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Bringing you the latest in research and monitoring news from the Dutch Caribbean ISSUE JUN - JUL 2016
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Safeguarding nature in the Dutch Caribbean
This Issue Dutch Caribbean shark celebrations What motivates people to protect nature? Have you recently seen long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum? Encouraging results for controlling an agricultural pest on St. Eustatius Research Overview Long term Projects overview Monitoring overview Reports and publications Calendar
Welcome to BioNews BioNews is a monthly newsletter featuring recent
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Photo credit: Hans Leijnse (DCNA/SHAPE)
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biodiversity research and monitoring on and around the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews also provides an overview of recent publications, current research and monitoring activities, and upcoming events. For any questions or feedback, or if you would like to make a contribution, please contact us at
[email protected]
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Safeguarding nature in the Dutch Caribbean
Editor’s Notes In June the Save Our Sharks Project organized the second Dutch Caribbean Shark Week which was celebrated throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Many exciting shark-related activities were organised to raise awareness about the importance of sharks and shark conservation. We are proud to share with you the great work of our colleagues who worked very hard to make this a huge success! In this issue, we are paying special attention to research and monitoring projects where citizen science is an important component. The engagement of non-professional scientists can be invaluable both for data collection and the interpretation of results. Fortunately many passionate nature
The second focuses on the longspined sea urchin Diadema antillarum. In the early 80’s a mass dieoff of these important herbivores resulted in coral reef degradation and researchers are investigating the current status of urchins on reefs throughout the Caribbean. Observations from citizen scientists are being collected online to create a new map and to understand underlying recovery proOur first article is about a long- cess and reef health in general. term project looking at what motivates people to protect Last, we present an article on the nature on Bonaire, St. Eustatius encouraging results for controlling and Saba. This important research the invasive Giant African Land Snail aims to develop tools to get peo- on St. Eustatius. ple involved in protection our natural environment. An online Happy reading! survey can be filled to help to colDCNA Team lect the necessary data. lovers are helping our nature conservation organizations as well as visiting researchers in their efforts to protect and maintain our beautiful nature. We are highlighting two projects which are requesting your assistance to collect the information needed to answer their research questions. We hope to reveal their future findings in future editions of BioNews!
Celebrating Shark Week with a color run on Saba Photo credit: Kai Wulf
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Dutch Caribbean sharks celebrated throughout the Kingdom By Linda Planthof
Jörgen Raymann on Curaçao Photo credit: CARMABI
During Dutch Caribbean Shark Week that was scheduled from June 18th thru 26th, the entire Dutch Kingdom celebrated sharks, both as important ocean predators as well as beautiful sea creatures that deserve our utmost respect. Throughout the week, various educational and interactive activities for all ages were organized in the Netherlands and on the islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten.
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the biology and threats to sharks. The rest of the week included lectures, three nights of pub quizzes, the opening of a shark exhibit, a cocktail party, eggcase walks on the beach, a beer festival with shark beer, and a shark theme day in the Sea Life aquarium in Scheveningen. In the Amsterdam Hallen, the #SharkStrong pop-up store opened for a week, selling items with a shark and ray theme that were specifically designed for the store. During a cocktail party in the pop-up store, a new animation was launched asking support for the Save Our Sharks As the official Save Our Sharks ambassadors, Dutch petition. Until present, 5000 signatures are collected comedian Jörgen Raymann, and Félipe Saelmans and the number is still counting. The animation can visited a multitude of events to help with raising be found online here. publicity and collecting signatures for the Save Our Sharks petition. To give Dutch Caribbean Shark Week Within the Dutch Caribbean, each island organized an online identity, the hashtag #SharkStrong was cre- a wide range of shark-related activities for Dutch ated, which was used in all online communication on Caribbean Shark Week (DCSW). On St. Eustatius, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. One of the most Jillian Morris and Duncan Brake of the Sharks4Kids successful events was the #SharkStrong photo chal- organization visited local schools in the week leadlenge, for which numerous people took pictures with ing up to DCSW to teach kids about shark biology the specially designed visual representation of the and conservation. These visits were a huge success hashtag, showing their support for shark conserva- amongst both kids and adults. The official Statia tion on the Dutch Caribbean islands, and in general. Shark Week kick-off took place on Father’s Day with a Shark Splash Fun Day on the beach. On WednesIn the Netherlands, Dutch Caribbean Shark Week day, Jörgen Raymann visited the island and hosted kicked off with a dedicated shark weekend in the a well-attended trivia quiz. On Friday, the SuperRoyal Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem. For the children, an burger hosted a shark movie night and the week activities booklet was produced including a scaven- concluded on Saturday with a roadblock party at ger hunt and shark puzzles teaching children about the Statia Day stage.
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Help Save Our Sharks Sign our petition, in which we call on policy makers to protect sharks in all waters of the Dutch Kingdom.
