research

BioNews 72

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 72  you will find articles on:

You will also find up-to-date overviews of:

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).

Date
2024
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

BioNews 71

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 71 you will find articles on:

​​​You will also find up-to-date overviews of:

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).

Date
2024
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

BioNews 70

BioNews 70

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 70 you will find articles on:

You will also find up-to-date overviews of:

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).

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Research and Monitoring Guidelines for the Dutch Caribbean Protected Areas

Dutch Below 

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) along with local nature management organizations across the six Dutch Caribbean islands have recently published “Guidelines for the Design and Conduct of Research and Monitoring Projects within the Dutch Caribbean Protected Areas.” These guidelines aim to encourage local capacity building, ethical practices, science communication and targeted research on the most pressing conservation issues for managing protected areas. This advice is given to support improved collaboration and communication between (visiting) researchers, students and the local nature (management) organizations in their common goal of safeguarding nature in the Dutch Caribbean.

Saba island. Photo credit: Kai Wulf

The Dutch Caribbean, a haven for diverse flora and fauna, faces challenges from local, regional, and global threats. Recognizing the importance of preserving these natural resources and the essential role of research and monitoring in this, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and its network partners Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA),  STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI Curaçao , Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM), St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA), developed guidelines for research and monitoring initiatives. These guidelines aim to bridge the gap between foreign research institutions, funders and local organizations, fostering effective conservation practices encouraging researchers to take the local context and needs into consideration.

Roadmap

The guidelines are like a roadmap for setting up and conducting research projects in the Dutch Caribbean. These guidelines have a few goals. First of all, to support research and monitoring in the region by creating a resource where all the recommendations and wishes of the nature conservation management organizations can be found. Second, to promote local capacity building such as training of local staff and build on social and technical infrastructures. Third, to encourage ethical practices while conducting research considering the local context. Lastly, to promote the sharing of research project information and results and to enhance science communication and outreach to a diverse group of stakeholders such as other members of the scientific community, local nature conservation organizations, policy makes and the inhabitants of the islands. This way, anyone interested can learn and use the valuable work being done to protect the unique plants and animals of the Dutch Caribbean.

Working together

Understanding the state of nature through research and monitoring is crucial for efficient and effective management and protection. Nature conservation (management) organizations’ staff (biologists and rangers) and (citizen) scientists from all over the world provide invaluable support by gathering knowledge about these complex and fragile ecosystems. Collaboration and communication between all involved stakeholders is of the utmost importance in the common goal to safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean for the wellbeing of future generations.

Read more: Find the complete Research and Monitoring Guidelines here.

DCNA 

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related scientific information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.

 

 

 

De Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) heeft samen met lokale natuurbeheerorganisaties op de zes Nederlands-Caribische eilanden onlangs “Guidelines for the Design and Conduct of Research and Monitoring Projects within the Dutch Caribbean Protected Areas.” gepubliceerd. Deze richtlijnen zijn bedoeld om lokale capaciteitsopbouw, ethische praktijken, wetenschapscommunicatie en gericht onderzoek naar de meest urgente kwesties voor het beheer van beschermde gebieden aan te moedigen. Dit advies wordt gegeven ter ondersteuning van een betere samenwerking en communicatie tussen (bezoekende) onderzoekers, studenten en de lokale natuur (beheer)organisaties in hun gezamenlijke doel om de natuur in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied te beschermen.

Saba eiland. Foto: Kai Wulf

De Nederlandse Cariben, een toevluchtsoord voor diverse flora en fauna, wordt geconfronteerd met uitdagingen van lokale, regionale en mondiale bedreigingen. Het belang van het behoud van deze natuurlijke hulpbronnen en de essentiële rol van onderzoek en monitoring hierin wordt erkend, en daarom ontwikkelde de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) en haar netwerkpartners: Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA), STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI Curaçao, Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM), St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA), richtlijnen voor onderzoeks- en monitoringsinitiatieven. Deze richtlijnen zijn bedoeld om de kloof tussen buitenlandse onderzoeksinstellingen, financiers en lokale organisaties te overbruggen en effectieve instandhoudingspraktijken te bevorderen en onderzoekers aan te moedigen rekening te houden met de lokale context en behoeften.

