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

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...
Research report Preliminary inventory of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire

Abstract: A preliminary inventory is given of key terrestrial nature values of Bonaire in order to determine their occurrence in relation to areas...
Scientific article 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...
Research report Social and Economic Impacts of Marine Protected Areas: A Study and Analysis of Selected Cases in the Caribbean

The four marine protected area (MPA) cases treated in this study have a number of features in common They are relatively small in size, they are...
Other resources The analysis of ecological networks: habitat connectivity and population viability on St.Eustatius

This student thesis research is in support of a Tourism Master Plan for Sint Eustatius; this plan is focused on the development of sustainable...
Other resources Mapping Benthic Habitats for Representation in Marine Protected Areas

Virtually all marine conservation planning and management models in place or proposed have in common the need for improved scientific rigour in...
Research report Combatting oil pollution in vulnerable areas

This report contains an explanation of the vulnerability charts that were drawn up for the Caribbean Netherlands (the islands of Bonaire, Sint...
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...
Media Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance facilitates platform for investigation of marine protected areas in the Caribbean

Willemstad – The 2021 Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Convention began with a workshop on climate change resiliency. The workshop served as a...
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...
Research report Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean Netherlands

Abstract: The Important Bird Area (IBA) programme is an initiative of BirdLife International aimed at identifying, monitoring and protecting a...
Other resources Antibacterial effects of three Caribbean sponges from areas of varying pollution

Sponges are sessile marine organisms that have developed efficient defense mechanisms against microbial pathogens. These organisms are one of the...
Other resources Frequencies of coral disease in areas suspected of sewage-contaminated groundwater outflow in Bonaire N.A.

Anthropogenically induced stressors are degrading coral reefs globally. Nutrients and bacteria present in wastewater increase the frequency and...
Research report Modelling urban floods in semiarid environment: a case study in Paradera, Aruba

During the storm of November 20th, 2016 significant parts of the Paradera catchment in Aruba were flooded. The damage to the roads and houses...
Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Bonaire

Bonaire’s six IBAs—the island’s international site priorities for bird conservation—cover 23,830 ha (including their marine extensions). They embrace...
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...
Media SPAW: new protected areas, new species!

In December 2014, the 8th SPAW (Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) Protocol Conference of Parties (COP8) in Cartagena, Colombia, recognized...
Maps and Charts Urban areas map of Bonaire

Urban areas map of Bonaire (GIS).
Maps and Charts Management areas Bonaire

Map of management areas for Bonaire. The management areas are projected on top of the Bonaire landscape map (see details here) to emphasize the ...
Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Curaçao

Curaçao’s five IBAs—the island’s international priority sites for bird conservation—cover 16,280 ha (including marine areas) and c.24% of the land...
Research report Monitoring Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas. A practical guide on how monitoring can support effective management of MPAs

Abstract: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are an important tool for marine conservation and management; monitoring plays a critical role in managing...
Maps and Charts Vulnerable marine areas of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba

Vulnerable marine areas of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (GIS). Based on RAMSAR sites, important Bird Areas and Marine Park boundaries. See this...
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...
Other resources Sharks, rays and marine protected areas: A critical evaluation of current perspectives

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly advocated for the conservation and management of sharks and rays. However, substantial uncertainty...
Research report 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...
Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - St. Maarten

St Maarten’s IBAs—the country’s international site priorities for bird conservation—cover 815 ha (including marine areas), and about c.36% of the...
Research report 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 Restoration of Key Biodiversity Areas of St. Maarten

In July 2017, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation initiated a project to restore coastal and terrestrial biodiversity by...
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....
Maps and Charts Important Bird Areas (IBA) map of Saba

Important Bird Areas map of Saba (GIS)
Maps and Charts Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) map of St.Maarten

Important Bird Areas of St.Maarten according to birdlife international.
Maps and Charts Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) map of Bonaire

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) map of Bonaire (GIS). See Bird life international website for program description
Research report Sustainable Funding for Nature Parks in the Netherlands Antilles. Feasibility Study of a Protected Areas Trust Fund

In 1998 the Dutch Parliament called for a feasibility study for a trust fund and the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations agreed, under...
Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - St. Eustatius

Statia’s two IBAs—the island’s international priority sites for bird conservation—cover 41% of the island’s land area. Both IBAs are formally...
Other resources Use of trophic structure as an indicator of reef fish assemblages in areas open and closed to fishing

The change in the mean trophic level of fish assemblages can be used as an indicator of fishing pressure. To gain a more detailed understanding of...
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...
Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Saba

The Saba coastline IBA (AN006)—the island’s site priority for bird conservation—has been identified on the basis of nine key bird species (listed in...
Maps and Charts Important Bird Areas map of Curacao

Important Bird Areas of Curacao according to birdlife international.
Research report Protected Areas Management in the Caribbean: Core Themes for Education, Awareness, and Communication Programmes
Maps and Charts Important Bird Areas map of St. Eustatius (GIS)

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of St. Eustatius See Bird life international website for program description
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...
Maps and Charts Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) map of Aruba

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) map of Aruba (GIS).
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...
Research report The economics of expanding the Marine Protected Areas of the Cayman Islands

Quantification of the benefits humans obtain from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) supports decision-makers by elucidating the link between the...
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....
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’...
Other resources Protection of High Seas biodiversity in the Antilles, West Africa and Antarctica: inventory of EBSAs and VMEs

Abstract: To protect deep-sea biodiversity, the United Nations have adopted a number of resolutions that should protect vulnerable marine ecosystems...
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....
Scientific article Spatial dependency in abundance of Queen conch, Aliger gigas, in the Caribbean, indicates the importance of surveying deep-water distributions

Abstract Aim: To evaluate how the spatial distribution of a heavily exploited marine gastropod (i.e. Queen conch) varies in response to a number of...
Media POP Bonaire: Rural Development Program: 2014-2018

Increasing concern over Bonaire’s dependence on dive tourism and the importation of food products has led the government to push for the sustainable...
Research report The status and trends of the coral reefs around Saba, Dutch Caribbean, 2016

Coral reefs are of great value for millions of people, but at the same time they are facing a lot of threats of which almost all come down to human...
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...
Other resources Distribution and density of Leucaena leucocephala on St. Eustatius

Student Report This report was commissioned by St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) in order to investigate the distribution and density of...
Scientific article Effectiveness of lionfish removal efforts in the southern Caribbean

Abstract: Lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean Sea since 1985, where they negatively impact native...
Other resources Characterization of Caribbean marine protected areas: An analysis of ecological, organizational and socio-economic factors
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...
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...
Other resources Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean - Aruba

Aruba’s four IBAs cover just 610 ha, but between them they support over 30,000 seabirds and a number of other significant bird populations. Tierra...
Other resources Effects of Human Recreational Activities on Seagrass Beds in Lac Bay, Netherlands Antilles

Seagrass beds are important habitats associated with coral reefs. Seagrasses are nursery areas for juvenile fish, and they act as buffering zones by...
Scientific article Coral diversity matches marine park zonation but not economic value of coral reef sites at St. Eustatius, eastern Caribbean

A B S T R A C T Stony corals play a key role in the marine biodiversity of many tropical coastal areas as suppliers of substrate, food and shelter...
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 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 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...
Book Habitat utilization and migration in juvenile sea turtles.

Sea turtles are basically creatures that spend their entire lives in marine or estuarine habitats.Their only remaining reptilian ties to terrestrial...
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...
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 Dutch Caribbean: “home” of unique, and likely vulnerable, populations of Bryde’s and humpback whales

During the last decade several marine areas in the Wider Caribbean have been awarded extra protection as “marine mammal reserves”, such as the the...
Scientific article Migratory destinations and timing of humpback whales in the southeastern Caribbean differ from those off the Dominican Republic

Humpback whales wintering in the entire West Indies chain are widely treated as comprising a single breeding population. However, most areas outside...
Scientific article Establishing a marine conservation baseline for the insular Caribbean

Abstract Marine protected areas are a primary strategy for the conservation of marine habitats and species across the globe. In small island...
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...
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...
Research report Half a century of civil society participation in biodiversity conservation and protected area management: A case study of Bonaire

Abstract: This case study examines several aspects of civil society participation in biodiversity conservation in Bonaire that have been of...
Scientific article The effect of recreational SCUBA divers on the structural complexity and benthic assemblage of a Caribbean coral reef, Biodiversity and Conservation

Abstract The effect of recreational SCUBA diving on coral reefs is likely secondary to many of the commonly cited stressors that threaten the long-...
Other resources Response of three predatory reef fish species to fishing protection in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Fish protected areas are increasingly utilized as a means of bolstering existing fish stocks while laying the foundation for healthy future...
Research report Biodiversity of the Saba Bank supports status of Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)

Abstract: This report contains a study regarding the biodiversity of the Saba Bank, one of the three largest atolls in the world. All scientific and...
Scientific article 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 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Marine No-Take Reserves in St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: Marine reserves, in which exploitation of marine organisms and other human activities are restricted or prohibited, can be valuable tools...
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...
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...
Media 40-year study: Changes on the Coral Reefs of Bonaire and Curaçao

Although it’s now becoming widely accepted that coral reefs are degrading quickly on a global scale, there have been very few long-term studies where...
Scientific article Geographic coupling of juvenile and adult habitat shapes spatial population dynamics of a coral reef fish

Abstract: Marine spatial population dynamics are often addressed with a focus on larval dispersal, without taking into account movement behavior of...
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...
Media A Decade of Lionfish Management on Bonaire

Lionfish were first spotted off the coast of Bonaire back in 2009. Since then, STINAPA has been working alongside a cast of dedicated volunteers to...
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 (...
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....
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 (...
Other resources Restoring the dry ecosystem of Bonaire

The dry forest ecosystem of Bonaire has been decimated over the last 500 years by human intervention. Uncontrolled deforestation by early European...
Media Key Insights for Mangrove Restoration Discovered on Bonaire

Dutch below Since 2016 the Mangrove Maniacs of Bonaire have dedicated themselves to the restoration and conservation of mangroves on the island....
Research report 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 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 Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Reefs, 2011. Cause for grave concerns

Unusually warm ocean temperatures surrounding Bonaire during the late summer and fall of 2010 caused 10 to 20 % of corals to bleach (Fig. 1)....
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 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...
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 71st annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Book of abstracts

Abstracts: TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN: CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES & CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS (Sponsored by CORALINA & GCFI) Kyne,...
Research report 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...
Research report Relação entre a diversidade funcional e área em assembleias de peixes recifais sujeitas a um gradiente de riqueza de espécies

Abstract: Understanding the patterns and processes that govern the functional structuring of communities along spatial scales is still a challenge in...
Media Coralita, we’re gonna beat ya!