SIGN HERE
activities in the library. Jörgen Raymann and a group of journalists were taken on a canoe tour amongst the island’s mangroves to highlight the important role of this threatened ecosystem, which plays a vital role as a nursery habitat for many large fishes. The popular singer Tio Ali created a song called Konservá On Saba, the Saba Conservation Foundation cel- Tribon den Karibe, which he performed live during ebrated Saba Shark Week with a barbecue hosted one of the kid’s events. by Ecolodge, as well as a kickball tournament, a Yarari sanctuary trivia quiz, a color run, and a game STINAPA Bonaire launched their Shark Week on night at the Hideaway. On Shark Stanley day, the Bonaire with a sailing competition during which kids learned about shark anatomy, finning, and the people were able to learn about local shark species history of sharks, all whilst doing shark games, and and current conservation efforts. Throughout the crafts. Every day, the SCF visited the schools to edu- rest of the week, STINAPA organized several events including lectures about sharks and a trivia quiz at cate the children and each kid at the Sacred Heart School and PreSchool received a copy Little Havana. On Saturday, the Shark Art Extravaof the Adventures of Shark Stanley and Friends. Fur- ganza art contest was held at the Taste of Bonaire thermore, a Shark Stanley audiobook was created, event. An appointed jury chose winners from over and every night, the radio aired a reading of a chil- one hundred submissions of shark and ray art pieces. Children had plenty of fun with games and dren’s book starring sharks and rays. face painting and were provided with interesting As St. Maarten offers spectacular diving with sharks, information about the Save Our Sharks project. STIthe dive trips specially organized for St. Maarten NAPA’s team also spent the week visiting the Sentro Shark Week resulted in some stunning photos. The di Bario’s and the Media Bus teaching kids about St. Maarten Nature Foundation started their cel- shark conservation and the importance of sharks for ebrations with an open house at the office, selling their island. shark art and informing visitors about their work in the Marine Park. They also hosted several nights at Shortly after DCSW, STINAPA Bonaire hosted the the Buccaneer beach bar, organizing a big party and official Dutch premiere of the documentary “Great offering a movie screening and lectures. Following White 3D”, which highlights some of the common their visit on Statia, the educators from Sharks4Kids misconceptions associated with the danger and came to St. Maarten to teach high school children importance of sharks. about the importance of sharks for local reefs. Dutch Caribbean Shark Week was a tremendous On the Leeward Islands, Curaçao Shark Week began success, both on the mainland and on the islands; with a social event at the Avila Hotel during which not only did Dutch and local media broadly cover CARMABI’s director gave a speech about the impor- the topic of shark conservation, many local resitance of shark conservation for the island. Over the dents learned to no longer fear sharks and actually course of the week, several activities for kids were embrace their conservation. The hope is that by the held at CARMABI’s Visiting Center, in addition to a next Dutch Caribbean Shark Week in 2017, participa#SharkStrong nature walk, a quiz night, and multiple tion and awareness will keep improving. Because not all of Statia’s inhabitants get into the water and discover their own underwater backyard, STENAPA created an aquarium at the library for kids and adults to get acquainted with local coral reefs and their inhabitants.
#SharkStrong on St. Maarten Photo credit: Guido Leurs
The taste of Bonaire Photo credit: STINAPA Bonaire
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What motivates people to protect nature on the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba? By Stacey Mac Donald That is the research question that, Stacey Mac Donald, a PhD researcher from The Netherlands, is seeking to answer through the use of anthropological and social psychological research insights. Mac Donald also tackles a number of other questions within the fields of nature conservation and, preservation of cultural heritage on the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, also known as the BES Islands. Stacey Mac Donald began working last February on her PhD research project at the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) in Leiden, The Netherlands. The goal of her research project is to determine the motivation of individuals who protect the BES Island’s natural and cultural heritage. Mac Donald’s project is part of a larger project at KITLV entitled ‘Confronting Caribbean Challenges: Hybrid Identities and Governance in Small-scale Island Jurisdictions’ and is supervised by prof. Gert J. Oostindie, prof. Gerard Persoon and dr. Henk Staats.
She not only looks into who the nature conservationists are, including where they are from and to what extent they feel part of the local community, but also why these individuals have chosen to help protect the island’s nature and culture and whether their sense of belonging to the local community affects their motives to do so.
Findings from this study will help better understand if, how and why the different residents of the BES Islands protect their island’s natural or cultural heritage. Furthermore, results could help towards the development of campaigns aimed at motivating While much research focuses on the importance specific community groups to become involved in of nature conservation on the BES Islands, both the protection of their cultural heritage and natural for economic development as well as the general environment. wellbeing of the islands and their residents, little is known about the individuals who are actively Fieldwork for this research project was conducted involved with conservation initiatives on these from April to June 2016 on all three islands and conislands. Mac Donald’s PhD research project aims sisted of interviews with key individuals on each to understand the extent to which residents of island. In addition, interactions of individuals with all three islands want to play a role in protecting the local environment were video recorded to illustrate the dynamic that is visible on each island. their natural and cultural heritage.
The weekly Farmers’ market on Saba, hosted by the Social Workplace Organóponics garden - selling organic produce from local farmers, fishermen and conservation foods. Photo credit: Stacey Mac Donald
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Take the survey Are you resident of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba and would you like to contribute to this project?
share a news item?
