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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
BAhamas: a Coral reef Hope spot (BACH). Tag and recapture of bonefish
provides information critical to habitat conservation
Aaron Adams1, Dave Philip2 & Aaron Shultz3,
1Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Key Largo, FL, 33037, USA, 2Fisheries Conservation
Foundation, Champaign, IL 61820, USA, 3Cape Eleuthera Institute, Rock Sound,
Eleuthera, The Bahamas
The overall lack of information on fish habitat use continues to be a challenge to
formulating a marine conservation strategy. This is especially true for recreationally
important species, such as bonefish (Albula vulpes). Although bonefish support an
economically and culturally important fishery, only recently have we gained enough
information to help guide conservation. As part of the Bahamas Flats Fishing Alliance
collaboration, we’ve partnered with guides, lodges, and anglers to tag bonefish in the
Bahamas since 2009. Project goals are to identify key habitats and locations for
bonefish and for the fishery, and to better understand linkages between habitats – such
as foraging and spawning – information important for prioritizing conservation efforts.
Over 6,000 bonefish have been tagged by guides and anglers while fishing and by
scientific crews using seine nets, on Abaco, Grand Bahama Island, Eleuthera, Exuma,
and South Andros. Approximately 3% of tagged bonefish have been recaptured: most
recaptures were within 1.5 km of the tagging location; the average time between dates
of tag and recapture was 258 days (maximum 766, minimum 2). This indicates a
relatively small home range. Long distance movements appear to be associated with
spawning migrations: for example, a bonefish tagged in November 2010 was recently
recaptured from a pre-spawning aggregation approximately 70 miles away, and a
bonefish tagged during a spawning migration was recaptured 3 months later in its
purported home range. This research is identifying important foraging and spawning
habitats, and migration pathways, areas which will be targeted for conservation and
fishery protection.
Are clues from our past charting our future? Lessons from The Bahamas blue
holes
Nancy Albury
The National Museum of The Bahamas / Antiquities, Monuments and Museums
Corporation, P.O. Box AB20755, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, The Bahamas
Caves in coastal environments alternate cyclically between flooded and dry
conditions as a result of rising and falling sea-levels during Pleistocene glacial events.
These changes can create unique but ephemeral fossil capture and preservation
conditions in flooded caves known as blue holes. Sawmill Sink, a blue hole in central
Abaco, has acted as a traditional passive pitfall trap through time, capturing floral and
faunal species that accumulate in bottom sediments. The plant and animal remains are
spectacularly preserved due to the water chemistry and geological profile and reflect the
environment during the time in which they were deposited. Our studies of vertebrate
fossil remains, plant macrofossils, pollens and sedimentary profiles from blue holes
strongly suggest that around 1000 years ago terrestrial plant and animal communities
were heavily impacted following the arrival of humans into The Bahamas. Today, blue
holes act as windows into our freshwater resources, our past and our future because
they also reflect the effects that modern human activities have on the environment. This
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
is a critical time in The Bahamas as decisions about development and conservation are
being made that will have long term consequences.
Implications of fish nutrient supply for coastal ecosystem function
Jacob E. Allgeier1 & Craig A. Layman2
1Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA, 2Marine
Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University,
3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, Florida, USA
Identifying the degree to which fish regulate primary production through excretion of
nutrients is critical if we are to fully integrate consumers into models of ecosystem
function. We used artificial reef habitats, i.e., structurally complex habitats that support
dense aggregations of fishes in seagrass ecosystems, to manipulate fish densities and
explore patterns of nutrient limitation and primary production and to test for thresholds
of ecological change associated with hot spots surrounding artificial reef habitats.
Nutrient loading by fishes enhanced seagrass growth rates by as much as 374% when
fish aggregated around artificial structures. Seagrass nutrient content (nitrogen (N) and
phosphorus (P)) increased, and molar N:P ratios of seagrass decreased, with increased
nutrient supply by fishes. Thresholds of change were found for all seagrass response
variables, with significantly higher nutrient content and blade height adjacent to reefs.
Spatial patterns varied among response variables as a function of the relative
abundance of the aggregated animals, physiology of primary producers, and the
biogeochemical processes that link the two. Our findings demonstrate consumers,
through an under-appreciated bottom-up mechanism in marine ecosystems, can directly
alter nutrient limitation and production of seagrasses, thus increasing the net storage of
carbon in seagrass beds. Further, identifying such complexities in ecological thresholds
is important for characterizing the extent to which biogeochemical hot spots may
influence ecosystem function (e.g., storing blue carbon) at a landscape scale. These
data have widespread implications for conservation strategies in ecosystems
fundamentally altered by multiple, interacting, human impacts.