Stappenplan

De richtlijnen zijn als een routekaart voor het opzetten en uitvoeren van onderzoeksprojecten in Caribisch Nederland. Deze richtlijnen hebben een paar doelen. Allereerst om onderzoek en monitoring in de regio te ondersteunen door een bron te creëren waar alle aanbevelingen en wensen van de natuurbeschermingsorganisaties te vinden zijn. Ten tweede, het bevorderen van lokale capaciteitsopbouw, zoals de opleiding van lokaal personeel, en het voortbouwen op sociale en technische infrastructuur. Ten derde, het aanmoedigen van ethische praktijken bij het uitvoeren van onderzoek rekening houdend met de lokale context. Ten slotte het bevorderen van het delen van informatie en resultaten van onderzoeksprojecten en het verbeteren van de wetenschapscommunicatie en het bereiken van een diverse groep belanghebbenden, zoals andere leden van de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap, lokale natuurbeschermingsorganisaties, beleidsmakers en de bewoners van de eilanden. Op deze manier kan iedereen die geïnteresseerd is leren en gebruik maken van het waardevolle werk dat wordt gedaan om de unieke planten en dieren van de Nederlandse Cariben te beschermen.

Samenwerken

Inzicht in de toestand van de natuur door middel van onderzoek en monitoring is cruciaal voor efficiënt en effectief beheer en bescherming. Medewerkers van natuurbeschermingsorganisaties (biologen en rangers) en (burger)wetenschappers van over de hele wereld bieden een onschatbare ondersteuning bij het vergaren van kennis over deze complexe en kwetsbare ecosystemen. Samenwerking en communicatie tussen alle betrokken stakeholders is van het grootste belang in het gezamenlijke doel om de natuur in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied te beschermen voor het welzijn van toekomstige generaties.

Lees meer

Hier vindt u de volledige richtlijnen voor onderzoek en monitoring (link)

DCNA

De Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)ondersteunt (wetenschaps) communicatie en outreach in de Nederlandse Caribische regio door natuurgerelateerde wetenschappelijke informatie breder beschikbaar te maken via onder meer de Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s nieuwsplatform BioNews en de pers. Dit artikel bevat de resultaten van verschillende (wetenschappelijke) projecten, maar de projecten zelf zijn geen DCNA-projecten. Aan de inhoud kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend. DCNA is niet aansprakelijk voor de inhoud en de indirecte gevolgen die voortvloeien uit het publiceren van dit artikel.

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 70

Date
2023
Data type
Other resources
Theme
Governance
Legislation
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

BioNews 69

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 69 you will find articles on:

You will also find up-to-date overviews of:

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).

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

The Science Behind Protecting Birds

Dutch, Papiamento and Papiamentu below 

 

A new DCNA project “Monitoring for Bird Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean” has officially been launched. Through combining enhanced training, field surveys and the use of a standardized monitoring programme, local nature management organizations can now better contribute to monitoring and protecting land bird populations and its environments across the Dutch Caribbean.  

Through this new project, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) aims to equip the nature management organizations (parks)- Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA), Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI), Saba Conservation Foundation, St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) and Nature Foundation St. Maarten– with the tools to actively monitor land bird populations and analyze the data. This project is more than mere data collection; it is a dynamic, science-driven initiative designed to facilitate comprehensive analysis and knowledge sharing, offering insights into the health of the local ecosystems. The project started this year and will run through the first quarter of 2028. The project is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and DCNA’s activities are funded by the Dutch Postcode Lottery. 

Ecological Health 

Birds offer a unique lens through which the parks can assess the overall health of their ecosystems.  In addition, birds play a crucial role in island ecosystems e.g., pollinating flowers, dispersing seeds, and emphasize how important protected areas are for certain restricted-range, vulnerable species. By tracking the relative abundance and species composition of birds across different environment types, there are a number of key insights to be gained on island, inter-island and regional levels. 

One objective is to better understand the relative abundance of birds, both in general and for specific species. Through careful observation, this project will look to discern patterns and fluctuations over seasons and time. These fluctuations are not just indicators of avian life but windows into broader ecological dynamics. 

In addition, this project will investigate the composition of bird species in various environments throughout the year.  This will give the parks a better understanding of how local ecosystems evolve and adapt throughout the year. 

The monitoring efforts will help to ensure that species under threat are identified in time to influence their long-term survival. Also, changes- or the absence thereof- in bird population sizes may indicate environmental change or stability. In this way, monitoring bird population can tell us more about nature’s “health” in general. This helps parks to evaluate conservation success and adapt management actions if needed.  