PLEASE FILL IN THE ONLINE SURVEY HERE
Please e-mail us:
To participate, you: • are 16 years of age or older;
[email protected]
• currently reside on Bonaire, St. Eustatius or Saba; • have protected the natural environment and/or cultural heritage of the island for at least half a day (four hours) in the past six months. Filling out the questionnaire will take about 20 minutes and can be filled out in English, Dutch or Papiamentu. Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser: https://proxy.qualtrics.com/proxy/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleidenuniv.eu.qualtrics.com%2FSE%2F%3 FSID%3DSV_6icEjttkIMFAnQh&token=zaoYHwR0B4sBUj0vEBUqQYJSRmX3VsY2ZjajBFXNVjc%3D
Preliminary findings show that, regarding environmental protection, the dynamics are (unsurprisingly) very different on each island. However, conservationists on all three islands mostly consist of so-called “non-locals”, migrants or expats, that is people who do not originate from the BES islands. There are of course exceptions on each island; several local residents are well known for their conservation efforts and some locals regularly participate in for example, recycling campaigns and clean-up events. Concerning the motivation of individuals who help protect the natural environment, there seems to be differences, but also overlap, between the various types of residents. Locals appear to place more emphasis on their emotional attachment to the island and its nature, referencing experiences they
Would you like to
had in their youth, whereas non-locals tend to place more emphasis on the (global) scientific importance of protecting the environment. There are many nuances within and between each island, however further data analysis is required to clearly understand the underlying causes of these nuances. An online survey is set to launch this July for all residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius or Saba who contribute to the conservation of their island’s natural environment and cultural heritage. This survey is intended to collect additional data on the different types of people involved with cultural and natural preservation, the variety of actions they undertake and their specific motivation to do so.
Counting plastic waste on Bonaire during the “Trash to Cash Family Challenge”, organized by Selibon N.V., in collaboration with The Plastic Soup Foundation and Boneiru Duradero. Photo credit: Stacey Mac Donald
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Have you recently seen -or not seen- long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum on Caribbean reefs? By Kelly Latijnhouwers The early 80’s die-off of Diadema antillarum and the subsequent reef degradation is by now a well-discussed and studied topic throughout the Caribbean. D. antillarum was once known as the most abundant and therefore most important herbivore in the Caribbean. Its mass mortality has led to (macro) algae to take over many Caribbean reefs, being partially responsible for the reef degradation we are facing today.
Even though the abundance of this species is so important for conserving coral reefs, the current status of D. antillarum remains widely unknown throughout the Caribbean. There have been several studies on D. antillarum abundance on individual islands, and even some in larger areas, but there have been no attempts to recreate the Caribbean wide map that H. Lessios made in 1984, right after the mass mortality event.
Nonetheless, it has been proven that areas in which D. antillarum are present, reefs are doing relatively better than in areas in which they are absent (T. Hughes, 2016). Therefore, obtaining knowledge on the current status of D. antillarum would give great insights on circumstances under which this species can regrow and information about reef health in general. The latter is exactly what Scripps Institution of Oceanography (San Diego, USA) and Carmabi research station (Curaçao) are aiming to accomplish. In order to test in which areas D. antillarum populations are recovering and in which areas they are not, Kelly Latijnhouwers is creating a similar spatial map, 30 years after the big die-off. She is not doing this by counting D. antillarum all over the Caribbean herself, but by contacting everyone who is often in and/or around the water anywhere
Have you recently seen -or not seen- long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum on Caribbean reefs? Please share your observations at www.seaegg.org to contribute to Caribbean wide reef conservation research!
Long- spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum. Photo credit: Mark Vermeij (CARMABI)
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in the Caribbean, asking them whether they have recently seen D. antillarum or not. Sightings, observations and information can be really easily shared on the website www.seaegg.org, where you will find a short survey in which you can simply click on your regular dive sites on a map, and answer the questions that pop up. The project started in March 2016, and so far a lot of individual people, dive shops, foundations and (research) institutions have been collaborating and sharing their observations. However, the survey will keep on running until November 2016 and all help is very welcome and highly appreciated! If you read this and have any information/ sightings/observations/data on D. antillarum, or think about it the next time you’re in the water, feel free to share at either www.seaegg.org or by emailing to
[email protected].
Marine biologist Kelly Latijnhouwers is leading the research project on the status of Diadema antillarum 30 years after the mass mortality event. She needs help from people all over the Caribbean. All insights in Diadema antillarum abundance are useful for this research. Please share your observations on www.seaegg.org Photo credit: SCRIPPS
Spread of Diadema mass mortality through the Caribbean and the Western Atlantic in 1983. *Reference: Lessios, H. A., Robertson, D. R., & Cubit, J. D. (1984). Spread of Diadema mass mortality through the Caribbean. Science, 226(4672), 335-337.
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Members of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
Aruba Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok tel: +297-585-1234 www.arubanationalpark.org
Bonaire STINAPA Bonaire tel: +599-717-8444 www.stinapa.org Invasive Giant African Land Snail, Achatina fulica. Photo credit: John de Freitas
Curaçao CARMABI tel: +599-9-462-4242 www.carmabi.org
Encouraging results for controlling an agricultural pest on St. Eustatius By Dr. Adolphe (Dolfi) Debrot, project leader, IMARES Wageningen University and Research & VHL University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands, Anthony Reid, St. Eustatius Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Dr. Teresa Leslie, St. Eustatius Health Department, Hannah Madden, STENAPA,
Curaçao Stichting Uniek Curaçao tel: +599-9-462-8989 www.uniekcuracao.org
Dr. Johan Stapel, CNSI, and interns Friso Dalm, Lara Uphoff, and Leonie van der Zwet.
In 2013, the invasive Giant African Land Snail, Achatina fulica was found in a small part of urban St. Eustatius. In collaboration with local government agencies and Dutch universities, IMARES* conducted field and laboratory pilot trials of control methods from October 2015 to June 2016.
