University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein, Wageningen Marine Research and...
  • Other resources The History of Resource Exploitation in Aruba
    This paper is part of a series on the Aruban landscape. To bring perspective to current environmental threats and developments we review, in this...
  • Research report A review of coral reef restoration techniques
    In this review the following three reef restoration techniques are discussed: 1. Coral gardening, 2. Larval seeding, and 3. Reef balls. These...
  • Research report The local recreational and cultural value of nature on Saba
    his thesis is part of the project ‘What is Saba’s nature worth?’ a collaboration between the IVM, VU University Amsterdam and Wolfs Company. The aim...
  • Scientific article Engineered substrates reveal species-specific inorganic cues for coral larval settlement
    ABSTRACT: The widespread loss of stony reef-building coral populations has been compounded by the low settlement and survival of coral juveniles. To...
  • Scientific article 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,...
  • Research report Towards sustainable management of the Saba Bank
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that the Saba Bank is particularly important for several reasons: It is an important and unique...
  • Other resources State of Nature in the Dutch Caribbean: Saba and the Saba Bank
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the state of nature for the three Dutch Caribbean islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Other resources Sustainable diving tourism on the Golden Rock - Assessment of the ecological and social carrying capacity of reefs of Sint Eustatius and the potential for artificial reefs
    Tropical regions and developing states depend largely on their “blue nature” and related tourism for their potential and economic well-being. Even so...
  • Research report An assessment of sand quality and potential impacts on corals at the Chogogo Dive and Beach Resort artificial beach
    Summary The Government of Bonaire has requested Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) to research the composition of the sand used to construct the...
  • Scientific article Comparing the dietary niche overlap and ecomorphological differences between invasive Hemidactylus mabouia geckos and a native gecko competitor
    Abstract Hemidactylus mabouia is one of the most successful, widespread invasive reptile species and has become ubiquitous across tropical urban...
  • Research report The Tourism Value of Nature on St Eustatius
    This study aims to value the services provided by nature to tourists on St Eustatius. The natural landscape, the coastal waters, the tranquillity and...
  • Research report A Rainwater Harvesting System based Blueprint for Excess Runoff Management on Caribbean Small Island Developing States
    Student Report Executive Summary Freshwater is essential to public health, food security, livelihoods, and healthy and resilient ecosystems. However...
  • Other resources Plan land and water: Nature and environment plan Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030
    The Caribbean Netherlands consists of three islands: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, all located in the Caribbean Sea. Since 2010 each island is...
  • Media Emergency assistance contriubtes to the spread of invasive exotics
    Hurricane Maria devasted several Caribbean islands in 2017. A major relief campaign was launched to help the affected population of the Commonwealth...
  • Media Biosecurity concern for humanitarian aid highlighted by Caribbean organizations
    Although the La Soufrière volcano on St. Vincent saw its latest explosive eruption over a week ago, and the threat level has decreased to Orange,...
  • Media Call of action to reduce plastic pollution on St. Maarten
    Residents and businesses of St. Maarten are being urged to abandon the use of single-use, non-biodegradable plasticsto help create a cleaner and...
  • Research report Management of European (Sub)Tropical Biodiversity In support of sustainable development: Policy recommendations and priorities for research
    NetBiome-CSA is a European funded project that aims to extend and strengthen research partnerships and cooperation for the smart and sustainable...
  • Media Nature in the Dutch Caribbean is critically threatened and intervention is necessary
    Wageningen University recently published an alarming report on the threatened natural resources on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. The Dutch...
  • Media Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve
    Bonaire has a rich and complex geological history which is reflected in its current geological landscape. While the core of the island is comprised...
  • Other resources Towards Marine Ecosystem- based Management in the Wider Caribbean
    Introduction Countries of the Wider Caribbean have committed to principled ocean governance through several multilateral environmental and fisheries...
  • Media AlgaePARC: Bringing Innovation to Bonaire
    A collaborative effort between private, government and university partners, has been working to develop a microalgae production test facility on...
  • Other resources BEST 2.0 Regeneration Study
    Habitat degradation and destruction, as well as the introduction of invasive species re-main amongst the key threats to the world’s biodiversity (...
  • Media New beetles discovered in the Dutch Caribbean
    Nederlands below   Two recently published studies document 35 new beetle species for the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius.  Even with these latest...
  • Media Special Edition: State of Nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the Caribbean Netherlands islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Scientific article The effects of partial mortality on the fecundity of three common Caribbean corals
    The recent intensification of human disturbances in the Caribbean has increased the prevalence of partial mortality on coral colonies. Partial...
  • Scientific article The beetles of Barbados, West Indies (Insecta: Coleoptera): diversity, distribution and faunal structure
    Abstract: The beetle fauna of the island of Barbados is summarized. It is now known to contain 202 genera, and 254 species (in 40 families), of which...
  • Other resources What is Saba’s Nature Worth? (policy brief)
    Policy Brief The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as the corals reef patches and forests on the characteristic Mount Scenery are critical to the...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2009
    Management Recommendations: Include all the area of Salina Goto and salina Frans inside the borders of WSNP. This expansion will not only benefit the...
  • Media BioNews 5 - May 2013
    This month’s issue focuses on coral reef restoration efforts; research by SECORE and CARMABI on Curaçao and a private initiative by the Coral...
  • Scientific article Ocean acidi cation and global warming impair shark hunting behaviour and growth
    Alterations in predation pressure can have large e ects on trophically-structured systems. Modi cation of predator behaviour via ocean warming has...
  • Scientific article Effect of light and nutrient availability on the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by Caribbean turf algae
    Turf algae increasingly dominate benthic communities on coral reefs. Given their abundance and high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release rates,...
  • Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2008
    Management Recommendations: The boundaries of the WSNP should be expended to include all the salinas included in this survey. This expansion will not...
  • Research report Landscape-ecological survey of Arikok National Park, Aruba Restoring vegetation of a dry tropical island
    Aruba invokes the image of a Caribbean tropical island paradise, with white sandy beaches and palm trees waving in the wind. The interior of the...
  • Research report 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...
  • Media Ecological Restoration Lac Bay and South Coast, Bonaire
    Lac Bay is the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Dutch Caribbean, offering visitors breathtaking views, white sandy beaches and shallow turquoise...
  • Research report Strategic Plan for Eliminating the Incidental Capture and Mortality of Leatherback Turtles in the Coastal Gillnet Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago
    Abstract: Accidental entanglement of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the gillnet fisheries of Trinidad is the most serious...
  • Research report Sustainable Finance in EU Overseas Territories
    The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) and Wolfs Company have composed this report in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservation...
  • Other resources The tourism value of nature on Saba (policy brief)
    Policy Brief The Challenge The tourism industry is the most important source of income for Saba, which is marketed as “the Unspoiled Queen” of the...
  • Other resources Biodiversity Monitoring on the BES-islands: …Past, Present and Future
    Abstract With the transition of the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES) from the former Netherlands Antilles to special municipalities...
  • Media Tree Adoption website to help heal Bonaire’s dry forests
    Echo is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis) on Bonaire, and the unique dry-...
  • Scientific article User fees as sustainable financing mechanisms for marine protected areas: An application to the Bonaire National Marine Park
    Marine protected areas (MPAs) have proliferated globally in the past three decades. However, inadequate funding often prevents these management...
  • Monitoring protocol PROALAS: Latin American Program for Landbirds
    About this manual and how to use it conabio’s community monitoring network is a citizen science project aimed at local communities. It was created in...
  • Media DCNA Junior Ranger Exchange Event 2022
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is excited to announce the 2022 Junior Ranger Exchange...
  • Scientific article Multilocus Adaptation Associated with Heat Resistance in Reef-Building Corals
    The evolution of tolerance to future climate change depends on the standing stock of genetic variation for resistance to climate-related impacts [1,...
  • Research report Nature on Bonaire and social media behavior Assessing the spatial distribution of tourism and recreation on Bonaire through social media
    Tourism is a very important source of income on Bonaire and forms the most important economic pillar of the island. The tourism numbers are expected...
  • Other resources Reforestation Project Final Report
    Bonaire has never recovered from the historic felling of its trees. The strong influence of feral goats prevents rejuvenation in those parts where a...
  • Scientific article Artificial reefs in the Caribbean: A need for comprehensive monitoring and integration into marine management plans
    Caribbean coral reefs are in decline and the deployment of artificial reefs, structures on the sea bottom that mimic one or more characteristics of a...
  • Other resources Sustainable Tourism: Overview
    The world is continuously getting smaller as globe trotting gets easier with each passing year. In fact, tourism is one of the fastest growing...
  • Media State of Nature in the Caribbean Netherlands: St. Eustatius
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Caribbean Netherlands islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of Saba (Lesser Antilles)
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 13 km2 Lesser Antillean steep volcanic island of Saba,...
  • Media Ants of the Dutch Caribbean
    Between 2015 and 2020, researchers from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center updated the local ant species lists for the Dutch Caribbean. A large number...
  • Media Grant from the European Union to enhance nature protection and sustainable tourism
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below. Lac Bay is a unique tourism hot spot which boasts a wide array of habitats from fringing coral reefs to expansive...
  • Other resources Systematic investigation of the coral-inclusive potential of marine infrastructure
    Abstract Ecosystems are under pressure worldwide, due to both natural and anthropogenic stresses. Stresses on ecosystems can cause a decline in...
  • Other resources Restoring the dry ecosystem of Bonaire
    The dry forest ecosystem of Bonaire has been decimated over the last 500 years by human intervention. Uncontrolled deforestation by early European...
  • Research report Monitoring the effect of cat removal on reproductive success in Red-billed Tropicbird colonies on Saba, 2013-2014: first season of results
    One of the most deleterious invasive introduced predators worldwide is the domestic cat which has been found responsible for many island extinctions...
  • Other resources Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
    A new guide from MPAConnect, a partnership between GCFI and NOAA Coral Program, seeks to help Caribbean marine natural resource managers who are...
  • Other resources Project rapportage. Regeling Bijzondere Uitkering Natuur voor Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (2013 – 2019)
    The Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, virtually all nature organizations, private companies and most individuals on Bonaire recognize caves as important...
  • Media The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance will discuss three critical topics at the upcoming DCNA Convention
    Kralendijk – The upcoming convention of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) will focus on governance, climate change, and youth engagement in...
  • Media Bonaire Welcomes Back Indiana University
    A group of students from Indiana University (IU) recently visited Bonaire.   Since 2015, IU has been sending students to Bonaire as part of their...
  • Other resources St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan 2007
    The St Maarten Marine Park was first established in 1997. It surrounds the Dutch side of St Martin from the average high water mark to a depth of...
  • Research report Cultural Ecosystem Service (CES) for Local Community in Aruba
    This research is based on the TEEB framework- The Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity.TEEB is a branch in United Nations Environment...
  • Media How does ecosystem functioning change now sea turtles are returning?
    Dutch below   Sea turtles have been overharvested in the past, resulting in their endangered population status. But since two decades, their...
  • Media State of Nature: Bonaire
    Wageningen Research recently published an alarming report on the natural resources of the three Dutch Caribbean islands Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Media Bats of St. Eustatius
    In 2015, Naturalis Biodiversity Center set out to create a baseline study of St. Eustatius’ marine and terrestrial fauna and flora in collaboration...
  • Research report Biodiversity in a globalized world: The journey of exotic species from origin to impact
    Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that have been introduced to locations outside of their distributional range via human transport....
  • Research report Bonaire 2050, putting the vision into numbers
    Bonaire is facing major challenges including (mass) tourism, population growth, urban expansion, climate change, biodiversity loss and the unilateral...
  • Scientific article First record on fecundity of an Iguana hybrid and its implications for conservation: evidence for genetic swamping of Iguana delicatissima populations by non-native iguanas
       The Lesser Antillean iguana, Iguana delicatissima Laurenti, 1768, is a large herbivorous iguana historically ranging from Anguilla to Martinique (...
  • Research report Rare plant species, establishment of exclosures and recommendations for a monitoring program in the Washington-Slagbaai Park (Bonaire)
    Abstract: The aim of the present project–commissioned by the management of the Washington-Slagbaai Park (WSP)- was to set-up a more strategic...
  • Media Molluscs of the Dutch Caribbean Islands
    The journal of the Netherlands Malacological Society, Vita Malacologica, dedicated its December 2017 edition to the malacofauna of the Dutch...
  • Other resources St Maarten Proposed Land Parks Management Plan 2009
    NAFSXM would like to secure a long term management agreement to protect the environment of the entire Dutch side of the island. The proposed St....
