Spatial planning

ABSTRACT  Keywords: Bayesian networks Land use modelling Spatial planning Land conflicts Land suitability Data scarcity Land use change is a major driver of environmental degradation, necessitating appropriate planning to navigate trade-offs between societal objectives and ecological impacts. Sound planning is limited in some regions by data scarcity and incomplete scientific knowledge on local dynamics shaping development of land. In this paper, we present a novel expert-based participatory approach that uses Bayesian networks to determine land use suitability and potential conflicts for emerging land uses. This method encompasses a workshop phase for building suitability models for different sectors, data assembly and preparation, spatialization of networks, and iterative validation with experts. Mapped suitabilities for all land uses were used to assess potential competition for land across sectors and to quantify alignment of the expert-modeled outcomes with established land use policy. Applied to Curaçao, a data-poor environment in the Caribbean facing high land use competition, the method enabled the construction and parameterization of 5 Bayesian networks driven by 35 spatial input datasets generated through various methods from participatory mapping to social media analysis. Overlap in suitable locations for conservation and tourism development along segments of the coastline and roadsides of the western island highlight potential conflict stemming from coincidence of desirable natural amenities and ecologically sensitive areas. Results yield key insights that can drive discussion and inform policymakers and spatial planners as they navigate tradeoffs and seek optimal use of limited land resources. Process-based suitability predictions and knowledge of underlying drivers can also enable exploratory analysis into possible future scenarios of change.   

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.

On Saturday, June 18th 2022, State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen visited the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) office in Bonaire.  The DCNA made use of the opportunity to request her urgent attention to the conservation of the biodiversity hotspot in the “Kingdom of the Netherlands”.  The six Dutch Caribbean Islands are well known for their beautiful and diverse nature, whilst at the same time its conservation has not been sufficiently addressed. The current support from the Netherlands is mainly directed to the BES islands.

And, as nature does not have any borders, it is of the utmost importance that the Kingdom provides support to all the six Dutch Caribbean Islands in nature conservation plans and projects such as DCNA’s Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan.

DCNA’s Treasurer, Mr. Norman Kuipéri, of the Aruba National Park Foundation, and board member Mr. Paul Stokkermans, of the Carmabi Foundation from Curaçao , together with DCNA’s Director, Mr. Tadzio Bervoets, gave a presentation to Her Excellency highlighting DCNA’s work, including the challenges and threats the Protected Area Management organizations on each of the islands are facing, in their efforts to conserve and safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean. The lack of sustainable funding, policy support, and adequate spatial planning hamper conservation management efforts. Amongst the most significant threats include poorly regulated (coastal) development, waste and wastewater management, as well as overgrazing, overfishing, the impact of invasive species, and of climate change (warming of the seas, changing weather patterns, and rising sea levels).

Constructive discussions were held on the above topics, including climate change, and DCNA’s Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan, which was launched in May of 2022. This plan provides concrete recommendations for all six islands on both climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in order to combat climate change effects. Sustainable development and combating climate change require an integrated approach that prioritizes protection of nature, energy independence, sustainable tourism, and a diverse blue economy. Most importantly, this needs to be a joint effort where the countries work together to strengthen each other’s effort and determination.

Photo: left to right: Ms. Nina Zander (DCNA Climate Research intern), Mr. Diego Marquez (DCNA Research & Monitoring Workgroup assistant), Mrs. Tineke van Bussel (DCNA Research Communication liaison), Mrs. Emeray Martha-Neuman (DCNA Office manager), Mr. Tadzio Bervoets (DCNA Director), State Secretary H.E. Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, Mr. Norman Kuipéri (DCNA Treasurer), Mr. Paul Stokkermans (DCNA board member)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nederlands

Staatssecretaris Hare Excellentie Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen krijgt een dringend bericht over natuurbescherming in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied.

Op zaterdag 18 juni 2022 heeft Staatssecretaris Hare Excellentie Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen het kantoor van de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) op Bonaire bezocht. De DCNA heeft van deze gelegenheid gebruik gemaakt om haar dringende aandacht te vragen voor het behoud van de biodiversiteitshotspot in het “Koninkrijk der Nederlanden”. De zes Nederlands Caribische eilanden staan ​​bekend om hun prachtige en diverse natuur, terwijl het behoud ervan op hetzelfde moment onvoldoende wordt geadresseerd. De huidige steun vanuit Nederland is vooral gericht op de BES-eilanden. Maar, aangezien de natuur geen grenzen kent, is het van het grootste belang dat het Koninkrijk ondersteuning biedt aan alle zes de Caribische eilanden in diens natuurbehoud plannen en projecten, zoals DCNA’s Klimaat Actieplan voor het Nederlands Caribisch gebied.