Methodology 

Photo credit: Rostislav Stach (SHAPE/DCNA)- all rights reserved

In 2022, the DCNA has provided parks’ staff with the opportunity to attend the PROALAS bird monitoring workshop in the Dominican Republic, organized by BirdsCaribbean. Through DCNA’s Research and Monitoring Working Group, the parks chose to use the PROALAS protocol as a standardized landbird monitoring method. Thanks to this standardized protocol, data collected in this programme will be comparable between Dutch Caribbean islands and with the rest of the Caribbean and South American region.   

Bird surveys will be conducted twice a year, specifically in March/April (post rainy-season) and in October/November (pre-rainy-season) on all six Dutch Caribbean islands. These surveys will be executed by trained park rangers and other bird experts. 

A Shared Commitment to Science 

This project will also contribute to achieving the strategic goals regarding (land)birds and their habitats as a part of the Nature and Environment Policy Plan (NEPP) by the Ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), and Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W).  The project has been developed in consultation with Wageningen University & Research to make sure it can be used to the related “State of Nature of the Caribbean Netherlands Reporting”. Furthermore, to promote transparency and foster collaboration, all collected data will be made accessible through the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database (DCBD)Observation.org, and BirdsCaribbean. This commitment to data sharing transcends borders, ensuring that the science-driven conservation efforts benefit not only the Dutch Caribbean but also the global scientific community.  

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DCNA       

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature-related scientific information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and the press.  No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.      

 

 

Een nieuw DCNA-project ‘Monitoring for Bird Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean’ is officieel gelanceerd. Door het combineren van verbeterde training, veldonderzoek en het gebruik van een gestandaardiseerd monitoringprogramma kunnen lokale natuurbeheerorganisaties nu beter bijdragen aan het monitoren en beschermen van landvogelpopulaties en hun omgeving in het Caribisch gebied. 

Met dit nieuwe project wil de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) de natuurbeheerorganisaties (parken) – Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA), Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI), Saba Conservation Foundation, St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) en Nature Foundation St. Maarten– uitrusten met de tools om landvogelpopulaties actief te monitoren en de gegevens te analyseren. Dit project is meer dan alleen het verzamelen van gegevens; het is een dynamisch, wetenschappelijk aangedreven initiatief dat is ontworpen om uitgebreide analyses en kennisuitwisseling mogelijk te maken en inzichten te bieden in de gezondheid van de lokale ecosystemen. Het project is dit jaar gestart en loopt tot het eerste kwartaal van 2028. Het project wordt gefinancierd door het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit en de activiteiten van DCNA worden gefinancierd door de Nationale Postcode Loterij. 

Ecologische gezondheid 

Vogels bieden een unieke lens waarmee de parken de algehele gezondheid van hun ecosystemen kunnen beoordelen. Bovendien spelen vogels een cruciale rol in de ecosystemen van eilanden, bijvoorbeeld door bloemen te bestuiven, zaden te verspreiden, en ze benadrukken hoe belangrijk beschermde gebieden zijn voor bepaalde, kwetsbare soorten met een beperkt verspreidingsgebied. Door de relatieve dichtheid en soortensamenstelling van vogels in verschillende omgevingstypen te volgen, kunnen er een aantal belangrijke inzichten worden verkregen op eiland-, intereiland- en regionaal niveau. 

Eén doelstelling is om de relatieve dichtheid aan vogels beter te begrijpen, zowel in het algemeen als voor specifieke soorten. Door middel van zorgvuldige observatie zal dit project proberen patronen en fluctuaties in de loop van seizoenen en tijd te onderscheiden. Deze fluctuaties zijn niet alleen indicatoren van het vogelleven, maar vensters in een bredere ecologische dynamiek. 

Daarnaast zal dit project het hele jaar door de samenstelling van vogelsoorten in verschillende omgevingen onderzoeken. Dit zal de parken een beter inzicht geven in hoe lokale ecosystemen het hele jaar door ontwikkelen en zich aanpassen. 

De monitoringinspanningen zullen ertoe bijdragen dat bedreigde soorten tijdig worden geïdentificeerd om hun overleving op de lange termijn te beïnvloeden. Ook kunnen veranderingen – of de afwezigheid daarvan – in de omvang van de vogelpopulatie wijzen op veranderingen of stabiliteit in de omgeving. Op deze manier kan het monitoren van de vogelpopulatie ons meer vertellen over de ‘gezondheid’ van de natuur in het algemeen. Dit helpt parken om het succes van natuurbehoud te evalueren en indien nodig beheersmaatregelen aan te passen. 