Having started in 2015, Utrecht University researchers Elizabeth Haber and Jetske Vaas (a.k.a. The Coralita Girls) thought it time to discuss their...
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...
Research report Caribbean Pelagic Seabird Map Project September 2020 Status Report

Even though there are very many scattered seabird sighting records for the pelagic waters of the wider Caribbean Sea, only few studies bring these...
Research report Assessment of Ramsar site Lac Bonaire – June 2010

Findings The main issues that Lac Bay faces were identified as follows: Filling-in of Lac and reduced water circulation. Over-grazing by extensive...
Other resources The impact of feral goat herbivory on the vegetation of Bonaire

Feral goats (Capra hircus) are introduced but very successful herbivores found in areas all over the Caribbean island Bonaire. Within the Washington-...
Scientific article A quantitative study of the seagrass and algal meadows of the Spaanse Water, Curaçao, the Netherlands Antilles

The Spaanse Water is a relatively turbid, 3.19 km2 inland bay of virtually oceanic salinities and contains the largest seagrass, algal and mangrove...
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...
Media Nature Funding: Restoring Bonaire’s dry forest

Forest degradation is believed to be driving Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrots (Amazona barbadensis) to forage feed in urban areas, which leads to...
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 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 (...
Media St. Eustatius: rat control program

Introduced predators such as cats, dogs, and rats can be found all over St. Eustatius and are a primary threat to the island's biodiversity. Rats,...
Scientific article Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles

The most recent climate change projections show a global increase in temperatures along with precipitation changes throughout the 21st century....
Other resources Structure and substratum preference of a schooling fish: observing the habitat use and nutrient input of smallmouth grunts (Haemulon chrysargyreum) in Bonaire

Various marine organisms are known to consciously select specific types of habitat that provide maximum shelter from potential predators. Reef fish...
Scientific article Post-breeding migration routes of marine turtles from Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

The management of small rookeries is key to conserving the regional genetic diversity of marine turtle populations and requires knowledge on...
Monitoring protocol A manual for the landbird monitoring program of STINAPA Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

About 210 resident and migratory bird species are found on the island of Bonaire. More than half of these species are landbirds. Some of the...
Other resources Erosion around Kralendijk, Bonaire

Student Report On Bonaire, special municipality of the Netherlands, there is a big problem with erosion. In and around the capital Kralendijk, most...
Media Tree Adoption website to help heal Bonaire’s dry forests

Echo is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis) on Bonaire, and the unique dry-...
Research report 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...
Scientific article Change detection in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) over three decades on Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

The island of Bonaire is a long-established Marine Protected Area (MPA), the reefs of which were extensively mapped in the early 1980s. Satellite...
Scientific article Satellite tracking of sea turtles: Where have we been and where do we go next?

The use of satellite tracking for the fundamental and applied study of marine turtles began in the 1980s but has undergone rapid growth in recent...
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...
Other resources Sustainable Fisheries & Coastal zoning in Curaçao

In February 2015, the Government of Curaçao and the Waitt Institute signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Blue Halo Curaçao (BHC), a...
Other resources Sustainable Fisheries and Coastal Zoning in Curacao "Legal and institutional assessment of authorities and approaches"

In February 2015, the Government of Curaçao and the Waitt Institute signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Blue Halo Curaçao (BHC), a...
Other resources Ecological indices from environmental DNA to contrast coastal reefs under different anthropogenic pressures

Abstract Human activities can degrade the quality of coral reefs, cause a decline in fish species richness and functional diversity and an erosion of...
Other resources Effectiveness of the burglar alarm hypothesis: a comparison between bioluminescent displays in dinoflagellates and abundance of copepods at various depths

The burglar alarm hypothesis states that dinoflagellate bioluminescence is used to avoid predation from copepods by taking an altruistic approach....
Other resources Humpback whales and shipping collisions in the Dutch Caribbean EEZ

Student Report This advisory report is drawn up at the behest of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) who wants to know how to reduce ship...
Research report Ecologyand Microeconomics as "Joint Products": The Bonaire Marine Park in the Caribbean

FOREWORD Many countries are strugglingwith the task of meeting ecological and economicgoals associated with the establishment and management of...
Scientific article Neogene–Quaternary tectonic evolution of the Leeward Antilles islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) from fault kinematic analysis

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are islands aligned along the crest of a 200-km-long segment of the east–west-trending Leeward Antilles ridge within the...
Research report Cetaceans of Saba, Sint Eustatius & Sint Maarten: current knowledge and future monitoring

Abstract: In December 2012 IMARES conducted workshops on the identification of whales & dolphins in the Caribbean on the islands of Sint Maarten...
Media New Research Improves on Traditional Reef Survey Techniques

Researchers from University of Amsterdam and CARMBABI Foundation implemented 3-dimensional reef surveying techniques to improve representation of...
Scientific article Land Cover and Forest Formation Distributions for St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Eustatius, Grenada and Barbados from Decision Tree Classification of Cloud-Cleared Satellite Imagery

Satellite image-based mapping of tropical forests is vital to conservation planning. Standard methods for automated image classification, however,...
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...
Media The Pros and Cons of non-native Seagrass Explosive Expansion

A new study from the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute and Utrecht University investigated the sediment stabilizing ability of non-native...
Media Curacao’s New Underwater Research Station

Plans for a cutting edge, underwater research station ‘PROTEUS™’ have recently been released. The modular design, inspired by coral polyps, will...
Media New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017

The island of Bonaire has achieved worldwide recognition for its rich and diverse marine life, but the island is rapidly gaining momentum as a...
Scientific article 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 Monitoring of terrestrial avifauna in six habitats on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands, 2009–2017

The Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot due to its rich biodiversity and wholesale loss of primary vegetation. Yet, there is a paucity of studies on...
Research report Brief biological inventory of Bolivia, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

The lands of the former Bolivia Plantation amount to about three-thousand three-hundred (3,300) hectares of wildlands and basically constitute the...
Research report St. Eustatius invasive alien Green Iguana : Case study of a Rapid Response Extermination Campaign (RREC)

The Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima is the largest extant native land vertebrate of St. Eustatius and was recently lost (~1990s) from...
Research report A Guide to Assessing Coral Reef Resilience for Decision Support

Coral reef resilience is the capacity of a reef to resist or recover from degradation and maintain provision of ecosystem goods and services (Mumby...
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 St. Eustatius: Bridled Quail-Dove Population Continues Declining

In the December 2017 edition of BioNews, we provided an overview of the results of two population assessments of the Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon...
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 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...
Media Recommendations for avoiding collisions with humpback whales in the Dutch Caribbean

A new study from the Aeres University of Applied Sciences combined expert knowledge and an analysis of historical data concerning whale ship strikes...
Other resources Intervention Needed to Save the endemic Sabal Palm of Bonaire

An update to a 40-year-old Sabal palm survey for the islands of Bonaire and Curaçao highlighted the striking differences between the two islands....
Other resources Coralita, we're gonna beat ya! The social and ecological contexts of invasive plant management in the Caribbean

Power point Recommendations Coralita management on Statia Reforestation efforts and Coralita management can reinforce one another, and we should...
Media 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 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...
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 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...
Other resources Density and Population Size of Yellow-shouldered Parrots (Amazona barbadensis rothschildi) and Brown-throated Parakeets (Aratinga pertinax xanthogenius) on Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

In December 2009, we sampled 62 6-minute random-systematic counting points (k) to estimate the density and population size of yellow-shouldered...
Scientific article Patterns, causes, and consequences of marine larval dispersal

Quantifying the probability of larval exchange among marine populations is key to predicting local population dynamics and optimizing networks of...
Scientific article Status of Western Atlantic coral reefs in the Lesser Antilles

The Lesser Antilles include high volcanic islands with a limited marine shelf, and low coralline islands with a more extensive shelf. Withinthe group...
Scientific article Underwater Towed Video: A Novel Method to Estimate Densities of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas; Strombidae) Across Its Depth Range

Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) populations living deeper than 20 m are rarely studied, because of the limitations of conventional survey methods using...
Other resources Population demographic of Pomacanthus paru (French angelfish) in comparison to seafloor rugosity

Species conservation is becoming an important aspect in marine environments. Climate change and anthropogenic interactions have had a direct impact...
Media Watershed-to-Reef: New Approach for Coral Reef Management

Results from a 2020 study highlight the interconnectivity between watershed areas and neighboring coral reefs on the island of Bonaire. This study...
Research report Quantifying the state of the coral reef ecosystem in relation to biophysical benthic and pelagic indicators and biological drivers of change in the Saba National Marine Park, Dutch Caribbean

Abstract Coral reefsare experiencing large scale degradation. Motivated by the need for regular data monitoring and forquantification of the state...
Scientific article A deep transfer learning-based damage assessment on post-event very high-resolution orthophotos

Abstract Post-disaster building damage assessment is an important application of remote sensing. The increasing resolution of remote sensing imaging...
Other resources Is larval fish diversity connected to ecosystem level diversity? A case study in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Greater ecosystem diversity generally results in greater fish diversity. It follows that areas of greater ecosystem diversity would also exhibit...
Scientific article A Quantitative, Non-Destructive Methodology for Habitat Characterisation and Benthic Monitoring at Offshore Renewable Energy Developments