  • Scientific article Governance of ecosystem services on small islands: three contrasting cases for St. Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean
    Natural ecosystems provide an attractive focus for tourism on small islands. However, at the same time tourism and other human actions can be...
  • Other resources Temporal dynamics of fish assemblage on artificial reefs with varying distances from a coral reef ecosystem
    Increasing coral reef degradation worldwide is putting more reef fish under stressful circumstances. A possible solution to mitigating the effects of...
  • Research report An insight into Saba's heritage properties for the purpose of World Heritage nomination
    In 2011, the Saban government submitted the tentative list for nomination of the UNESCO World Heritage list. On this tentative list, the whole island...
  • Research report The Tourism Value of Nature on Saba
    Tourism is an important source of income for most Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Saba. This study aims to value the services...
  • Research report Description of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Proposed Marine Nomination Properties of the Bonaire and Curaçao Marine Parks (BCMP
    This report describes the possible Outstanding Universal Value of the potential World Heritage nomination that combines the Bonaire National Marine...
  • Other resources Mesophotic coral ecosystems are threatened and ecologically distinct from shallow water reefs
    The rapid degradation of coral reefs is one of the most serious biodiversity problems facing our generation. Mesophotic coral reefs (at depths of 30...
  • Media Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Highlights Nature’s Economic Value
    Kralendijk – The recently concluded Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) convention reminded participants that nature is big business. However,...
  • Research report MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF BONAIRE: A BASELINE SURVEY
    Abstract The Bonaire Marine Biodiversity Expedition (2019) was organized by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (the national museum of natural...
  • Other resources Reef fish assemblage and invertebrate cover in relationship to the degree of artificial reef isolation
    Reef fishes and invertebrates are quickly losing their habitats due to widespread coral degradation. Artificial reefs are entering the spotlight as...
  • Other resources What’s Bonaire’s Nature Worth? (Policy Brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are critical to Bonairean society. In the last decades, various...
  • Media News item: Hyperspectral Coral Reef Classification (HCRC)
    The Dutch Caribbean island Bonaire has protected its marine resources for more than 35 years and has been ranked as one of the Caribbean’s top dive...
  • Research report Mapping and modelling of landslide and flood hazards on St. Eustatius with openLISEM
    Student Report Between 1900-2016 there have globally been more than 14,000 major events of natural hazards, like landslides and floods. The Caribbean...
  • Other resources Evolutionary ecology of sea turtles
    Summary PHD Thesis The genetic diversity and structure of natural populations is  the product of past and  present  ecological  and  evolutionary ...
  • Research report The terrestrial consequences of poor wastewater management in Curaçao
    Abstract   Curaçao is a Small Island Development State in the Wider Caribbean Region. In the scope of sustainable development and the UN SDGs, these...
  • Research report Seagrasses and coastal protection: The role of Halophila stipulacea in sediment stability at the coast of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract Seagrasses are increasingly being recognized for their potential in protecting the coastlines from flooding and erosion. As ecosystem...
  • Scientific article The Relationship between Diver Experience Levels and Perceptions of Attractiveness of Artificial Reefs - Examination of a Potential Management Tool
    Abstract: Artificial reefs are increasingly used worldwide as a method for managing recreational diving since they have the potential to satisfy both...
  • Other resources Using relative brain mass to better understand trophic interactions and phenotypic plasticity of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans)
    Understanding predator-prey relationships gives greater insight into coral reef health. A recent study on predator-prey relationships linked the...
  • Media Researchers discover that the three known flamingo tongue snail species are in fact just one species
    Two researchers at Naturalis and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Bastian Reijnen and Sancia van der Meij, recently carried out research...
  • Scientific article Plastic Waste in the Aquatic Environment: Impacts and Management
    The majority of consumer products used today is composed of some form of plastic. Worldwide, almost 280 million tons of plastic materials are...
  • Scientific article Host-related Morphological Variation of Dwellings Inhabited by the Crab Domecia acanthophora in the Corals Acropora palmata and Millepora complanata (Southern Caribbean)
    A team of researchers from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, ANEMOON Foundation, and colleagues from various intitutes, performed several bodiversity...
  • Scientific article Beta diversity of macroalgal communities around St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    This study provides a baseline of the marine algal flora composition around St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, by describing algal community structure...
  • Scientific article How to make Integrated Coastal Erosion Management a reality
    Highlights Coastal management is usually too responsive via defense works and not pro-active. Intervention Concerning the Erosion Causes (ICEC) is a...
  • Other resources The groundwater quality of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao: a hydrogeochemical study
    The Groundwater resources on the Caribbean Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are limited and of poor quality. The groundwater of the islands is...
  • Scientific article Homing decisions reveal lack of risk perception by Caribbean damselfish of invasive lionfish
    Prey naïveté, or the failure of prey to recognize non-native predators due to a lack of co-evolutionary history, is thought to underpin the large...
  • Media Three New Species of Birds Identified on Bonaire
    2019 proved to be an exciting year for birders on Bonaire, as three new species have been identified. The Brown-chested martin, Whitecollared swift...
  • Other resources Mosquitoes in Belnem on the island of Bonaire: Sources and management implications
    Student Report  The people of Bonaire are affected by diseases that are transferred by mosquitoes. The problems are related to specifically the Aedes...
  • Other resources Application Form for Site of Importance for Bat Conservation (SICOM)
    The Island of Bonaire possess a system of more than 150 natural caves, but only five of them are known to be used as diurnal and maternity roosts by...
  • Research report A Willingness to Pay Study for Park Fees: Quill/Boven National Park, St. Eustatius Marine Park, St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract: Organisations designed to manage and maintain Protected Areas are often faced with limited financial resources to maintain and monitor...
  • Other resources Marine biodiversity survey of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, 2015.
    The Statia Marine Biodiversity Expedition (2015) was organized by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden (the national museum of natural history of...
  • Research report The local cultural and recreational value of nature on St Eustatius
    St Eustatius, is a small island in the Caribbean and a special municipality of the Netherlands. As many other small islands, St Eustatius’ marine and...
  • Media Environmental DNA FOR Lionfish Mapping
    When a new species is introduced to a foreign environment, it can upset the natural balance.  One such example, was the introduction of the Pacific...
  • Research report 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...
  • Media Survey of Free Roaming Livestock on St. Eustatius
    The Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) recently conducted surveys of free-roaming livestock on St. Eustatius, highlighting population...
  • Research report Small Islands – Large climate change challenges. Household resilience to climate change vulnerabilities - a case study of Bonaire
    Main Findings The main climate change vulnerabilities for Bonaire are: an increase in the intensity of hurricanes and tropical storms, an increase in...
  • Research report Assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus flows in agricultural and urban systems in a small island under limited data availability
    Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are two essential macronutrients required in agricultural production. The major share of this production relies on...
  • Media Coral Reef Mapping using hyperspectral imagery
    The Dutch Caribbean island Bonaire has been protecting its marine resources for more than 35 years and is ranked as one of the Caribbean’s top dive...
  • Scientific article Reproduction, Laboratory Culture, and Growth of Strombus Gigas, S. Costatus and S. Pugilus in Los Roques, Venezuela
    Egg masses of Strombus gigas, S. costatus, and S. pugilus were gathered from depths of 3 to 18 m in the western part of the Los Roques Archipelago,...
  • Other resources The Value of the LVV Site on Bonaire for Birds
    Advice on the importance of this area for birds on Bonaire Bonaire is blessed with splendid nature, both above and below water. Due to their special...
  • Media Sustainable Tourism: Sustainable Tourism
    Overview The goal of sustainable tourism is to maximize visitors’ enjoyment while minimizing environmental and societal impact. The idea is that by...
  • Other resources Mount Scenary Nature Park Management Plan
    The Mount Scenery Nature Park management plan consists of four sections as outlined below: Part 1: Background Information. The physical, social and...
  • Research report Brown Booby monitoring program year report 2008
    Management Recommendations: To keep collecting data for long term monitoring programs. It is fundamental for the proper management of our natural...
  • Scientific article Effect of introduced species and habitat alteration on the occurrence and distribution of euryhaline fishes in fresh- and brackish-water habitats on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (South Caribbean)
    Abstract: We conducted an ichthyological survey during the dry season of 2006 on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao to provide...
  • Media Scientific Assessment of Curaçao’s Reefs
    Blue Halo Curaçao, a partnership between the Waitt Institute and the Government of Curaçao, in close cooperation with researchers from CARMABI and...
  • Scientific article Endolymphatic Sac Use and Reproductive Activity in the Lesser Antilles Endemic Gecko Gonatodes antillensis (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae)
    Geckos are among the most diverse radiations of lizards; however, the lack of baseline natural history data on the reproductive biology for many...
  • Media NICO Expedition: Mesophotic reefs, Cyanobacteria mats and Submarine Groundwater Discharge around the ABC-islands
    After setting sail from Texel, The Netherlands in December 2017, the research vessel Pelagia travelled to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao where a multi-...
  • Media Sustainable Tourism: Recommendations
    Developing a sustainable tourism plan to be implemented within the Dutch Caribbean will require integration and teamwork at all levels. Although...
  • Scientific article Diversity of drift macroalgae in Aruba, Netherland Antilles, Caribbean Sea, including the rarely reported deep-water species Dasya puertoricensis and Cottoniella filamentosa (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta)
    Abstract: Drifting and wrack seaweeds may originate from the detachment of natural populations and transport by currents until reaching the coast....
  • Research report CARI'MAM Scientific Survey 2021 Final Report
    The CARI’MAM project More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile...
  • Portal NetBiome CSA biodiversity toolbox
    The Biodiversity Management Toolbox is a product of the NetBiome CSA network, a partnership for research and sustainable management of  (sub)tropical...
  • Media Financing Nature Conservation
    Ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources in the Caribbean Netherlands: a look into the financial needs of Protected Area Management...
  • Research report The total economic value of nature on Bonaire
    Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are critical to Bonairean society. In the last decades, various local and global developments...
  • Scientific article An annotated checklist of the Branchiopoda (Crustacea) of the Dutch Caribbean islands
    The launch of the Dutch Caribbean Species Register by Naturalis Biodiversity Center (2017)—https://www.dutchcaribbeanspecies.org/—raised the question...
  • Scientific article Disentangling the effects of plant species invasion and urban development on arthropod community composition
    Abstract Urban development and species invasion are two major global threats to biodiversity. These threats often co-occur, as developed areas are...
  • Other resources Policy Letter: Creating effective, sustainable fisheries management in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Throughout the Caribbean, like in the rest of the world, the abundance of marine fish species have been declining over the past decades. The health...
  • Other resources Herbivory and predatory pressures on artificial reefs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Artificial reefs are commonly used to increase habitat space for reef-dwelling organisms. Coral reefs in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean, are degrading due...
  • Media Distribution of plant species on the Dutch Caribbean Islands now online
    Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento below Since 2018 Wageningen University & Research and Carmabi cooperate in bringing together historical and...
  • Research report The ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
    In 1937, 1949 and 1963 P. Wagenaar Hummelinck collected vertebrates with some co-operators. The ants of these expeditions were selected and stored (...
  • Research report CARI'MAM Scientific Survey 2021 Final Report for Saba's Waters
    The CARI’MAM project More than 30 species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the Caribbean,which makes it a world hotspot. These highly mobile...
  • Media Unraveling the Mysteries of the Saba Bank: DCNA Tiger Shark Expedition 2021
    July 31st – August 7th, 2021 – For the first time on the Saba Bank, an expedition team was able to successfully assess the shark diversity by...
  • Scientific article The effectiveness of two bat species as pollinators of two species of columnar cacti on Curaçao
    Two species of columnar cacti, Subpilocereus repandus and Stenocereus griseus, are pollinated on Curacao by two species of glossophagine bats,...
  • Media Economic Value of Sharks
    Shark populations around the globe have been in rapid decline for the past decades as overfishing and habitat loss have severely reduced their...
  • Other resources Estimation of size at sexual maturity: an evaluation of analytical and resampling procedures
    Size at 50% maturity is commonly evaluated for wild popula- tions, but the uncertainty involved in such computation has been frequently overlooked in...
  • Research report Draft Business Plan for U.S. Coral Reefs
    The Coral Reef Ecosystem business plan describes a comprehensive 10 year strategy to guide NFWF’s conservation investments to achieve measurable...
  • Scientific article Biomass Feedstocks for Liquid Biofuels Production in Hawaii & Tropical Islands: A Review
    Abstract. Many tropical islands, including Aruba, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Pacific Island countries, are entirely dependent on importing fossil...
