research

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 65 you will find articles on:

• Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy visits the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI)
• Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy visits the mangrove forests of Bonaire
• Island Iguanas: Tales of Survival and Conservation in the Caribbean
• Getting to the Root of the Neem Problem
• Puffers in Peril: What’s Happening to the Pufferfish?
• Big Live Nature Quiz—Winners in the Dutch Caribbean​​​​​​​

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).

Dutch, Papiamento, and Papiamentu below

On Tuesday May 16th, 2023, the Minister for Climate and Energy, Drs. Rob Jetten, and his delegation visited the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) on Curaçao. Here, he was welcomed by Paul Stokkermans (director of CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), and Nina Zander (Policy Advisor of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA). Mr. Stokkermans and Mr. Hametee introduced the Minister and his delegation to CARMABI – both through a presentation and a tour of the CARMABI building, showcasing all the important work being executed there.

Minister Jetten and Jonas de Graaf (Advisor Representation of the Netherlands on CAS-islands) during presentation. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

The Minister for Climate and Energy, Drs. Rob Jetten, has co-hosted the Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference on Aruba from the 10^th to the 12^th of May. After the conference on Aruba, the Minister and his delegation traveled to Curaçao. On Tuesday, May 16^th, 2023, the Minister and his delegation visited the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) on Curaçao, where they were welcomed by Paul Stokkermans (director of CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI) and Nina Zander (Policy Advisor for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

The visit focused on the impact of climate issues on Curaçao. “There are several local environmental problems that are too big for the islands, but that the Kingdom might be able to help with, such as the pollution that travels from land into the sea,” said Paul Stokkermans, director of Carmabi.

Carmabi is a non-profit foundation that has been active on the island of Curaçao since 1955. The organization started as a marine biological research institute, but over the years it has also started to focus on the conservation of nature parks and nature and environmental education. The organization consists of five parts:

• Research;
• Management of terrestrial parks;
• Management of marine parks;
• Nature and environmental education;
• Ecological advice and consultancy to third parties.

Minister Jetten during a tour through Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

During his visit, Minister Jetten received an extensive presentation from Stokkermans and Hameete. “During the presentation, we were able to inform the Minister in detail about the various work Carmabi is executing on the island, such as research and education,” says Hameete, “but we were also able to tell him more about the local environmental problems we face as an island, such as the lack of wastewater treatment for chemical wastewater, the sewage problem, and the effects of overfishing on our coral ecosystem.  This visit demonstrates a commitment to working together to address our climate, environmental, and energy challenges.”

From left to right: Nina Zander (Policy Advisor DCNA), Cor Hametee (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy), and Paul Stokkermans (Director CARMABI). Photo credit: Berber van Beek

After the presentation, the delegation was given a tour of the Carmabi site during which the Minister visited the Research Center, Marine Education Center (MEC), and the library. At the end of the visit, the minister was given the comic book “Coral Heroes,” which is written in Dutch and Papiamentu.

Before traveling to Aruba, the Minister visited Bonaire, where, amongst others, he was escorted through Bonaire’s mangrove forest on May 9^th, 2023, by the Mangrove Maniacs and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA). “As DCNA, we think it is great to see the Minister visiting multiple Dutch Caribbean Islands to grasp the differences in culture, issues faced, and needs. We strongly support the Minister’s call for cooperation within The Kingdom” says Nina, DCNA’s Policy Advisor.

Op dinsdag 16 mei 2023 bracht de Minister voor Klimaat en Energie, drs. Rob Jetten, met zijn delegatie een bezoek aan de Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) op Curaçao. Hier werd hij verwelkomt door Paul Stokkermans (directeur CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hoofd Natuur- en Milieueducatie CARMABI) en Nina Zander (Beleidsadviseur Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA). De heer Stokkermans en de heer Hametee lieten de Minister en zijn delegatie kennismaken met CARMABI – zowel door middel van een presentatie als een rondleiding door het CARMABI-gebouw, waarbij al het belangrijke werk dat daar wordt uitgevoerd, werd getoond.

Minister Jetten en Jonas de Graaf (Adviseur Vertegenwoordiging van Nederland op CAS-eilanden) tijdens presentatie. Fotocredit: Berber van Beek.