Following governments’ policies to tackle global climate change, the development of offshore renewable energy sites is likely to increase...
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...
Scientific article Ciguatera in the Eastern Caribbean

Abstract: Ciguatera fish poisoning plays an important role in Caribbean marine resource development. Many independent eastern Caribbean island...
Other resources Pilot trials on St. Eustatius to contain the spread of and eradicate the invasive Giant African Land Snail

In 2013, the invasive Giant African Land Snail, Achatina fulica was found in a small part of urban St. Eustatius. In collaboration with local...
Other resources 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...
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...
Scientific article Abundance and population structure of queen conch inside and outside a marine protected area: repeat surveys show significant declines

ABSTRACT: Effectiveness of a marine protected area (MPA) in supporting fisheries productivity depends upon replenishment patterns, both in supplying...
Scientific article Southern Caribbean islands ecological corridor (Corredor Ecológico Islas del Caribe Sur)

The notion of an ecological corridor is to connect protected areas of high biodiversity to counteract the fragmentation of habitats, the loss of...
Research report Proyecto PUDRENA

Goal of this project was to collect and analyze information available which can be used for planning and sustaible development, with a focus on the...
Research report The potential Outstanding Universal Value and natural heritage values of Bonaire National Marine Park: an ecological perspective

The Southern Caribbean forms a separate biogeographic province for marine mollusks and marine fish faunas. The terrestrial desert and xeric...
Research report 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...
Scientific article Charging for Nature: Marine Park Fees and Management from a User Perspective

User fees can contribute to the financial sus- tainability of marine protected areas (MPAs), yet they must be acceptable to users. We explore changes...
Research report Habitat diversity and biodiversity of the benthic seascapes of St. Eustatius

Quantitative habitat mapping and description form the basis for understanding the provisioning of ecosystem services and habitat connectivity, and...
Scientific article Eutrophication threatens Caribbean seagrasses – An example from Curaçao and Bonaire

Seagrass beds are globally declining due to human activities in coastal areas. We here aimed to identify threats from eutrophication to the valuable...
Scientific article Indirect effects of overfishing on Caribbean reefs: sponges overgrow reef-building corals

Consumer-mediated indirect effects at the community level are difficult to demonstrate empirically. Here, we show an explicit indirect effect of...
Other resources Initial Inventory of 3D Cadastre Use Cases in the Caribbean

As argued in many earlier FIG publications, the potential benefits of 3D Cadastre are huge. This is especially true in the Caribbean setting with...
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)....
Media At least ten reef-associated shark species in the Dutch Caribbean

Wageningen Marine Research reported ten reef-associated shark species in the Dutch Caribbean in a recent published study as part of Dutch Caribbean...
Scientific article Environmental DNA illuminates the dark diversity of sharks

In the era of “Anthropocene defaunation,” large species are often no longer detected in habitats where they formerly occurred. However, it is unclear...
Media Sustainable Tourism: Current State

Each of the six Dutch Caribbean islands have their own unique draw, enticing visitors from around the world each year. From environments ranging from...
Other resources A self-financing marine park: the Saba case

Short case study prepared for the CANARI Workshop on Revenue Generation for Protected Areas, Saba, Netherlands Antilles, June 5-9, 1995. The Saba...
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...
Other resources Dutch non-state actor contributions to biodiversity. Preparing for the CBD action agenda for nature and people.

The report finds that Dutch non-state actors are increasingly involved in biodiversity initiatives, and that those initiatives are well aligned with...
Scientific article Vegetation associations and relative abundance of rodents on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

Since the introduction of non-native rodents to the Caribbean region, these invaders have successfully occupied many, if not most, islands where they...
Scientific article Megaherbivores may impact expansion of invasive seagrass in the Caribbean

1.Our knowledge of the functional role of large herbivores is rapidly expanding, and the impact of grazing on species co‐existence and non‐native...
Scientific article e evolution of the Caribbean Marine Protected Area Management Network and Forum (CaMPAM): 20 years of the Regional Multidimensional Program for Strengthening MPA Practitioners

In 1997, the United Nations Environment’s Caribbean Environment Program (UNEP-CEP) convened a meeting of 50 MPA managers from which CaMPAM was born....
Research report The Lesser Antillean Iguana on St. Eustatius: 2012 status update and review of limiting factors

Abstract: The endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima, is an emblematic species for the island of St. Eustatius and in Caribbean...
Scientific article Trends in Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Relative Abundance, Distribution, and Size Composition in Nearshore Waters of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Long-term monitoring of in-water life history stages of the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is essential for...
Scientific article Organic Matter Degradation Drives Benthic Cyanobacterial Mat Abundance on Caribbean Coral Reefs

Abstract Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are impacting coral reefs worldwide. However, the factors and mechanisms driving their proliferation are...
Scientific article High levels of dioxins and PCBs in meat, fat and livers of free ranging pigs, goats, sheep and cows from the island of Curaçao

Samples of adipose tissue, meat and livers from pigs, cows, sheep and goats from Curaçao were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and...
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 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 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 Evaluation of coral reef management effectiveness using conventional versus resilience-based metrics

With increasing stressors to coral reefs, defining tools that evaluate their dynamics and resilience is important to interpret system trajectories...
Research report Results of Nature Foundation Research into invasive Seagrass H. stipulacea in the Simpson Bay Lagoon

Abstract: In February 2013 the St. Maarten Nature Foundation confirmed the presence of Halophila stipulacea, an invasive seagrass, in the Simpson Bay...
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...
Other resources Distribution and characterization of deep water cyano-bacterial mats occurring along the west coast of Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands)

Student Report Areas like the Caribbean reefs are a biodiversity hotspot. Deeper waters are shown to be of importance for the structure and...
Media BirdsCaribbean Landbird Monitoring Workshop

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) recently supported the attendance of representatives from...
Research report Water Quality Testing July 2012 -St. Maarten Nature Foundation

The Nature Foundation carried out water quality tests on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of July 2012 at seven sites surrounding St. Maarten. These tests,...
Research report Status and trends of coral reef health indicators on Saba (Caribbean Netherlands)

Coral reefs are threatened globally and their trajectories of decline are very similar worldwide. In the Caribbean coral cover has declined by 80%...
Research report MAP MANGROVE PLANTING SITES & COMPARE AND EVALUATE MANGROVE RESTORATION TECHNIQUES

Abstract This thesis assignment consists of two parts: mapping mangrove planting sites along the southwest coast of Bonaire, and comparing and...
Research report The effects of trap fisheries on the populations of Caribbean spiny lobster and reef fish species at the Saba Bank

Abstract: The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is a widespread crustacean species. It inhabits shallow water reefs and rocky substrates from...
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...
Other resources Water conservation in Curaçao; using traditional earthen dams

The climate in Curaçao is semi-arid to arid. Every century several extended periods of drought occur with practically no rain. A whole system of...
Scientific article High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)

On the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) is an aggressive invasive vine posing major biodiversity conservation...
Other resources Fibropapillomatosis Affecting Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Fibropapillomatosis is a disease that is affecting sea turtles all around the world. Turtles that are most at risk are those that live in near-shore...
Scientific article High spatial resolution mapping identifies habitat characteristics of the invasive vine Antigonon leptopus on St. Eustatius (Lesser Antilles)

On the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Coralita (Antigonon leptopus) is an aggressive invasive vine posing major biodiversity conservation...
Scientific article Assessment of the Distribution of Seed Plants Endemic to the Lesser Antilles in Terms of Habitat, Elevation, and Conservation Status

The Lesser Antilles is part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot and a priority for conservation of its flora is its endemic taxa. Using data from...
Research report Extent and health of mangroves in Lac Bay Bonaire using satellite data

Remote sensing is an important tool for monitoring the environment. In this report we investigate the use of satellite images from two different...
Scientific article Assessment of the Distribution of Seed Plants Endemic to the Lesser Antilles in Terms of Habitat, Elevation, and Conservation Status

Abstract - The Lesser Antilles is part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot and a priorityfor conservation of its flora is its endemic taxa. Using...
Scientific article Extreme spatial heterogeneity in carbonate accretion potential on a Caribbean fringing reef linked to local human disturbance gradients

Abstract The capacity of coral reefs to maintain their structurally complex frameworks and to retain the potential for vertical accretion is vitally...
Scientific article Defining and Dividing the Greater Caribbean: Insights from the Biogeography of Shorefishes

The Greater Caribbean biogeographic region is the high-diversity heart of the Tropical West Atlantic, one of four global centers of tropical marine...
Scientific article Extreme spatial heterogeneity in carbonate accretion potential on a Caribbean fringing reef linked to local human disturbance gradients

The capacity of coral reefs to maintain their structurally complex frameworks and to retain the potential for vertical accretion is vitally important...
Other resources Inorganic nutrients, photosynthetic pigments, and zooplankton species richness and species diversity in the surrounding waters of urban Kralendijk, Bonaire

Excess nutrients as a result of agricultural, urban, and industrial runoff are major causes to increases in plankton. Coral reefs are nutrient poor...
Research report Biological Inventory of St. Maarten

St. Maarten is one of the islands forming the inner arc of the Lesser Antilles. It is older than Saba and St. Eustatius. The oldest rock strata date...
Other resources Bonaire National Marine Park—Algal Survey and Inventory

The Littler’s team [including Barrett Brooks, Don Hurlbert, Barbara Watanabe and Larry Gorenflo (Conservation International)] traveled to the island...
Research report Predation threats to the Red- billed Tropicbird breeding colony of Saba: focus on cats

Summary: Feral domestic cats (Felis catus) are recognized as one of the most devastating alien predator species in the world and are a major threat...
Scientific article Case study of a Rapid Response Removal Campaign for the invasive alien green iguana, Iguana iguana

Abstract The Invasive Alien Green Iguana (IAGI), Iguana iguana, has spread worldwide via the pet trade, as stowaways and via other means and has...
Other resources Tsunami hazard assessment on Bonaire based on sedimentary traces of prehistoric high-energy waves