  • Scientific article Conservation opportunities for tern species at two Ramsar sites on Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract The island of Bonaire is a nesting location for at least four tern species: a subspecies of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum...
  • Research report Use of satellite data for the monitoring of species on Saba and St. Eustatius.
    Abstract: On 10 October 2010 Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius became ‘special municipalities’ of the Netherlands, making the Dutch government...
  • Research report Sponge density increases with depth throughout the Caribbean
    Mesophotic coral reefs (MCEs) are ecologically unique components of coral reef ecosystems that occur at depths from ~30 to 150 m where they support a...
  • Research report Koraalriffen in Nederland
    Abstract: The accession of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (the BES islands) to the Netherlands has considerably increased the government’s political...
  • Research report Mapping the Economic Value of Ecosystems on Saba
    This report will specifically focus on the spatial distribution of the ecosystem values and eventually visualize these values geographically in a...
  • Other resources Cay Bay Post-Restoration Assessment
    The Cay Bay restoration site is located within the Seaside Nature Park (thus it has been referred to as “Seaside Nature Park” in previous reports ...
  • Other resources Bonaire national marine park management plan 2006
    The Bonaire National Marine Park was first established in 1979. It surrounds the island of Bonaire and includes the satellite island and the waters...
  • Scientific article A Long-term Dietary Assessment of Invasive Boa constrictor on Aruba
    Invasive Boa Constrictors (Boa constrictor) have established a reproductive population on Aruba. High B. constrictor densities could stress prey...
  • Research report Student essays on economic values of nature of Bonaire
    To inform decision makers about the most effective strategies to protect the ecosystems of Bonaire, a full-scale valuation of all ecosystem services...
  • Other resources The tourism value of nature on St Eustatius (policy brief)
    Policy Brief The Challenge The tourism industry is an important pillar of the economy of St Eustatius. This is recognized by the Strategic...
  • Other resources Application Form for Area of Importance for Bat Conservation (AICOM) Kleine Bonaire
    Located in the South Caribbean xeric region, approximately 800 m from the Island of Bonaire, Klein Bonaire is a small flat island (maximum elevation...
  • Scientific article Climate change and temperature-linked hatchling mortality at a globally important sea turtle nesting site
    The study of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in vertebrates has attracted major scientific interest. Recently, concerns for species...
  • Media Status of the Red-Bellied Racer on Saba and St. Eustatius
    The Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) is a harmless snake species that is native to the St. Christopher and Saba Banks. Today, it...
  • Research report Recreational and land use survey for Lac Bay Bonaire: A study towards mapping human activities in Lac Bay Bonaire and its catchment area and advising about the current management system.
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that at the moment tourists and locals use Lac Bay and its catchment area at levels and in ways that...
  • Research report Atlas of the Living Reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles)
    The importance of reefs for man is multilateral and ranges from age-old functions, such as acting as a rampart preventing shore erosion, to modern...
  • Research report Tanker Anchoring Impact Study and Recommendations St Eustatius Marine Park
    Abstract: St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) is the only active environmental non-government organization on St. Eustatius, and was...
  • Research report What is Bonaire’s Cruise Tourism Worth
    The ecosystems of the island of Bonaire support a range of activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment. Tourism is one of these...
  • Scientific article Cell kinetics during regeneration in the sponge Halisarca caerulea: how local is the response to tissue damage?
    Sponges have a remarkable capacity to rapidly regenerate in response to wound infliction. In addition, sponges rapidly renew their filter systems (...
  • Scientific article Diet choice in a generalist predator, the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles)
    Diet choice in marine species is typically derived from indirect methods such as stomach contents and stable isotope analysis, while choice...
  • Monitoring protocol A stranding guide to the marine mammals of the wider Caribbean region
    Accurate species identification of marine mammals is key to improving our knowledge about them, including their distribution, natural history and the...
  • Other resources Invading is not always bad: A study of positive interactions between the invasive coral Tubastraea coccinea and native reef species of Bonaire, NA
    The orange cup coral, Tubastraea coccinea, was introduced into the Caribbean in the 1930s from the Indo-Pacific. Since then, it has spread throughout...
  • Scientific article Outcompeted by an invader? Interference and exploitative competition between tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) and Barbados leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus pulcher) for diurnal refuges in anthropogenic coastal habitats.
    House geckos in the genus Hemidactylus are highly successful colonizers of regions beyond their native range, with colonization often resulting in...
  • Research report A Proposal Towards a Dutch Caribbean Marine Mammal Sanctuary
    Abstract: Based on the goals set forth in the Dutch Biodiversity Policy Programme, The Netherlands has a traditionally strong commitment to protect...
  • Scientific article Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Saba Bank
    Abstract: Over the past 12 months a comprehensive assessment has been made of the fish stock of the Saba Bank. The assessment was initiated by the...
  • Media New Food Source Identified for Caribbean Corals
    A student of University of Amsterdam and a staff researcher of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and University of Groningen recently published the first...
  • Scientific article Conservation status of Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea in the Netherlands Antilles and other parts of the Caribbean
    Abstract: In 2005 to 2006 we assessed the status of the Caribbean coot Fulica caribaea in the Netherlands Antilles, largely semi-arid islands in the...
  • Research report Biodiversity of the Saba Bank supports status of Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)
    Abstract: This report contains a study regarding the biodiversity of the Saba Bank, one of the three largest atolls in the world. All scientific and...
  • Portal Reefbase
    A great part of the coral reef resources in the world are in danger of destruction due to over exploitation, degradation of habitat and, possibly,...
  • Scientific article High peak settlement of Diadema antillarum on different artificial collectors in the Eastern Caribbean
    The massive die-off of the herbivorous sea urchin Diadema antillarum in 1983 and 1984 resulted in phase shifts on Caribbean coral reefs, where...
  • Research report The effect of Sargassum on settlement of Diadema antillarum larvae around Saba
    Abstract  Before its mass-mortality in the 1980’s, Diadema antillarum was the most important benthic herbivore on Caribbean reefs. Since then, reefs...
  • Media New Species of Cone Snail Discovered on Aruba
    Nederlands and Papiamento below. Researchers from the Florida Atlantic University and University of California recently discovered a new species of...
  • Scientific article First records of three new lizard species and a range expansion of a fourth lizard species introduced to Aruba
    Introduction The Caribbean region is emerging as a hotspot for the spread of non-native reptile species (Powell et al. 2011; Powell and Henderson...
  • Media Three new exotic gecko species identified on Curaçao
    As part of the Caribbean Island Biogeography meets the Anthropocene project, researchers initiated their surveys for exotic reptile and amphibian...
  • Media Bonairian households not resilient to climate change vulnerabilities and action is highly needed
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below.   Last May, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)‘s research intern Nina Zander requested via (social) media...
  • Other resources Parke Marino Aruba 2019-2021 Preliminary Management Plan
        In 2016 the Government of Aruba in partnership with TNO Caribbean was awarded the BEST 2.0 Program grant to establish Marine Protected Areas (...
  • Scientific article High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)
    On the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) is an aggressive invasive vine posing major biodiversity conservation...
  • Research report Indicators on the status and trends of ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean
    The Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Saba, St.Eustatius, Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands have a...
  • Media BirdsCaribbean Landbird Monitoring Workshop
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.   The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) recently supported the attendance of representatives from...
  • Media Sharks found with dangerously high levels of heavy metals in The Caribbean
    In a new study, researchers from the non-profit research institute Beneath the Waves (BTW) documented and revealed alarmingly high levels of 12 heavy...
  • Research report Relação entre a diversidade funcional e área em assembleias de peixes recifais sujeitas a um gradiente de riqueza de espécies
    Abstract: Understanding the patterns and processes that govern the functional structuring of communities along spatial scales is still a challenge in...
  • Scientific article How much time can herbivore protection buy for coral reefs under realistic regimes of hurricanes and coral bleaching?
    Abstract: Coral reefs have been more severely impacted by recent climate instability than any other ecosystem on Earth. Corals tolerate a narrow...
  • Other resources The Yellow-Shouldered Amazon - Perspectives
    There are 330 parrot species worldwide, of which a third is threatened with extinction. The Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona Barbadensis) is a...
  • Media Using Satellite Imagery to Map St. Eustatius Coralita Invasion
    Coralita is an invasive plant species, rapidly spreading across St. Eustatius.  A recently published report highlighted the ability to use satellite...
  • Other resources Molluscs of St. Eustatius
    Molluscs are one of the largest phyla in the animal kingdom. They make up a large part of marine faunas worldwide (Appeltans et al. 2012), and have a...
  • Research report Climate change effects on the biodiversity of the BES islands
    In this report we review and assess possible consequences of climate change for the biodiversity of the Dutch BES islands (Bonaire, Saba and St....
  • Research report Bonaire's Southern Wetlands Management Plan
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The southern wetlands of Bonaire represent a unique environment for the island. Consisting of a wide variety of habitat types...
  • Research report 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...
  • Media The beetles of the Dutch Caribbean
    Last December, a beetle catalogue for the Dutch Caribbean was published. This voluminous paper provides the first critical review of the beetle...
  • Research report Rare and/or Endangered Land and Freshwater Molluscs of St. Martin
    Rare and/or Endangered Land and Freshwater Mollusks of St. Martin. In this article, Sint Maarten means the Dutch part and Saint-Martin the French...
  • Media Disappearance of St. Maarten’s Snails
    Nederlands Below   Land and freshwater mollusks were surveyed over the course of three visits in 2015, 2020 and 2021 on the Dutch and French sides of...
  • Media Obituary – Dr. Walter (Wòti) Bakhuis, Carmabi/Stinapa director 1981-2006
    On the 25th of March this year, Dr. Walter L. (Wòti) Bakhuis passed away at the ripe old age of 80 in Maarssen, The Netherlands. With his passing,...
  • Media Blue Marine Foundation launches new partnership with Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
    Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   Ocean charity makes initial grant of $90,000 to marine parks on six Dutch Caribbean islands. Award will...
  • Media Exploring the Saba Bank’s Deep Sea
    During the fifth leg of the NICO expedition researchers from NIOZ Sea Research, Wageningen Marine Research and Naturalis Biodiversity Center studied...
  • Scientific article Nocturnal Predation of Christmas Tree Worms by a Batwing Coral Crab at Bonaire (Southern Caribbean)
    Christmas tree worms (Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) occur in shallow parts of coral reefs, where they live as associates of a large number of stony...
  • Other resources Sixth National Report of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
    Background The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (...
  • Research report Proceedings of the Technical Workshop on Mitigating Sea Turtle Bycatch in Coastal Net Fisheries
    Abstract: Sea turtles are adversely affected by a range of factors, some natural and others caused by human activities, such as fishing operations....
  • Other resources Dust on Bonaire
    Student Report Introduction  The main goal of this research report is to shed light on the problems surrounding dust on Bonaire, and to give...
  • Media FPNA: Transitioning to a Conservation Management Organization
    Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) recently highlighted their successes and struggles of 2021 and gave a brief preview of their Multi-Annual...
  • Book Biology of Parrotfishes
    Content: Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces  By Kenneth W. Gobalet The...
  • Scientific article Four-year-old Caribbean Acropora colonies reared from field-collected gametes are sexually mature
    Rehabilitating populations of Caribbean coral species that have declined in recent decades has become a management priority throughout the region,...
  • Media New study aids in sea urchin restoration efforts
    Nederlands below: Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem and their restoration is essential to assist...
  • Media Exciting Changes for Nature Conservation in 2022 on Saba
    From big litigation to renovations for their new sea lab, 2022 promises to be a banner year for the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF).  SCF recently...
  • Research report 40 years of change on the coral reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire
    Coral reef ecosystems Tropical coral reefs are among the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems found on earth (Odum and Odum 1955;...
  • Research report St. Eustatius National Marine Park Management Plan 2007
    Abstract: The St. Eustatius Marine Park was created in 1996 and extends around the entire island from the high water line to 30m depth contour. St....
  • Media Caribbean Experts Join Forces for Sea Urchin Restoration
    Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below   Last week, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance hosted a sea urchin (Diadema Antillarum) restoration...
  • Media The State of the World's Mangroves 2021
    MANGROVES ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE PLANET’S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. Mangroves sequester carbon at up to four times the rate of terrestrial forests,...
  • Other resources Landscape ecological vegetation map of St. Maarten (Lesser Antilles)
    Vegetation maps are a primary and essential tool in biodiversity science, conservation, management, and monitoring as well as in land-use management...
  • Media Keys to Building Resilience in the Dutch Caribbean
    Dutch below Two new position papers presented to the Dutch Parliament, by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and Wageningen University and Research...