Bonaire STCB tel: +599-717-2225 www.bonaireturtles.org
From the initial two gardens in 2013, the species has since been confirmed in 37 gardens encompassing an epicentre of about 100 lots in the Bay Brow area. During the study period, application of ecofriendly iron-phosphate snail bait successfully prevented further spread into adjacent buffer-zone monitoring areas. Iron-phosphate snail bait was effective in greatly reducing snail population density. It was applied once a week at an average density of 0.7 g/m2 at
garden level, but was concentrated in hotspot snail habitat areas. Nevertheless, hand picking, which is more labour intensive and gives more variable results, also appeared effective in reducing snail density. Finally, beached Sargassum seaweed, brought forth as a snail deterrent used on neighbouring islands, did not measurably kill snails above zero control levels, and the researchers concluded that seaweed is unlikely to be effective in snail control.
Based on their encouraging results, control and eventual eradication of Achatina from St. Eustatius still seems feasible using a combination of snail baits and handpicking combined with dedicated monitoring. We hope that in the context of the recently drafted Dutch Caribbean joint policy actionplan against invasive species, the Statia island government and Dutch central government will support continued efforts to contain and eventually wipe out this invasive agricultural pest.
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Research Overview Below you will find an overview of the research projects for which fieldwork took place on the islands of the
Members of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
Subject Fluorescence on the marine fireworm Hermodice carunculata
BON
CIEE:Enrique Arboleda
Birds
Suitability study and reforestation of exclosures facilitating the Yellowshouldered Amazon Parrots (Amazona barbadensis)on Bonaire.
BON
Echo: Lauren Schmaltz
Cnidaria
Cubozoans of Bonaire
BON
CIEE: Rita Peachey, Austin Lin
Coral Reef ecosystems
Comparing reef fish survey techniques between UVC and sDOV
EUX
IMARES: Martin de Graaf STENAPA, Min EZ, CNSI
BON
Alterra: Sander Mücher IMARES: Erik Meesters
Coral Reef ecosystems Coral Reef ecosystems
Economics of ecosystems
Environmental
Coral reef mapping using hyperspectral imagery
Status of Diaderma antillarum on Caribbean Reefs
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) on Aruba
All
AUA
Scripps institution of oceanography: Stuart Sandin CARMABI: Kelly Latijnhouwers
UN
D AT I O
N
Saba Saba Conservation Foundation tel: +599-416-3295 www.sabapark.org
St. Eustatius STENAPA tel: +599-318-2884 www.statiapark.org
Wolfs Company: Esther Wolfs VU University Amsterdam: Pieter van Beukering YABI consultancy: Francielle Laclé CIEE: Rita Peachey, Dr. Enrique Arboleda Indiana University: Stephen Glaholt
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
NSERVA TI CO
O
F
Amphinomida
A
ON
Category
Organization(s): Islands Lead scientist(s)
SA B
Dutch Caribbean.
Fish
Fish brain physiology
Macquarie University: Dan Warren
Fish
Fish eye physiology and evolution
Smithsonian: Michele Pierotti
Fish
Local stakeholders’ views and needs with regards to the marine ecosystem
SAB
7Senses: Madelon Eelderink SCF
Invasive species
Research into mitigation measures for Sargassum Seaweed
SXM
NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets Government of St. Maarten
Invasive species
Invasive seagrass-sea turtle interactions (*Part of NWO project: Ecology and conservation of green and hawksbill turtles in the Dutch Caribbean)
BON
STCB: Mabel Nava RuG: Marjolijn Christianen, WUR: Lisa Becking
Plants
Germination of seeds of indigenous trees of Curaçao
CUR
CARMABI: John de Freitas
Pants
Testing effective ways to grow native plants
BON
Echo: Nathan Schmaltz, Johan van Blerk, Maddi Lattimore
Reptiles
Sea turtle conservation in spite of climate change (*Part of NWO project: Ecology and conservation of green and hawksbill turtles in the Dutch Caribbean)
BON
STCB: Mabel Nava RuG: Marjolijn Christianen WUR: Lisa Becking
Zooplankton
Zooplankton Response to UV light
BON
CIEE:Rita Peachey, Sara Buckley, Austin Lin
St. Maarten Nature Foundation tel: +721-544-4267 www.naturefoundationsxm.org
St. Maarten Emilio Wilson Estate FDN tel: +1-721-524-1516 www.sxmconservationfoundations.org/ewef
Bonaire Echo tel. +599-701-1188 www.echobonaire.org
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Long Term Projects Category
Subject Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP) (ARMS: Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures)
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Environmental factors driving recruitment success in Caribbean corals
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Bioersion of reefs by coral-excavating sponges
