BioNews

Research conducted by the Saba Bank Management Unit and Wageningen University and Research documented the third incidence of rapid lionfish population decline within the Western Atlantic since their introduction over 30 years ago.  This local population crash could indicate that lionfish are reaching the final stage of their invasion for this area.

Lionfish. Photo credit: Rudy van Gelderen

Lionfish, a venomous fish native to the Indo-pacific, were first introduced in the Western Atlantic more than 30 years ago.  Since then, they’ve been steadily spreading throughout the Caribbean, now reaching as far south as Brazil. Although populations seemed to be expanding rapidly, several locations have actually started to see a “leveling-off” of numbers, leaving many experts to believe the Caribbean may start to see more stable or even decreasing lionfish populations moving forward.

Boom-Bust

A recent survey recorded lionfish captured in lobster and redfish (snapper) fishery traps within the Saba Bank.  Since 2010, Saba Bank has seen a rapid rise in lionfish numbers and then a subsequent population crash since 2020.  This represents the third case of boom-bust events for lionfish populations within the tropical Western Atlantic.  The first event was documented in the Bahamas in 2012, and the second event, which was associated with a high incident of skin lesions, was observed in the Gulf of Mexico in 2020.

Lobster trap. Photo credit: Hans Leijnse

Interestingly, none of the lionfish caught within the Saba Bank showed any signs of skin lesions, leaving experts uncertain to the cause of the sudden population dip. Overall, long term monitoring data shows that the lionfish caught in traps peaked between 2012 and 2015 and then steadily declined before reaching its lowest values in 2020.  Although the lionfish invasion is one of the most widely studied marine fish invasions, there is still very little known about the factors controlling these populations.  Perhaps the rapid decrease in populations within the Gulf of Mexico resulted in lower overall larval recruitment for the Caribbean. If this is the case, researchers expect to see lower lionfish populations in other areas of the Caribbean as well.

Final Stage

There are 27 exotic marine species recorded throughout the Dutch Caribbean. Research, such as this, gives local governments and park management organizations a better understanding of the fragility of local reefs. It would appear that lionfish have now reached the final stage of their invasion, firmly established on the reef with population numbers beginning to stabilize. Hopefully, local predators will soon develop resistance to the lionfish venom, allowing these fish to become integrated into the local food web.

You can learn more by finding the full report on the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database.

 

 

Published in BioNews 59

Dutch below

 

Sea turtles have been overharvested in the past, resulting in their endangered population status. But since two decades, their populations have recovered in certain areas around the world, and their ecological role is unfolding. The seagrass meadows they feed on are returning to their naturally grazed state as a result. Some are even becoming overgrazed. How does the return of the sea turtle affect the functioning of coastal ecosystems?

A research team analysed the seagrass ecosystem value (such as coastal protection and carbon storage) along a turtle grazing area from low to high. In experiments, they determined the impact of recovering sea turtle populations on ecosystem functioning. The team, led by Wageningen University, with colleagues from the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean, recently published their findings in Global Change Biology.

Seagrass meadows provide us with a range of goods and services. For example, they provide a habitat and food for many commercially important fish species. They also help protect the coast by stabilising sediment, and reducing wave energy. With the return of the large herbivore – the sea turtle – it is important to quantify their impact on the ecosystem services a seagrass meadow can provide. Often these services are measured separately, but in the new study, the most essential services have been assessed together to assess the ecosystem’s multifunctionality.

Combining ecosystem services in one index

“Our approach to measuring different ecosystem functions simultaneously and combining these in one ecosystem-multifunctionality-index is new for marine habitats and led to striking results,” says Marjolijn Christianen, lead investigator of the study. “We found that medium turtle grazing pressure increased carbon storage and nutrient cycling in seagrass meadows. On the other hand, fish biomass and other services were higher in meadows without turtle grazing. More importantly, we found a simultaneous collapse of all these services under severe turtle grazing pressure.”

Cages were used to keep turtles from grazing the seagrass to mimic the – no-grazing scenario

 

Integrative approach for balanced ecosystems

Based on these results, the authors argue that the successful return of the sea turtle should be accompanied by the protection of their habitat, seagrass meadows, as well as their predators, who can influence turtle grazing behaviour through fear effects. “Based on recent insights from studies in the Bahamas, the resulting spatial variation in grazing pressure can probably prevent habitat collapse,” says Fee Smulders, co-author of the study. Christianen: “By taking an integrative ecosystem approach to management, we can maintain high ecosystem multifunctionality, as well as balanced ecosystems that can sustain natural densities of charismatic sea turtles”.

Pristine seagrass meadows

Green sea turtles are considered the megaherbivores of the ocean. Since their populations have been decimated, scientists have become accustomed  to studying and experiencing ungrazed seagrass meadows. These lush seagrass meadows dominated by sturdy species are considered healthy, in ‘pristine’ condition, and very valuable. But with the return of the green sea turtle in many coastal areas in the past decades – due to successful conservation – many seagrass meadows have been transformed into grazed seascapes.