The Caribbean region is highly vulnerable to coastal hazards since a relatively high percentage of the population lives right at the coast. Tourism...
Media This Little Island is a Haven for Migratory Shorebirds

Fernando and I are at our one of our “high density” points (counting stations) on the Cargill Salt Production Facility in southern Bonaire. We are...
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...
Research report Chapter 12. Status and trends of coral reefs of the Caribbean region

Regional Context: The Caribbean Region represents only 1% of Earth’s marine surface but hosts 10% of the world’s coral reefs, including fringing...
Other resources Categories of habitat and depth are structuring reef fish assemblages over no-fishing and fishing zones in the Saba Marine Park (Caribbean Netherlands)

Reef fish assemblages are structured by many factors like depth, habitat and zonation’s in marine protected areas (MPAs). These fish assemblages can...
Media Invasive Species Workshop on St. Eustatius

Twenty-five participants attended an informative workshop on invasive species on November 28th and 29th 2017. The Caribbean Netherlands Science...
Research report 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 Free-roaming livestock distribution, densities and population estimates on St. Eustatius: a 2020 update

Free-roaming livestock constitute a major threat to the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of St. Eustatius. In anticipation of a government-led...
Research report Free-roaming livestock distribution, densities and population estimates on St. Eustatius: a 2020 update

Abstract Free-roaming livestock constitute a major threat to the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of St. Eustatius. In anticipation of a government-...
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...
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...
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...
Research report Avifaunal and Botanical Survey of The Jan Thiel Lagoon Conservation Area, Curaçao

The Jan Thiel lagoon can be considered the most important wetland of Curaçao based on its combined value as a feeding habitat for terns. As is likely...
Research report Some Observations Made From ROV on Mid-Depth Habitats and Reef Fish Communities of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles

A small submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to explore mid-depth habitats of Saba Bank – a submerged carbonate platform in the...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
Research report Monitoring cetacean occurrence in coastal waters of the Caribbean Netherlands (Saba, St. Eustatius & Bonaire) using port sampling

Knowledge on the density, distribution and occurrence of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean Netherlands is sparse. This knowledge is needed as...
Other resources Small-scale variation in coral reef quality on the leeward side of Bonaire

In the last three decades, Caribbean coral cover values have been declining from 50% to 10% cover Caribbean wide. Several studies have researched...
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...
Other resources Baited Remote Underwater stereo0Video (stereo0BRUV) survey as a basis for elasmobranch conservation and management on Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean

Elasmobranch populations (sharks, rays and skates) worldwide have declined drastically over the past decades and the situation in the Dutch Caribbean...
Media 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 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-...
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 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...
Media New Insight for Protecting the Future of Queen Conch

A new survey technique provides insight into Queen Conch populations off the islands of Anguilla, St. Eustatius and within the Saba Bank. This...
Media Sea & Learn 2018

This year Sea & Learn celebrated their 16thannual event on Saba. A total of 16 experts provided dynamic hands-on field projects and powerful...
Media 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 Diversity, abundance, distribution and habitat use reef-associated sharks in the Dutch Caribbean

Shark are in serious decline in the Caribbean due to fishing pressure and slow reproductive life-history. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan in...
Research report Assessing effectiveness of the seasonal closure of the Moonfish Bank of the Saba Bank for two species of concern, the Red Hind and the Queen Triggerfish: the first five years

Based on traditional knowledge of the Saban fishermen, a spawning aggregation area (SPAG) for the Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) and the Queen...
Research report A landscape ecological vegetation map of Saba (Lesser Antilles)

A semi-detailed landscape-based vegetation map (scale: 1: 37,500) is presented for the 13 km2 Lesser Antillean steep volcanic island of Saba,...
Research report Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire’s landscapes

Introduction and aims With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
Research report Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire's landscapes - spatial distribution and characterisation of tourists on Bonaire using social media

Introduction and aims With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to...
Research report Assessing effectiveness of the seasonal closure of the Moonfish Bank of the Saba Bank for two species of concern, the Red Hind and the Queen Triggerfish: the first five years

Summary Based on traditional knowledge of the Saban fishermen, a spawning aggregation area (SPAG) for the Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) and the...
Media Saba Iguanas Receive Attention

The Caribbean Netherlands island of Saba is home to a unique but relatively unknown iguana population. Given the many threats faced by islands...
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 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...
Media Citizen Scientists Needed to Identify Local Manta and Devil Rays

DCNA is partnering with the Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program, an affiliate project of the Manta Trust, and Observation.org to track local...
Research report Water quality monitoring Bonaire. Results monitoring November 2011 and recommendations for future research

Abstract On the island Bonaire, eutrophication is a point of serious concern, affecting the coral reefs in the marine park. Eutrophication can cause...
Scientific article Rapid Assessment of Stony Coral Richness and Condition on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles

Findings: Combining the findings of this study with that of other studies, the authors conclude that the coral assemblage on the Saba Bank is diverse...
Research report Saba Bank research expedition 2011 – Progress Report

Abstract: The Saba Bank is a large submerged carbonate platform of approximately 2,200 km2 in the Caribbean Sea which lies partially within the...
Media BioNews 12 - January 2014

Very exciting news this month from St. Eustatius where the ongoing study of the island’s flora led to the discovery of a plant species new to science...
Other resources Elasmobranchs in the Dutch Caribbean: current population status, fisheries and conservation

In the Dutch Caribbean EEZ, at least 27 elasmobranch species have been documented. Of these, 9 are listed as “critically endangered” and 8 as “near...
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...
Other resources Assessing the correlation between coral disease prevalence and fish species richness from 2007-2011 in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Coral reefs have existed for thousands of years and are currently subjected to many threats. Coral disease is of particular concern because of its...
Other resources Comparison of Epibionts between Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Sea Turtles in Bonaire, NA

Many pelagic organisms, including sea turtles, host unique communities of epibionts on the surfaces of their bodies. Although sea turtle epibiota...
Media Radar surveys of Audubon’s Shearwater

To better protect Audubon’s Shearwaters, Adam Brownfrom Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), in partnership with the Saba Conservation...
Other resources Global evaluation of shark sanctuaries

Due to well-documented declines in many shark populations there is increasing pressure to implement new management and rebuilding strategies at the...
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,...
Raw data Bats Bonaire

As pollinators of the typical dry forest cacti, bats are a keystone species. Dry tropical forests are the most threatened type of forest in the Dutch...
Other resources 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...
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 Widely resented yet neglected: latent environmental problems : The case of an invasive alien vine on Saba and Statia

The invasive alien Coralita vine (Antigonon leptopus) overgrows large parts of Saba and St. Eustatius, posing a threat to agriculture and the unique...
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...
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...
Research report Quantifying the state of the coral reef ecosystem in relation to biophysical benthic and pelagic indicators and biological drivers of change in the Saba National Marine Park, Dutch Caribbean

Student Report Coral reefs are experiencing large scale degradation. Motivated by the need for regular data monitoring and for quantification of the...
Media Mangrove Restoration Workshop 2021

The Mangrove Restoration Workshop was held between October 25 - 28, 2021. The goal was to bring together researchers, conservationists, park...
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 Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan

Introduction Caribbean islands are at the forefront of the climate crisis, with effects already starting to become noticeable in the region. Experts...
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...
Other resources Physis X - Journal of marine science

As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
Scientific article Sea Turtles as Flagships for Protection of the Wider Caribbean Region

Abstract: Sea turtles are emerging as one of the most popular icons of the marine environment. Capitalising on their charismatic image, a remarkable...
Scientific article Chemical defenses and resource trade-offs structure sponge communities on Caribbean coral reefs

Abstract: Ecological studies have rarely been performed at the community level across a large biogeographic region. Sponges are now the primary...
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....
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 Hierarchical spatial patterns in Caribbean reef benthic assemblages

Aim Coral assemblages on Caribbean reefs have largely been considered to be biogeographically homogeneous at a regional scale. We reassess this in...
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...
Maps and Charts RAMSAR map of Curacao

RAMSAR areas mapped for the Curacao ministry of health, environment and nature with the help of K.Wenzel of the RAMSAR convention secretariat....
Media Upcoming Shark Tagging Expedition on the Saba Bank

Little is known about the current state of shark populations in the Dutch Caribbean, even less is known about their behavior and which areas they use...
Media The Netherlands’ Largest National Park

For the longest time, the Saba Bank has been the largest and richest forgotten treasure within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It lies just 5...
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...
Scientific article Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire

Curaçao and Bonaire form part of the Netherlands Antilles, while Aruba has a “status aparte” within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All three islands...
Media 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...
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 Early cementation and lithification in intertidal cryptalgal structures, boca jewfish, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

On the shore of the Boca Jewfish area of the Lac, Bonaire, N.A., blue-green algae perform a sediment-stabilizing and binding function resulting in a...
Other resources Spaans Lagoen Species List

Species List IMPORTANT NOTICE The species list in this document is not all-inclusive, meaning that not all species which can be found in the "Spaans...
Other resources Preliminary checklist of extant endemic species and subspecies of the windward Dutch Caribbean (St. Martin, St. Eustatius, Saba and the Saba Bank)

Keywords: endemic species, Caribbean, Saba, Saint Eustatius, Saint Marten, Saba Bank Endemic species and subspecies (or “taxa” for short) having...
Research report 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 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...
Scientific article Implications of ambiguity in Antarctic ice sheet dynamics for future coastal erosion estimates: a probabilistic assessment

Sea-level rise (SLR) can amplify the episodic erosion from storms and drive chronic erosion on sandy shorelines, threatening many coastal communities...
Media Seagrass: Vital for a Healthy Environment and Economy

Recently the World Seagrass Association with the help of GRID-Arendal, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and UNEP World Conservation and...
Scientific article Impacts of wetland dieback on carbon dynamics: A comparison between intact and degraded mangroves