DCNA’s penningmeester, dhr. Norman Kuipéri, van de Aruba National Park Foundation, en bestuurslid dhr. Paul Stokkermans, van de Carmabi Foundation uit Curaçao, gaven samen met DCNA’s directeur, dhr. Tadzio Bervoets, een presentatie aan Hare Excellentie waarin het werk van DCNA belicht werd, inclusief de uitdagingen en bedreigingen waarmee de beheerorganisaties van beschermde gebieden op elk van de eilanden worden geconfronteerd bij hun inspanningen om de natuur in Caribisch Nederland te behouden en te beschermen. Het gebrek aan duurzame financiering, beleidsondersteuning en adequate ruimtelijke planning belemmeren de inspanningen op het gebied van natuurbehoud. Tot de belangrijkste bedreigingen behoren slecht gereguleerde (kust)ontwikkeling, afval- en afvalwaterbeheer, evenals overbegrazing, overbevissing, de impact van invasieve soorten en klimaatverandering (opwarming van de zeeën, veranderende weerspatronen en een stijgende zeespiegel).

Er werden constructieve gesprekken gevoerd over bovenstaande onderwerpen, waaronder klimaatverandering, en over DCNA’s Klimaat Actieplan voor het Nederlands Caribisch gebied, welke in mei 2022 werd gedeeld. Dit plan biedt concrete aanbevelingen voor alle zes de eilanden over zowel klimaatadaptatie- als mitigatiestrategieën om de effecten van klimaatverandering te bestrijden. Duurzame ontwikkeling en de bestrijding van klimaatverandering vereisen een geïntegreerde aanpak die prioriteit geeft aan natuurbescherming, energieonafhankelijkheid, duurzaam toerisme en een diverse blauwe economie. Het belangrijkste is dat dit een gezamenlijke inspanning moet zijn waarbij de landen samenwerken om elkaars inzet en vastberadenheid te versterken.

Foto: van links naar rechts: mevrouw Nina Zander (DCNA Klimaat verandering onderzoeksstagaire) de heer Diego Marquez (DCNA Onderzoek & Monitoring Werkgroepassistent), mevrouw Tineke van Bussel (DCNA Onderzoek Communicatie liaison), mevrouw Emeray Martha-Neuman (DCNA Office manager), de heer Tadzio Bervoets (DCNA directeur), staatssecretaris H.E. Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, Dhr. Norman Kuipéri (DCNA Penningmeester), Dhr. Paul Stokkermans (DCNA bestuurslid)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Papiamento

Secretaria di Estado su Excelencia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen ta ricibi un mensahe urgente tocante proteccion di naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes.

Diasabra 18 di juni di aña 2022, Secretaria di Estado su Excelencia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen a bishita oficina di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) na Boneiro. DCNA a haci uzo di e oportunidad pa pidi su atencion urgente pa conservacion di hotspot di biodiversidad den  “Reino Hulandes”. E seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes ta bon conoci pa nan naturalesa bunita y diversifica, mientras cu na mes momento su conservacion no a wordo suficientemente aborda. E apoyo actual di Hulanda ta dirigi principalmente riba e islanan BES.

Y, ya cu naturalesa no tin frontera, ta di suma importancia pa Reino brinda apoyo na e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes den nan plannan y proyectonan di conservacion di naturalesa, manera e Plan di accion climatico di Caribe Hulandes di DCNA.

Tesorero di DCNA, Sr. Norman Kuiperi, di Fundacion Parke Nacional di Aruba, y miembro di  board, Sr. Paul Stokkermans, di Fundacion Carmabi di Corsou, hunto cu Director di DCNA, Sr. Tadzio Bervoets, a duna un presentacion na Su Excelencia destacando e trabou di DCNA, incluyendo nan desafionan y esfuersonan pa conserva y salvaguarda naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes. Falta di financiacion sostenibel, apoyo politico y planificacion espacial adecuado ta obstaculisa e esfuersonan di parti di maneho di conservacion. Entre e menasanan mas importante ta inclui desaroyo (di costa) mal regula, maneho di desecho y awa residual, tambe pastoreo excesivo, piscamento excesivo, impacto di e especienan invasor y cambio climatico (keintamento di lama, cambio den e patronchinan climatico y aumento di nivel di lama).