  • Media Rare nudibranch discovery highlights diversity of Bonaire’s reefs
    In exciting news for the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP), a sighting of Aegires sublaevis, a rare nudibranch, was documented at the Cliff dive...
  • Research report WIDECAST Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for the Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract: The Netherlands Antilles consists of five Caribbean islands. The leeward islands are Curaçao and Bonaire, close to the mainland of...
  • Research report 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...
  • Media Environmental DNA reveals tropical shark diversity in contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact
    Increased and targeted fishing pressure has led to the collapse of shark populations around the world. According to worldwide estimates, a staggering...
  • Other resources Nature Policy Plan for The Caribbean Netherlands 2013-2017
    Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius form the Dutch Caribbean within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the...
  • Media Marine mammals in the Caribbean: a threatened treasure in our waters
    Nederlands and Papiamentu below.   Over the last two years, the Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) has been studying cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in...
  • Other resources The Impacts of Climate Change on Bonaire - Synthesis Report
    Part of the larger report available here.   Executive summary Small islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their fragile...
  • Media 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...
  • Other resources Physis XIII - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2008
    Our 2008 work plan focused on the following objectives to help us achieve our mission: Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
  • Other resources A new catalogue of orchidaceae for Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    The Orchidaceae on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, have only briefly been studied and described. In January 2003, in cooperation with the...
  • Research report Status and trends of St.Eustatius coral reef ecosystem and fisheries: 2015 report card
    Caribbean coral reefs have been declining for decades due to a combination of anthropogenic drivers such as unsustainable fishing practises,...
  • Media Caribbean biodiversity on-line
    Many publications on the Caribbean Flora and Fauna have recently become accessible online via a new database at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in...
  • Other resources Sponges (Porifera) of St. Eustatius
    This article was published in the following report: MARINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF ST. EUSTATIUS, DUTCH CARIBBEAN 2015 by Naturalis Biodiversity...
  • Other resources Amphipod crustaceans of St. Eustatius
    This article was published in the following report: MARINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF ST. EUSTATIUS, DUTCH CARIBBEAN 2015 by Naturalis Biodiversity...
  • Research report Theory and practice of user fee implementation for nature conservation in the Caribbean, an analysis of success factors and critical obstacles.
    User fee systems are effectively utilised in different places throughout the Caribbean and provide sustainable financial resources that successfully...
  • Media Marine Protected Areas - a new interactive online map
    The Dutch Caribbean has a new way to access marine protected area (MPA) information focused on ease of use for boaters, fishermen, and the public....
  • Scientific article Food Production and Tourism in Jamaica: Obstacles to Increasing Local Food Supplies to Hotels.
    Abstract : Although it would seem natural for hotels in Jamaica to use a greater proportion of local food than at present, the expansion of domestic ...
  • Other resources Recovery plan, elkhorn and staghorn coral
    Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals were listed as threatened under the ESA on May 9, 2006. Elkhorn and staghorn corals...
  • Research report Assessing the impact of Antigonon Leptopus on Saba and St. Eustatius
    The spread of invasive species globally has had acknowledged impacts on species extinction, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gauging the type and...
  • Other resources Carimam Project - report on kick'off meeting
    The Agoa Sanctuary (named after a Caribbean - Amerindian sea goddess) was established because of the abundance and diversity of cetacean species...
  • Scientific article Diet and growth of juvenile queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in native, mixed and invasive seagrass habitats
    Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the Caribbean and...
  • Scientific article Reproductive performance, mate fidelity and nest cavity fidelity in Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus mesonauta on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    Mate choice and nest cavity selection are directly linked to reproductive performance in seabirds, and disruption of these can result in breeding...
  • Scientific article Caribbean small-island tourism styles and sustainable strategies
    This article focuses on developing a sustainable tourism in small Caribbean islands, defined here as those that have populations of fewer than 500,...
  • Media Rise of a new reef coral species on Curaçao
    A presumably invasive coral species that was discovered on the reefs around Curaçao is not invasive after all. The coral is in fact a native species...
  • Media BioNews 38 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter
    BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
  • Other resources Ants of Aruba, species list
    This list is the result of the identification of samples collected between 1930 and 1970 by H.J. MacGillavry, P. Wagenaar Hummelinck, R.H. Cobben (...
  • Scientific article Space-filling and benthic competition on coral reefs
    Abstract   Reef-building corals are ecosystem engineers that compete with other benthic organisms for space and resources. Corals harvest energy...
  • Research report AN ANALYSIS ON CHLOROPHYLL A AND TURBIDITY IN SABA
    MSc internship report The project Restoration of resilience of nature and society in the Caribbean Netherlands aims to improve the resilience of the...
  • Scientific article Coral reef crisis in deep and shallow reefs: 30 years of constancy and change in reefs of Curacao and Bonaire
    Coral reefs are thought to be in worldwide decline but available data are practically limited to reefs shallower than 25 m. Zooxanthellate coral...
  • Other resources Physis X - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2007
    We focused our 2007 work on six objectives designed to help us achieve our mission: Science - Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through...
  • Scientific article Prevalence of External Injuries in Small Cetaceans in Aruban Waters, Southern Caribbean
    Abstract: Aruba, located close to the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean and supports a...
  • Maps and Charts Vegetation map of Saba
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 21 km2 Lesser Antillean island of St. Eustatius, Netherlands...
  • Research report 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...
  • Other resources Survey of Reef Fish Communities of the Fringing reefs of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
    The coral reefs of Bonaire have been reported to be one of the most pristine reefs, with the reefs on the leeward coast of Bonaire regarded as one of...
  • Other resources Cephalopholis cruentata (graysby) behavior and interspecific response to invasive Pterois volitans (lionfish) in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The invasion of Pterois volitans (lionfish) is a serious concern for Caribbean coral reef health. The morphology and behavior of lionfish is novel to...
  • Research report Radar Surveys for Audubon’s Shearwater on Saba, Netherlands Antilles
    Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri), known locally as Wedrego on Saba and St. Eustatius, is a medium-sized seabird species that feeds at sea...
  • Other resources Marine interstitial crustaceans of St. Eustatius
    This article was published in the following report: MARINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF ST. EUSTATIUS, DUTCH CARIBBEAN 2015 by Naturalis Biodiversity...
  • Other resources A Preliminary Survey for Spiders on St. Eustatius, West Indies
    Three photographic surveys were conducted during the period; 2010 to 2011, 2013 and 2014, and supplemented by physical sampling for a one-week period...
  • Media Status of Bonaire’s reefs
    While the coral reefs around Bonaire have suffered in recent decades from regional phenomena such as repeated bleaching events, urchin die-off, coral...
  • Media Bonaire World Heritage Nomination Project
    The Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) has received a number of international recognitions due to the outstanding biodiversity that it protects and...
  • Media Bonaire: Roi Sango (EU BEST 2.0)
    Starting in 2016, Echo – a small nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot – has been working...
  • Scientific article Can we measure beauty? Computational evaluation of coral reef aesthetics
    The natural beauty of coral reefs attracts millions of tourists worldwide resulting in substantial revenues for the adjoining economies. Although...
  • Scientific article Synchronous marine pelagic regime shifts in the Northern Hemisphere
    Regime shifts are characterized by sudden, substantial and temporally persist- ent changes in the state of an ecosystem. They involve major...
  • Scientific article Bats of Sint Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands
    The bat fauna of the Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius consists of five documented species—Monophyllus plethodon, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Artibeus...
  • Other resources A management plan for Spaans Lagoen Aruba
    This management plan is one of the outputs of a two-day participative management planning exercise led by Dr. Lawrence Jones-Walters of Wageningen...
  • Scientific article Orange-bellied racer (Alsophis rufiventris); diet and arboreality
    The orange bellied racer, Alsophis rufiventris (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854), is one of four Alsophis species endemic to the Caribbean Lesser...
  • Other resources Perspectives de développement des DCP ancrés dans les Petites Antilles. L'exemple de trois îles : Guadeloupe, Martinique et Curaçao
    This summary tackles the development of fisheries in the Caribbean using FADs. It highlights the principal causes which explain why, in spite of more...
  • Scientific article First records of Odonata from Sint Eustatius, Dutch Lesser Antilles
    Six species of dragonflies are recorded for the island of Sint Eustatius, Lesser Antilles. Breeding records are established for four out of the six...
  • Research report The influence of terrestrial erosion on Acropora palmata occurrence on Saba, Dutch Caribbean
    A high influx of sediment resulting from terrestrial erosion, imposes a major threat on coral reef ecosystems worldwide by inducing sedimentation and...
  • Book A new approach to monitoring marine protected areas management success in the Dutch Caribbean
    Chapter 20 in Marine Protected Areas: Science, Policy and Management There is ample evidence to show that Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) are an...
  • Scientific article The butterflies of St.Eustatius with faunal comparisons among the adjacent islands of the Lesser Antilles
    Based on four years of butterfly monitoring in four contrasting natural habitats on St. Eustatius, we document large and consistent differences in...
  • Other resources The golden rock Statia: Measuring the economic impact of tourism on St. Eustatius
    The tourism industry is a worldwide growing sector with a significant economic importance. It is responsible for 253 million jobs worldwide and 3.1%...
  • Other resources Comparison of growth of the reef fish species Haemulon flavolineatum (French grunt) between seagrass beds, mangroves and the coral reef, as a test for the nursery hypothesis
    Juvenile French grunts (Haemulon flavolineatum) were caught, measured in length and weight and introduced in cages for 6 to 8 weeks to grow in their...
  • Other resources Discovering in-depth tourist behaviour and demand using social media data in Bonaire island
    Tourism has not only brought an economic fortune to Bonaire island but also has a detrimental effect on its natural ecosystem. Studying tourist...
  • Media Mollies of The ABC Islands
    This article describes molly's morphology in different sex, natural habitats, captive molly requirements, and feed.  Short summary: In 1963, there...
  • Other resources Post-disaster reorganisation of local and national institutions: the case of St. Martin after hurricane Irma (West Indies)
    Abstract. With the concept of "build back better", the United Nations emphasizes the importance of the recovery phase following a natural hazard as...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: 2022 Park Updates
    The Nature Conservation Network Organization the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) hosted its biannual Board Meeting on Sint Maarten between...
  • Scientific article Plant–frugivore interactions across the Caribbean islands: Modularity, invader complexes and the importance of generalist species
    Abstract Aim: Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are fundamental for the maintenance of natural communities and the ecosystem...
  • Research report The Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius: 2012 status update and review of limiting factors
    Abstract: The endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima, is an emblematic species for the island of St. Eustatius and in Caribbean...
  • Book The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of St. Martin
    This field guide is not a comprehensive guide to the wildlife of St. Martin. The species included are restricted primarily to those which the author ...
  • Other resources Physis I - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Scientific article Redescription of Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Abstract: Here we establish a neotype for Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) from the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire. The species was originally...
  • Maps and Charts Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of St. Eustatius and Saba
    Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) map of St. Eustatius and Saba (GIS). Includes contiguous zone and territorial sea. Based on the United Nations...
  • Other resources Carmabi Annual Report 2011
    Carmabi’s mission is to work towards a sustainable society, in which the sustainable management of nature leads to benefits that future generations...
  • Scientific article The Superior Colonizing Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia on Curaçao: Conservation Implications for the Native Gecko Phyllodactylus martini
    ABSTRACT We used nightly surveys to monitor the status of building-dwelling gecko species on the southern Caribbean island, Curac ̧ ao. Two gecko...
  • Other resources How do the distribution and abundance of columnar cacti relate to microsite types and goat grazing pressure?
    Exotic herbivores are able to disrupt entire ecosystems by competing with native species and feeding on native species. Especially, on islands...
  • Other resources An approach to identify options for reuse of nutrients under different development scenarios
    The majority of the world population is living in cities, and population and urbanization rates are expected to grow further, raising challenges for...
  • Other resources Is it possible to predict which areas of Bonaire are more susceptible to coral bleaching?
    Bleaching is caused by the combination of light and temperature stress on corals, and can result in coral mortality. On the island of Bonaire, a...
  • Media Statia Marine Expedition
    In June 2015, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, in collaboration with “Anemoon Foundation”, launched a new initiative in the Dutch Caribbean with the...
  • Other resources Octocorals of St. Eustatius
    Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) are a dominant component of Caribbean coral communities. There can be up to 60 octocoral species on a single...
  • Other resources Marine fishes of St. Eustatius
    This article was published in the following report: MARINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF ST. EUSTATIUS, DUTCH CARIBBEAN 2015 by Naturalis Biodiversity...