De Minister van Klimaat en Energie, drs. Rob Jetten was mede-gastheer van de Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference op Aruba van 10 tot 12 mei. Na de conferentie op Aruba reisde de Minister door naar Curaçao. Op dinsdag 16 mei 2023 bezochten de Minister en zijn delegatie de Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) op Curaçao, waar zij werden ontvangen door Paul Stokkermans (directeur CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hoofd Natuur- en Milieueducatie van CARMABI) en Nina Zander (Beleidsadviseur voor de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

Het bezoek stond in het teken van de impact van klimaatproblematiek op Curaçao. “Er zijn verschillende lokale milieuproblemen die te groot zijn voor de eilanden, maar waar het Koninkrijk misschien wel iets aan kan doen, zoals de vervuiling die van het land in de zee terecht komt”, aldus Paul Stokkermans, directeur van Carmabi.

Carmabi is een stichting zonder winstoogmerk die sinds 1955 actief is op het eiland Curaçao. De organisatie begon als marien-biologisch onderzoeksinstituut, maar is zich in de loop der jaren ook gaan richten op het beheer van natuurparken en natuur- en milieueducatie. De organisatie bestaat nu uit 5 afdelingen:

• Wetenschappelijk onderzoek,
• Beheer van terrestrisch natuurparken,
• Beheer van mariene natuurparken,
• Natuur- en milieueducatie,
• Ecologisch advies en consultancy aan derden.

Minister Jetten tijdens een rondleiding door Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Fotocredit: Berber van Beek.

Minister Jetten kreeg tijdens zijn bezoek een uitgebreide presentatie van Stokkermans en Hameete. “Tijdens de presentatie hebben we de minister uitgebreid kunnen informeren over de verschillende werkzaamheden die Carmabi op het eiland uitvoert, waaronder onderzoek en onderwijs”, zegt Hameete, “maar ook hebben we hem meer kunnen vertellen over de lokale milieuproblematiek waarmee we als eiland worden geconfronteerd, zoals het ontbreken van afvalwaterzuivering voor chemisch afvalwater, de rioolproblematiek en de gevolgen van overbevissing op ons koraal-ecosysteem. Met dit bezoek wordt duidelijk gemaakt dat de wil om te komen tot een samenwerking, om onze uitdagingen op het gebied van klimaat, milieu en energie het hoofd te bieden, een gevolg krijgt.”

Na de presentatie kreeg de delegatie een rondleiding over het terrein van Carmabi waarbij de Minister een bezoek bracht aan het Research Center, Marine Education Center (MEC) en de bibliotheek. Aan het eind van het bezoek kreeg de minister het stripboek ‘Coral Heroes’ mee, dat geschreven is in het Nederlands en Papiamentu.

Van links naar rechts: Nina Zander (Beleidsadviseur DCNA), Cor Hametee (Hoofd Natuur- en Milieueducatie van CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister van Klimaat en Energie) en Paul Stokkermans (Directeur CARMABI). Fotocredit: Berber van Beek

De Minister bezocht, voordat hij naar Aruba afreisde, Bonaire, waar hij onder meer door de Mangrove Maniacs en de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) door het mangrovebos van Bonaire werd begeleid. “Als DCNA vinden we het geweldig om te zien dat de minister meerdere Nederlandse Caribische eilanden bezoekt om de verschillen in onder andere cultuur, problematiek en behoeften te begrijpen. We ondersteunen de oproep van de Minister tot samenwerking binnen het Koninkrijk”, zegt Nina, beleidsadviseur van DCNA.

Diamars dia 16 di mei 2023 Minister di Clima y Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten y su delegacion a bishita fundacion Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Corsou.  Aki, Paul Stokkermans (director di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Educacion di Naturalesa y Medio ambiente di CARMABI) y Nina Zander (Consehero di maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA) a yama Paul Stokkerman bon bini. Señor Stokkermans y Señor Hametee a introduci CARMABI na Minister y su delegacion, tanto pa un presentacion como pa un recorido door di e edificio di CARMABI, mustrando tur trabou importante cu nan ta ehecuta aki.

Minister Jetten and Jonas de Graaf (Advisor Representation of the Netherlands on CAS-islands) during presentation. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

Minister di Clima y Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten, tabata coanfitrion di e Conferencia Caribense di Clima y Energia na Aruba di dia 10 pa 12 di mei. Despues di e conferencia na Aruba, e delegacion a biaha bay Corsou. Diamars dia 16 di mei di 2023 e minister y su delegacion a bishita fundacion Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Corsou, na unda nan a woro ricibi pa Paul Stokkermans (director di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Educacion tocante Naturalesa y Medio ambiente di CARMABI) y Nina Zander (Consehero di maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

E bishita a centra su mes den e impacto di e problemanan climatico na Corsou. “Tin varios problema ambiental local cu ta demasiado grandi pa e islanan, pero cu cua Reino lo por yuda, manera contaminacion cu ta bay for di tera pa lama”, Paul Stokkermans, director di Carmabi a bisa.