An earlier paper published in Nature, Ecology and Evolution by Wageningen researchers discussed how we must reconsider our view of a pristine seagrass meadow, which likely consists of a mosaic of (heavily) grazed patches and ungrazed patches with high plant species diversity and higher biodiversity in general. This mosaic seascape may be more natural, even though the ecosystem value may be slightly lower than ungrazed meadows. Now that the different grazing scenarios (high turtle abundance, low abundance, sometimes hyper-abundant) coincide in all three ocean basins where turtles are found, the outcomes of these new studies are even more globally relevant and urgent. The findings can also be used to predict ecosystem impacts of future shifts.

Three scenarios of megaherbivore grazing intensity can be observed in tropical seagrass ecosystems with green turtles as megaherbivores worldwide (Fig a). The turtle’s ecological role is rapidly unfolding in numerous foraging areas where populations are recovering through conservation after centuries of decline, with an increase in recorded overgrazing episodes. In field experiments, researchers assessed the effects of simulated grazing intensity scenarios on ecosystem functions and multifunctionality (Fig b) in a tropical Caribbean seagrass ecosystem over an 18-month period.

More info in the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database

 

 

 

 

De zeeschildpad komt terug, wat betekent dat voor het functioneren van ecosystemen?

In het verleden is er veel op zeeschildpadden gejaagd, waardoor ze met uitsterven worden bedreigd. Maar sinds twee decennia hebben ze zich in een aantal gebieden over de hele wereld hersteld. Hun rol in het ecosysteem komt daarmee terug. Zo wordt zeegras – hun voedingsbron – weer op een natuurlijke manier begraasd. Op sommige plekken wordt zeegras zelfs overbegraasd. Wat betekent de terugkeer van de zeeschildpad voor het functioneren van ecosystemen langs de kust?

Een onderzoeksteam heeft in een gebied met grazende zeeschildpadden de waarde van zeegras-ecosystemen geanalyseerd (waarbij bijvoorbeeld naar kustbescherming en koolstofopslag werd gekeken). Via experimenten bepaalden ze het effect van de zich herstellende populaties schildpadden op het functioneren van het ecosysteem. Het team, onder leiding van de Wageningen University, met collega’s uit Nederland en het Caribisch gebied, publiceerde hun bevindingen onlangs in Global Change Biology.

Velden met zeegras voorzien ons van verschillende diensten. Ze vormen bijvoorbeeld een habitat voor veel vissoorten die commercieel belangrijk zijn, en bieden hen voedsel. Ook helpt zeegras de kust te beschermen, doordat het sediment stabiliseert en golfslag vermindert. Nu de grote grazer – de zeeschildpad – is teruggekeerd, is het belangrijk om te bepalen wat voor impact dat heeft op de diensten die een zeegras-ecosysteem kan leveren. Vaak worden deze diensten afzonderlijk gemeten, maar in de nieuwe studie zijn de belangrijkste diensten samen onderzocht om de multifunctionaliteit van het ecosysteem te beoordelen.

Combinatie van ecosysteemdiensten in één index

“Onze aanpak om verschillende functies tegelijkertijd te meten, en die te combineren in één multifunctionaliteitsindex voor ecosystemen, is nieuw voor mariene habitats,” zegt Marjolijn Christianen, hoofdonderzoeker van de studie. “Het leidde tot opvallende resultaten. We zagen dat koolstofopslag en nutriëntencyclus hoger lagen in velden zeegras met een gemiddelde graasdruk. Anderzijds bleken de hoeveelheid vis, en andere diensten, hoger te zijn in onbegraasde velden. Maar nog belangrijker: we zagen dat al deze diensten bezweken bij een zware graasdruk.”

Om het scenario ‘geen-begrazing’ na te bootsen, werden er kooien gebruikt om te voorkomen dat schildpadden bij het zeegras konden.

Integrale aanpak voor een evenwichtig ecosysteem

Op basis van de resultaten stellen de auteurs dat de succesvolle terugkeer van de zeeschildpad moet samengaan met de bescherming van hun habitat (zeegras) en hun natuurlijke vijanden. Deze predatoren kunnen het graasgedrag van schildpadden beïnvloeden door het effect van angst. “Recent zijn er daar op de Bahama’s studies naar gedaan. Op basis van die inzichten, denken we dat ruimtelijke variatie in graasdruk die daaruit ontstaat, waarschijnlijk kan voorkomen dat habitats bezwijken,” aldus Fee Smulders, co-auteur van de studie. Christianen: “Met een integrale benadering van ecoysteembeheer kunnen we de hoge multifunctionaliteit van ecosystemen behouden. En het leidt tot evenwichtige ecosystemen, die natuurlijke aantallen van de zeeschildpad kunnen dragen.”

Ongerepte velden met zeegras

Groene zeeschildpadden worden beschouwd als de grote herbivoren van de oceaan. Sinds hun populaties zijn uitgedund, zijn wetenschappers gewend geraakt aan het bestuderen van onbegraasd zeegras. Deze weelderige velden – gedomineerd door sterke soorten – worden beschouwd als gezond, in ‘ongerepte’ staat, en als zeer waardevol. Maar dankzij succesvolle natuurbescherming is de groene zeeschildpad de afgelopen decennia in veel kustgebieden teruggekeerd. De velden met zeegras zijn daardoor weer veranderd in begraasde gebieden.