NIOZ: Fleur van Duyl BON,CUR, SAB, IMARES: Erik Meesters, Didier de EUX Bakker (PhD student)
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Development of restoration methods for threatened Caribbean coral species
CRF Bonaire: Augusto Montbrun, Francesca Virdis SECORE Project CARMABI: Mark Vermeij BON, CUR, SAB UvA: Valerie Chamberland (PhD student) SCF, Sea Saba, Samford University: Jennifer Rahn
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Developing a plan to manage the waters around Curaçao sustainably, profitably, and enjoyably for this and future generations
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Restoration Ecosystem Services and Coral Reef Quality (Project RESQ)
Database
Dutch Caribbean Species Catalog: Taxonomic knowledge system Dutch Caribbean
Sustainable ecosystem management and use by marine comEnvironmental munities in two exemplary regions (TripleP@Sea Program)
Environmental
Effects of dispersants on the fate of oil in realistic conditions (C-IMAGE consortium, TripleP@Sea Program)
Ecotoxicological aspects of rational application of chemicals in Environmental response to oil spills to reduce environmental damage (C-IMAGE consortium, TripleP@Sea Program) Ecotoxicological aspects of rational application of chemicals in response to oil spills to reduce environmental damage Environmental Development of an area specific net environmental and economic benefit analysis (NEEBA) to support oil spill mitigation decisions; with St. Eustatius as example
program on the list or
[email protected]
CUR
Smithsonian: Carole Baldwin
CUR
UvA: Valerie Chamberland (PhD Student) CARMABI SECORE Foundation
CUR
Waitt Institute (Blue Halo Curaçao): Kathryn Mengerink
BON
IMARES: Erik Meesters NFSXM STENAPA SCF Turks & Caicos Reef Fund
AUA, BON, CUR, Naturalis: Sander Pieterse & Berry van SAB, EUX, SXM der Hoorn EUX
WUR: Grietje Zeeman, Marc Spiller CNSI
BON, EUX
WUR: Linde van Bets (PhD student); Arthur Mol, Jan van Tatenhove; Machiel Lamers IMARES: Han Lindeboom CNSI
EUX
WUR: Tinka Murk, Marieke ZeinstraHelfrich (PhD student) CNSI
EUX
WUR: Tinka Murk, Justine van Eenennaam (PhD student) CNSI
EUX
WUR: Tinka Murk, Sophie Vonk (PhD student) Lei Wageningen UR: Stijn Reinhard CNSI
BON, CUR, SAB, IMARES: Martin de Graaf EUX, SXM
Fish
Status of shark and fish communities in the Dutch Caribbean
Fish
Fish and Fisheries Research Programme
EUX
IMARES: Martin de Graaf Min. EZ Dept LVV CNSI
Interstitial biodiversity
Moleculair biodiversity analysis of marine and terrestrial communities by metabarcoding
EUX
Naturalis: Arjen speksnijder ANEMOON: Niels Schrieken
Invasive species
Combatting the economic and ecological impacts of overgrazing on inhabited islands
BON
UsA: Michaela Roberts (PhD student)
Mangrove ecosystems
Mangrove restoration Lac Bay, Bonaire
BON
STINAPA: Sabine Engel IMARES: Dolfi Debrot WUR: Klaas Metselaar DROB
Marine ecosystems
Marine Park Aruba
AUA
Directie Natuur en Milieu: Gisbert Boekhoudt TNO: Kris Kats
Marine ecosystems
Marine biodiversity baseline study St. Eustatius
EUX
Naturalis: Bert Hoeksema STENAPA CNSI
Molluscs
Population dynamics and role in the food chain of the Queen Conch Lobatus gigas in the Dutch Caribbean Territories
EUX, SAB
Public Health
DNA waterscan: Monitoring disease vectors in the Caribbean (mosquitoes and midges)
EUX
incorrect information? Please e-mail us:
Organization(s): Lead scientist(s)
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Zero nutrient discharge of domestic waste (water) nutrients Environmental and total reuse of nutrients in agriculture and aquaculture in Caribbean Islands (TripleP@Sea Program)
Don’t see your research
Island
WUR: Aad Smaal, Leo Nagelkerke IMARES: Martin de Graaf Erik Boman (PhD student) SCF (SBMU) CNSI Naturalis: Kevin Beentjes ECPHF: Teresa Leslie
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Sustainable development Dutch Caribbean (TripleP@Sea Program) Sustainability - Are human activities a risk for ecosystem services? - Green Statia or how to regain balance between nature and agriculture?
EUX
IMARES: Diana Slijkerman Alterra: Rene Henkens CNSI
Terrestrial biodiversity
Baseline assessment and DNA barcoding of specimens
EUX
Naturalis: Michael Stech, Berry van der Hoorn STENAPA CNSI
Terrestrial biodiversity
Testing surrogates to establish conservation priorities
EUX
Naturalis: Jeremy Miller STENAPA
NWO Projects in the Dutch Caribbean
BON, SAB, EUX
NIOZ: Fleur van Duyl, Steven van Heuzen (PostDoc), Alice Webb (PhD student) STENAPA CNSI
Environmental Caribbean island biogeography meets the anthropocene
EUX, SXM (Planned for other islands)
VU: Jacintha Ellers, Matt Helmus, Wendy Jesse (PhD. Student) CNSI
Confronting Caribbean Challenges: Hybrid Identities and Environmental Governance in Small-scale Island Jurisdictions psychology - Behavioural differences between/within the BES islands when it comes to nature conservation and cultural heritage.