Methodologie 

 Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) by Rostislav Stach (SHAPE/DCNA)- Alle rechten voorbehouden 

In 2022 heeft DCNA parkpersoneel de mogelijkheid geboden om de PROALAS-workshop voor vogelmonitoring in de Dominicaanse Republiek bij te wonen, georganiseerd door BirdsCaribbean. Via de Research and Monitoring Working Group van DCNA kozen de parken ervoor om het PROALAS -protocol te gebruiken als een gestandaardiseerde monitoringmethode voor landvogels. Dankzij dit gestandaardiseerde protocol zullen de in dit programma verzamelde gegevens vergelijkbaar zijn tussen de Nederlands Caribische eilanden en met de rest van het Caribisch gebied en de Zuid-Amerikaanse regio. 

Er zullen tweemaal per jaar vogelonderzoeken op alle zes de Nederlands-Caribische eilanden worden uitgevoerd, namelijk in maart/april (na het regenseizoen) en in oktober/november (vóór het regenseizoen). Deze onderzoeken zullen worden uitgevoerd door getrainde parkwachters en andere vogelexperts. 

Een gedeelde toewijding aan de wetenschap 

Dit project zal tevens bijdragen aan het realiseren van de strategische doelen op het gebied van (land)vogels en hun leefgebieden als onderdeel van het Natuur- en Milieubeleidsplan (NEPP) van de ministeries van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit (LNV) en Infrastructuur en Waterstaat. (I&W). Het project is ontwikkeld in overleg met Wageningen University & Research om ervoor te zorgen dat het gebruikt kan worden voor de gerelateerde “Staat van de natuur Caribisch Nederland rapportage”. Om de transparantie te bevorderen en samenwerking te bevorderen, zullen alle verzamelde gegevens bovendien toegankelijk worden gemaakt via de Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database (DCBD)Observation.org, en BirdsCaribbean. Deze toewijding aan het delen van gegevens overstijgt grenzen en zorgt ervoor dat de wetenschappelijk gestuurde inspanningen op het gebied van natuurbehoud niet alleen ten goede komen aan het Nederlandse Caribisch gebied, maar ook aan de mondiale wetenschappelijke gemeenschap. 

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DCNA 

De Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) ondersteunt (wetenschaps) communicatie en outreach in de Nederlandse Caribische regio door natuurgerelateerde wetenschappelijke informatie breder beschikbaar te maken via onder meer de Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s nieuwsplatform BioNews en de pers. Aan de inhoud kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend. DCNA is niet aansprakelijk voor de inhoud en de indirecte gevolgen die voortvloeien uit het publiceren van dit artikel.  

 

 

A lansa oficialmente un proyecto nobo di DCNA “Monitoreo pa Conservacion di Biodiversidad di parha den Caribe Hulandes”. Mediante combinacion di miho capacitacion, estudionan di campo y uzo di un programa di monitoreo standarisa, awor e organisacionnan local di maneho di naturalesa por contribui miho na monitoreo y proteccion di e poblacionnan di parha di tera y nan medio ambiente den henter Caribe Hulandes. 

A traves di e proyecto nobo aki, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) tin como meta ekipa e organisacionnan di maneho di naturalesa (parkenan): Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA), Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA), Investigacion y Maneho di e Biodiversidad di Caribe (CARMABI) , Saba Conservation Foundation, St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) y Nature Foundation St. Maarten, cu e hermentnan pa monitorea activamente e poblacionnan di parha di tera y analisa e datonan. E proyecto aki ta mas cu un simpel compilacion di dato; e ta un iniciativa dinamico, impulsa pa ciencia y diseña pa facilita analisis integral y intercambio di conocemento, ofreciendo informacion tocante salud di e ecosistemanan local. E proyecto a cuminsa e aña aki y lo extende te na e prome trimester di 2028. E proyecto ta financia pa Ministerio di Agricultura, Naturalesa y Calidad di Alimento y e actividadnan di DCNA ta financia pa Loteria di Codigo Postal di Hulanda. 

Salud Ecologico 

E parhanan ta ofrece un lens unico a traves di cua e parkenan por evalua salud general di nan ecosistemanan. Ademas, e parhanan ta hunga un rol crucial den ecosistema insular, por ehempel, polinisando flor, distribuyendo simia, y nan ta enfatisa importancia di e areanan proteha pa cierto especie vulnerabel di distribucion restringi. Door di sigui e abundancia relativo y composicion di e especienan di parha den diferente tipo ambiental, por obtene un serie di conocemento clave na nivel insular, interinsular y regional. 