Een eerder artikel, gepubliceerd in Nature, Ecology and Evolution door Wageningse onderzoekers, beschreef hoe we ons idee van ‘ongerept’ zeegras moeten bijstellen. Waarschijnlijk bestaat dat uit een mozaïek van (zwaar) begraasde plekken, afgewisseld door onbegraasde plekken met een hogere dichtheid aan plantensoorten, en een hogere biodiversiteit in het algemeen. Dit mozaïek is wellicht natuurlijker, ook al ligt de ecosysteemwaarde iets lager dan bij onbegraasd zeegras. De uitkomsten van deze studies worden wereldwijd nog relevanter en urgenter, nu de verschillende graasniveaus (veel schildpadden, weinig, of soms uitermate veel) samenvallen in de drie oceaanbekkens waar schildpadden voorkomen. De bevindingen kunnen ook worden gebruikt om de gevolgen voor ecosystemen te voorspellen, die toekomtige verschuivingen kunnen veroorzaken.

In tropische ecosystemen met zeegras, waar groene schildpadden als mega-herbivoor voorkomen, worden wereldwijd drie niveau’s aan graasintensiteit waargenomen (a). Na eeuwenlange achteruitgang ontvouwt de ecologische rol van de schildpad zich snel in talrijke foerageergebieden waar populaties zich door natuurbescherming herstellen. Hier wordt een toename van het aantal overbegrazingen geregistreerd. Onderzoekers hebben met veldexperimenten de effecten beoordeeld van gesimuleerde graasintensiteit (op verschillende niveaus) op de functies van ecosysteemfuncties, en op multifunctionaliteit (b). Deze experimenten vonden gedurende 18 maanden plaats in een tropisch zeegras-ecosysteem in het Caribisch gebied.

 

 

More info in the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 59

A brand new, innovative floating coral fish breeding nursery is being tested at the Dive Friends Sand Dollar location on Bonaire.  This project, led by the startup company RoffaReefs, hopes to improve local coral reef fish populations to enhance the overall coral reef health for the Bonaire National Marine Park.

RoffaReef Floating Nursery. Photo credit: Casper Douma

Coral reefs are extraordinarily dynamic yet fragile ecosystems.  From the microorganisms working to build the reef’s foundation to the more recognizable reef inhabitants at the top of the food chain, this diverse ecosystem faces an incalculable number of threats. It is widely known that globally, reefs are struggling to keep up with the changes due to climate change and increased human activity. Sander van Lopik of RoffaReefs has a unique approach to help strengthen coral reefs in the future.

Photo credit: Casper Douma

Floating Fish Nursery

As part of the larger World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL) “Dutch Caribbean Marine Strategy”, RoffaReefs has designed a system to breed marine fish larvae both in controlled aquarium environments and in the wild. Founded in the Rotterdam Zoo Diergaarde Blijdorp, RoffaReefs will begin testing its fish breeding system in the Bonaire National Marine Park through the use of a floating fish nursery. The goal of this project is to strengthen the overall health of the coral reefs by bolstering the local fish populations. Reef fish help maintain balance throughout the coral reefs as herbivorous fish graze on algae which would otherwise smother the coral while carnivorous fish aid in keeping overall populations in balance.

The floating fish nursery is being tested at the Dive Friends Sand Dollar location along the western coast of Bonaire. Throughout the pilot study, data will be collected to aid in improving the breeding system for the next series of trials. This research is a collaborative effort involving WWF-NL, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), STINAPA, TU Delft, Diergaarde Blijdorp and KKV lijn in water B.V.

DCNA office lab. Photo credit: Casper Douma

DCNA-office lab

During the project, the researchers have their laboratory set-up at the DCNA office on Bonaire. Here, they are bringing fish eggs to determine the species. The goal is to develop an automatic imagery recognition tool to recognize the species with the ultimate goal to develop a “fish spawning calendar” so we know when and where fish species reproduce during the year.

Future

Projects, such as the RoffaReefs fish nursery, can contribute to healthier coral reefs which is important amongst others for local fisheries, tourism, and to mitigate the effects of sea level rise and worsening storm conditions.

Stay up to date on the projects latest developments by following along with the RoffaReefs Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RoffaReefs/ or by signing up for the DCNA monthly newsletter BioNews (https://dcnanature.org/news/).

Photo credit: Casper Douma

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 59

Dutch and Papiamentu below

Kralendijk, Bonaire – 10th of November – In 2018 , Naturalis Biodiversity Center conducted the first mosquito survey for the Dutch Leeward Islands (Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba) in more than 70 years. In November, they plan to repeat these surveys, this time for the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The team will consist of five researchers and two students from different institutes and universities, and will be executed in close collaboration with the local vector control units of each island.

Picture of a Haemagogus chrysochlorus mosquito. This mosquito is endemic to Aruba and Curaçao, which is the only place on earth where this species can be found. Picture Carel de Haseth taken at Pos Monton, Curaçao.

In addition to being a household nuisance, mosquitoes can spread a number of human and livestock pathogens which are responsible for causing diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, malaria, Zika, Rift Valley and West Nile Fever. In the last decade, the Caribbean has seen a series of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks including the 2014 chikungunya outbreak, the 2016 Zika outbreak and several dengue outbreaks with the last one documented in 2020.

Mosquito Surveys

A new study, led by Naturalis Biodiversity Center from Leiden, the Netherlands, will assess the current mosquito biodiversity across the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The aim will be to visit each island for 7-10 days, setting 10-16 traps to inventory adult mosquitos. In addition, the aquatic larvae will be sampled from various potential mosquito breeding sites. These surveys will take place between November 13th and December 6th, starting in Aruba. The aim of the expedition is to gain knowledge on mosquito diversity and establish identification tools to help public health research on the islands.