BON, SAB, EUX
KITLV, Leiden University: Gert Oostindie (Project director) KITLV, Leiden University: Stacey Mac Donald (PhD student)
BON, EUX, SXM
UU: Henk Dijkstra, NIOZ: Peter Herman, Rebecca James (PhD student) TU Delft: Julie Pietrzak STENAPA CNSI
EUX
UU: Wim Spakman NIOZ: Lennart de Nooijer Alfred Wegener Institute Germany CNSI
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Caribbean coral reef ecosystems: interactions of anthropogenic ocean acidification and eutrophication with bioerosion by coral excavating sponges - Bioerosian and climate change
Geosciences
Stability of Caribbean coastal ecosystems under future extreme sea level changes (SCENES) - The effects of climate change on calcifying algae
Geomorphological
4D crust-mantle modelling of the eastern Caribbean region: toward coupling deep driving processes to surface evolution - Reconstructing past climate change
Invasive species
Exotic plant species in the Caribbean: foreign foes or alien allies? (1) Socio-economic impacts of invasive plant species (2) Ecological impacts of invasive plant species-Utrecht University
Reptiles
Ecology and conservation of green and hawksbill turtles in the Dutch Caribbean
BON, SAB, EUX
(1) UU: Jetske Vaas (PhD student), Peter Driessen, Frank van Laerhoven and Mendel Giezen (2) UU: Elizabeth Haber (PhD student), Martin Wassen, Max Rietkerk,Maarten Eppinga. CNSI
BON, CUR, (Planned for other islands)
RuG: Per Palsbøll, Marjolijn Christianen, Jurgen van der Zee (PhD student) WUR: Lisa Becking STCB: Mabel Nava CARMABI STENAPA CNSI
BO-projects in the Dutch Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems
BO-11-019.02-038– Analysis photomaterial coral reefs/ phase 2
Coral Reef Ecosystems
BO-11-019.02-022 –Inventory corals
DCBD
BO-11-019.02-002 - Expansion knowledge system Dutch Caribbean
Fisheries
BO-11-019.02-055 – Fisheries inventory (EEZ Curaçao)
CUR
IMARES: Martin de Graaf
BON, CUR
IMARES: Erik Meesters
BON
IMARES: Erik Meesters
AUA, BON, CUR, Alterra: Peter Verweij SAB, EUX, SXM
Fisheries
BO-11-019.02-049 – Saba Bank – Fisheries
SAB
IMARES: Martin de Graaf
Marine biodiversity
BO-11-019.02-008 – Saba Bank – Marine Biodiversity
SAB
IMARES: Erik Meesters
Marine mammals
BO-11-019.02-054 – Management plan marine mammal sanctuary Sababank
SAB
IMARES: Dolfi Debrot
Marine mammals
BO-11-019.02-005 – Marine mammals Caribbean Netherlands
BON, SAB, EUX
IMARES: Dolfi Debrot
Natural resource use
BO-11-019.02-050 – World Heritage nomination Bonaire National Marine Park
BON
IMARES: Dolfi Debrot
Reptiles
BO-11-019.02-057 – Action plan invasive Green Iguana (HD3623)
EUX
IMARES: Dolfi Debrot Ecological Professionals Foundation: Hannah Madden
BioNews Issue 26
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Monitoring Overview Don’t see your monitoring program on the list or incorrect information?
Below you will find an overview of the monitoring work that is currently running in the Dutch Caribbean. Monitoring work for which fieldwork took place in this month is highlighted. Category
Subject
Island
Birds
Flamingo Abundance
BON
DROB: Frank van Slobbe Cargill STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol
Birds
Monitoring vulnerable parrot nests (remote camera sensing work)
BON
Echo: Nathan Schmaltz
Birds
Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot roost counts
BON
Echo: Sam Williams DROB: Frank van Slobbe
Bird Monitoring (Caribbean Waterbird Census)
AUA BON
FPNA DLVV: Tatiana Becker STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol, Caren Eckrich
Please e-mail us:
[email protected]
If you have research or monitoring data, the DCNA secretariat can help you to get it housed in the Dutch
Birds
Caribbean Biodiversity Database (DCBD). This
Birds
Tern monitoring (artificial nesting islands)
BON
STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol, Caren Eckrich Cargill DROB IMARES: Dolfi Debrot
Birds
Terrestrial Bird Monitoring Program for Bonaire
BON
STINAPA: Fernando Simal Echo: Nathan Schmaltz
Birds
Nesting Sea Birds
BON
STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol
Birds
Bird monitoring
SAB, EUX, SXM
EPIC: Adam Brown
Birds
Red-billed Tropicbird monitoring
SAB EUX
STENAPA Ecological Professionals Foundation: Hannah Madden SCF: Kai Wulf IMARES: Dolfi Debrot
Birds
Population assessment of the Bridled Quail-dove
EUX
STENAPA Ecological Professionals Foundation: Hannah Madden
Coral reef ecosystems
Coral Bleaching Monitoring
SXM
NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets
Coral reef ecosystems
Survival rate of Scleractinian Corals and Diadema antillarum) in Oranjebaai. (Permanent monitoring transects)
EUX
Gem City Consulting: Steve Piontek
database is a central online resource with all biodiversity and conservation related information for the Dutch Caribbean.