Mangroves are effective blue carbon sinks and are the most carbon rich ecosystems on earth. However, their areal extent has declined by over one-...
Scientific article Community Change within a Caribbean Coral Reef Marine Protected Area following Two Decades of Local Management

Structural change in both the habitat and reef-associated fish assemblages within spatially managed coral reefs can provide key insights into the...
Research report Species Management Plan: Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot, Amazona barbadensis, Dutch Caribbean

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Threat mitigation Boost population growth rate and address nest site limitation Reduce poaching Habitat protection Grow...
Other resources 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 Two New Species of Tenorioconus (Gastropoda: Conidae) from Aruba

ABSTRACT Two new members of the Caribbean Province endemic conid genus Tenorioconus Petuch and Drolshagen, 2011 are described from the Netherlands...
Other resources Diet preference of roaming goats (Capra hircus) on columnar cacti in Bonairian scrublands

The introduction of goats to Bonaire in the 17th century, caused direct and indirect changes in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and has led to...
Other resources Infection frequency and species identification of the black spot causing parasite found commonly on ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus tractus) in Bonaire

Diseases, pathogens, and parasites in marine ecosystems are difficult to research and understand. Tracking the health of ecosystems, such as tropical...
Other resources Vibrio communities associated with the azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea coccinea as compared to zooxanthellate shallow sea corals

A coral is made up of key associations between endosymbiotic zooxanthellae, protists, bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. These microbe-coral...
Other resources Runoff and erosion on the Cultuurvlakte of St. Eustatius

Msc. Thesis Erosion can cause large problems for ecosystems on and around tropical islands. On site, erosion leads to a decrease of available...
Scientific article Caribbean Audubon's shearwaters puffinus Lherminieri choose nesting locations that improve male and female pre-laying exodus foraging strategies

This study aims to better understand how the nesting distribution of Audubon’s Shearwaters Puffinus lherminieri in the Caribbean is associated with...
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...
Scientific article New Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Bonaire (Lesser Antilles) and morphometric comparison between Eastern Pacific and Caribbean populations of Fortuyniidae

Two new intertidal oribatid mite species were found on the coast of Bonaire. Litoribates bonairensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its only...
Scientific article 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...
Other resources Tropical dry forests The state of global knowledge and recommendations for future research

This discussion paper assesses the state of knowledge on tropical dry forests as it relates to CIFOR’s strategy and identi es research opportunities...
Portal Coral reef watch (NOAA)

The NOAA Coral Reef Watch program uses satellite data to provide current reef environmental conditions to quickly identify areas at risk for coral...
Other resources Scuba diving as a significant control on coral diversity

With the SCUBA diving industry growing at a reate of 7% per annum and a major qualifying agency havig just certified its 10 millionth diver, an...
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...
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...
Other resources Species Action Plan Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Lora)

Action Plan for Yellow-shouldered Amazon consists of: Threats: habitat loss. poaching, climate changes Management goals Recommendations: management,...
Scientific article 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...
Scientific article Green ammonia enables sustainable energy production in small island developing states: A case study on the island of Curaçao

Abstract Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have a high dependency on fossil fuels for energy, water, and food production. This has negative...
Research report The influence of factors that negatively affect nesting activity of sea turtles on Sint Maarten

Abstract Seven species of turtles are present in a wide range of areas across the earth. The species that use the beaches of Sint Maarten as nesting...
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...
Monitoring protocol PROALAS: Latin American Program for Landbirds

About this manual and how to use it conabio’s community monitoring network is a citizen science project aimed at local communities. It was created in...
Scientific article Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten

The Dutch Windward Islands (St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten) support a collective herpetofauna consisting of two frogs (both introduced), six...
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 VII - Journal of marine research

As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
Research report Lac Buoy Placement Project - Progress report #1

PROJECT SUMMARY Project Goals: Protect the seagrass beds at the shoreline of the Blue Zone Increase windsurfer compliance to the White Zone no-go...
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...
Other resources Examining the effect of different grazers on algal biomass

Herbivory drives ecosystem dynamics in both terrestrial and marine habitats, controlling type and biomass of vegetation. In tropical coral reefs,...
Other resources Good fences make good neighbors: Habitat partitioning by spinyhead (Acanthemblemaria spinosa) and secretary (Acanthemblemaria maria) blennies.

Spinyhead blennies (Acanthemblemaria spinosa) and secretary blennies (Acanthemblemaria maria) are abundant, tube-dwelling fishes on the reefs of...
Other resources Trends in the Caribbean Netherlands

As of 10 October 2010, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) is responsible for the collection and publication of statistical data on the three islands of the...
Scientific article Effects of Recreational Scuba Diving on Caribbean Coral and Fish Communities

Scuba diving on coral reefs is an increasingly lucrative element of tourism in the tropics, but divers can damage the reefs on which tourism depends...
Other resources The ecological and socio-economic impacts of the lionfish invasion in the Southern Caribbean

The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous, voracious predator with a high dispersal capactity. In the space of 30 years, it has...
Research report Does Sepioteuthis make a visual language on its skin?

Research consisted of both ethological observation and still and video filming of the squid in the shallow waters off the lee side of Bonaire. The...
Other resources Report on the second meeting of the cari'mam project

marine mammal workshop on: - communication and awareness - marine protected areas and management plans - stranding workshop whale watching and...
Other resources Identification cards for common algae on Bonaire

Macroalgae on Bonaire Macroalgae are large algae, also called seaweeds, that are typically divided in three major groups: red macroalgae (Rhodophyta...
Scientific article 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,...
Research report Staat van de natuur van Caribisch Nederland 2017

Sinds de staatkundige herstructurering van het Koninkrijk in 2010, maken de Caribische eilanden van Bonaire, Saba en St. Eustatius als speciale...
Media Saba Bank: a scientific surprise

Background The Saba Bank, west of the Caribbean island of Saba, is a large (2400 km2) submerged carbonate platform of 15-40m depth rising from 800-...
Research report Analysis of vegetation change for two coastal regions on Curaçao

Island ecosystems are vulnerable to the influence of goats which are invasive to most islands and are considered the most damaging for island...
Media Informational material on protected species (CITES) developed for the Caribbean Netherlands

Informational material for regulations outlined in the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (also known as...
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...
Research report Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment

Summary: We review the conservation status of, and threats to, all 346 species of seabirds, based on BirdLife International’s data and assessments...
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...
Other resources The State of Antigonon Leptopus (Corallita) on St Eustatius in 2014

Corallita dominates roadsides, infests entire neighborhoods, and has sullied otherwise ecologically varied landscapes. Corallita has been steadily...
Scientific article Citizen science regarding invasive lionfish in Dutch Caribbean MPAs: Drivers and barriers to participation

Abstract Understanding the drivers and barriers to participation in citizen science initiatives for conservation is important if long-term...
Other resources Finding a correlation between zooplankton abundance and the aggregation of Abudefduf saxatilis (sergeant major damselfish) beneath boats

Abudefduf saxatilis, or sergeant major damselfish, are a common reef fish in the Caribbean and western Atlantic that form large feeding aggregations...
Other resources Diver impact on coral and fish communities: A comparison of sites with varying intensities of diving at Yellow Submarine, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

SCUBA diving on coral reefs is a beneficial economic option for small tropical islands, that can have a lower impact on the environment than...
Other resources Habitat choice, size distribution, color variance, and feeding behavior of spotted moray eels, Gymnothorax moringa, in coastal waters of Bonaire, N.A.

The spotted moray eel, Gymnothorax moringa, is one of the most abundant moray eels found in the coastal waters of Bonaire, N.A. However, little is...
Media Lionfish Culling: the Solution to Managing Lionfish Populations in the Dutch Caribbean?

One of the most talked about fish in the Caribbean Region is an exotic looking fish with eye-catching stripes and remarkable feathery pectoral fins:...
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...
Media Great news for shark and ray conservation in the Caribbean (SPAW-STAC)

The first cross-border protective management in a Wider Caribbean context for elasmobranch species. In March 2017 it was officially decided to...
Other resources Physis XVI - Journal of marine sciences

As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
Research report The fishery value of coral reefs in Bonaire

Fishing provides an important source of income and livelihood on the Caribbean Island of Bonaire, also many people fish for recreational purposes. A...
Scientific article Impending Trade Suspensions of Caribbean Queen Conch under CITES: A Case Study on Fishery Impacts and Potential for Stock Recovery

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Authority issued injunctions in 2003 and 2004 to halt export trade of Caribbean...
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 ...
Media BioNews special: Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary

The Dutch Caribbean is an important area for marine mammals, sharks and rays. More than twenty marine mammal and thirty shark and ray species are...
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 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...
Scientific article Close encounters of the worst kind: reforms needed to curb coral reef damage by recreational divers

Abstract Intentional and unintentional physical contact between scuba divers and the seabed is made by most divers and multiple times per dive, which...
Research report Brown Tides: Assessing the Past, Present, & Future State of Sargassum in Aruba Through a Mixed Methods Approach

ABSTRACT: In the last decade, Caribbean shores have been inundated with a floating seaweed known as Sargassum. In large amounts, Sargassum threatens...
Media DCNA Launches Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan

May 16th 2022- Today the DCNA launches a Climate Action Plan for the Dutch Caribbean. This plan provide concrete recommendations for all our islands...
Research report Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Reefs in 2013: Causes for Optimism

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Patterns and trends in corals, seaweeds Chapter 2: Trends in Bonaire’s herbivorous fish: change over time Chapter 3:...
Scientific article Observations on the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Dutch Caribbean

Abstract: Records of whale sharks in the Caribbean are relatively sparse. Here we document 24 records of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus Smith 1882)...
Scientific article Disentangling the Influence of Urbanization and Invasion on Endemic Geckos in Tropical Biodiversity Hot Spots: A Case Study of Phyllodactylus martini (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) along an Urban Gradient in Curaçao

Predicting the response of endemic species to urbanization has emerged as a fundamental chal- lenge in 21st century conservation biology. The factors...
Other resources Temporal use of two artificial reef morphologies by coral reef fishes