 

The possible yield of one mosquito trap in 24 hours. Photo credit: Sam Boerlijst, 2018.

 

Human Health Implications

Often during an outbreak, the only way to slow down the spread of a disease is to control the specific mosquito population responsible for its dissemination. Therefore, effective management requires updated information on both local mosquito populations as well as their distribution across the islands. As environmental conditions continue to shift due to climate, paired with an increase in human population for the islands, we can expect to see changes in insect populations (such as mosquitos) in the future.

This expedition is part of the Mobocon Program, which focuses on capacity building for mosquito borne disease control in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. This program already started in 2017 and is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

Salt water rock pools can be natural breeding places for some mosquitoes. Photo: Jordy van der Beek.

 

 

 

EERSTE MUGGENONDERZOEK OP ARUBA, BONAIRE EN CURAÇAO IN BIJNA 75 JAAR

Kralendijk, Bonaire – 10 november – In 2018 voerde Naturalis Biodiversity Center het eerste steekmuggenonderzoek uit op de Bovenwindse Eilanden (Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius en Saba) in meer dan 70 jaar. In november worden deze onderzoeken herhaald, ditmaal op Aruba, Bonaire en Curaçao. Het team zal bestaan ​​uit vijf onderzoekers en twee studenten van verschillende instellingen en universiteiten. Het onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd in nauwe samenwerking met de lokale eenheden voor vectorbestrijding van elk van deze eilanden.

Een mug van de soort Haemagogus chrysochlorus. Deze muggensoort is endemisch op Aruba en Curaçao, de enige plek op aarde waar hij voorkomt. Foto Carel de Haseth gemaakt nabij Pos Monton, Curaçao.

Steekmuggen zijn niet alleen vervelend, maar kunnen ook allerlei pathogenen overbrengen bij mensen en landbouwdieren, die bijvoorbeeld kunnen leiden tot ziektes als dengue, chikungunya, malaria, zika, riftdalkoorts en het westnijlkoorts. In de afgelopen tien jaar zijn er in het Caribisch gebied diverse uitbraken van door muggen overgedragen ziektes geweest, onder andere chikungunya in 2014, zika in 2016 en meerdere dengue-uitbraken, waarvan de laatste is gemeld in 2020.

Muggenonderzoek

Er komt een nieuw onderzoek onder leiding van het Leidse Naturalis Biodiversity Center om de huidige muggenbiodiversiteit op de eilanden Aruba, Bonaire en Curaçao in kaart te brengen. Het doel is om 7-10 dagen naar elk eiland te gaan, waarbij 10-16 vallen worden geplaatst om volwassen muggen te inventariseren. Daarnaast worden de larven in het water bemonsterd op verschillende mogelijke broedplaatsen van steekmuggen. Deze onderzoeken vinden plaats tussen 13 november en 6 december, te beginnen op Aruba. Het doel van de expeditie is kennis opdoen over de diversiteit van steekmuggen en het maken van hulpmiddelen voor de determinatie van steekmuggen ter  ondersteuning van het volksgezondheidsonderzoek op de eilanden.

 

De mogelijke opbrengst van één muggenval in 24 uur. Foto Sam Boerlijst, 2018.

 

Gevolgen voor de volksgezondheid

Bij een uitbraak is het beheersen van de specifieke muggenpopulatie die verantwoordelijk is voor de verspreiding van de ziekte vaak de enige manier om de verspreiding te vertragen. Daarom is er up-to-date informatie nodig over lokale muggenpopulaties en de verspreiding daarvan over de eilanden om ziektes effectief te beheersen. Aangezien de omstandigheden als gevolg van het klimaat telkens verschuiven en er steeds meer mensen wonen op de eilanden, zijn er in de toekomst veranderingen in de insectenpopulaties (zoals die van muggen) te verwachten.

Deze expeditie maakt deel uit van het Mobocon-programma, dat zich richt op capaciteitsopbouw voor de bestrijding van door muggen overgedragen ziektes op Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba. Dit programma is al in 2017 gestart en wordt gefinancierd door het ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport.

 

Rotspoelen met brak water kunnen natuurlijke broedplaatsen zijn voor sommige steekmuggen. Foto: Jordy van der Beek.

 

 

PROMÉ INVESTIGASHON TOKANTE SANGURA NA E ISLANAN ABC DEN KASI 75 AÑA

Na 2018, Naturalis Biodiversity Center a ehekutá e promé investigashon tokante sangura na e Islariba Hulandes (Sint Maarten, Statia i Saba) den kasi 70 aña. Pa luna di novèmber nan tin planeá pa ripití e investigashon, e biaha akí riba e islanan di Aruba, Boneiru i Kòrsou. E tim lo konsistí di sinku investigadó i dos studiante desendiente di diferente instituto i universidat, i nan lo ehekutá e investigashon den kolaborashon estrecho ku e departamentonan di kontrol di vèktòr (animal ku ta plama malesa) na kada isla.

Picture of a Haemagogus chrysochlorus mosquito. This mosquito is endemic to Aruba and Curaçao, which is the only place on earth where this species can be found. Picture Carel de Haseth taken at Pos Monton, Curaçao.