Sponge diversity of nearshore habitats of Abaco
Stephanie K. Archer & Craig A. Layman
Marine Sciences Program, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North
Miami, FL 33181, USA
Sponges are a diverse group filter feeding organisms that perform many critical roles in
tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems. However, sponge diversity and community
composition are not well understood in most nearshore, non-coral reef, habitats. The
most recent published number of confirmed sponge species for the Bahamian
archipelago was 95 species, which is considerably less than those reported for nearby
regions such as Florida (153 species) and Cuba and Hispaniola (275 species).
Therefore, it is likely that sponge diversity has not been fully documented in The
Bahamas. In the summer of 2012 we surveyed the sponge community in mixed
seagrass and hard bottom habitats surrounding Greater Abaco Island. A total of 214
individual sponges were identified, 173 of which have been assigned to a genus. Thus
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
far 29 unique species belonging to 22 genera, 18 families, and 8 orders have been
identified. All sponges identified to date have belonged to the class Demospongia. This
study, combined with other recent sponge surveys in Bahamian archipelago, will likely
significantly increase the number of sponge species reported for this region. Sponge
species can differ dramatically in the ecosystem functions that they perform. Therefore,
identifying the members of the sponge community is the first step towards
understanding the functional role of sponges in Bahamian nearshore ecosystems.
Lucayan ethnobotany
Mary Jane Berman1 & Deborah M. Pearsall2
1Miami University, USA, 2University of Missouri, USA
Archaeological investigations and archaeobotanical plant recovery reveal that the
Lucayans used an array of native and introduced plants for food, transportation, building
materials, fuelwood, mortuary accompaniments, perishable technologies (basketry and
weaving), and ceremonial activities. These plants were grown or collected in house
gardens, fields, or natural habitats indicating the Lucayans’ intimate knowledge of a
range of environments and sophisticated understandings of local ecologies. This paper
will review the Lucayan archaeobotany data base, the uses to which these plants were
put in culturally-specific ways, the environments the Lucayans exploited, created, and
managed, the roles that plants played in Lucayan daily, political, spiritual, and symbolic
lives, and how the Lucayans used plants to create a unique Lucayan identity.
Biology of green turtles and hawksbills on a foraging ground in the Southern
Bahamas: Insights from 35 years of field work
Karen A. Bjorndal & Alan B. Bolten
Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research and Department of Biology, University of
Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
We present results from our 35-year study of sea turtles in Union Creek Marine Reserve
on the north coast of Great Inagua. Union Creek is a foraging area for immature green
turtles and hawksbills and is one of the few places in The Bahamas where sea turtles
have been protected from human exploitation over the past four decades. From mtDNA
sequence analyses, we know that the green turtle foraging aggregation represents a
mixed stock with source rookeries throughout the Atlantic. A combination of flipper tag
returns and satellite telemetry has revealed that when green turtles leave Union Creek,
they move throughout the Greater Caribbean. Recapture records of individual turtles in
Union Creek have allowed estimation of growth rates, survival and emigration
probabilities, and estimation of abundance and population trends. We will emphasize
results from our study that are only possible from a long-term study including growth
models, density-dependent effects, temporal variation in source rookeries, and
population trends. We will also describe results from our studies of the roles that sea
turtles play in marine ecosystems, including nutrient transport and their effect on the
structure and productivity of seagrasses. We will discuss our collaborative efforts to
expand the study of sea turtle populations – both intensive mark-recapture studies and
extensive surveys – throughout the Bahamas archipelago.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Corals to community: A model for restoration and management
Larry Boles1, Craig Dahlgren2, Sara Green1, Scott Martin1, Allison Corwin1, Tanya
Kamerman1, Stacy Knight1, Magan Celt1, Kristin Williams3, Olivia Patterson3, M. Andrew
Stamper1
1 Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment; Walt Disney World Resort, 2 Perry
Institute for Marine Science, 3 Friends of the Environment
The abundance of coral reefs around southern Abaco, like others in the Caribbean, has
declined over the last four decades as the marine environment has faced a number of
natural and man-made stresses. The ecosystem’s inability to recover from these
impacts suggests that the habitats have undergone an ecological phase shift from coral
reef to an algae dominated state. This decline is evident in terms of the area’s low coral
cover and the scarcity or absence of key reef building corals. Since 2007, researchers
associated with Walt Disney’s Animal, Science and Environment Team have partnered
with Craig Dahlgreen of the Perry Institute for Marine Science to investigate the status
of coral reefs off Sandy Point, Abaco. Over the years the project has expanded from a
basic scientific study to incorporate aspects of community education with cooperation
from Friends of the Environment, and most recently to investigate the feasibility of small
scale sponge farming in Bahamian waters.