Coral reefs are important marine ecosystems with high biodiversity that provides food and socioeconomic benefits to people in tropical regions around...
Other resources Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests: Possible nutrient sources and drivers of community structure in a tropical marine system

Beach environments are considered nutrient poor systems that support limited abundances of life due to the lack of attainable nutrients. Since the...
Other resources Reproductive Behavior in Abudefduf saxatilis: The Relationship Between Nest Location, Brood Size and Aggression

This study investigated the reproductive behavior of the Caribbean Sergeant Major, Abudefduf saxatilis. The aim was to identify the possible...
Media Waterbird monitoring in Curaçao

Following the Caribbean Waterbird Census Monitoring Training workshop given by Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean) and Je Gerbracht (Cornell) at Carmabi...
Other resources Tides in the Last Interglacial: insights from notch geometry and palaeo tidal models in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

The study of past sea levels relies largely on the interpretation of sea-level indicators. Palaeo tidal notches are considered as one of the most...
Other resources Fishery value of coral reefs in Bonaire (policy brief)

Policy Briefs: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity on Bonaire The Challenge Fishing provides an important source of income and...
Scientific article 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...
Other resources Human leptospirosis: guidance for diagnosis, surveillance and control

Why were these guidelines written? Leptospirosis is a worldwide public health problem. In humid tropical and subtropical areas, where most developing...
Scientific article The Light and Motion Sensor Program: Low cost coral reef monitoring

Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 7-11 July 2008 Session number 16 Effective coral reef management...
Portal SPAW-RAC MARINE MAMMAL MAPPING APPLICATION

Project "Broad-scale marine spatial planning of mammal corridors & protected areas in Wider Caribbean & Southeast & Northeast Pacific" (...
Research report Nexus interventions for small tropical islands: case study Bonaire. Food from the Land.

Like most small tropical islands, Bonaire is largely dependent on imported food. This results in high food prices due to import taxes andtransport...
Research report Cruise report RV Pelagia 64PE430 : Bottom topography, groundwater discharge and cyanobacterial mats of mesophotic reefs, 25 January - 2 February 2018Curaçao-Bonaire-Aruba (NICO expedition leg 3)

The Caribbean is well known for its tropical islands fringed by beautiful coral reefs. However, reefs nowadays shift from coral dominance to...
Other resources Satellite observations as a tool to monitor the volcanoes of Saba and St. Eustatius

The Dutch islands of Saba and St. Eustatius are located in the far north of the Lesser Antilles arc, a subduction zone hosting seventeen active...
Research report Investigation of subsurface freshwater flow from southern Bonaire into Lac bay

Abstract In recent decades, concern about mangrove die-back has intensified. One of the last remaining mangrove areas in the Dutch Antilles is the...
Media BioNews 50 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter

BioNews 50 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and...
Research report An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal Inundation on Bonaire

Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here - https://www.dcbd.nl/document/impacts-climate-...
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...
Other resources The Quill/Boven National Park and Miriam Schmidt Botanical Garden Management Plan 2009

This document will clearly define the V ision, Mission and Goals of The Quill/Boven National Park and Botanical Garden, and s tate the management s...
Research report Monitoring program for waterbirds inhabiting the saliñas located on the northwest of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Year report 2009

Management Recommendations: Include all the area of Salina Goto and salina Frans inside the borders of WSNP. This expansion will not only benefit the...
Scientific article Misleading criticisms of invasion science: a field guide

Invasion science is the study of the causes and consequences of the introduction of organisms to the areas outside their native ranges. It concerns...
Other resources Assessment of the Breeding Success of Red-billed Tropicbirds on St. Eustatius

We assessed the breeding success of Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus on St. Eustatius, particularly in relation to predation at the nest. We...
Other resources Goat Excluder Project in the Quill National Park Year 2

The presence of feral goats (Capra hircus) can have detrimental effects to island ecosystems where native plants have evolved in the absence of these...
Scientific article 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...
Other resources Spatial distribution and severity of dark spots disease in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Corals are the building blocks of coral reefs as they provide countless marine organisms with protection and habitat. However, coral diseases are...
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...
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...
Scientific article New bird records for the island of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, with notes on other significant sightings

The avifauna of the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius has been little studied. We document 22 new bird species for the island and update the...
Media BioNews 7-2017 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter

BioNews 7-2017 includes the following news-items: Status of St. Maarten’s Reef St. Maarten: Impact Hurricane Irma on Nature EPIC...
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...
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 A National Park for Saba

Options for acquisition and management of the northwestern part of Saba. Since 2004, Saba’s overall economic objective has been to generate growth of...
Other resources Staat van instandhouding van de natuur van Caribisch Nederland

Sinds de staatkundige herstructurering van het Koninkrijk in 2010, maken de Caribische eilanden van Bonaire, Saba en St. Eustatius als speciale...
Other resources Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Improve the Accuracy and Efficiency of Managing the Invasive Pacific Red Lionfish in the Caribbean

Abstract The Pacific Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) was introduced to the Atlantic Ocean in the 1980’s. Since their introduction the lionfish have...
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...
Scientific article A renewed call for conservation leadership 10 years further in the feral cat Trap-Neuter-Return debate and new opportunities for constructive dialogue

Abstract It has been 10 years since a seminal paper in the journalConservation Biologycalled for stronger leadership from the conservation community...
Scientific article Metal concentrations in coastal sharks from The Bahamas with a focus on the Caribbean Reef shark

Over the last century anthropogenic activities have rapidly increased the influx of metals and metalloids entering the marine environment, which can...
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...
Other resources IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations

Abstract: Conservation translocation is the deliberate movement of organisms from one site for release in another. It must be intended to yield a...
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 A New Species of Soapfish (Teleostei: Serranidae: Rypticus) with Redescription of R. subbidrentus and Comments on the Use of DNA Barcoding in Systematic Studies

Abstract: A new species of Rypticus is described from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida, and the Caribbean Sea. The species previously has been confused...
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...
Research report Assessment of the Breeding Success of Red-billed Tropicbirds on St. Eustatius

Abstract: We assessed the breeding success of Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus on St. Eustatius, particularly in relation to predation at...
Research report Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire - Progress Report 2005

2005 was a very successful year for Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire as we built upon the accomplishments of 2004. In all the program areas, staff and...
Scientific article Native Predators Do Not Influence Invasion Success of Pacific Lionfish on Caribbean Reefs

Abstract: Biotic resistance, the process by which new colonists are excluded from a community by predation from and/or competition with resident...
Maps and Charts Sea grass area map of Saba

Sea grass areas of Saba (GIS).
Scientific article Fish species utilization of Contrasting sub-Habitats Distributed Along an Ocean-to-Land Environmental Gradient in a Tropical Mangrove and Seagrass Lagoon

Abstract The importance of mangrove and seagrass lagoonal habitats as nursery areas for many reef-associated fish species is well established in the...
Scientific article Non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea forms dense mats under eutrophic conditions in the Caribbean

Seagrasses comprise 78 species and are rarely invasive. But the seagrass Halophila stipulacea, firstly recorded in the Caribbean in the year 2002,...
Other resources Sediment rates and composition surrounding a disturbed outlet in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

The small island of Bonaire has seen a dramatic increase in visitation due to diving tourism. The economy of Bonaire depends on this influx of...
Other resources Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) and their role as bioindicators of environmental stress on coral reefs of Bonaire, N.A.

The use of biological entities as indicators of environmental stress can provide links between changes in ecological conditions and ecosystem...
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...
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 The Role of Tourism and Recreation in the Spread of Non-Native Species: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Managing the pathways by which non-native species are introduced and spread is consid- ered the most effective way of preventing species invasions....
Other resources Summary of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) research undertaken in Anguilla and the implications for current management practices

Prior to 2014 little research had been conducted on the Anguilla conch fishery aside from indirect data collected by the Department of Fisheries and...
Media BioNews 16-2018 Dutch Caribbean Newsletter

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean....
Scientific article 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...
Maps and Charts Catchments and waterflows of Bonaire

Catchment areas with potential water flows made with ESRI ArcGis hydrology tools using the improved ASTER DEM as an input. 69 watersheds have been...
Media ROADMAP TOWARDS EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ON THE CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS

EXCERPT FROM: MAS PISKA PA BONEIRU: A SOCIAL MAPPING STUDY OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR OF BONAIRE, ST. EUSTATIUS AND SABA. For the special...
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...
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...
Scientific article POPULATION ESTIMATE, NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF THE MELANISTIC IGUANA IGUANA POPULATION ON SABA, CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS

Abstract.– Intraspecific diversity is among the most important biological variables, although still poorly understood for most species. Iguana iguana...
Media Importance of Yarari Sanctuary for Minke Whale

A new collaborative study provides new insight into how two species of minke whales utilize the Caribbean and neighboring Atlantic waters throughout...
Scientific article Seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality under the rise of a flagship marine megaherbivore

Abstract Large grazers (megaherbivores) have a profound impact on ecosystem functioning. However, how ecosystem multifunctionality is affected by...
Other resources Bonaire National Marine Park Management Plan 2022-2028

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979. The marine park protects 2,700 hectares of coral reefs, seagrass beds and...
Scientific article Habitat use of raptors in response to anthropogenic land use on Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: We conducted fieldwork on Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, to assess the distribu- tion and abundance of resident diurnal...
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 Dynamics of the Deep The influence of spatial heterogeneity of water quality on dominant benthic groups on Bonaire.