Organization(s): Lead scientist(s)
Coral reef ecosystems
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
SAB EUX
IMARES: Martin de Graaf SCF (SBMU): Jens Odinga Gem City Consulting: Steve Piontek STENAPA: Jessica Berkel CNSI
Corals reef ecosystems
Staghorn coral field monitoring survey
EUX
STENAPA: Jessica Berkel
Coral reef ecosystems
Monitoring and research of the longest coral reef time-series in the world (since 1973)
BON CUR
IMARES: Erik Meesters, Didier de Bakker (PhD student) NIOZ: Fleur van Duyl, Rolf Bak
Ecosystems
Invasive seagrass monitoring
BON EUX
STINAPA: Sabine Engel, Caren Eckrich Gem City Consulting: Steve Piontek
Ecosystems
Seagrass monitoring
SXM
NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets
Ecosystems
Mangrove monitoring
SXM
NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets
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Ecosystems
Seagrass/conch/mangrove/ benthic fauna, Lac Bay Restoration
BON
STINAPA: Sabine Engel, Caren Eckrich WUR: Klaas Metselaar
Environmental
Water quality testing
SXM
NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets EPIC: Natalia Collier
Fish
Shark monitoring: -Shark sightings - Shark Abundance, distribution and movements (tagging, acoustic telemetry)
SAB SXM EUX
IMARES: Martin de Graaf, Erwin de Winter SCF(SBMU) NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets STENAPA: Jessica Berkel
Fish
Spawning monitoring: Red hind surveys on Moonfish Bank
SAB
SCF (SBMU): Jens Odinga IMARES: Martin de Graaf
Insects
Bee tracking
BON
Echo: Nathan Schmaltz
Invasive species
Goat and/or donkey removal: -Washington Slagbaai National Park - Lac Bay area (exclusion plots) - Quill National Park (exclusion plots)
BON EUX
STINAPA: Evo Cicilia IMARES: Dolfi Debrot DROB STENAPA
Invasive species
Lionfish abundance and control
BON CUR SXM SAB EUX
STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol (50 meter traps) CARMABI: Mark Vermeij NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets SCF (SBMU): Jens Odinga STENAPA: Jessica Berkel
Invasive species
Monkey Monitoring: abundance and distribution
SXM
NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets
Invasive species
Feral pig population assessment (trapping)
BON
Echo: Nathan Schmaltz, Sam Williams UsA: Michaela Roberts
Mammals
Bat monitoring
AUA BON
FPNA WildConscience: Fernando Simal, Linda Garcia
Mammals
Dolphin monitoring (since 1999)
BON
Ron Sewell
Molluscs
Conch (Strombus gigas) on St. Eustatius, Saba Bank, Anguilla
SAB EUX
IMARES: Martin de Graaf, Erik Boman (PhD student) SCF (SBMU): Jens Odinga
Natural resource use
Fishery monitoring (including marine mammal sightings and use of escape vents to reduce bycatch)
SAB EUX
IMARES: Martin de Graaf SCF (SBMU): Jens Odinga Gem City Consulting: Steve Piontek
Plants
Reforestation Klein Bonaire
BON
STINAPA
Plants
Phenology of bats in cacti landscapes of Aruba
AUA
WildConscience: Linda Garcia, FPNA
Reptiles
Lesser Antillean Iguana: Monitoring population density
EUX
RAVON: Tim van Wagensveld STENAPA Ecological Professionals Foundation: Hannah Madden
Reptiles
Boa and Cascabel Monitoring
AUA
FPNA, Toledo Zoological Society: Andrew Odum
Reptiles
Red bellied Racer snake population survey
EUX
Gem City Consulting: Steve Piontek
Sea turtle monitoring: -Satellite tracking -Nest monitoring -In water surveys (BON, CUR, SXM) -Fibropapillomatosis presence (BON)
AUA, BON, CUR, SAB, EUX, SXM
TurtugAruba Foundation STCB: Mabel Nava CARMABI (STCC): Sabine Berendse STENAPA: Jessica Berkel SCF:Kai Wulf NFSXM: Tadzio Bervoets
Reptiles
BioNews Issue 26
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Reports and Publications overview Below you will find an overview of the reports and publications on biodiversity related subjects in the Dutch Caribbean that have recently been published.
Debrot, A.O. (IMARES), A. Reid, A., T. Leslie, H. Madden, J. stapel, F. Dalm, L. Uphoff, L. van der Zwet (2016) Pilot trials on St. Eustatius to contain the spread of and eradicate the invasive Giant African Land Snail
Ames, C.L., J.F. Ryan, A.E. Bely, P. Cartwright, A.G. Collins (2016) A new transcriptome and transcriptome profiling of adult and larval tissue in the box jellyfish Alatina alata: an emerging model for studying venom, vision and sex, BMC Genomics DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2944-3
Geelhoed, S.C.V., N. Janinhoff, J.P. Verdaat (2016) First visual record of a living basking shark Cetorhinus maximus in the Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol. 49(1) 76-78
Jesse, W.A.M., H. Madden, J. Molleman, T. van Wagensveld (2016) Bakker, D. de, E.H.W.G.. Meesters, J.D.L. van Bleijswijk, First Recorded Introduction for the Saba Anole (Anolis P.C. Luttikhuizen, H. J. A. J. Breeuwer, L. E. Becking (2016) sabanus) and an Overview of Introduced Amphibians and Population Genetic Structure, Abundance, and Health Reptiles on St. Eustatius, IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS: Status of Two Dominant Benthic Species in the Saba 144–146 Bank National Park, Caribbean Netherlands: Montastraea cavernosa and Xestospongia muta, Plos ONE 11(5): Montano, S., D. Maggioni, P. Galli, B.W. Hoeksema (2016) e0155969, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155969 A cryptic species in the Pteroclava krempfi species complex (Hydrozoa, Cladocorynidae) revealed in the Baldwin, C.C., D.E. Ptassy, D.R. Robertson (2016) Caribbean, Marine Biodiversity: 1-7, DOI: 10.1007/s12526A new deep-reef scorpionfish (Teleostei, Scorpaenidae, 016-0555-5 Scorpaenodes) from the southern Caribbean with comments on depth distributions and relationships of Nassar, J.M., R. Galicia, A. Ibarra, R.A. Medellin (2016) western Atlantic members of the genus, Zookeys 606: Tracking the origin of the smearing behavior in long141–158. nosed bats (Leptonycteris spp.). Mammalian Biology DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2016.08.003 Beek, I.J.M. van (2016) Ecolgical values of the 12 miles zone of Bonaire, Ijmuiden: Risch, D. D. de Haan (2016) IMARES (Report/IMARES C026/16), p. 1-34 Humpback and minke whale acoustic presence with reference to fish sounds and ambient noise levels at Saba Böhm, T. W. Hoeksema (2016) Bank, Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands, Den Helder: Habitat selection of the coral-dwelling spinyhead blenny, IMARES (Report/ IMARES C067/16), p.1-22 Acanthemblemaria spinosa, at Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, B.W. Mar Biodiv DOI:10.1007/s12526-016-0543-9