A tene discusion constructivo tocante e temanan anterior, entre nan cambio climatico, y e Plan di Accion Climatico di Caribe Hulandes di DCNA, cu a wordo lansa na mei di aña 2022. E plan aki ta proporciona recomendacion concreto pa e seis islanan tocante strategia di mitigacion y adaptacion climatico pa combati cambio climatico y efecto di e cambio. Desaroyo sostenibel y lucha contra e cambio climatico ta rekeri un enfoke integral cu ta priorisa proteccion di naturalesa, independencia energetico, turismo sostenibel y economia blauw diversifica. Loke ta mas importante,  emester ta un esfuerso conhuntamente den cua e paisnan ta traha hunto pa fortalece e esfuerso y  determinacion di otro.

Potret: di robes pa drechi: Sra. Nina Zander (stagaire di investigacion climatico di DCNA), Sr. Diego Marquez (asistente di grupo di trabou di investigacion y monitoreo di DCNA), Sra. Tineke van Bussel (liaison di investigacion di comunicacion di DCNA), Sra. Emeray Martha-Neuman (Gerente di oficina di DCNA), Sr. Tadzio Bervoets (Director DCNA), Secretaria di Estado S.E. Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, Sr. Norman Kuiperi (Tesorero di DCNA), Sr. Paul Stokkermans (miembro di board di DCNA)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Papiamentu

Sekretario di Estado Su Ekselensia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen a risibí un mensahe di urgensia tokante protekshon di naturalesa na Karibe Hulandes.

Djasabra 18 di yüni 2022, Sekretario di Estado Su Ekselensia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen a hasi un bishita na ofisina di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) na Boneiru.  DCNA a hasi uso di e oportunidat pa hala su atenshon urgentemente pa konservashon di e atrakshon grandi di biodiversidat den “Reino Hulandes”.  E seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes ta konosí pa nan naturalesa bunita i diverso, miéntras ku na mes momentu e konservashon di nan naturalesa no a haña sufisiente dedikashon. E sosten aktual di Hulanda ta dirigí prinsipalmente na e islanan BES.

I, komo ku naturalesa no konosé frontera, ta di sumo importansia ku Reino ta duna sosten na tur e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes ku nan plannan i proyektonan di konservashon manera DCNA su Plan di Akshon pa Klima na Karibe Hulandes / Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan.

DCNA su Tesorero sr. Norman Kuipéri, di Aruba National Park Foundation, i miembro di direktiva sr. Paul Stokkermans, di Carmabi Foundation di Kòrsou, huntu ku Direktor di DCNA sr. Tadzio Bervoets, a duna un presentashon na su ekselensia enfatisando e trabou di DCNA, inkluso e retonan i menasanan ku e Organisashonnan di Maneho di Área Protehá ta enfrentá na kada un di e islanan, den nan esfuerso pa konservá i salbaguardiá naturalesa na Karibe Hulandes. E falta di fondo duradero, sosten di maneho, i planifikashon adekuá di teritorio ta un estorbo pa esfuersonan di maneho pa konservashon. Entre e menasanan mas signifikante ta inkluí regulashon pober di desaroyo di teritorio (na kosta), maneho di shushi i awa di kloaka, i tambe komementu eksesivo di bestia ku ta kana lòs den naturalesa, piskamentu eksesivo, e impakto di espesienan invasivo i/òf kambio di klima (kentamentu di oséano, kambio di patronchi di wer i subimentu di nivel di laman).

Diskushonnan konstruktivo a tuma lugá tokante e tópikonan menshoná akiriba, inkluso kambio di klima i DCNA su Plan di Akshon pa Klima na Karibe Hulandes. ku a keda lansá na mei 2022. E plan akí ta presentá rekomendashonnan konkreto pa tur e seis isla tantu riba adaptashon na klima komo pa strategianan di suavisashon pa kombatí efektonan di kambio di klima. Desaroyo duradero i kombatimentu di kambio di klima ta eksigí un strategia integrá ku duna prioridat na protekshon di naturalesa, independensia di energia, turismo duradero i un ekonomia blou diverso. Mas importante ainda, esaki ta eksigí di ta un esfuerso komun den kua paisnan ta traha huntu pa fortalesé esfuerso i determinashon di kada unu.