Carmabi ta un fundacion sin meta lucrativo cu ta activo na e isla di Corsou desde 1955. E organisacion a cuminsa como un instituto di investigacion di biologia marino, pero cu aña tambe a cuminsa enfoca riba conservacion di e parkenan natural y educacion di naturalesa y medio ambiente. E organisacion ta consisti di cinco parti:

• Investigacion;
• Maneho di parke riba tera;
• Maneho di parke di lama;
• Naturalesa y educacion ambiental;
• Conseho ecologico y conseho na tercero.

Minister Jetten during a tour through Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

Durante su bishita Minister Jetten a ricibi un presentacion extenso di señor Stokkermans y Señor Hameete. “Durante e presentacion nos por a informa e minister detayadamente tocante e diferente trabounan cu Carmabi ta ehecutando na e isla, manera investigacion y educacion”, Hameete ta bisa, “pero tambe nos por a conta mas tocante e problemanan ambiental local, cu nos ta enfrenta como isla, manera falta di tratamento di awa residual pa awa residual kimico, e problema di riool y e efectonan di sobrepesca den nos ecosistema di coral. E bishita ta demostra un compromiso di trahamento hunto pa enfrenta nos desafionan climatico, ambiental y energetico.”

From left to right: Nina Zander (Policy Advisor DCNA), Cor Hametee (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy), and Paul Stokkermans (Director CARMABI). Photo credit: Berber van Beek

Despues di e presentacion e delegacion a realisa un recorido door e tereno di Carmabi durante cua e minister a bishita Centro di Investigacion, Centro di Educacion Marina (MEC) y e biblioteca. Na fin di e bishita e minister a ricibi e buki di strip “Heroenan di coral”, cu ta skirbi na Hulandes y na Papiamentu.

Prome cu el a biaha pa Aruba, e minister a bishita Boneiro, na unda, entre otro, el a haya un guia door di e mondi di palo di mangel di Boneiro dia 9 di mei di aña 2023 door di Mangrove Maniacs y Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).

Djamars, 16 di mei 2023, e Minister di Klima i Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten, kompañá pa su delegashon a bishitá Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Kòrsou. Aki el a haña un bonbiní di parti di Paul Stokkermans (direktor di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Edukashon di Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente di CARMABI), i Nina Zander (Konsehero di Maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA). Señor Stokkermans i señor Hametee a duna e Minister i su delegashon un introdukshon na CARMABI – tantu den forma di un presentashon komo un paseo den e edifisio di CARMABI, pa ilustrá tur e trabounan importante ku ta tuma lugá ei.

Minister Jetten and Jonas de Graaf (Advisor Representation of the Netherlands on CAS-islands) during presentation. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

E Minister di Klima i Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten, tabata un di un anfitrionnan na e konferensia The Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference na Aruba di 10 pa 12 di mei. Despues di e konferensia na Aruba, e delegashon a bahia pa Kòrsou. Riba djamars 16 di mei 2023, e Minister huntu ku su delegashon a bishitá e fundashon Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Kòrsou, kaminda nan tabata risibí pa Paul Stokkermans (direktor di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Edukashon di Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente di CARMABI), i Nina Zander (Konsehero di Maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

E enfoke di e bishita tabata riba e impakto di tópikonan di klima na Kòrsou. “Tin diferente problema lokal di medioambiente ku ta demasiado grandi pa e islanan, pero ku Reino hulandes lo por duna un man ku esakinan, manera e polushon ku ta move di riba tera drenta laman”, sr. Paul Stokkermans, direktor di Carmabi, a bisa.

Carmabi ta un fundashon non-profit ku ta aktivo riba e isla di Kòrsou for di 1955. E organisashon a start komo un instituto di investigashon biológiko marino, pero den kurso di añanan el a kuminsá duna atenshon tambe na konservashon di parkenan natural i na edukashon di naturalesa i medioambiente. E organisashon ta konsistí di sinku departamento:

• Investigashon;
• Maneho di parke terestre;
• Maneho di parke marino;
• Edukashon di naturalesa i medio ambiente;
• Servisio di Konseho i di Konsùltent na terser partido.