  • Research report Status and trends reef fish and coastal fisheries Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands): report card 2014-2015
    Caribbean coral reefs have been declining for decades due to a combination of anthropogenic drivers and natural phenomena like hurricanes. The...
  • Portal eBird
    Global tools for birders, critical data for science Record the birds you see Keep track of your bird lists Explore dynamic maps and graphs Share your...
  • Scientific article Bird Communities of Contrasting Secondary Habitats of Bonaire, in the Arid South-Eastern Caribbean
    We studied the bird communities of five contrasting semi-natural habitats of Lac Bay, Bonaire, South- eastern Caribbean, during the fall of 2011. A...
  • Other resources Tourism value of ecosystems in Bonaire (policy brief)
    Policy Brief   The Challenge Bonairean ecosystems support touristic activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment, such as diving...
  • Media Conservation Efforts Continued: New Vegetation on Te Amo Beach
    In the beginning of January, as part of the Ecological Restoration of Lac and the South of Bonaire, 50 green buttonwood trees (a native species of...
  • Book Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao
    A site and field guide. Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao is the essential guide for anyone traveling to those islands. It showcases the more than...
  • Scientific article Important foraging areas of seabirds from Anguilla,Caribbean: Implications for marine spatial planning
    Marine spatial planning(MSP) has become an important tool to balance the needs of commercial,economical and recreational users of the marine...
  • Other resources Report of the First meeting of the WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CITES/CFMC working group on shark conservation and management, Bridgetown, Barbados, 17-19 October 2017
    The First meeting of the WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CITES/CFMC working group on shark conservation and management was held in Barbados on 17-19 October 2017...
  • Scientific article High human influence on beach response to tropical cyclones in small islands: Saint-Martin Island, Lesser Antilles
    Using multi-date satellite imagery and field observations, this paper assesses the inferred impacts of September 2017 cyclones on the beaches of...
  • Research report Coral competition for space
    Coral reefs fulfil many ecological functions such as maintaining the diversity, providing habitats and shoreline protection. One of the most...
  • Scientific article The Arachnids (Arachnida) of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao
    Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (ABC Islands) are located at the southern margin of the Caribbean Plate, just north of South America. Little is known of...
  • Research report A nature inclusive vision for Bonaire in 2050
    Bonaire, one of the Dutch Caribbean islands, is facing major challenges: managing (mass) tourism and population growth, preventing high erosion rates...
  • Other resources Project CARIPES: Quantification of ecosystem services provided by marine protected areas in the Caribbean with a view to their payment
    By assessing the value of ecosystem services generated by some specific marine protected areas (MPAs), project CARIPES aims to increase fishermen’...
  • Scientific article Tropical Biogeomorphic Seagrass Landscapes for Coastal Protection: Persistence and Wave Attenuation During Major Storms Events
    The intensity of major storm events generated within the Atlantic Basin is projected to rise with the warming of the oceans, which is likely to...
  • Media Discovery of a new host coral for a Caribbean parasitic crab species
    Scientists from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the ANEMOON Foundation discovered a new host coral for a...
  • Other resources CITES Brochure Papiamentu
    ** This brochure is also available in English, Dutch, and Spanish ** This brochure is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Results for the Size Class Distribution and Abundance of the Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, and Seagrass Characterization in Lac Bay, Bonaire
    Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive coverage of accomplishments completed to date by Environics for the Lac Bay queen conch (...
  • Scientific article Dissolution of a submarine carbonate platform by a submerged lake of acidic seawater
    Abstract. Submarine sinkholes are found on carbonate platforms around the world. They are thought to form and grow when 15 groundwater interactions...
  • Scientific article Seahorse Predation by Octopuses in the Caribbean and the West Pacific
    Abstract: There is much documentation about seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) being threatened by habitat degradation and overfishing, but relatively few...
  • Research report Testing a biodegradable engineering product for mangrove restoration along a high wave-energy coastline
    Abstract Human development, extreme weather events and rising sea levels are driving the loss anddegradation of many of the world’s mangrove...
  • Media Comparative Study on Artificial Reefs of the Caribbean
    University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein and Wageningen University and Research recently conducted a comparative study of artificial reefs...
  • Scientific article Inclusiveness in the Caribbean-Locals’ Perceptions about Nature, Tourism and Recreation in Bonaire
    Abstract The economies of small tropical islands often benefit from large-scale tourism, attracted by the guarantee of beach facilities, sun and...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Scientific article Corals Chemically Cue Mutualistic Fishes to Remove Competing Seaweeds
    Corals in the genus Acropora generate much of the structural complexity upon which coral reefs depend, but they are susceptible to damage from toxic...
  • Research report Seed germination methods for native Caribbean trees and shrubs - With emphasis on species relevant for Bonaire
    Summary: This paper is intended as a basis for nature restoration activities using seeds of trees and (larger) shrubs native to Bonaire with the aim...
  • Maps and Charts Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Bonaire
    Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) map of Bonaire (GIS). Includes contiguous zone and territorial sea. Based on the United Nations Convention of the Law...
  • Scientific article Reef flattening effects on total richness and species responses in the Caribbean
    1. There has been ongoing flattening of Caribbean coral reefs with the loss of habitat having severe implications for these systems. Complexity and...
  • Scientific article A new transcriptome and transcriptome profiling of adult and larval tissue in the box jellyfish Alatina alata: an emerging model for studying venom, vision and sex
    Cubozoans (box jellyfish) are cnidarians that have evolved a number of distinguishing features. Many cubozoans have a particularly potent sting,...
  • Other resources The effects of density and size on the hiding response of Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus)
    Hiding is a common anti-predatory behavior that many organisms utilize. This anti-predatory tactic is adjusted to minimize factors such as lost time...
  • Other resources Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) Distribution and Feeding Behavior in Relation to Salinity Levels on Bonaire, Netherland Antilles
    Bonaire is home to the largest natural flamingo reserve in the western hemisphere, housing one of the four remaining crucial breeding grounds in the...
  • Other resources Collecting data on a new endemic species on Saint Eustatius
    Student Report Abstract The Caribbean is home to approximately 11,000 plants species, of which 72% are endemic to the region. However, the Caribbean...
  • Scientific article Large birth size does not reduce negative latent effects of harsh environments across life stages in two coral species.
    When juveniles must tolerate harsh environments early in life, the disproportionate success of certain phenotypes across multiple early life stages...
  • Scientific article Construction setback regulations and sea-level rise: Mitigating sea turtle nesting beach loss
    Global sea-level rise of up to 0.6 m is predicted in the next 100 years. In areas where coastal structures prevent landward mi- gration of beaches, a...
  • Research report Antigonon Leptopus (Corallita) on St Eustatius an Integrated Pest Management approach : Proposal for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach
    Corallita (Antigonon leptopus)) is a vine that is categorized as an invasive species of natural areas (Ernst and Ketner, 2007;; Raju et al., 2001)....
  • Scientific article Leveraging sex change in parrotfish to manage fished populations
    Healthy parrotfish (family Scaridae) communities fulfill the essential ecosystem process of herbivory in coral reefs, but artisanal fisheries that...
  • Book A framework for tourism development on fragile island destinations: the case of Bonaire
    Tourism in Bonaire should develop in a planned and orderly manner so as to provide the maximum benefit to the island and its residents and to ensure...
  • Other resources Butterflies and Moths of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire
    This book is intended as a popular picture guide to butterflies and moths of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire. It is not designed as a field guide for...
  • Other resources Natuurbeleid van de Nederlandse Antillen 2000 – 2005: Aan de dageraad van een nieuw millennium
    Executive summary Both in the ocean and on land the Netherlands Antilles possesses an enormous wealth in the diversity of its nature. Biological...
  • Scientific article Seagrass coastal protection services reduced by invasive species expansion and megaherbivore grazing
    Seagrasses provide an important ecosystem service by creating a stable erosion‐resistant seabed that contributes to effective coastal protection....
  • Media Importance of Native Seagrass in the Fight Against Erosion
    A recent study worked to quantify seagrass’s ability to minimize erosion in shallow water of Lac Bay, Bonaire. In addition, this study examined how...
  • Research report Vegetatie onderzoek Bonaire 2019
    This report describes a field visit to the Caribbean island of Bonaire aiming at collection of field data on the arid vegetation, which consists...
  • Scientific article The effects of wave exposure and host cover on coral-associated fauna of a centuries-old artificial reef in the Caribbean
    A B S T R A C T An increasing number of artificial reefs (ARs) are constructed to compensate for the loss of natural reefs (NRs), but little is known...
  • Media Special Edition Bionews: 2021 DCNA Convention
    Between November 23rd and the 27th, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) held its annual Nature Convention on Curaçao.  Due to covid-19...
  • Scientific article Novel shaker bottle cultivation method for the long spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum; Philippi, 1845) results in high larval survival and settlement rates
    A B S T R A C T The long spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum was an abundant grazer on Caribbean coral reefs, until 1983–1984, when densities were...
  • Research report Discovering the Deep - ROV assisted data collection to understand the status of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems around Bonaire
    MSc thesis report The coral reefs of Bonaire, providing resources and environmental services, are often ranked among the richest, most resilient and...
  • Scientific article Invasionsoft: A web-enabled tool for invasive species colonization predictions
    Predicting and averting the spread of invasive species is a core focus of resource managers in all ecosystems. Patterns of invasion are difficult to...
  • Research report Baseline surveys of Lac Bay benthic and fish communities, Bonaire
    Findings: The main conclusion of this study is that the shallow, warm and saline back-water habitat which is continuing to increase in importance...
  • Research report Baseline survey of anthropogenic pressures for the Lac Bay ecosystem, Bonaire
    Findings: The main conclusion from this study is that the combined levels of anthropogenic impact on the bay currently exceed sustainable levels. Lac...
  • Other resources Can the first few decades of coral colonization give insight to species interactions and ecological complexity? A case study on artificial coral-based structures
    A greater understanding of coralbased communities must be achieved in order to maximize reef conservation efforts. While a multitude of studies have...
  • Media Island biogeography meets the Anthropocene - The first expedition.
    Many modern human activities result in environmental problems such as pollution, overfishing and deforestation, which have a considerable impact on...
  • Other resources Hydroids associated with the coral reef fauna of St. Eustatius
    The hydroids of the Caribbean Sea have been the subject of a restricted number of taxonomical studies. So far, sporadic, taxonomical and/or...
  • Other resources Marine (meta) barcoding of St. Eustatius
    To develop our knowledge about Dutch biodiversity in the overseas territories, we performed a barcoding project embedded in the baseline biodiversity...
  • Media 69th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Cayman Islands
    7 November 2016 - 11 November 2016  The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the exchange of...
  • Scientific article 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...
  • Other resources Proceedings of the 2013 AAUS/ESDP Curaçao Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium, October 24-27, 2013
    The American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium in...
  • Scientific article Invasive lionfish had no measurable effect on prey fish community structure across the Belizean Barrier Reef
    Invasive lionfish are assumed to significantly affect Caribbean reef fish communities. However, evidence of lionfish effects on native reef fishes is...
  • Other resources Tsunami imprints on the Leeward Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire) and their relation to other coastal problems
    Tsunami are one of the major natural hazards in the Caribbean. The historical record lists 88 tsunami, from local events to teletsunami, in the time...
  • Other resources Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment due to Hurricane Activity: Case Study of St. Martin, the Caribbean
    Student Report Every year hundreds of thousands of people are affected by natural disasters that occur due to various physical phenomenon. They...
  • Other resources Fish species community composition of Curacao bays and reef
    Student Report - University Groningen Tropical coastal bays often border coral reefs and host connected ecosystems such as seagrass beds and mangrove...
  • Other resources Application Form for Site of Importance for Bat Conservation (SICOM)
    The Island of Bonaire possess a system of more than 150 natural caves, but only five of them are known to be used as diurnal and maternity roosts by...
  • Research report Final report: Corallita Pilot Project, Study on the ecology and possible control methods of the invasive plant species Antigonon leptopus (Corallita or Mexican Creeper)
    This one-year pilot project aims to provide an insight in the ecology of Antigonon leptopus (Corallita) an invasive vine, which is overgrowing the...
  • Research report 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...
  • Research report The blue economy and well-being in a small island destination
    Introduction This study aims to examine the Blue Economic Paradigm (BEP) application to a small island destination. Oceans are increasingly critical...
  • Research report Coral Reefs Baseline Study for Aruba 2019
    Background There is almost no systematic information about the state of marine ecosystems in Aruba. A recent report commissioned by the United...