Banda di e echo ku nan ta un molèster na kas, sangura por plama un kantidat di mikro organismo kousante di malesa pa hende i animal ku ta responsabel pa diferente malesa manera dengue, chikungunya, malaria, Zika, keintura di Rift Valley i di West Nile. Durante e último dékada, e region di Karibe a pasa den un seri di brote di malesa kousá pa infekshon di sangura, inkluso e brote di chikungunya na 2014, e brote di Zika na 2016 i diferente brote di dengue ku esun mas resien ta dokumentá na 2020.

Investigashon di Sangura

Un estudio nobo, bou di guia di Naturalis Biodiversity Center di Leiden, Hulanda, lo evaluá e aktual biodiversidat di sangura rònt e islanan di Aruba, Boneiru i Kòrsou. E meta lo ta pa bishitá kada isla pa un periodo di 7-10 dia, harma 10-16 trampa pa kohe sangura i traha inventario di sangura adulto. Banda di esaki, lo traha muestra di larva akuátiko for di vários potensial kriadero di sangura. E investigashonnan lo tuma lugá entre 13 di novèmber pa 6 di desèmber, kuminsando na Aruba. E meta di e ekspedishon ta pa haña konosementu di e diversidat di sangura i krea hèrmènt di identifikashon pa yuda investigashon di salubridat públiko riba e islanan.

 

The possible yield of one mosquito trap in 24 hours. Photo credit: Sam Boerlijst, 2018.

 

Implikashon pa Salubridat Humano

Hopi biaha durante un brote, e úniko manera pa baha e plamamentu di e malesa ta kontrol di e populashon di e sangura spesífiko ku ta responsabel pa sembramentu di e malesa. Pa e motibu akí, maneho efektivo ta eksigí informashon al dia tantu tokante e populashon lokal di sangura komo tambe nan distribushon riba e islanan. Komo ku kondishonnan kousá pa kambio di klima ta sigui na trese kambio den kondishonnan di medioambiente, mará na kresementu di populashon humano riba e islanan, nos por spera di mira kambio den otro populashon ekológiko (manera di sangura) den futuro.

E ekspedishon akí ta parti di e Mobocon Programa, ku ta enfoká riba kreashon di kapasidat den kontrol di malesa kousá pa sangura na Boneiru, Statia i Saba. E programa akí a start kaba na 2017 ku fondo di e Ministerio di Salubridat, Bienestar i Deporte.

Salt water rock pools can be natural breeding places for some mosquitoes. Photo: Jordy van der Beek.

 

 

 

Article features in BioNews 59

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 59 you will find articles on:

• First mosquito survey for the ABC islands in nearly 75 years
• New Coral Reef Breeding Nursery on Bonaire
• How does ecosystem functioning change now sea turtles are returning?
• Rapid Decline in Lionfish for the Saba Bank

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 58 you will find articles on:

• Marine Mammals in the Caribbean: a threatened treasure in our waters
• The Pros and Cons of non-native Seagrass Explosive Expansion
• Bonairian households not resilient to climate change vulnerabilities and action is highly needed
• Successful first in-person summit for the Caribbean Shark Coalition

 

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

 

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 57 you will find articles on:

• Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Lobbies Internationally for Increased Support for Nature Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean
• The role of creeks for tidal exchange in the mangrove forest of Lac Bay, Bonaire
• DCNA Organizes Junior Ranger Exchange Week 2022
• Sixth Caribbean marine expedition ‘Ti Whale An Nou 2022’ taking place this month 

 

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 56 you will find articles on:

• Innovative Techniques could be key for Sea Urchin Recovery
• New Species of Cone Snail Discovered on Aruba
• Parental Behavior Linked to Declining Nest Success
• DCNA Junior Ranger Exchange Event 2022
• Saba Iguanas Receive Attention

 

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.

 

 

Kralendijk, Bonaire –The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) released the first edition of Bionews Kids. Bionews Kids is a free printed and online nature magazine for children of ages 9-11 on the six Dutch Caribbean islands. It was designed based on increasing reading, sparking curiosity and educate kids about the extraordinary nature and its threats on the six Dutch Caribbean islands. This in support to the nature education programs of the Protected Area Management Organizations on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. The first Bionews Kids edition includes a drawing competition and DCNA encourages all kids to participate.

 Supporting Nature Education and public awareness

DCNA’s mission is to support the Protected Area Management Organizations on the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean. One of DCNA’s goals is the promotion of educational outreach and public awareness. Hence, the creation of the first issue of Bionews Kids, which is a branch of Bionews (for adults). Bionews is a free monthly digital newsletter that gives updates on the latest nature news with a focus on research and monitoring, events and overall activities concerning the members of DCNA.

Multilingual nature magazine for kids

Bionews Kids is a magazine comprising of various elements that is made freely available to youth between 9 and 11 years old on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten in the languages of English, Dutch, Papiamento, and Papiamentu. The magazine will be made available through the nature education programs at the Protected Area Management Organizations. The aim of the magazine is to promote reading on the islands with a magazine that is applicable to the experiences of the children on these islands with the nature they can find in their own backyards. DCNA introduces their new marine mascot of the magazine, Tara the Turtle, who will make a reappearance in future issues.