The specific goals of this project are to (1) determine the baseline status of patch reefs
surrounding Gorda Cay (home to Disney’s Castaway Cay) through diver surveys, (2)
investigate whether additional sea urchins on certain patch reefs would decrease algal
cover, (3) enhance the abundance of reef building corals through nursery growth and
transplantation of coral fragments, (4) partner with Friends of the Environment to
expand their program offerings for Bahamian students, and (5) investigate the feasibility
of sponge aquaculture in southern Abaco.
Conserving a cultural icon: Reconsidering queen conch fishery management in
The Bahamas
Catherine Booker1, Allan Stoner2,3, and Martha Davis4
1Community Conch, Savannah, GA, 31405, USA, 2Community Conch, Waldport,
Oregon 97394, 3Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service,
NOAA, Newport, Oregon 97365, USA, 4Community Conch, Littleton, CO 80121, USA
The queen conch (Strombus gigas) remains one of the most culturally and economically
important species in The Bahamas. The Bahamas conch fishery is one of the few
remaining in the Caribbean region that still supports large domestic and export markets.
Recent work by Community Conch, a small volunteer-based U.S. non-profit, and
Bahamian partner organizations, suggests that queen conch stocks in The Bahamas
are declining. Surveys of conch populations inside and outside of a marine reserve, the
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), and several surveys of important
commercial fishing grounds have provided scientists, resource managers, and the
conservation community with a clearer picture of the impact of fishing on several
measures of conch fishery sustainability: 1) the density of mature adult conchs in a
population; 2) the size of juvenile conch aggregations, 2) and the age at which conch
become sexually mature. With a new appreciation of the challenge of conserving conch
populations in hand, it is now time for stakeholders and policymakers to seriously
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
debate changes to current management policy for the sustainability of the Bahamian
conch fishery. The Bahamas is in a unique position to avoid the total fishery collapse
that other countries have experienced by protecting reproductive stock, juvenile
nurseries, and limiting the overall harvest of conch.
Saving the wetlands one ride at a time
Keanu Braynen
Young Marine Explorers, Rugby Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas, P.O Box CB-13179
The mangrove ecosystems in The Bahamas are being destroyed despite their
importance. The Sandals’ Foundation, Young Marine Explorers, Bahamas Sport fishing
Conservation Association and Experiential Learning are working together to address
this issue. In The Bahamas as well as worldwide mangroves are being deforested for
various reasons. Mangroves in The Bahamas influence the community structure of fish
on neighboring coral reefs. Mangroves are the nurseries for many species of juvenile
fish that sustains The Bahamas as a top fishing destination in the world. Noticing the
need for mangroves, the project “Sandals’ Ride to Save the Wetlands” was launched in
September, 2012 and aims to take 3000 Bahamian students into mangrove ecosystems
where they are learning about the importance of mangrove ecosystems through
immersion learning. This project explains how exposing Bahamian students to their
mangrove ecosystem can help them to develop an appreciation for their natural
environment.
A preliminary assessment of the spatial dynamics of immature green turtles
(Chelonia mydas) within a foraging ground on the Atlantic coast of Eleuthera, The
Bahamas
Annabelle Brooks1, Marie Tarnowski1, Alan Bolten2 & Karen Bjorndal2
1 Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The Bahamas. 2 Archie Carr Center for Sea
Turtle Research, Florida, USA
Shallow water, neritic habitats such as mangrove creeks and sea grass beds, serve as
critical developmental and foraging habitat for juvenile and sub-adult sea turtles.
Tagging studies have elucidated long term use of foraging areas and site fidelity, but
very little research has been conducted on the short term movements and habitat
partitioning of turtles within foraging habitats. This information is vital for effective
management of sea turtles populations throughout their early life stages as harvest or
other anthropogenic disturbance could reduce the reproductive potential of the entire
population.