Foto: di man robes pa man drechi: Sra. Nina Zander (DCNA stazjèr Investigashon di Klima), sr. Diego Marquez (DCNA asistente di Grupo di Trabou Investigashon & Monitoreo), sra. Tineke van Bussel (DCNA Empleado pa Komunikashon di Investigashon), sra. Emeray Martha-Neuman (DCNA manager di Ofisina), sr. Tadzio Bervoets (DCNA Direktor), Sekretario di Estado Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, sr. Norman Kuipéri (DCNA Tesorero), sr. Paul Stokkermans (DCNA miembro di direktiva)

Published in BioNews 55.

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

2nd edition (2022) including maps of futures with accompnaying trend projections and indicators.
1st edition (2020).

This is a story about one of the Dutch Caribbean islands: Bonaire.

A story that is shaped by the people of Bonaire and that may help develop this small beautiful island into an example where well-being and prosperity are balanced with cultural heritage. This vision builds further on the local history of planning, linking ongoing Bonairean and Dutch visions and strategies. It shows Bonaire as an example of embracing nature for our livelihoods.

Experts from Bonaire and The Netherlands have developed this vision for the island in 2050 to inspire you. It is the result of a series of design sessions, interviews and workshops with local experts, decision makers and researchers in the field of nature, culture, recreation, agricul - ture and governance. The results are views of a future in which economic development and a nature inclusive society join forces to maintain what is precious, and to improve what is already damaged or threatened. We call this a ‘nature inclusive vision’.

Some of the challenges that were addressed during the mapping process included managing (mass) tourism and population growth, prevent - ing high erosion rates due to free-roaming cat - tle, recharging fresh water in the soil, increasing the use of renewable energy, and adaptation to sea level rise. This would strengthen nature and tackle the one-sided dependency on tourism. Together, we have mapped potential nature-in - clusive measures and deliberated where, why and how these could be adopted. These poten - tial measures include for example rooftop water harvesting, reforestation and greening gardens using indigenous species, growing local food, creating cactus fences, installing solar panels and coral restoration.

This vision looks into the policy context and challenges and shows you the characteristics and cultural contexts of the different landscapes of Bonaire. It considers the inclusive concepts that nature can offer to help Bonaire in navigat - ing some of the challenges that were mapped out. This vision is illustrated by three-dimen - sional landscape visualisations; a Bonaire as you have never seen it before...

Contents of the booklet:

• A new story
• A policy background
• Nature inclusive planning
• Bonaire's challenges
  • Urban and elite estate expansion
  • A changing climate
  • Diversifying the economy
  • Using renewable energy
  • Managing tourism
  • Recharging fresh water in the soil
  • Maintaining, enhancing and restoring nature
  • Local produce and healthy diets
  • Flourishing cultural heritage
• Interweaving nature in Bonaire's landscapes - a vision towards the future
  • Kralendijk urban fabric
  • Calm cliff coast
  • Calcareous ancient forest plateau
  • North-western hills
  • Traditional valley of Rincon
  • Kunuku
  • Caribbean savanna
  • Windswept inhospitable northeast coast
  • Lac Lagoon
  • Southern flats
  • Scrubby southern limestone pavement
  • Unoccopied island of Klein Bonaire
• Next steps

This 2nd edition booklet and accompanying map with impact indicators, is based on the following reports:

• A nature incusive vision - Bonaire 2050
• Bonaire 2050 - putting the vision into numbers
• The state of cactus fences and kunuku's

Bonaire, one of the Dutch Caribbean islands, is facing major challenges: managing (mass) tourism and population growth, preventing high erosion rates due to free-roaming cattle, recharging fresh water into the soil, increasing the use of renewable energy, adaptation to sea level rise and extreme weather events, halting biodiversity loss and tackling the unilateral dependency on tourism. In thirty years, Bonaire inevitably will look different. Progressing on current trends will only increase the challenges, a new way of thinking, planning and acting is needed.

Together with local experts a vision for Bonaire in 2050 is portrayed, in which nature and natural processes play a key role in all development activities – a ‘nature inclusive vision’. The vision aims to inspire. It outlines a future in which economic development and a nature inclusive society join forces to maintain what is precious, and to improve what is already impaired or threatened.

The report starts by describing the policy context and challenges. It then looks at what nature inclusive concepts can offer to navigate some of the challenges Bonaire is experiencing illustrated by three-dimensional landscape visualisations.