Theme: sea

For this first issue of Bionews Kids, the main theme is the marine environment. Kids can read amongst others about coral reefs, tidepools and mangroves that are particularly specific to some of the islands and about many creatures that they may or may not encounter. The magazine also includes activities such as coloring pages, beach journal, and puzzles. Besides these activities, readers can begin grasping environmental words and use the photo ID of sea animals continuously.

Drawing Competition

To create stewards of the sea surrounding the readers’ island, kids can participate in a drawing competition that is found in Bionews Kids. It is centered on the theme “Why I love the ocean and why I want to protect it.” Readers can become creative in their drawings and the chosen drawing will be featured in the next Bionews Kids magazine. This magazine hopes to encourage reading and learning of nature on the islands to empower our children and continue the investment of nature education.

To participate in the drawing competition, the reader needs to include their name, age, island, and phone number and upload it on the Bionews Kids page on the DCNA website at BioNews Kids Online: https://dcnanature.org/bionews-kids/. You can also hand it in to the local park organization education officer on their respective island (https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/). Deadline for the drawing to submitted is March 18th, 2022. Announcement of the winner will be found on the DCNA website and social media by April 1st, 2022.

Read BioNews Kids

BioNews Kids is generously supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and National Postcode Lottery and created by the DCNA.

Access the magazines here:

BioNews Kids Online: https://dcnanature.org/bionews-kids/

BioNews Kids Hardcopy: contact your local park organization education officer on your respective island (https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/).

BioNews (adults)- free monthly digital newsletter: https://dcnanature.org/news/

For questions or interviews, please contact projects@dcnanature.org.

 

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Nederlands

DCNA lanceert Bionews Kids – Een Nieuw Tijdschrift om jongeren in de Nederlandse Cariben te Empoweren

 

Kralendijk, Bonaire – De Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) heeft de eerste editie van Bionews Kids uitgebracht. Bionews Kids is een gratis, gedrukt en online, natuurmagazine voor kinderen in de leeftijd van 9-11 jaar op de zes Nederlands Caribische eilanden. Het is ontworpen met het doel, het stimuleren van lezen, nieuwsgierigheid aanwakkeren en kinderen informeren over de buitengewone natuur en haar bedreigingen op de zes Nederlands Caribische eilanden. Dit ter ondersteuning van de natuureducatieprogramma’s van de Beheerorganisaties van Beschermde Gebieden op Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint-Eustatius en Sint-Maarten. De eerste editie van Bionews Kids bevat een tekenwedstrijd en DCNA moedigt alle kinderen aan om mee te doen.

Ondersteuning van Natuureducatie en publieke bewustwording

De missie van DCNA is het ondersteunen van de Beheerorganisaties van Beschermde Gebieden op de zes eilanden van het Nederlands Caribisch gebied. Een van de doelen van DCNA is het bevorderen van educatief materiaal en publieke bewustwording. Vandaar de realisering van de eerste editie van Bionews Kids, die een tak is van Bionews (voor volwassenen). Bionews is een gratis maandelijkse digitale nieuwsbrief die updates geeft over het laatste natuurnieuws met focus op onderzoek en monitoring, evenementen en algemene activiteiten ten aanzien van de leden van de DCNA.

Meertalig natuurmagazine voor kinderen

Bionews Kids is een tijdschrift bestaande uit verschillende elementen die gratis beschikbaar is voor jongeren tussen 9 en 11 jaar op de eilanden Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius en St. Maarten in de talen Engels, Nederlands, Papiamento en Papiamentu. Het blad wordt beschikbaar gesteld via de programma’s natuureducatie van de Beheerorganisaties van Beschermde Gebieden. Het doel van het tijdschrift is om het lezen op de eilanden te bevorderen met een tijdschrift dat aansluit op de ervaringen van de kinderen op deze eilanden met de natuur die ze in hun eigen achtertuin kunnen vinden. DCNA introduceert hun nieuwe zee mascotte van het tijdschrift, Tara de Schildpad, die in toekomstige edities zal terugkeren.

Thema: zee

Voor deze eerste editie van Bionews Kids is het hoofdthema mariene milieu. Kinderen kunnen onder andere lezen over koraalriffen, getijdenpoelen en mangroven die specifiek zijn voor sommige van de eilanden en over de vele wezens die ze al dan niet kunnen tegenkomen. Het tijdschrift bevat ook activiteiten zoals kleurplaten, strand logboeken en puzzels. Naast deze activiteiten kunnen lezers beginnen met het begrijpen van milieu gerelateerde woorden en voortdurend de foto-identificatie van zeedieren gebruiken.

Tekenwedstrijd

Om beheerders van de zee te creëren rondom de eilanden van de lezers, kunnen kinderen deelnemen aan een tekenwedstrijd die te vinden is in Bionews Kids. Het is draait om het thema “Waarom ik van de oceaan houd en waarom ik hem wil beschermen.” Lezers mogen hun creativiteit uiten in hun tekeningen en de uitgekozen tekening zal te zien zijn in het volgende Bionews Kids magazine. Dit tijdschrift hoopt het lezen en leren over de natuur op de eilanden aan te moedigen en onze kinderen te empoweren om zo de investering in natuureducatie voort te zetten.