  • Scientific article A baseline assessment of beach debris and tar contamination in Bonaire, Southeastern Caribbean
    Data on beach debris and tar contamination is provided for 21 natural beach sites in Bonaire, Southeastern Caribbean. Transects amounting to a...
  • Scientific article Status of coral reefs in the south central Caribbean
    Caribbean corals have suffered from bleaching, diseases and Diadema die-off. Reefs on narrow shelves adjacent to high human population and many...
  • Scientific article Vectored dispersal of Symbiodinium by larvae of a Caribbean gorgonian octocoral
    Abstract: The ability of coral reefs to recover from natural and anthropogenic disturbance is difficult to predict, in part due to uncertainty...
  • Scientific article Linking removal targets to the ecological effects of invaders: a predictive model and field test
    Abstract: Species invasions have a range of negative effects on recipient ecosystems, and many occur at a scale and magnitude that preclude complete...
  • Scientific article A quantitative assessment of the vegetation types on the island of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean
    Caribbean dry forests are among the most endangered tropical ecosystems on earth. Several studies exist on their floristic composition and their...
  • Other resources Species dependent aggression in bicolor damselfish during reproductive and non-reproductive cycles
    Bicolor damselfish, Stegastes partitus, are well known for their aggressive nature. They are known to attack almost any species threatening their...
  • Other resources A comparative study of the feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Caribbean
    Invasive species are often a detriment to the environment due to the lack of parasites, disease and natural predators in the invaded environment,...
  • Other resources Various invertebrate taxa of St. Eustatius
    This report deals with Anthozoa (Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia), Hydrozoa, Decapoda and Polychaeta in the waters around St. Eustatius. No written...
  • Other resources An Economic and Ecological Analysis of the Bonaire Marine Park
    This case study of the Bonaire Marine Park (BMP) in the Caribbean is a combined ecological and economic analysis. It has become increasingly obvious...
  • Scientific article Predicting the impact of sea‐level rise on Caribbean Sea turtle nesting habitat
    The projected rise in sea level is likely to increase the vulnerability of coastal zones in the Caribbean, which are already under pressure from a...
  • Research report Relating flamingo counts in Lac Goto, Bonaire, to the water balance by coupling this balance to salinity and food availability
    Lac Goto is a saliña of importance for the Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) on Bonaire due to its hydrological conditions. These...
  • Media Combating Erosion and Nature Restoration on Bonaire
    Erosion and resulting sediment run-off are big environmental concerns throughout the Caribbean Region and for good reason. Not only does the removal...
  • Research report Ocean Current Patterns and variability around Curaçao for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
    Msc. thesis Large-scale changes in ocean conditions caused by installing and operating Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) have not been studied...
  • Media Invasive Species Workshop on St. Eustatius
    Twenty-five participants attended an informative workshop on invasive species on November 28th and 29th 2017. The Caribbean Netherlands Science...
  • Media Saba Bank video documentary
    Video documentary describing the importance of the Saba Bank as a natural resource for the island of Saba, including underwater footage and...
  • Book The Saba Bank
    Until recently the Saba Bank remained a mysterious and largely unexplored off shore atoll falling mostly within the water of the Exclusive Economic...
  • Scientific article The rise of a native sun coral species on southern Caribbean coral reefs
     Abstract. In contrast with a general decline of Caribbean reef corals, a previously rare sun coral is increasing in abundance within shallow coral...
  • Scientific article Zoantharia (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia) of the Dutch Caribbean and One New Species of Parazoanthus
    Species of the anthozoan order Zoantharia (=Zoanthidea) are common components of subtropical and tropical shallow water coral reefs. Despite a long...
  • Media Diet and growth of juvenile queen conch Lobatus gigas (Gastropoda: Strombidae) in native, mixed and invasive seagrass habitats
    ABSTRACT: Juvenile queen conch are primarily associated with native seagrass such as Thalassia testudinum in large parts of their range in the...
  • Media Get to Know Bonaire’s Seaweeds
    The 2019 Naturalis Biodiversity Center and ANEMOON Foundation expeditions worked, among other things, to catalog the wide variety of seaweeds off the...
  • Scientific article Hurricane-induced population decrease in a Critically Endangered long-lived reptile
    ABSTRACT Catastrophic events, like hurricanes, bring lethal conditions that can have population-altering effects. The threatened Caribbean dry forest...
  • Research report Supplementary Information: High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)
    Supplementary information for Coralita mapping (Report) publication (BioNews Article).   Supplementary Text In the Material and Methods section of...
  • Media The struggle is real for the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius
    Two years ago we shared the worrying news that the Bridled Quail-dove population had suffered a significant decline on St. Eustatius (Statia)...
  • Scientific article Boat noise disrupts orientation behaviour in a coral reef fish
    Coral reef fish larvae use sound to find suitable habitat during their vital settlement stage. Yet boat noise, which can cause stress and avoidance...
  • Maps and Charts Ramsar sites map of Bonaire
    Ramsar sites map of Bonaire (GIS). Smoothed to 100m. 'The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an...
  • Other resources Fish, Fishing, Diving and the Management of Coral Reefs
    Peer-reviewed PHD dissertation, University of California San Diego.   This dissertation is a multi-disciplinary attempt to understand how coral...
  • Other resources Saba Bank management Unit Activity Report 2016
    The Saba Bank Management Unit (SBMU) is responsible for the operational management of the Saba Bank. Its current tasks are to perform scientific...
  • Other resources Tubastraea coccinea: Distribution and substratum preference of an exotic coral in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    The study of introduced species has gained popularity in recent years. A species introduced to a new area can have negative effects on the native...
  • Other resources Is the introduced cup coral Tubastraea coccinea an invasive species in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean?
    The orange cup coral Tubastraea coccinea has expanded its range from the Indo-Pacific into the western Atlantic region. It grows on a wide variety of...
  • Other resources Coral Reef Geometry wars: using coral geometry to predict coral competitive outcomes
    Msc. Thesis Corals compete with other sessile organisms for the limited benthic surface. We hypothesized that resources available to fight at a coral...
  • Maps and Charts RAMSAR sites of Aruba
    Ramsar sites map of Aruba(GIS). Smoothed to 100m. 'The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an...
  • Research report The tourism value of nature on Bonaire
    Bonairean ecosystems support touristic activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment, such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking,...
  • Other resources Summary of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) research undertaken in Anguilla and the implications for current management practices
    Prior to 2014 little research had been conducted on the Anguilla conch fishery aside from indirect data collected by the Department of Fisheries and...
  • Other resources Caribbean coastal marine productivity program: 1993-2003.
    The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) Program is a regional scientific effort to study land-sea interaction processes, to monitor for...
  • Other resources The impact of uncertain Antarctic ice sheet dynamics for future coastal erosion A probabilistic approach for a data-scarce environment in the Caribbean
    Msc. Thesis Case study St. Maarten Key Points • Sea level rise projections are deeply uncertain due to the contribution of the Antarctic ice sheet,...
  • Media St. Maarten: Post Hurricane Coral Assessment
    The St. Maarten Nature Foundation scientifically researched the impacts of Hurricane Irma on St. Maarten coral reefs using Global Coral Reef...
  • Scientific article Optimism for mitigation of climate warming impacts for sea turtles through nest shading and relocation
    Increasing incubation temperatures may threaten the viability of sea turtle populations. We explored opportunities for decreasing incubation...
  • Other resources ANTS OF CURAÇAO, species list
    This list is the result of the identification of samples collected between 1930 and 1970 (94%) by H.J. MacGillavry, P. Wagenaar Hummelinck, R.H....
  • Scientific article Green and hawksbill turtle abundance and population dynamics at foraging grounds in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
    Green turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata are neg- atively impacted by natural and anthropogenic disturbances....
  • Research report Testing the effectiviness of two methods for selectively trapping lionfish and estimating the feasibilty of a commercial lionfish fishery on Saba
    Student Report The invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) started invading the Caribbean Sea since the 1980's and were first sighted...
  • Media Crowdfunding: Tortuga ‘The Survival of Humanity’
    Motivation In March 2018 I went to Curaçao for six months. I have been able to take a lot of underwater shots here and have experienced the problems...
  • Media Leeward Blindsnake: Native to St. Eustatius
    Using DNA-and morphological analysis, a team from Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON) and Naturalis have discovered that the...
  • Scientific article Status and trends of moored fish aggregating device (MFAD) fisheries in the Caribbean and Bermuda
    The use of moored fish aggregating devices (MFADs) has greatly expanded in the Caribbean region in recent decades. States vary widely in the size,...
  • Other resources Application Form for Area of Importance for Bat Conservation (AICOM) Washington - Slagbaai
    The Island of Bonaire has a system of natural caves that probably exceeds 150 in number. Those caves house at least five species of bats:...
  • Research report Communicating the Geologic History of Aruba: Contextualizing Gold and Incorporating Human Activity
    Aruba is well-known for its beautiful beaches fueling a prominent tourist industry, however it was not always so. The oil refinery is in recent...
  • Media Sargassum Fertilizer Transfers Heavy Metals to Vegetables
    Nederlands below.   A joint experiment between WWF-Mexico and STINAPA Bonaire found that vegetables grown in soil enriched with sargassum had higher...
  • Research report A Management Capacity Assessment of Selected Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas in the Caribbean
    Abstract: This report presents the findings of an assessment of capacity building needs for the management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the...
  • Media BioNews 13 - February 2014
    This month’s issue profiles several scientific discoveries with new implications for conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. On St. Eustatius, the first...
  • Maps and Charts Vegetation map of St. Eustatius
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (GIS; scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 21 km2 Lesser Antillean island of St. Eustatius,...
  • Other resources Invasive seagrass mega herbivore interactions
    Invasive seagrass mega herbivore interactions a study on the invasion of seagrass Halophila stipulacea in a Southern Caribbean lagoon affected by C....
  • Other resources Traditional datu cactus (Ritterocereus griseus) fences reduce runoff rates and transport of sediment and nutrients on hillsides in Bonaire, N.A.
    Most hard corals require seawater with low nutrients and sediment loads to thrive. Unfortunately, on a global scale, increases in both are currently...
  • Other resources Macroalgae of Statia
    During the Statia Marine Expedition species-habitat relations of algal communities were explored to identify biodiversity patterns, to assess whether...
  • Other resources Symbiotic copepods associated with invertebrates at St. Eustatius
    The research goal was to collect symbiotic copepods from most scleractinian species and to inspect common species of octocorals, sponges and...
  • Media Volunteers will count endangered species in St. Eustatius (Anemoon)
    The ANEMOON Foundation is a Dutch volunteer organization of citizen scientists who are interested in sea life. The Foundation has started a project...
  • Media Status of St. Maarten’s Reef
    Last September, major category 5+ Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage to St. Maarten. This was a strong reminder of the urgency to preserve the...
  • Other resources Physis IX - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Scientific article Controversies and consensus on the lionfish invasion in the Western Atlantic Ocean
    This study investigates how the lionfish (Pterois sp.) invasion of the Western Atlantic Ocean has been socially constructed by natural scientists,...
  • Other resources The recreational and cultural value of nature on St Eustatius (policy brief)
    Policy Brief The Challenge Sint Eustatius, or as the local population calls it, Statia, has beautiful dive spots, a rich historical and...
  • Other resources Queen Conch Expert Workshop
    Introduction The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is one of the most important fishery resources in the Caribbean in terms of its annual landings and...
  • Scientific article Widespread local chronic stressors in Caribbean coastal habitats
    Coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods they support are threatened by stressors acting at global and local scales. Here we used the data produced by...
  • Media Caribbean Marine Park Managers Dive into Fisheries Management
    Representatives from 15 Caribbean marine national parks recently met on the island of Saba in the Caribbean Netherlands to focus on their role in...
  • Scientific article Successful demonstration of assisted gene flow in the threatened coral acropora palmata across genetically-isolated caribbean populations using cryopreserved sperm
    Global change will compromise the population sizes, species ranges, and survival of economically-important plants and animals, including crops,...
  • Monitoring protocol DCNA GIS User Manual
    The goal of this user manual is to enable park managers to efficiently and accurately work with the GIS data recently collated as part of the DCNA...
  • Other resources Goat keeping, useful management practices for smallholders
    Goats are important in many regions because they provide people with valuable food and or income. They supply animal protein in the form of milk and...
  • Other resources The rise of a native sun coral species on southern Caribbean coral reefs
    Abstract. In contrast with a general decline of Caribbean reef corals, a previously rare sun coral is increasing in abundance within shallow coral...
  • Other resources BioNews special: Climate Change
    Conditions all around the world are changing due to climate change. These changes can be felt throughout all environments, from changing water ...