MSc thesis Shifts of coral reefs towards alternative states occur due to local and global stressors. Although global stressors are expected to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Other resources Caribbean tourism and agriculture: linking to enhance development and competitiveness

This study examines current trends in tourism and agriculture in Caribbean countries and the strategy for linking them in order to facilitate their...
Scientific article Results of management actions for tern populations on Bonaire

Event: BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference, Topes de Collantes, Cuba, 13-17 July, 2017 Abstract in scientific journal or proceedings Five...
Other resources Cay Bay Post-Restoration Assessment

The Cay Bay restoration site is located within the Seaside Nature Park (thus it has been referred to as “Seaside Nature Park” in previous reports ...
Research report 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 Lac Bonaire - Restoration Action Spear Points, September 2010

Lac Bay, Bonaire is the most important mangrove and seagrass area of Bonaire and has been undergoing steady ecological decline in the last decades....
Other resources An analysis of abundance, ecology and life history of the lettuce sea slug Elysia crispata on the island of Bonaire

With the exception of Elysia crispata, shell-less Sacoglossa species (Order: Mollusca), have been widely studied. Within the Caribbean, these small...
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...
Media Parental Behavior Linked to Declining Nest Success

New Red-billed Tropicbird data suggested declining nest survival rates may be more related to parental behavior than previously thought. A researcher...
Scientific article A blueprint for blue carbon: toward an improved understanding of the role of vegetated coastal habitats in sequestering CO2.

Recent research has highlighted the valuable role that coastal and marine ecosystems play in sequestering car- bon dioxide (CO2). The carbon (C)...
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...
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....
Scientific article Multi-scale habitat occupancy of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in coral reef environments of Roatan, Honduras

The Indo-Pacific lionfish species [Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. miles (Bennett, 1828): Family Scorpaenidae] are the first nonnative...
Scientific article Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems

Coastal ecosystems and the services they provide are adversely affected by a wide variety of human activities. In particular, seagrass meadows are...
Other resources Go with the flow: patterns of connectivity in low dispersal coral reef gobies (Coryphopterus spp.) throughout the western Atlantic

Masters thesis Gene flow is an integral biological process that can mediate speciation. While many consider the ocean to be an open environment,...
Research report St. Eustatius Arachnid Project

Abstract: Globally, arachnids are considered to be one of the less documented classes of animals on our planet. Worldwide distribution comprises all...
Scientific article Coastal stratigraphies of eastern Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles): New insights into the palaeo-tsunami history of the southern Caribbean

Abstract: A sediment record of three alluvial sites along the east- and northeast-oriented shore of Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles) provides evidence...
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,...
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....
Scientific article Spatially explicit dispersal dynamics and equilibrium population sizes in marine harvest refuges

For marine reserves to function as effective harvest refuges for exploited species, the reserve must protect a substantial proportion of the...
Other resources Proximate response of fish, conch, and sea turtles to the presence of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in Bonaire

In this report we examined the proximate response of fish assemblages, queen conch, and sea turtles onH. stipulacea meadows in Lac Bay, Bonaire,...
Scientific article 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...
Scientific article FORAGING ECOLOGY OF RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD PHAETHON AETHEREUS IN THE CARIBBEAN DURING EARLY CHICK REARING REVEALED BY GPS TRACKING

Investigating the foraging patterns of tropical seabirds can provide important information about their ocean habitat affinities as well as prey...
Scientific article Foraging ecology of red-billed tropicbrid phaethon aethereus in the Caribbean during early chick rearing revealed by GPS tracking

Investigating the foraging patterns of tropical seabirds can provide important information about their ocean habitat affinities as well as prey...
Scientific article 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 (...
Other resources Nutrient Enrichment and Eutrophication on Fringing Coral Reefs of Bonaire and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, 2006-2008

Land-based nutrient pollution is a major stressor on coral reef communities around the Caribbean region and globally. To assess the status of...
Scientific article Population structure and dispersal of the coral- excavating sponge Cliona delitrix

Abstract Some excavating sponges of the genus Cliona compete with live reef corals, often kill- ing and bioeroding entire colonies. Important aspects...
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...
Other resources Physis IV - Journal of marine sciences

As part of CIEE's Bonaire semester programs, each student conducts an independent research project on a topic of their choice. The projects...
Scientific article Hurricane-Driven Patterns of Clonality in an Ecosystem Engineer: The Caribbean Coral Montastraea annularis

Abstract: K-selected species with low rates of sexual recruitment may utilise storage effects where low adult mortality allows a number of...
Scientific article Mapping the economic loss of ecosystem services caused by the invasive plant species Antigonon leptopus on the Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius

Abstract Invasive species are a worldwide threat to biodiversity, especially on Caribbean islands. Through their impact on the structure and...
Scientific article A Rapid Sustainability Assessment of Wild Plant Extraction on the Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius

The Caribbean islands are considered a biodiversity hotspot, with high levels of endemism but also extreme levels of habitat loss. One factor causing...
Other resources 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 Superior biological traits of invaded (Caribbean) versus native (Red Sea) populations of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea

Abstract The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the Caribbean...
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 An Assessment of the Health and Resilience of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs

Abstract: From July 19-26, 2010, a dedicated team of researchers completed transect surveys on 25 reefs located on the leeward side of Bonaire and...
Research report Exotic and invasive terrestrial and freshwater animal species in the Dutch Caribbean

We here provide an overview of 72 invasive animals of the terrestrial and freshwater environments of the Dutch Caribbean, eleven of which are no...
Research report 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 The Biology and Distribution of Iguana delicatissima on St. Eustatius

The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is native to the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The species is in...
Other resources Can native sessile species resist the settlement of the orange cup coral, Tubastraea coccinea, on hard substrate communities of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles?

Tubastrea coccinea is an invasive coral species found on the reefs of Bonaire. These corals are typically seen at various densities (up to 80% m-2)...
Scientific article 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 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 A comparison of eight country plans for the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Wider Caribbean

Highlights • The Caribbean region is being negatively impacted by the invasive lionfish. • Management efforts by eight Caribbean islands addressing...
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...
Scientific article Distribution and ontogenetic habitat shifts of reef associated shark species in the northeastern Caribbean

Understanding how reef-associated sharks utilise coastal reef habitats throughout their ontogeny is essential for their effective management. In this...
Research report In-water monitoring of sea turtle aggregations in St. Eustatius National Marine Park

Abstract: All species of sea turtles in the Caribbean have come under threat in recent years due to a multitude of factors. Habitat destruction and...
Scientific article Long-term Shifts in Coral Communities On Shallow to Deep Reef Slopes of Curaçao and Bonaire: Are There Any Winners?

Tropical coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically important ecosystems on earth. Nevertheless, we found dramatic changes...
Scientific article 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...
Scientific article The marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean: a comparison between EEZ sectors, contrasts and concerns

We here provide a synoptic overview and preliminary update of the marine mammals of the Dutch Caribbean EEZ based on 279 cetacean sighting and...
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...
Media WWF Policy Brief: CREATING EFFECTIVE, SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS

Throughout the Caribbean, like in the rest of the world, the abundance of marine fish species have been declining over the past decades. The health...
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 Conservation species for the Dutch Caribbean (2020)

This list of species of conservation interest has been developed as part of a project 'Using management effectiveness to strengthen species...
Other resources The Effects of Nutrient Enrichment and Herbivore Abundance on the Ability of Turf Algae to Overgrow Coral in the Caribbean

Turf algae are multispecies communities of small marine macrophytes that are becoming a dominant component of coral reef communities around the world...
Scientific article Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems: A Geoacoustically Derived Proxy for Habitat and Relative Diversity for the Leeward Shelf of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Current trends demonstrate coral reef health in serious decline worldwide. Some of the most well-preserved coral reefs in the Caribbean basin are...
Scientific article Sound production by red hind Epinephelus guttatus in spatially segregated spawning aggregations

Abstract: Many fishes, including groupers, produce sounds associated with mating behavior; recording and analyzing the occurrence of these sounds can...
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...
Other resources The Stability and Regeneration of Seagrass Meadows During Hurricanes

Msc. thesis Tropical seagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems threatened by both storm activity and human interference. Intense hurricane...
Research report Opportunities for valorisation of pelagic Sargassum in the Dutch Caribbean

Since 2011, unprecedented beaching events of Sargassum seaweed have caused major environmental, health and economic problems in the Caribbean, Gulf...
Research report Assessing Water Quality and the Benthic Species Communities around the Dutch Caribbean Island Sint Eustatius

MSc internship report The health of coral reefs is threatened by anthropogenic land-based input, which is a global problem. High nutrient conditions...
Media NICO Expedition: Mapping the Sea Bottom

Researchers aboard the Pelagia research vessel have been collecting invaluable data on marine biomes in the Caribbean since January as part of 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,...
Scientific article Life-history traits of the common snook Centropomus undecimalis in a Caribbean estuary and large-scale biogeographic patterns relevant to management

The ecology of common snook Centropomus undecimalis in Amatique Bay, a tropical estuary in eastern Guatemala, was investigated and life-history...
Research report Multivariate Analysis of Gorgonian Habitats on Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles

The second Saba Bank Expedition in October 2008 aimed at improving the knowledge of the gorgonacea by generating a comprehensive species list for...
Research report Saliña Goto and reduced flamingo abundance since 2010 Ecological and ecotoxicological research

In 2010 a petrochemical fire took place at the BOPEC oil terminals on Bonaire. These facilities are located on the shores of the Goto lake, a legally...
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...
Media New study aids in sea urchin restoration efforts

Nederlands below: Diadema sea-urchins play a vital role in maintaining a balanced coral reef ecosystem and their restoration is essential to assist...
Research report Saliña Goto and reduced flamingo abundance since 2010 - Ecological and ecotoxicological research

Abstract: In 2010 a petrochemical fire took place at the BOPEC oil terminals on Bonaire. These facilities are located on the shores of the Goto lake...
Other resources The Morphology of the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) from the Antigua and Barbuda Shelf – Implications for Fisheries Management

Morphometric measurements were taken from queen conch (Strombus gigas) from various sections of the Antigua and Barbuda shelf to: 1) ascertain if...
Scientific article Synthesis of coral reef health indicators for the Western Atlantic: Results of the AGRRA program (1997-2000)

Abstract: The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) sampling strategy is designed to collect both descriptive and quantitative information...
Scientific article A post-hurricane rapid assessment of reefs in the Windward Netherlands Antilles (stony corals, algae and fishes)