Un di e metanan ta pa compronde miho e abundancia relativo di parha, tanto den especie general como den especie specifico. A traves di un observacion cuidadoso, e proyecto aki lo trata na discerni patronchinan y fluctuacionnan a lo largo di e estacionnan y tempo. E fluctuacionnan aki no ta solamente indicado di bida di parha, sino bentananan pa un ecologico dinamico mas amplio.  

Adicionalmente, e proyectonan lo investiga composicion di e especienan di parha den varios medio ambiente durante aña. Esaki lo duna e parkenan un miho comprension di con e ecosistemanan local ta evoluciona y adapta nan mes durante aña. 

E esfuersonan di monitorea lo yuda garantisa cu e especienan menasa ta keda identifica na tempo pa influencia nan sobrevivencia a largo plazo. Ademas, e cambionan (of ausencia di nan) den tamaño di poblacion di parha por indica un cambio of stabilidad ambiental. Di e manera aki, monitorea poblacion di parha por bisa nos mas tocante “salud” di naturalesa en general. Esaki ta yuda e parkenan evalua e exito di conservacion y adapta e accionnan di maneho den caso cu ta necesario. 

Metodologia 

Foto: Rostislav Stach (SHAPE/DCNA)- Tur derecho reserva

Na aña 2022 DCNA a brinda personal di e parkenan oportunidad di asisti na PROALAS bird monitoring workshop in the Dominican Republic, organisa pa BirdsCaribbean. Pa medio di Grupo di Trabou di Investigacion y Monitoreo di DCNA, e parkenan a opta pa utilisa e protocol PROALAScomo metodo standarisa di monitoreo di parha di tera. Danki na e protocol standarisa aki, e datonan compila den e programa aki lo ta comparabel entre e islanan di Caribe Hulandes y resto di e region di Caribe y Zuid-Amerika. 

Lo realisa censo di parha dos biaha pa aña, specificamente den luna di maart/april (post- temporada di yobida) y den luna di october/november (pre- temporada di yobida) na tur seis isla di Caribe Hulandes. E estudionan aki lo wordo realisa pa park rangers capacita y otro expertonan di parha.  

Un compromiso Comparti cu Ciencia 

E proyecto aki tambe lo contribui pa logra e metanan strategico relaciona cu e parhanan (di tera) y nan habitat como parti di Nature and Environment Policy Plan (NEPP)  di Ministerio di Agricultura, Naturalesa y Calidad di Alimento (LNV), Infrastructura y Maneho di Awa. (I&W). E proyecto a keda desaroya den consulta cu Wageningen University & Research pa garantisa cu por uza esaki den e informacionnan relaciona cu  “State of Nature of the Caribbean Netherlands Reporting”. Ademas, pa promove transparencia y fomenta colaboracion, tur dato compila lo ta accesibel a traves di e database Biodiversidad di Caribe Hulandes (DCBD), Observation.org y BirdsCaribbean. E compromiso aki di comparti dato ta pasa frontera, pa sigura cu e  esfuersonan di conservacion impulsa pa ciencia ta beneficia no solamente Caribe Hulandes, sino tambe e comunidad cientifico mundial.  

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DCNA 

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) ta sostene comunicacion (cientifico) y  divulgacion den region di Caribe Hulandes door di percura cu e informacion cientifico relaciona cu naturalesa ta ampliamente disponibel a traves di entre otro, Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, e plataforma di noticia BioNews di DCNA y prensa.  No tin derecho pa saca nada di e contenido. DCNA no ta responsabel pa e contenido y e impactonan indirecto cu resulta di e publicacion di e articulo aki. 

 

 

DCNA a lansa un proyekto nobo  ‘Monitoring for Bird Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean  – Monitoreo pa konservashon di biodiversidat di para na Karibe Hulandes’.  Pa medio di un kombinashon di entrenamentu mehorá, investigashon den vèlt i uso di un programa di monitoreo standarisá, awor organisashonnan lokal di maneho di naturalesa por aportá mas mihó na monitoreo i protekshon di populashon di para di tera i nan alrededor den área karibense. 