Minister Jetten during a tour through Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

Durante su bishita, Minister Jetten a risibí un presentashon en ekstenso di parti di Stokkermans ku Hameete. “Durante e presentashon, nos por a informá e Minister en detaye tokante e vários trabounan ku Carmabi ta ehekutá riba e isla, manera investigashon i edukashon,” Hameete a splika, “ademas nos por a splika su persona mas tokante e problemanan lokal di medioambiente, ku komo un isla nos ta konfrontá, manera e falta di tratamentu di awa shushi pa awa shushi kímiko, e problema di kloaka i e efektonan di peska eksesivo na nos sistema di koral. E bishita akí ta demostrá un kompromiso di traha huntu pa atendé ku nos retonan di klima, medioambiente i energia.”

From left to right: Nina Zander (Policy Advisor DCNA), Cor Hametee (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy), and Paul Stokkermans (Director CARMABI). Photo credit: Berber van Beek

Despues di e presentashon, e delegashon a haña un paseo den e edifisio di Carmabi i durante esaki e Minister a bishitá e Sentro di Investigashon, e Sentro di Edukashon Marino (MEC), i e biblioteka. Na final di e bishita, a entregá e minister e buki di comic “Coral Heroes,” ku ta skirbí na hulandes i papiamentu.

Promé di a biaha pa Aruba, e Minister a bishitá Boneiru, kaminda ku el haña entre otro un paseo den e mondi di palu di mangel di Boneiru riba 9 di mei 2023, kompañá pa The Mangrove Maniacs i Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).

Published in BioNews 65

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 64 you will find articles on:

• Co-funded by the EU's RESEMBID program and Wageningen University & Research, Pilot Project ‘Turning the Tide’ launches in Aruba
• Studies to understand the critical phases in juvenile conch biology
• The Mystery of the Mass Sea Urchin Die off Unraveled
• Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the Dutch Caribbean
• Rays of Hope: Strengthening Conservation Efforts for Manta Rays

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 63 you will find articles on:

• Restoring Balance: Catchment Wide Conservation Methods for Mangrove Ecosystems
• Invasive Coralita Threatens Biodiversity Dutch Caribbean
• Slithering Settlers: The Story of Aruba's Boa Situation
• Parrotfish: Important Coral Reef Keepers

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 62 you will find articles on:

• First official record of Least Gecko on Saba in 60 years
• Invasive Alien Species in the Dutch Caribbean
• Invasive seagrass and native upside-down jellyfish are battling for space
• BioNews Kids Second Edition published by the DCNA
• Recognize Caribbean nature in one click with ObsIdentify

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 61 you will find articles on:

• Bonaire 2050, a nature inclusive vision put into numbers.
• Uncovering the Secrets of the Red-Billed Tropicbird in the Southern Caribbean.
• Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Mr. Robbert Dijkgraaf, visited the DCNA to exchange ideas about science in the Dutch Caribbean.
• Shifting Seagrass Cues for Conch.

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).

On January 17th, 2022, Mark Zagers, Managing Director of the Saba Electric Company (SEC), officially handed over the keys to Peter Johnson, President of the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), the new tenant of the old power plant at the Fort Bay harbor. Also present were commissioner, Bruce Zagers, other SCF board members, resident researchers, and staff. After the handover, the group toured and inspected the newly renovated facility.

Due to climate change, overfishing, coastal development and other stresses, coral reefs worldwide are drastically in decline and scientists are racing to save the “rainforest of the sea” from extinction. The facility will provide novel opportunities to conduct coral reef research at an ideal location, adjacent to the Saba Marine Park and near the Saba Bank. The project was initiated in collaboration and with support of the island government.

Kai Wulf, managing director of the SCF, explained: “Our plans are to enhance the building to provide a controlled environment, so called mesocosms, to grow and study reef organisms, to better understand and control factors that impact and promote their wellbeing, with the aim to develop practical solutions to restore marine ecosystems.”

Official key handover; from left to right: Ayumi Kuramae Izioka, Saba Bank Science Coordinator, Lynn Costenaro, Board Member, Saba Conservation Foundation Mark Zagers, Managing Director, Saba Electric Company Peter Johnson, President, Saba Conservation Foundation Alwin Hylkema, Resident Researcher, Van Hall Larenstein University, Bruce Zagers, Commissioner, Saba Island Government. Credit: Kai Wulf

Services provided by Saba’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems are vitally important to the island’s fisheries and tourism industries, with an estimated total economic value of US $29 million per year (TEEB Study, Wolf’s Company 2014).