List of Acronyms AUA Aruba BON Bonaire CUR Curaçao SAB Saba EUX St. Eustatius SXM St. Maarten Alterra
Research Institute for our green living environment, the Netherlands
Analyse Educatie en Marien Oecologisch ANEMOON Onderzoek ASDF Aruba Sustainable Development Foundation BO project Policy Supporting Research project BU Bangor University, United Kingdom Caribbean Research and Management of BiodiCARMABI versity Foundation CIEE
Council of International Educational Exchange, Bonaire
CRF Coral Reef Foundation DCNA Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance DCBD Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database DROB
Directorate of Spatial Planning and Development, Bonaire
DLVV Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishery (Santa and Farmers market (Santa Rosa), Aruba Rosa) ECPHF Eastern Caribbean Public Health Foundation EPIC Environmental Protection in the Caribbean FPNA Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok, Aruba Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem IMARES Studies, the Netherlands
LVV
Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, St. Eustatius
NFSXM Nature Foundation St. Maarten Naturalis Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Netherlands NIOZ Royal Institute for Sea Research, the Netherlands NWO Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research RAVON Reptielen Amfibieën Vissen Onderzoek Nederland RuG University of Groningen, the Netherlands SBMU Saba Bank Management Unit SCF Saba Conservation Foundation Smith- Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural sonian History STCB Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire STCC Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao STENAPA St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STINAPA National Parks Foundation Bonaire TUD Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands UsA University of St. Andrews, Scotland UU University of Utrecht, the Netherlands UvA University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands VHL
University of Applied Sciences VHL, the Netherlands
VU VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands WildconWildlife Conservation, Science and Education science WNF World Wide Fund for Nature WUR
Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands
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Calendar
More events to add to this
An overview of nature conservation and management related events of this month and the coming months.
June 5
[email protected] Event
World Environment Day
6-9
Workshop
Caribbean border control and invasive aliens species management workshop, Jamaica
6-8
Event
World Oceans Day
14-16
Symposium
Shark Conservation Symposium, Sint Maarten (Hosted by Government of St. Maarten, St. Maarten Nature Foundation, the Bahamas National Trust, and The Pew Charitable Trusts)
18-26
Event
Dutch Caribbean Shark Week 2016 (Save Our Sharks Project Dutch Postcode Lottery)
19-24
Symposium
13th International Coral Reef Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii USA
Congress
4th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC4), St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
30-3 August
calendar? Please e-mail us:
July 25-5 August 30-3 August
Economic Tools for Conservation
Economic tools for conservation, Berkeley, California
Congress
4th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC4), St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
August 29-1 Sept
Meeting
13th Meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Inter-American Sea Turtle Convention (IAC), Belize
September 1-10
Congress
IUCN World Conservation Congress, Honolulu, Hawaï
26-30
Workshop
Caribbean Birding Trail, Bonaire (Echo and DCNA)
October 3-4
Workshop
Shark Management Expert Workshop, Bonaire
5
Meeting
Fishery Commission BES, Bonaire
6
Meeting
Dutch Caribbean EEZ committee, Bonaire
15 - 22
Expedition
Shark Tagging Expedition (Satellite tags), Saba Bank (SOS project)
18-21
Working conference
Coastal Dynamics and Ecosystem Change: Caribbean, quo vadis?, Bonaire
28-30
Conference
31- 5 Nov
Meeting
20th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Elasmobranch Association (EEA), Bristol (UK) 7th Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) of the SPAW Protocol and 3rd STAC of the Land Based Sources of marine pollution (LBS) Protocol, Miami, Florida, USA
DCNA Contact Information Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance | Kaya Finlandia 10a | Kralendijk, Bonaire | Dutch Caribbean +599-717-5010 |
[email protected] | www.DCNA nature.org DCNA’s activities are generously supported by the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations and Dutch Postcode Lottery. BioNews is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. If you do not wish to receive future issues of BioNews, or if you have suggestions of colleagues you would like us to add to our mailing list, please contact us at
[email protected] Photo credits: All photos courtesy of SHAPE Photography or Brenda S. & R. Duncan Kirkby unless otherwise credited. Layout & Design: Robert Jan van Oosten.
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BioNews Issue 26
P-16
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Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance | Kaya Finlandia 10a | Kralendijk, Bonaire | Dutch Caribbean