Ku e proyekto nobo akí Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) ke ekipá e organisashonnan di maneho di naturalesa (e parkenan) – Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA), Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI), Saba Conservation Foundation, St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) i Nature Foundation St. Maarten– ku e hèrmèntnan  pa aktivamente monitoriá populashon di para di tera i analisá e informashonnan. E proyekto akí ta mas ku solamente akumulá informashon; e ta un inisiativa dinámiko, impulsá sientífikamente i ku nan a diseñá pa hasi análisis amplio i interkambio di konosementu posibel i pa brinda komprenshon tokante salú di e ekosistemanan lokal. E proyekto a ranka sali e aña akí i ta kontinuá te den e promé kuartal di aña 2028. Ministerio di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda ta finansiá e proyekto i Nationale Postcode Loterij ta finansiá e aktividatnan di DCNA. 

Salú ekológiko 

Para ta ofresé un lèns úniko atraves di kua e parkenan por evaluá salú general di nan ekosistemanan. Banda di esaki para ta hunga un ròl krusial den ekosistema di e islanan, por ehèmpel pa medio di polinisá flor i plama simia, i nan ta enfatisá kon importante áreanan protehá ta pa sierto espesienan vulnerabel ku un área restringí kaminda ta topa ku nan. Pa medio di sigui e abundansia relativo i e komposishon di espesie di para den diferente tipo di medio ambiente, por optené konosementu importante riba nivel insular, interinsular i regional.  

Un di e metanan ta pa komprendé e abundansia relativo di para mas mihó, tantu en general komo pa espesienan spesífiko. Pa medio di opservashon minusioso e proyekto akí ta bai purba distinguí patronchi i fluktuashon den kurso di vários temporada i tempu. E fluktuashonnan akí no solamente ta indikadónan di bida di para, pero tambe ta duna un bista riba un dinamismo ekológiko mas amplio.  

Aparte di esaki durante henter aña e proyekto akí lo investigá komposishon di espesienan di para den diferente alrededor. Esaki lo duna e parkenan un mihó komprenshon di e manera ku ekosistemanan lokal ta evoluá i adaptá nan mes durante henter aña.  

E esfuersonan i monitoreo lo yuda garantisá ku ta identifiká espesienan menasá na tempu pa influensiá nan sobrebibensia riba término largu. Kambio  – òf ousensia di kambio  –  den grandura di e populashon di para tambe por indiká sierto kambionan òf stabilidat den medio ambiente. Di e manera akí monitoreo di populashon di para por konta nos mas tokante ‘salú’ di naturalesa en general. Esaki ta yuda e parkenan pa evaluá éksito di konservashon di naturalesa i si ta nesesario adaptá e medidanan di maneho. 

Metodologia 

Foto: Rostislav Stach (SHAPE/DCNA)- Tur derecho reserva

Na aña 2022 DCNA a ofresé personal di parke e posibilidat pa asistí na e tayer di PROALAS pa monitoreo di para na Repúblika Dominikana, organisá pa BirdsCaribbean. Via e Grupo di Trabou di Investigashon i Monitoreo di DCNA e parkenan a skohe pa usa e protokòl di PROALASkomo un método standarisá di monitoreo pa para di tera. Danki na e protokòl standarisá akí e informashonnan ku a akumulá den e programa akí lo ta komparabel entre e islanan di Karibe Hulandes i ku sobrá di e área karibense i region Suramerikano. 

Dos biaha pa aña lo ehekutá investigashon di para, spesífikamente na luna di mart/aprel (despues di temporada di yobida) i na luna di òktober/novèmber (promé ku temporada di yobida) na tur e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes. Rangernan entrená di parke i otro ekspertonan di para lo ehekutá e investigashonnan akí. 

Un dedikashon kompartí na siensia 

E proyekto akí lo kontribuí na realisashon di e metanan stratégiko riba tereno di para (di tera) i nan áreanan di biba komo parti di e  Plan di Maneho di Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente di e ministerionan di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda i Infrastruktura i Maneho di Awa. A desaroyá e proyekto den konsulta ku Wageningen University & Research pa sòru ku por us’é pa e ‘Raportahe tokante Estado di Naturalesa di Karibe Hulandes’ korespondiente. Ademas, pa promové transparensia i kolaborashon, lo hasi tur e informashonnan akumulá aksesibel via Dutch Caribbean BiodiversityObservation.org, i BirdsCaribbean. E dedikashon na kompartimentu di informashon ta surpasá frontera i ta sòru pa e esfuersonan impulsá pa siensia riba tereno di konservashon di naturalesa no solamente ta na benefisio di e área di Karibe Hulandes, pero tambe di e komunidat sientífiko mundial.  