Om deel te nemen aan de tekenwedstrijd, moet de lezer zijn of haar naam, leeftijd, eiland en telefoonnummer vermelden en vervolgens de gescande afbeelding van de tekening naar projects@dcnanature.org sturen of deze inleveren bij de onderwijsfunctionaris van de plaatselijke parkorganisatie op hun respectieve eiland (https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/). De deadline voor het inzenden van de tekening is 18 maart 2022. De winnaar wordt rond 1 April 2022 bekend gemaakt op de DCNA-website en sociale media.

Lees BioNews Kids

BioNews Kids wordt genereus ondersteund door het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit (LNV) en de Nationale Postcode Loterij en in het leven geroepen door de DCNA.

Ga hier naar de tijdschriften:

BioNews Kids Online:               https://dcnanature.org/bionews-kids/

BioNews Kids Hardcopy:           neem contact op met de onderwijsfunctionaris van uw plaatselijke parkorganisatie op uw respectievelijk eiland (https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/).

BioNews (volwassenen)- gratis maandelijkse digitale nieuwsbrief: https://dcnanature.org/news/

Voor vragen of interviews kunt u contact opnemen met projects@dcnanature.org

 

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Papiamento

DCNA ta lansa Bionews Kids - un revista nobo pa reforsa e hobennan den Caribe Hulandes

 

Kralendijk, Boneiro – Aliansa Hulandes pa Naturalesa di Caribe (DCNA) a lansa e prome edicion di Bionews Kids. Bionews Kids ta un revista gratis di naturalesa, imprimi y online pa mucha di 9 pa 11 aña na e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes. E revista a wordo diseña pa promove lesamento, kishiki e muchanan pa ta curioso y pa educa e muchanan tocante e naturalesa extraordinario y su menasanan na e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes. Esaki pa sostene e programanan di educacion tocante naturalesa di e Organisacionnan di Maneho di Area Protegi na Aruba, Boneiro, Corsou, Saba, Sint Eustatius y Sint Maarten. E prome edicion di BioNews Kids ta contene un concurso di pintamento y DCNA ta anima tur mucha pa participa.

Sosteniendo educacion di naturalesa y concientisacion publico

Mision di DCNA ta pa sostene e Organisacionnan di Maneho di Area Protegi na e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes. Un di e metanan di DCNA ta pa promove dunamente di informacion y consciencia publico. Di eynan a bin e prome edicion di Bionews Kids, cu ta un sucursal di Bionews (pa adulto). Bionews ta un boletin digital mensual gratis cu ta brinda actualisacion di e ultimo noticianan tocante naturalesa cu enfoke riba investigacion y monitoreo, evento y actividad general relaciona cu ta concerni e miembronan di DCNA.

Revista multilingual di naturalesa pa mucha

Bionews Kids ta un revista componi di varios elemento cu ta disponibel gratuitamente pa hoben entre 9 y 11 años na e islanan di Aruba, Boneiro Corsou, Saba, St. Eustatius y St. Maarten den idioma Ingles, Hulandes, Papiamento y Papiamentu. E revista lo ta disponibel a traves di programa di educacion di naturalesa na e Organisacionnan di Maneho di Area Protegi.  E meta di e revista ta pa promove lectura na e islanan cu un revista cu ta aplicabel na e experiencianan di e muchanan di e islanan aki cu  naturalesa cu nan por topa cu ne den nan mes cura. DCNA ta presenta su mascota marino nobo di e revista, Tara the Turtle, cu lo aparece atrobe den futuro edicionnan.

Tema: lama

Pa e prome edicion di Bionews Kids, e tema principal ta medio ambiente marino. E muchanan por lesa, entre otro, tocante rif di coral, pos di marea y mangelnan cu ta particularmente specifico di algun di e islanan y tocante hopi criatura cu nan lo por topa cu nan of no. E revista tambe ta inclui actividad manera blachi pa kleur, diario di beach y puzzel. Ademas di e actividadnan aki, e lectornan por cuminsa capta palabra ambiental y uza identificacion di potret di e animalnan di lama continuamente.

Concurso di pintamento

Pa crea cuidadonan di lama cu ta rodea e isla di e lesadonan, e muchanan por participa na un concurso di pintamento cu bo ta haya den Bionews Kids. E ta bay tocante e tema “Pakico mi ta stima lama y pakico mi kier proteg’e”. E lesadonan por ta creativo den nan pinturanan y e pintura elegi lo parece den e proximo revista Bionews Kids. E revista aki ta spera di encurasha lesamento y siñamento tocante naturalesa na e islanan pa enforsa nos muchanan y sigui cu inversion den educacion di naturalesa.

Pa participa na e concurso di pintamento, e lesado mester inclui su nomber, edad, isla y number di telefon y despues manda e imagen cu bo scan di bo pintura na projects@dcnanature.org of entrega esaki na oficial di educacion di e organisacion di parke local den su respectiva isla https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/. Deadline pa entrega ta dia 18 di Maart, 2022. E anuncio di e ganado lo por wordo haya riba e website y social media di DCNA prome cu 1 di April, 2022.

Lesa BioNews Muchanan

BioNews Kids ta conta cu e generoso apoyo di Ministerio di Agricultura, Naturalesa y Calidad di Alimento (LNV) y Loteria Nacional di Codigo Postal y crea pa DCNA.