  • Scientific article Monitoring benthic habitats using Lyzenga model features from Landsat multi-temporal images in Google Earth Engine
    Benthic habitats have conventionally been monitored through physical site visits by diving. This requires the use of expensive resources and time to...
  • Other resources Identification key of the ant species of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
    It is intended that this key will be updated regularly. version 1.0, 23 X 2020 Check for the latest update https://www.nlmieren.nl The ants mentioned...
  • Scientific article No need for artificial light: nocturnal activity by a diurnal reptile under lunar light
    Species are commonly described as either diurnal or nocturnal, with rare reports of deviations outside their normal activity period. Observations of...
  • Scientific article Biochemical variability in sponges across the Caribbean basin
    Abstract Sponges are a diverse phylum of sessile filter-feeding invertebrates that are abundant on Caribbean reefs and provide essential ecological...
  • Scientific article A Short Assessment on Aloe Vera, the Magic Medical Plant
    Aloe Vera is a completely critical and powerful plant with such a lot of fitness utility and stuperfying that scarcely any a part of human frame stay...
  • Research report Washington Slagbaai National Park management plan 2022-2028
    The Washington Slagbaai National Park (WSNP), officially inaugurated in 1969, is the largest terrestrial protected area of Bonaire. In this...
  • Media Dutch cinema hit “The New Wilderness” gets a Caribbean sequel with WOW!
    The unique natural world of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom plays the leading role in a special cinema film entitled WOW!. This was announced...
  • Research report Discovering the Deep ROV assisted data collection to understand the status of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems around Bonaire
    Abstract The coral reefs of Bonaire, providing resources and environmental services, are often ranked among the richest, most resilient and least...
  • Scientific article LONG-TERM DECLINES IN CORAL COVER AT BONAIRE, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
    The reefs surrounding Bonaire have long been renowned for their high abundance and diversity of scleractinian corals and for their long-time status...
  • Scientific article The status of bats on Curaçao
    The bat population of the island of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, was surveyed in 1992 and 1993. The 1993 survey concentrated mostly on caves, which...
  • Research report Recreational and cultural value of Bonaire’s nature to its inhabitants
    The global environment is in a relatively bad state and there is growing awareness of its importance to human wellbeing. This study aims to shed...
  • Scientific article Mapping ecosystem functions to the valuation of ecosystem services: implications of species–habitat associations for coastal land-use decisions
    Abstract: The reefs surrounding Bonaire have long been renowned for their high abundance and diversity of scleractinian corals and for their long-...
  • Research report An Assessment of the Health and Resilience of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs
    Abstract: From July 19-26, 2010, a dedicated team of researchers completed transect surveys on 25 reefs located on the leeward side of Bonaire and...
  • Media Erosion around Kralendijk, Bonaire
    In areas with sparse vegetation, intense rainfall events can loosen the soil material, after which it is transported away towards the ocean by...
  • Research report Baseline assessment of the coral reef fish assemblages of St. Eustatius
    The shallow marine habitats surrounding St. Eustatius fulfil critical ecosystem services in terms of fishery production, recreation, dive tourism and...
  • Scientific article Taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the Dutch Leeward Islands, with a key to the adults and fourth instar larvae
    Abstract Assessing mosquito biodiversity is important for disease surveillance and ecosystem health assessments. Such studies are particularly needed...
  • Other resources The effects of storm damage on reef rugosity and coral species composition in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
    Located below the hurricane belt in the Netherlands Antilles, the island of Bonaire is rarely affected by major storms and high-wave action. In a...
  • Scientific article The reproductive phenology of three sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curacao
    The phenological response by three sympatric species of columnar cacti of the semi-arid island of Curaçao (Stenocereus griseus, Subpilocereus...
  • Other resources DOC concentrations across a depth gradient on a Caribbean coral reef
    The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool on tropical coral reefs is mainly fueled by photosynthates released from benthic primary producers (BPP),...
  • Research report UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2018 (Vol. 4)
    Introduction to the fourth edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume presents academic papers and personal...
  • Research report The effects of resource availability on the growth and distribution of a heterotrophic coral species, Madracis mirabilis, across Curaçao
    Abstract Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems on the planet. Our understanding of what contributes to a coral reef’s...
  • Other resources Physis VI - Journal of marine science
    As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice.  The projects...
  • Media Exploring species and functional diversity of coral reef benthic cyanobacterial mats
    Benthic cyanobacterial mats, at low cover, are an important benthic component of coral reefs, but have recently drastically proliferated on reefs...
  • Portal Reef.org
    Protecting Marine Life Through Education, Service, and Research REEF was founded in 1990, out of growing concern about the health of the marine...
  • Research report Research and Monitoring Report 2012 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire
    Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire proudly presents its 2012 Bonaire Sea Turtle Research and Monitoring Report. In this report you will read about...
  • Scientific article Ecological solutions to reef degradation: optimizing coral reef restoration in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic
    Reef restoration activities have proliferated in response to the need to mitigate coral declines and recover lost reef structure, function, and...
  • Scientific article Fisher and diver perceptions of coral reef degradation and implications for sustainable management
    Fishers and divers are the major resource users of Caribbean coral reefs. On Curaçao and Bonaire, reef condition is good relative to the Caribbean...
  • Monitoring protocol An Introductory Guide to Monitoring Birds
    This manual is intended as an introduction to bird monitoring and census techniques. Counting birds, or indeed any animals or plants, is probably one...
  • Maps and Charts Very high resolution satellite imagery for Bonaire; basis for land cover map
    Very high resolution satellite imagery has been acquired for Bonaire and concerns very detailed ortho-rectified imagery from the Pleiades satellites...
  • Scientific article Saving Saba Bank: Policy Implications of Biodiversity Studies
    Abstract: This paper provides a context for the results of recent biodiversity surveys of Saba Bank. Recent biological surveys of corals, fishes, and...
  • Research report Coral Reef Resilience Assessment of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles
    Abstract: Although Bonaire’s coral reefs remain among the healthiest and most resilient in the Caribbean, this IUCN report based on the IUCN...
  • Scientific article New species, taxonomist’s delight and faunist’s plight. On the variation range in Loxosomella vivipara Nielsen, 1966 (Entoprocta: Loxosomatidae)
    The Entoprocta Nitsche, 1870, or Kamptozoa Cori, 1929, are a small animal class with only two orders, Solitaria Emschermann, 1972, and Coloniales...
  • Scientific article Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade
    Simple Summary: The illegal pet trade remains an ongoing, substantial threat to wild populations, especially small insular populations, and can even...
  • Media BioNews Special Edition: Sustainable Tourism
    Prior to the Corona virus pandemic, the trends for tourism in the Caribbean were pressing for cheaper and more varied options. There was a pressure...
  • Other resources Coral Reef Resilience Assessment of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles
    Although Bonaire’s coral reefs remain among the healthiest and most resilient in the Caribbean, this IUCN report based on the IUCN Resilience...
  • Scientific article Development of a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Stock Assessment Model
    We developed a Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) stock assessment model to evaluate the relative contributions of conservation efforts and other...
  • Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of the island of Bonaire, southern Caribbean
    A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale 1:50,000) is presented for the southern Caribbean arid island of Bonaire (mean annual...
  • Scientific article Growth potential and predation risk drive ontogenetic shifts among nursery habitats in a coral reef fish
    Various species of aquatic animals have complex life cycles and utilize different habitats during consecutive phases of their life cycles. For...
  • Scientific article Occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans and other yeast-like fungi in environmental sources in Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean)
    Introduction We report here the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans, and other potentially pathogenic yeasts and yeast-like fungi in environmental...
  • Research report The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present)
    Small islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their fragile ecosystems, small economies, and often extensive, low-lying...
  • Scientific article New Records of the Cryptogenic Soft Coral Genus Stragulum (Tubiporidae) from the Eastern Caribbean and the Persian Gulf
    Abstract The monotypic soft coral genus Stragulum van Ofwegen and Haddad, 2011 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Tubiporidae) was originally described...
  • Research report Mapping the Economic Value of Ecosystems on St Eustatius
    This report will specifically focus on the spatial distribution of the ecosystem service values and will eventually visualize these values...
  • Other resources Climate Change Predictions for St-Eustatius and its possible impacts on the island
    This report was created to highlight the most important climate change predictions for St. Eustatius and to highlight possible impacts on the island...
  • Other resources Zoantharia of St. Eustatius
    Research on the order Zoantharia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) has a long history in the Caribbean Sea, with the first species, Zoanthus...
  • Scientific article Seagrass ecosystem metabolic carbon capture in response to green turtle grazing across Caribbean meadows
    Increasing green turtle abundance will lead to increased grazing within seagrass habitats—ecosystems that are important for carbon sequestration and...
  • Scientific article Unforeseen importance of historical collections as baselines to determine biotic change of coral reefs: the Saba Bank case
    Botanical and zoological collections may serve as archives for historical ecologi- cal research on the effects of global change and human impact on...
  • Research report Marine assessment guideline for BOPEC and Nustar operations
    As part of the permit, Rijkswaterstaat requested an ecological monitoring and evaluation framework guideline to accompany the permit-application for...
  • Media POP Bonaire: Rural Development Program: 2014-2018
    Increasing concern over Bonaire’s dependence on dive tourism and the importation of food products has led the government to push for the sustainable...
  • Scientific article Large-scale invasion of western Atlantic mesophotic reefs by lionfish potentially undermines culling-based management
    The detrimental effects of invasive lion- fishes (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) on western Atlantic shallow reefs are well documented,...
  • Other resources Seagrass and Seagrass Beds
    Seagrasses are found in shallow salty and brackish waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. Seagrasses are so-named...
  • Media Concerns about building plan in fragile coral reef
    The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NL), STINAPA, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, The Caribbean Speleological Society, and the Dutch Caribbean...
  • Scientific article High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)
    On the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) is an aggressive invasive vine posing major biodiversity conservation...
  • Research report Feasibility study of a new harbour on the island of St. Eustatius
    St. Eustatius is a small island in the Caribbean that belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its existing harbour is due for upgrades and repairs...
  • Other resources Groundwater recharge on the cultuurvlakte of St.Eustatius
    MSc Thesis  Groundwater is an important resource and an important factor to consider in pollution management. Accurate estimates of groundwater...
  • Scientific article Somatic growth dynamics of West Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles: a spatio-temporal perspective.
    Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major...
  • Scientific article Isolation by oceanic distance and spatial genetic structure in an overharvested international fishery, Diversity and Distributions
    Abstract Aim A detailed understanding of spatial genetic structure (SGS) and the factors driving contemporary patterns of gene flow and genetic...
  • Media How to Respond to a Sargassum Influx
    In May 2018 the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) launched a new infographic guide for the tourism sector on to how to respond to the...
  • Scientific article Somatic growth dynamics of West Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles: a spatio-temporal perspective
    Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major...
  • Scientific article A power analysis of a transforming marine community around oil transshipment at St. Eustatius
    The strategic location of small islands in the Caribbean, close to the United States of America (USA), and their historical trade roots as former...
  • Research report A Report on the Status of the Coral Reefs of Bonaire 2003 with Advice on the Establishment of Fish Protection Areas
    Bonaire has long been considered to have amongst the healthiest reefs of the Caribbean. However, at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Pew Fellows for Marine...
  • Portal Plants and Lichens of Saba. A Virtual Herbarium of The New York Botanical Garden.
    Saba is a five square mile island with about 1200 permanent inhabitants located off the coast of St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles (go to map...
  • Media Special Edition: Transboundary Species
    There has been a recent increase in public awareness of environmental issues as the effects of climate change have become ever more noticeable in our...
  • Scientific article Expansion and fragment settlement of the non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea in a Caribbean bay
    The non-native seagrass species Halophila stipulacea has spread throughout the Eastern Caribbean since 2002, and could potentially impact the...
  • Media Mas Piska pa Boneiru: Less talk more action
    Identifying and overcoming bottlenecks in fisheries management on Bonaire. Fishing is one of the oldest professions in the Dutch Caribbean. Many...
  • Scientific article Does Slow and Variable Recovery of Diadema antillarum on Caribbean Fore-Reefs Reflect Density-Dependent Habitat Selection?
    Recovery of the Caribbean long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum from the pathogen-induced mass mortality event of 1983 has been slow and variable...
  • Scientific article Qualitative Impact Evaluation of a Social Marketing Campaign for Conservation
    Social marketing campaigns use marketing techniques to influence human behavior for the greater social good. In conservation, social marketing...