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DCNA       

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)  ta sostené komunikashon (sientífiko) i ‘outreach’ den region hulandes karibense pa medio di hasi informashon sientífiko relashoná ku naturalesa mas ampliamente disponibel via entre otro Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA su plataforma di notisia BioNews i via prensa. No por derivá ningun derecho for di e kontenido. DCNA no ta responsabel pa e kontenido i e konsekuensianan (in)direkto ku ta surgi for di publikashon di e artíkulo akí. 

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 69

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Guidelines for the Design and Conduct of Research and Monitoring Projects within the Dutch Caribbean Protected Areas

The Dutch Caribbean is home to a wide variety of unique animal and plant species and tropical habitats like coral reefs, mangroves and elfin forest. Nature contributes to the wellbeing of the local people, providing areas used as to generate income, food, recreation and (coastal) protection. Unfortunately, the islands’ natural resources are under pressure, stemming from local, regional and global threats. This combination makes understanding the state of nature through research and monitoring projects crucial for efficient and effective management and protection.

Each island has its own nature conservation (management) organizations tasked with safeguarding these natural areas. Nature conservation (management) organizations’ staff (biologists, rangers) and (citizen) scientists from all over the world provide invaluable support by gathering knowledge about these complex and fragile ecosystems.

The funding for research and monitoring in the Dutch Caribbean comes largely from the European Netherlands but also from other foreign institutions. Some monitoring (and research) projects by the local nature conservation (management) organizations are funded by governments and through park visitors' incomes. Science and research agendas are determined, and essential fieldwork is often directed by large science institutes and universities such as Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Dutch Research Council (NWO), the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Smithsonian Institution. Although these institutions have sound scientific expertise and can meet the specific conditions required by international funders, they often lack local knowledge, capacity and infrastructure on the islands to carry out their work. Research topics are often based on knowledge gaps in science and international reporting obligations which do not always match the most pressing conservation issues for managing the protected areas (parks) in the Dutch Caribbean.

Local organizations can play an essential role in ensuring the local context is taken into consideration when doing research on the Dutch Caribbean islands. The (small) local non-governmental conservation organisations are often the only institutions with the capacity to support fieldwork of visiting scientists. They have the staff, local knowledge and necessary infrastructure and/or logistics (e.g. vehicles and laboratories), but their resources and capacity are often limited. One of the principles of 'sound nature management' is to have management choices guided by scientific research ('science-based management'). Unfortunately, this is often impossible on the islands due to a lack of financial resources and personnel, and conservation organizations are frequently forced to conduct annual monitoring with the limited available resources they have ("management-based science").

One of the key roles of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is to find ways to build local capacity, improve knowledge sharing and cooperation, and promote efficient networking between different stakeholders, including the nature conservation management organizations on the six Dutch Caribbean islands. To help guide (visiting) researchers, students and funders in their design and implementation of projects within the region, nature conservation management organizations created these Research and Monitoring Guidelines for the protected areas (parks) with the following objectives:

• Support research and monitoring: keep researchers, funders and students well informed about the nature conservation management organizations’ research recommendations and wishes by having this framework updated yearly and published in DCNA’s digital newsletter BioNews and the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database.

• Support local capacity building: encourage (visiting) researchers, students and funders to include local capacity building in their activities to adopt a more sustainable and integrative approach by bridging the worlds of knowledge and action, by not only focusing regionally but emphasizing approaches which are local, place-based, and solution-oriented.

• Encourage ethical practices: provide guidance for conducting research which is carried out in consideration of the local context, practices and sensitivities.

• Make scientific information widely available: request researchers to submit data, reports and publications for upload to the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database where it can be used, amongst others, to guide local policy and management.

• Support science communication and outreach: to promote the sharing of project information to enhance communication and outreach to a diverse group of stakeholders such as other members of the scientific community, local nature conservation organizations, policy makes and the inhabitants of the islands.

 

 

Date
2023
Data type
Other resources
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

BioNews 68

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 68 you will find articles on:

You will also find up-to-date overviews of:

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).

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

BioNews 67

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 67 you will find articles on:

You will also find up-to-date overviews of:

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).

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

BioNews 66

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 66 you will find articles on:

You will also find up to date overviews of:

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).

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author