Acceso naa e revista aki:

BioNews Kids Online: https://dcnanature.org/bionews-kids/

BioNews Kids Hardcopy: comunica cu e oficial di educacion di e organisacion local di parke na su respectiva isla https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/

BioNews (adulto) – boletin digital mensual gratis: https://dcnanature.org/news/

Pa pregunta of entrevista, comunica cu projects@dcnanature.org.

 

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Papiamentu

DCNA ta lansa Bionews Kids – Un Revista Nobo pa apoderá hóbennan den Karibe Hulandes

Kralendijk, Boneiru – Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) a lansa su promé edishon di Bionews Kids. BioNews Kids ta un revista di naturalesa grátis, imprimí i digital pa mucha di edat 9-11 aña riba e seis islanan Karibe Hulandes. E ta diseñá pa stimulá lesamentu, lanta kuriosidat i eduká muchanan tokante nos naturalesa ekstraordinario i su menasanan na e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes. Esaki ta pa sostené e programanan di edukashon di naturalesa di e Organisashonnan di Maneho di Área Protehá na Aruba, Boneiru, Kòrsou, Saba, Statia i Sint Maarten. E promé edishon di BioNews Kids ta inkluí un konkurso di pintamentu i DCNA ta enkurashá tur mucha pa partisipá.

 Sosten pa Edukashon di Naturalesa i konsientisashon públiko.

DCNA su mishon ta pa sostené Organisashonnan di Maneho di Área Protehá riba e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes. Un di e metanan di DCNA ta promoshon di material edukashonal i konsientisashon públiko. Pa e motibu ei a krea e promé edishon di Bionews Kids, ku ta parti di Bionews (pa adulto) Bionews ta un revista digital grátis, mensual ku ta informá di e último notisianan di naturalesa ku enfoke riba investigashon i monitoreo, eventonan i aktividatnan general relashoná ku miembronan di DCNA.

Revista multilingual pa mucha.

Bionews Kids ta un revista ku ta konsistí di vários elemento i ta gratuitamente disponibel pa hóben entre 9 pa 11 aña riba e islanan di Aruba, Bonaire, Kòrsou, Saba, Statia i St. Maarten, na e idiomanan ingles, hulandes, papiamento i papiamentu. E revista lo ta optenibel via e programanan di edukashon di e Organisashonnan di Maneho di Área Protehá. E meta di e revista ta pa stimulá lesamentu riba e islanan ku un revista aplikabel na eksperensia di e muchanan riba e islanan ku e naturalesa ku nan ta haña den nan mes kurá di kas. DCNA ta introdusí su maskota marino di e revista, Tara e Turtuga, ku lo aparesé atrobe den e futuro edishonnan.

Tema: laman

Pa e promé edishon di Bionews Kids, e tema prinsipal ta e medioambiente marino. Muchanan por lesa entre otro tokante di refnan di koral, tanki di marea i pal’í mangel ku ta partikularmente spesífiko pa algun di e islanan i e abundansia di kriaturanan ku nan lo por topa. E revista ta inkluí tambe aktividatnan manera páginanan pa klùr, diario di playa i pùzel. Banda di e aktividatnan aki e lesadó ta kuminsá komprendé e palabranan ambiental i usa e potrètnan di identifikashon di bestianan di laman kontinuamente.

Konkurso di pintamentu 

Pa krea stewardnan di e laman rònt e isla di e lesadó, muchanan por partisipá na konkurso di pintamentu ku tin den Bionews Kids. E ta enfoká riba e tema “Dikon ami stima osean i pa kiko ami ke proteh’é.” E lesadó por ta kreativo den su pintura anto e pintura ku ta skohe lo sali publiká den e revista. E revista akí ta spera di por enkurashá lesamentu i siñamentu tokante naturalesa riba e islanan pa empoderá nos muchanan i kontinuá ku invershon den edukashon riba naturalesa.

Pa partisipá na e konkurso di pintamentu, e lesadó tin ku inkluí su nòmber, edat, isla i number di telefòn i despues manda un skèn di e pintura pa projects@dcnanature.org òf entreg’é na e empleado di edukashon di e parke òf organisashon riba nan isla. E fecha límite pa entrega di e pintura ta 18 di mart 2022. Lo anunsiá e ganador riba wèpsait i den medianan sosial di DCNA pa 1 di Aprel 2022.

Lesa BioNews Kids

BioNews Kids ta kreá pa DCNA i tin e sosten generoso di Ministerio di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kultura i Nationale Postcode Loterij.

Ta haña e revista via:

BioNews Kids Online: https://dcnanature.org/bionews-kids/

BioNews Kids Papel:  Tuma kontakto ku e empleado di edukashon di e parke òf organisashon di naturalesa riba bo isla. (https://dcnanature.org/nature-education/).

BioNews (adulto)- revista digital mensual grátis pa adulto: https://dcnanature.org/news/

Si tin pregunta òf pa entrevista por fabor tuma kontakto ku projects@dcnanature.org

 

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 51

BioNews 50 - 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. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 50 you will find articles on:

• First Caribbean cultured Diadema sea urchins are great news for coral reef restoration
• Fishery Trends for St. Eustatius
• DCNA facilitates platform for investigation of marine protected areas in the Caribbean
• Rare nudibranch discovery highlights diversity of Bonaire’s reefs

 

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).