  • Portal SPAW-RAC MARINE MAMMAL MAPPING APPLICATION
    Project "Broad-scale marine spatial planning of mammal corridors & protected areas in Wider Caribbean & Southeast & Northeast Pacific" (...
  • Portal Plants and Lichens of St. Eustatius. A Virtual Herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden
    St. Eustatius, also informally known as "Statia" is an 11.8 square mile (30.6 square km) island with about 3,200 permanent inhabitants located off...
  • Other resources Population demographic of Pomacanthus paru (French angelfish) in comparison to seafloor rugosity
    Species conservation is becoming an important aspect in marine environments. Climate change and anthropogenic interactions have had a direct impact...
  • Other resources Stony corals of St. Eustatius
    Previous surveys of the coral fauna of St. Eustatius were usually of short duration and part of a larger research that included all of the windward...
  • Media Sargassum management brief
    In light of recent and recurring influxes of sargassum on the islands of the Dutch Caribbean, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance has drafted a...
  • Research report Seabirds, marine mammals and human activities on the Saba Bank
    During the HNLMS 'TYDEMAN' bathymetric expedition on the Saba Bank, April - May 1996, two observers spent 7 weeks on board and to collect data on the...
  • Scientific article Animal-borne video reveals atypical behaviour in provisioned green turtles: A global perspective of a widespread tourist activity
    Abstract Feeding wildlife as a tourist activity is a growing industry around the world. However,providing alternative food sources can affect...
  • Other resources Spawning behaviour of the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma Viride Bonnaterre, on Bonaire and Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
    Student Report- University of Groningen  The reproductive behaviour of the stoplight parrotfish, Sparisoma viride Bonnaterre, was studied on two...
  • Media NICO Science Expedition to the Dutch Caribbean
    December 13th marked the beginning of an incredibly exciting and ambitious research expedition organized by the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea...
  • Scientific article Ecological and socioeconomic strategies to sustain Caribbean coral reefs in a high-CO world
    The Caribbean and Western Atlantic region hosts one of the world’s most diverse geopolitical regions and a unique marine biota distinct from tropical...
  • Other resources Final report St.Eustatius Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
    Coral reefs provide some of the most valuable ecosystem services for the islands. They are a driver of tourism, they protect against storms, and...
  • Scientific article Population Genetic Structure, Abundance, and Health Status of Two Dominant Benthic Species in the Saba Bank National Park, Caribbean Netherlands: Montastraea cavernosa and Xestospongia muta
    Saba Bank, a submerged atoll in the Caribbean Sea with an area of 2,200 km2, has attained international conservation status due to the rich diversity...
  • Media Two species of endangered elasmobranch are recommended to receive additional protection in the Caribbean
    Thanks to the efforts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the critically endangered largetooth sawfish and the threatened silky shark have...
  • Scientific article Population genetic structure, abundance and health status of two dominant benthic species in the Saba Bank National Park, Caribbean Netherlands: Montastraea cavernosa and Xestospongia muta
    Abstract Saba Bank, a submerged atoll in the Caribbean Sea with an area of 2,200 km2 , has attained international conservation status due to the rich...
  • Other resources Institutional dimension of flood risk: Understanding institutional complexity in Flood Risk Management for the case of St Maarten
    As extreme weather events increase both in frequency and magnitude (IPCC, 2012, 2014), and considering that over 60% of the world population lives in...
  • Research report Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report, Summary for Policy Makers
    This Synthesis Report is based on the reports of the three Working Groups of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), including relevant...
  • Other resources Tunicates of St. Eustatius
    Tunicates belong to the subphylum Tunicata in the phylum Chordata, which includes all animals with dorsal nerve cords and notocords. Some tunicates...
  • Research report Priorities in management implementation for marine mammal conservation in the Saba sector of the Yarari sanctuary
    The Yarari Marine Mammal Sanctuary (hereafter simply referred to as the Yarari Sanctuary, or Yarari) was formally established on September 2, 2015....
  • Research report St. Eustatius Arachnid Project
    Abstract: Globally, arachnids are considered to be one of the less documented classes of animals on our planet. Worldwide distribution comprises all...
  • Media Island(er)s at the Helm awarded with funding from the NWO Caribbean Research programme
    On January 7th Minister van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science of The Netherlands announced that the project Island(er)s at the Helm: Co-...
  • Other resources Influence of karst denudation on the northwest coast of Curaçao
    The northwest coast of Curaçao is characterized by a series of Pleistocene-age reef terraces at four discrete elevations with dissolutional caves...
  • Other resources Multiple dating approach (14C, 230Th/U and 36Cl) of tsunami-transported reef-top boulders on Bonaire (Leeward Antilles) – Current achievements and challenges
    Dating the transport/deposition time of supratidal coarse-clast deposits is difficult, limiting their value for inferring frequency-magnitude...
  • Scientific article Introduction to the Special Issue on the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
    The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is an iconic Gulf of Mexico species and an enduring symbol of restoration and recovery. Its...
  • Research report Tropical Americas Coral Reef Resilience Workshop Report
    The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assumed leadership of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) in 2010 with...
  • Media Statian invasions
    This news-item was published in the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute Annual Report 2017 Introduced predators such as cats, dogs, and rats are ...
  • Research report An Inventory of the Geographical Distribution and Conservation Status ofMarine Turtles and Sharks in the Wider Caribbean andRelationship to Fisheries
    Findings on Marine Turtles ·         Migration routes to and from nesting sites (typically index beaches) are variously known in the Caribbean,...
  • Media Uncovering the mystery of tiger shark reproduction in the eastern Caribbean
    Much of the lives of the most iconic shark species – including the tiger shark – remains a secret, even to shark researchers. This is because these...
  • Research report A Case Study in the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): the Islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean
    The islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, were both mapped along their leeward coasts for dominant coral community and other benthic cover...
  • Media Caribbean Shark Coalition Launched to Promote Training, Impact, and Collaboration around shark protections in the Greater Caribbean Region
    The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and  Beneath the Waves (BTW) have launched the Caribbean Shark Coalition (CSC), an innovative, new...
  • Scientific article The 2022 Diadema antillarum die-off event: Comparisons with the 1983-1984 mass mortality
    The 1983-1984 die-off of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum stands out as a catastrophic marine event because of its detrimental effectson...
  • Scientific article A social-ecological perspective on ecosystem vulnerability for the invasive creeper coralita (Antigonon leptopus) in the Caribbean: A review
    Highlights • Review on coralita invasion (Antigonon leptopus) on islands yielded 46 papers. • Main influencing factors are overgrazing, human...
  • Research report A status report of nature policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean
    The National Nature Policy Plan 2001-2005 (NPP-5) and its current status of implementation was assessed as a first step towards a new Nature Policy...
  • Research report A status report of nature policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean over the last 10 years and recommendations towards the Nature Policy Plan 2012-2017
    The National Nature Policy Plan 2001-2005 (NPP-5) and its current status of implementation was assessed as a first step towards a new Nature Policy...
  • Media 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...
  • Scientific article Long-term movements of an adult male Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
    LONG-TERM MOVEMENTS OF AN ADULT MALE KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE (LEPI- DOCHELYS KEMPII) IN THE NORTHWEST- ERN GULF OF MEXICO—Despite recent insights...
  • Media Sea & Learn 2018
    This year Sea & Learn celebrated their 16thannual event on Saba. A total of 16 experts provided dynamic hands-on field projects and powerful...
  • Research report Effect of shade on Antigonon leptopus (Corallita) growth and germination rate
    MSc. thesis An experimental research conducted in Saba (Dutch Caribbean) as a potential control method for Corallita Non-native species can cause...
  • Media Reef Sharks Move to Deeper Water as They Mature
    A new study from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) showed that reef sharks utilize different areas of the reef throughout their lifetime....
  • Monitoring protocol Invasive Lionfish - A Guide to Control and Management
    The invasion of lionfish (Pterois miles and P. volitans) may prove to be one of the greatest threats of this century to warm temperate and tropical...
  • Research report An Atlas of Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat for the Wider Caribbean Region. WIDECAST Technical Report No.6
    Abstract: Six species of sea turtle nest in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). In partnership with more than 120 Data Providers, the spatial database...
  • Research report Generic ecological assessment framework for coastal ecosystems in the Caribbean Netherlands
    Abstract: The aim of this study was to draft a generic ecological assessment framework for coastal systems in Caribbean Netherlands (CN) that offers...
  • Media Hurricane Effects on Critically Endangered Reptiles
    Caribbean flora and fauna have always coped with the destructive forces of hurricanes. However, climate change leading to an increase in their...
  • Research report Lac Bonaire - Restoration Action Spear Points, September 2010
    Lac Bay, Bonaire is the most important mangrove and seagrass area of Bonaire and has been undergoing steady ecological decline in the last decades....
  • Media Marine biodiversity research expedition on Bonaire
    An international research team will come to Bonaire from 21 October to 9 November 2019 to investigate its marine biodiversity. Although Bonaire’s...
  • Research report Monitoring the Saba Bank Fishery
    Findings The main conclusion from this study is that no new fishing permits should be issued until a long-term fishery monitoring program is in place...
  • Research report Saba Bank Research Expedition 2013 - Progress Report
    The Saba Bank is the largest submerged carbonate platform of 2,200 km2 in the Caribbean Sea, which lies partially within the Exclusive Economic Zone...
  • Research report Shark protection plan for the Dutch Caribbean EEZ
    Summary: Shark populations have steeply declined worldwide due to unsustainable overexploitation and in this the Caribbean region is no exception....
  • Media Two new birds recorded on Bonaire in 2020
    In 1983, when the second edition of ‘Birds of The Netherlands Antilles’ by Dr. K.H. Voous was published, the number of birds recorded on Bonaire...
  • Media 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...
  • Media Hurricane Impact on Statia
    Sint Eustatius was hit by two major hurricanes, Irma and Maria, during the high-intensity season of 2017. Two new studies aid our understanding of...
  • Media Long-spined sea urchins: not trouble but in trouble
    Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below   Since February 2022 there have been reports of Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema) die off from a number...
  • Media Alarming Decline of Bridled Quail-Dove populations on Statia
    The Bridled Quail-dove is a regionally endemic species that, on Statia, is only found in upper elevations of the Quill (above ~150m) and inside the...
  • Other resources Exciting New Nature Conservation Projects for STENAPA in 2022
    From cutting edge 3D models to innovative management techniques, 2022 poses to be an exciting year for St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (...
  • Media Call of action to salvage St. Maarten’s coral reefs from new disease
    A new coral disease, Stony Coral Tissue Loss disease, is spreading throughout the Wider Caribbean region and causing high mortality amongst a number...
  • Research report Mountain biking on Aruba's wild coast
    The island of Aruba predominantly has a ‘sun, sea and sand’ tourism destination image. The Arub Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) aims to diversify the...
  • Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2007
    Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
  • Research report Assessment of the Commercial Fishery of Saba Bank
    The commercial fishery of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles, was assessed for six months from June 1 through November 30, 2007, by conducting port...
  • Media 2022 promises new nature parks on Curaçao
    The Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) recently highlighted some big changes and impressive achievements for Curaçao during...
  • Media New Insight for Protecting the Future of Queen Conch
    A new survey technique provides insight into Queen Conch populations off the islands of Anguilla, St. Eustatius and within the Saba Bank. This...
  • Other resources Roadmap towards effective fisheries management of the Caribbean Netherlands
    For the special municipalities of the Netherlands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is...
  • Media Designing the optimal artificial reef
    A new study compared the effectiveness of three popular artificial reefs to increase fish densities around Saba and St Eustatius. The researchers...
  • Media Coral Restoration Bonaire
    The Nature funding from the Netherlands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) (previously Ministry of Economic Affairs), has helped...
  • Media Rodent Control Implemented to Help Save Tropicbirds on Statia
    Black rats (Rattus rattus) probably arrived on St. Eustatius along with the first Europeans. While a nuisance for the human population, their...
  • Other resources Monitoring Statia’s marine ecosystems
    CNSI continues to monitor the vulnerable ecosystems of St. Eustatius coordinated by Data Monitoring Officer (DMO) Kimani Kitson-Walters. Coral reef...
  • Media Mapping and Studying Changing Coral Reefs:  Is the Saba Bank still growing?
    Researchers aboard the Pelagia research vessel have been collecting invaluable data on the Windward islands in the Caribbean during the sixth leg of...
  • Research report Status and trends Saba Bank fisheries: 2015
    The Saba Bank is a 2200 km2 shallow bank area that lies fully within the Dutch Kingdom’s Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. In recent...

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