For example, by cultivating and restocking Diadema sea urchins, important herbivores decimated in the Caribbean by a viral disease during the early 1980s, algae growth that is now smothering and choking corals, could be vastly reduced. Scientists may also be able to develop new techniques to propagate stony coral that is more resilient to rising ocean temperatures and C02 induced acidification.

Successful research and coral restoration practices could bring much publicity and elevate Saba’s visibility internationally. Additionally, the research facility will create a new form of sustainable tourism for Saba, attracting scientists, students and coral reef restoration practitioners to the island. These visitors usually stay for longer periods and often bring family and friends, contributing substantially to the economy to the island. Further benefits will not just include guided tours, but could also provide career options for local students interested in marine biology and engage interested residents in meaningful citizen science.

The finalization of the building modifications approved by SEC and full operational capacity depend on the ability of the SCF and its partners to raise the necessary funding.

Concept drawing of future research station. Credit: Kai Wulf

Published in BioNews 51

Commissioned by Sint Maarten’s Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), a color vegetation map produced by CARMABI and Wageningen University & Research shows a 25% decrease in overall vegetation cover of the Dutch side of the island since 1956.  Results show that this loss can be attributed to massive urbanization and touristic development, overgrazing by introduced mammals (goats), the impact of hurricanes and the negative effect of invasive plant species. By investigating and mapping the vegetation of the island, spatial planning strategies can work to protect and connect the remaining sensitive landscape ecological units, to prevent further loss of biodiversity and vital natural resources.

Usefulness of vegetation maps

Credit: Marjolijn Lopes Cardozo: SHAPE/DCNA

Vegetation maps are a useful tool in understanding the status of the biodiversity and species make-up of a particular area (e.g. of an island). These maps are used by a wide variety of actors, -from scientists to policy makers- and are key to spatial planning and designing nature management and conservation strategies. This gains extra relevance based on the fact that St. Maarten is a biodiversity hotspot in the Caribbean area: the island is inhabited by over 100 species which can only be found within the Lesser Antilles region and 12 species which can only be found on St. Maarten.  Furthermore, the vegetation types that are associated with the hilly landscape (the dominant landscape of St. Maarten) belong to the most threatened ecosystems in Latin America and worldwide.

A well-developed natural vegetation plays a critical role in securing balanced and healthy ecosystems. Areas with such a vegetation influence soil properties, prevent erosion, aid in water retention and provide important buffers between land and sea (preventing damage to coral reefs by sedimentation).  Not to mention the importance they play in providing food and shelter for a wide variety of the island’s native animal populations.

Changes in the islands’ natural vegetation since 1956

Credit: Christian König: SHAPE/DCNA

The results of an island-wide field study done at the end of 1999 shows that in comparison to a vegetation map published in 1956, a 25% decline in vegetation cover has taken place. In addition, five different vegetation types -found in coastal areas- have disappeared beyond recognition over those 40 plus years.  The interconnectedness of ecosystems on islands make them vulnerable to the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation as well as the negative impact of grazing by introduced mammal grazers and invasive plant species. Of course, we must not forget the detrimental effects of hurricanes and global warming.

Over time, habitat loss and fragmentation on St. Maarten have been caused by agriculture, grazing by introduced mammals and since the 1960s by an explosive growth in tourism. Particularly since 1980 tourism has skyrocketed on the island. Some vegetation units described in 1956 have also disappeared due to actual vegetation regeneration and succession to a more diverse state following the decline in agriculture and livestock grazing.

Although there has been some regeneration, the overall process witnessed for St. Maarten is that of loss of natural and semi-natural vegetated areas in all parts of the island. The largest disappearance took place in the western parts of the island that in 1956 were characterized by the presence of two evergreen vegetation types. In the Low Lands area, a climax evergreen vegetation type covering a large part of the area in 1956 has disappeared almost totally except for a very small area still present but seriously threatened. Large areas of a vegetation type with a deciduous character to the west of the eastern hill range have been lost. One could observe that the general trend shows that the hills are regenerating while the low and coastal areas are degrading at a faster rate, resulting in a net vegetation loss. This trend demonstrates the economic shift from mainly agricultural practices towards an economy heavily reliant on tourism.