Challenges:

• Urban and elite estate expansion
• A changing climate
• Diversifying the economy
• Managing tourism
• Recharging fresh water into the soil
• Using renewable energy
• Maintaining, enhancing and restoring nature
• Locl produce and healthy diets
• Flourishing cultural heritage

This report is also published as graphical, more accesible publication. You can find that booklet here.

Het eilandsgebied Bonaire wil het ruimtelijk beleid voor de komende jaren vastleggen in een ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan. Er is behoefte aan een helder plan dat gebruikt kan worden als basis voor ruimtelijke keuzes. In dit ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan wordt vastgelegd waarvoor, waar en hoe er de komende jaren gebouwd kan worden. Het ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan is een instrument, waaraan nieuwe ruimtelijke en functionele ontwikkelingen de komende jaren getoetst zullen worden. Het ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan is enerzijds een beleidsdocument en anderzijds een juridisch instrument. Het ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan stuurt de ruimtelijke ontwikkelingen op Bonaire voor de komende jaren.

Bonaire heeft grote ruimtelijke kwaliteiten. De rijkdom van de onderwaternatuur en het bijzondere karakter van het landschap en de natuur zijn uniek. Kralendijk en Rincon zijn twee plaatsen met elk hun eigen waarden. Daarbij heeft Bonaire ook een eigen identiteit. Dit alles maakt Bonaire enig in zijn soort. Het doel van dit ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan is om deze kwaliteiten en deze identiteit vast te leggen en ervoor te zorgen dat nieuwe ontwikkelingen deze waarden en kwaliteiten niet aantasten. Het onderhavige ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan is gebaseerd op de huidige situatie, maar biedt ruimte aan gewenste toekomstige ontwikkelingen. In deze zin is het ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan geen plan met beperkingen, maar biedt het ontwikkelingsmogelijkheden. Bonaire moet zich immers verder duurzaam kunnen ontwikkelen. Dit geldt voor het eiland als geheel, maar ook voor elk individu. Het in dit plan vervatte ruimtelijk beleid is gericht op versterking van de ruimtelijke waarden en het bevorderen van de sociale cohesie. Het voorhanden hebben van een ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan is een essentiële voorwaarde voor het voeren van een goed ruimtelijk ordeningsbeleid en het tot stand brengen van een goede ruimtelijke ordening op Bonaire. De kwaliteiten en de identiteit van Bonaire en de inwoners van Bonaire hebben hier recht op.

Het ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan beslaat het grondgebied van Bonaire, Klein Bonaire en het Bonaire Marine Park. Het ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan heeft dus betrekking op zowel het stedelijk als het landelijk gebied en op zowel land als water. Voor Klein Bonaire is eerder een ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan vastgesteld. Het onderhavige ruimtelijk ontwikkelingsplan neemt dit over en komt hiervoor in de plaats.

Please download the accompanying GIS maps here.

Marine spatial planning(MSP) has become an important tool to balance the needs of commercial,economical and recreational users of the marine environment with the protection of marine biodiversity. BirdLife International advocate the designation of marine Important BirdAreas (IBAs) as a key tool to improve the protection and sustainable management of the oceans, including the designation of Marine Protected Areas, which can feed into MSP processes.This study presents the results of three years of seabird tracking from the UK Overseas Territory of Anguilla,where marine resources are currently relatively unexploited and MSP is in its infancy.The core foraging areas of 1326 foraging trips from 238 individuals, representing five species (brown booby Sula leucogaster, masked booby Sula dactylatra, sooty tern Onychoprionfuscatus, magnificent frigate bird Fregata magnificens and red-billed tropic bird Phaethon aethereus) breeding on three of Anguilla's off shore cays were used to calculate the hotspot foraging areas for each study species.These high activity areas were then compared with fishing activity within Anguilla's Exclusive Economic zone and to proposed coastal developments.Two marine IBAs were identified within Anguilla's waters: the first to be defined, using seabird tracking data,in the Caribbea nregion. Whilst the level of fishing activity and associated seabird by-catch is hard to quantify, the core foraging areas  f seabirds breeding in Anguilla were observed to overlap with areas known for high fishing activity. These findings highlight the need to work both nationally and across territorial boundaries to
implement appropriate marine spatial planning.

Received via Curacao ministry of health, environment and nature (Chamberland, V. and Dilrosun, F.). Geo-referenced by van Dorland, G.