Reefs of the windward Netherlands Antilles (Saba, Saba Bank, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten) were assessed at 24 sites in the late 1999. The...
Research report Sinkhole expedition Luymes bank, Saba bank

The Saba Bank is a large (ca 2400 km2 ) submerged carbonate platform of 15-40m depth rising up from 800-1000m depth and fringed with coral reefs. It...
Research report The Vulnerable Future of Bonaire A direct climate damage assessment of the built environment of Bonaire

Part of the larger The impacts of climate change on Bonaire (2022-present) report available here. Summary This study aims to identify the extent to...
Other resources St. Eustatius joins Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary

Excellent news: St. Eustatius has now become part of the “Yarari” Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. St. Eustatius joined Bonaire and Saba when the...
Research report Preliminary overview of exotic and invasive marine species in the Dutch Caribbean

The marine exotic species of the Dutch Caribbean are less well-known than its terrestrial exotics. So far, only 27 known or suspected marine exotic...
Other resources Assessment of local lionfish (Pterois volitans) densities and management efforts in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

The Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species that was released along the U.S. Atlantic coast and spread to the Caribbean....
Other resources 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...
Media Action required to curb Statia’s invasive green iguana threat

A new study by Wageningen Marine Research, St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation and Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute highlights the need...
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 Population Assessment of Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, in the St. Eustatius Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: Queen Conch, Lobatus gigas, is a large, herbivorous, marine gastropod found primarily in the Western Atlantic Caribbean region. Adult conch...
Media Expedition on the Saba Bank to Enhance Tiger Shark Protection

Starting August 1, 2021 a team of researchers will spend a week on the Saba Bank investigating the life-cycle of tiger sharks. Researchers will...
Media 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 Testing the usefulness of RTD within the ADM approach in a local design case: Sustainable tourism development in Lower Town, Sint Eustatius (Statia)

Research-through-designing (RTD) is a method used in the landscape architectural discipline, where designing is used as a research method. Adaptive...
Research report Seagrass as bioindicator for eutrophication and pollution in the coastal bays of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

MSc thesis The economy of Bonaire is highly dependent on tourism. Tourists are drawn to Bonaire because of the beautiful nature and biodiversity in...
Media New Research in the Conservation of Sea Turtles on Their Nesting Beaches

New research led by Swansea University’s College of Scienceand recently published in Scientific Reportshas reported effective conservation strategies...
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...
Research report Fish assemblages on the Saba bank (Dutch Caribbean): the effect of habitat, depth and fisheries

Many environmental variables may influence fish assemblage structures in terms of abundance, biomass and mean size. The aim of this study is to...
Scientific article Reef flattening effects on total richness and species responses in the Caribbean

1. There has been ongoing flattening of Caribbean coral reefs with the loss of habitat having severe implications for these systems. Complexity and...
Research report Spatial & Temporal monitoring of Bonaire’s near-shore water quality

Internship report Although Bonaire’s waters harbours one of the richest reefs of the Caribbean, it has not evaded the unprecedented global decline of...
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 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...
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 FPNA hosts first coral reef monitoring workshop

Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) is proud to be hosting its first Coral Reef Monitoring Workshop this week, together with trainers – marine...
Other resources Sargassum Management Brief

Executive Summary “In 2011, the shores of several Caribbean islands and West African countries were inundated by unprecedented quantities of pelagic...
Media Sea Turtle Conservation on Bonaire in 2020

Bonaire might have been on lockdown in 2020, but that didn’t keep Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire from working hard. Their recently published annual...
Scientific article Marine Biodiversity in the Caribbean: Regional Estimates and Distribution Patterns

This paper provides an analysis of the distribution patterns of marine biodiversity and summarizes the major activities of the Census of Marine Life...
Research report Population status and reproductive biology of queen conch (Lobatus gigas) in the coastal waters around St Eustatius

Abstract: The queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is under pressure and has decreased in distribution and abundance as a result of fisheries in the Caribbean...
Media Innovative Techniques could be key for Sea Urchin Recovery

Nederlands below. Researchers from Van Hall Larenstein, Wageningen University and Wageningen Marine Research have developed a new approach to assist...
Research report Een natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek gericht op het behoud van het Lac op Bonaire

After news was received that the Netherlands Antilles' largest and as yet almost unspoiled lagoon would be involved in development plans, a...
Media 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...
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...
Scientific article Surveying bats for conservation: the status of cave-dwelling bats on Curaçao from 1993 to 2003

In view of their ecological importance and the abundance of threats on a developing Caribbean island, we surveyed the bats of Curaçao, Netherlands...
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....
Book Biology of Parrotfishes

Content: Chapter 1: Cranial Specializations of Parrotfishes, Genus Scarus (Scarinae, Labridae) for Scraping Reef Surfaces By Kenneth W. Gobalet The...
Other resources 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 (...
Media Rapid Decline in Lionfish for the Saba Bank

Research conducted by the Saba Bank Management Unit and Wageningen University and Research documented the third incidence of rapid lionfish...
Media 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...
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...
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...
Scientific article Damage to the leeward reefs of Curac¸ao and Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles from a rare storm event: Hurricane Lenny, November 1999

Fringing reefs along the southwestern shores of the Caribbean islands of Curaçao and Bonaire (12°N), located outside the most frequent hurricane...
Scientific article Taxonomic review of tropical western Atlantic shallow water Drilliidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Conoidea) including descriptions of 100 new species

A review of the literature and examination of over 3,200 specimens of shallow water (<200 m) tropical western Atlantic (TWA) Drilliidae Olson,...
Scientific article The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the southern Caribbean: A compilation and review of records for the Dutch Leeward islands and the central Venezuelan coast

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee and is found from Mexico and the Bahamas south to...
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...
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...
Media Urgent Conservation Action Needed to Save the Lesser Antillean Iguana

The Lesser Antillean Iguana is an endangered endemic reptile found in the Lesser Antilles whose population is rapidly decreasing. Although once also...
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...
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 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...
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,...
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...
Media A Critically Endangered Palm Found Only on Bonaire

A recent report describes, for the first time in its history, the critically endangered Bonaire Palm. Although first documented in 1979, it took...
Media Shark Handling Techniques

Hi everyone, my name is Giancarlo Nunes and I’m the Research and Conservation manager for Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba. I can be considered a jack...
Media Protecting Fish Proven Key in Slowing Down Invasive Seagrass

New research from Wageningen University, University of Amsterdam and Florida International University highlighted the role herbivorous fish species...
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...
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...
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...
Research report Classifying benthic habitats and deriving bathymetry at the Caribbean Netherlands using multispectral Imagery

Benthic habitats (habitats occurring at the bottom of a water body) and coral reef ecosystems provide many functions. Currently, however, coral reefs...
Media Presentations, Workshops and Excursions Provide New Nature Conservation Drive in Participants

During the 2019 edition of the DCNA convention held on Bonaire end of October, biologists from the region met to thoroughly discuss coral restoration...
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 St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2008

Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
Other resources Project rapportage. Regeling Bijzondere Uitkering Natuur voor Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (2013 – 2019)

The Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, virtually all nature organizations, private companies and most individuals on Bonaire recognize caves as important...
Research report 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...
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....
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...
Media The value of sharks

My name is Francois Mille, I am a Marine Park Ranger at STENAPA in Sint Eustatius. Sint Eustatius is a small volcanic island, 21km2, that belongs to...
Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2007

Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
Media Research Expedition for Lesser Antillean Sperm Whales

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) are proud to support Caribbean Cetacean Society’s (CCS...
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...
Research report Saving sharks through a fishermen’s agreement

Background. For the Save our Sharks project of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, 7Senses conducted Participatory Action Research on Saba for 7...
Other resources Hydrological Research Bonaire

Fresh water on the semi-arid Caribbean island of Bonaire is scarce as groundwater is generally brackish (electrical conductivity 2,000 to 4,000 μS/cm...
Monitoring protocol Invasive Lionfish - A Guide to Control and Management

The invasion of lionfish (Pterois miles and P. volitans) may prove to be one of the greatest threats of this century to warm temperate and tropical...
Other resources Research and Monitoring of Bonaire's Sea Turtles: 2017 Technical Report

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) has been protecting sea turtles on Bonaire since 1991, so this year represents the 26th Anniversary of our...
Research report St. Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme - Annual Report 2006

Abstract: The St Eustatius Sea Turtle Conservation Programme was initiated in 2001 due to concerns that the island’s sea turtle populations were...
Research report Modelling Mangrove growth and salinity: a semi-arid case study

of the mangrove forest in Lac Bay, Bonaire is an environmental issue. Mangrove forests surround Lac Bay. Lac Bay has a status as RAMSAR site (RAMSAR...
Scientific article 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 UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2017 (Vol. 3)

Introduction to the third edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers This volume presents academic papers and personal...
Media Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance

Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance Imagine a vast expanse of rectangular saline ponds...
Media Unraveling the Mysteries of the Saba Bank: DCNA Tiger Shark Expedition 2021

July 31st – August 7th, 2021 – For the first time on the Saba Bank, an expedition team was able to successfully assess the shark diversity by...
Media 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...
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...
Media Sunscreen Awareness Bonaire- Moving towards a oxybenzone free island

Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and Boneiru Duradero (BD) supported by World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL)organised a Sunscreen...
Research report Biological Inventory of Saba

Abstract: Saba is the smallest of the three Windward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles, with an area of 13 km2. Saba is the northernmost island...
Media Aruba Shoco Conservation Project

The Dutch Caribbean Islands are a treasure trove of rare and endemic (sub) species. Island endemic (sub) species, that is (sub) species restricted to...
Research report Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Reefs in 2017: Clear signs of resilience

The “resilience” of coral reef ecosystems has been an important goal of managers and policy makers for decades. At its most basic level, resilience...
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...
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)...
Research report From Ocean to Aquarium. The global trade in marine ornamental species

Abstract: Between 1.5 and 2 million people worldwide are believed to keep marine aquaria. The trade which supplies this hobby with live marine...

Search results: 591