Towards a more sustainable future for St. Maarten

Vegetation maps similar to the one produced in the present report have been completed by Carmabi for other Dutch Caribbean islands as well.  This includes maps of Curaçao (1997), Bonaire (2005), St. Eustatius (2014) and Saba (2016).  Since the 1980’s land-use planning has become a hot topic, and understanding the current status of each island’s terrestrial areas is critical in both sustainable land development as well as implementing conservation and restoration strategies moving forward. The report ends with five recommendations to works towards a more effective terrestrial nature management on the island: establish a protected areas network, control of roaming livestock, protection of endangered plant species, an invasive species action plan and long-term vegetation monitoring. Findings of this report point to the importance of protecting and connecting rare and individual landscape units, such as those found in the Low Lands and at the remaining naturally vegetated beaches. It is also clear that the landscape ecological units that are characteristic of the high hills have a high conservation value that call for protection.

For more information, you can read the full report here

https://www.dcbd.nl/sites/default/files/documents/landscape_ecological_v...

Article published in BioNews 46

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) are proud to support Caribbean Cetacean Society’s (CCS) new “Ti Whale An Nou” Project. This project will provide key insight which will be used to estimate population sizes, distribution, movements and social structure of sperm whales in the Lesser Antilles between the islands of Grenada and Anguilla, including the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, around Saba, Saba Bank, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. These results will be valuable for improving marine mammal protection in the Wider Caribbean region.

Caribbean Hot Spot

Humpback whale calf
Photo credit: Tomas Kotouc

There are over 33 species of cetaceans (marine mammals) which can be found within the Caribbean region, representing over a third of the total global population. Marine mammals can be a valuable indicator for the overall health of oceans and help maintain balance within the very complex marine environment. As predators, they serve to thin out weak or injured fish, and as prey they provide an important food source for other species. They serve as a carbon pump, relocating nutrients ingested near the surface as nitrogen-rich fecal matter which settles along the ocean floor. This fecal matter is an important food source for phytoplankton, small animals that consume CO2 and convert into oxygen. In this way, marine mammals contribute in our fight against effects of climate change. Furthermore, when marine mammals die, their bodies sink bringing important nutrients to even the deepest parts of the ocean. Lastly, these species can have great economic impact, serving to improve local fish stock while also being a significant tourist driver.

Locally Driven Study

Unfortunately, still much is unknown about the marine mammals of the Caribbean. Luckily, studies such as the newly announced Caribbean Cetaceans Society’s (CCS) “Ti Whale An Nou” help fill in these knowledge gaps. This study will work to increase international collaboration and involvement of local Caribbean organizations (such as the DCNA and Saba Conservation Foundation), improving understanding and building capacity for years to come. This project builds off previous studies conducted in 2016 by the Dominica Sperm Whale Project and 2019/2020 by Dalhousie University. This research mission has received great support by not only DCNA and WWF-NL, but from Corail Caraibes, Orange, the EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, and Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique as well.

Sperm whale.  Photo credit: Alexis Rosenfeld

Ti Whale An Nou

“Ti Whale An Nou” is Haitian creole for “Our Little Whales” and serves as a reminder of how interlinked humans are to the ocean. The study will take place over six expeditions, focused on three main zones reaching between Anguilla and Granada. The goal is to improve understanding of the diversity, distribution and relative densities of marine mammal species, specifically sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Lesser Antilles. This project will also provide new acoustic data to help improve the ability to identify species through an artificial intelligence system. Lastly, this project will provide new insight into the role of environmental variables in the diversity and distribution of marine mammals throughout the West Indies.

Importance of cooperation

As experts continue to learn more about these complex and dynamic areas, more impactful conservation strategies can be implemented. Transboundary species, especially those with migration routes as long reaching as whales, dolphins and sharks, require a network which crosses international borders. One such example is the Yarari Marine Mammal and Sanctuary, which helps to create safe passage for marine mammals and sharks throughout the waters of the Caribbean Netherlands. Through collaborative efforts, driven at the local level, the Caribbean can serve as a leader in international cooperation for marine conservation.

Report your Sightings

Have you (ever) observed whales in the Caribbean? Every sighting can provide useful data for researchers and provides critical information needed to protect these species. Help us by reporting your (old) nature sightings and photos on the website Observation.org or download the free app (iPhone (iObs) & Android (ObsMapp)). These tools are available in over 40 languages and can be used by biologists and citizens and tourists alike.

More information

To find out more, visit the project’s website (https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou-2021). Outcomes of this expedition will be made available in Obsenmer, FlukeBook, Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, Observation.org and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

Article published in BioNews 44.

Presentation given during 2021 Mangrove Restoration Workshop