This study investigated the spatial dynamics of immature green turtles (Chelonia
mydas) at foraging grounds on the east coast of Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Half Sound
is a large (~3 km2) previously un-studied semi-enclosed embayment which
encompasses mangroves, rocky shoreline, seagrass beds, and sand flats in depths
ranging from 0 – 3m. A narrow channel (~175m wide) connects this diverse mosaic of
habitats to the Atlantic ocean. Mangrove and reef-associated fish and sharks are also
known to utilise the sound.
Standardised, boat-based, visual surveys were conducted to determine estimates of
abundance throughout the sound between March 2012-January 2013. Turtles were
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
captured, measured, weighed and tagged to determine movements and habitat use
within the sound, in addition to facilitating population size, growth and survivorship
estimates. This data serves elucidate movements, habitat association, and size-based
dispersal of individuals within the sound. Identifying these fine-scale patterns within
foraging grounds will contribute to a better understanding of habitat and resource use
within discrete populations of foraging sea turtles.
The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi): Six years of research in
Bahamian waters
Edward J. Brooks1,2
1Shark Research and Conservation Program, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The
Bahamas, 2School of Marine Science and Engineering, Marine Institute, University of
Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) is the most economically and
ecologically significant species of shark in The Bahamas, generating substantial
revenue as a mainstay of the shark diving industry, and playing a key role as an apex
predator in Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. Despite its significance, it remains one of
the least studied carcharhinid sharks and fundamental information pertaining to its
biology and ecology is largely absent. Over the last six years the Shark Research and
Conservation Program at the Cape Eleuthera Institute has been investigating the life
history and ecology of the Caribbean reef shark in Bahamian waters through the use of
standardised scientific longline surveys, acoustic and satellite tracking, and markrecapture studies. Findings to-date indicated a demographically stratified population
which undertake precise seasonal migrations. Caribbean reef sharks spent 77.8% of the
time in water shallower than 40m but regularly made dives to depths in excess of 200
m. The mean depth was significantly shallower during crepuscular periods, in addition to
being found at significantly deeper depths during the day compared to the night. The
mean depth maintained by females was significantly deeper than that of males and
depth records in excess of 100 m were significantly more common in females than
males and significantly common at night, indicating sexual and diurnal variation in deep
diving behaviour. Caribbean reef sharks inhabiting Bahamian waters have developed
demographically segregated habitat use patterns that are both spatiotemporally and
vertically stratified, most likely in response to the large and diverse habitat mosaic
available on the Bahamas Banks, and greater seasonal range of water temperatures,
compared to contemporary study sites.
The diversity and distribution of deepwater Elasmobranchs in the northeast
Exuma Sound, The Bahamas, with notes on the movements of bluntnose sixgill
sharks.
Edward J. Brooks1,2, Annabelle M. Brooks1, Sean Williams1, Lance K.B. Jordan3, Debra
Abercrombie4, Demian D. Chapman5, Lucy A. Howey-Jordan3 & R. Dean Grubbs6
1Shark Research and Conservation Program, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The
Bahamas, 2School of Marine Science and Engineering, Marine Institute, University of
Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom, 3Microwave Telemetry, Inc., 8835 Columbia 100
Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045, USA, 4Abercrombie and Fish, Miller
Place, NY 11776, USA, 5School of Marine and Atmospheric Science & Institute for
Ocean Conservation Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794,
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
USA, 6FSU Coastal & Marine Laboratory, Florida State University, 3618 Coastal
Highway 98, St. Teresa, FL 32358, USA.
Basic taxonomic, biological and ecological information is lacking most deep water
species, especially elasmobranchs, largely due to the logistical challenges of sustained
ecological investigation in this remote and hostile ecosystem. The Exuma Sound is a
deep water inlet of the Atlantic Ocean 500 to 2000 meters deep and characterized by
steep walls along its margin. The sound is close to land (<3 km), facilitating the
sustained investigation of its deep water elasmobranch fauna over extended periods.
We conducted 69 deepwater longline surveys from September to December, 2010 and
2011 (depth: 472.6 – 1024.1 m; seabed temperature: 15.6 – 5.9 °C), resulting in the
capture of 144 sharks of at least eight species and potentially a new species of
Centrophorus. Elasmobranch species richness declined significantly with increasing
distances from the edge of the Exuma Sound (ρ = -0.295, p = 0.014), increasing depth
(ρ = -0.242, p = 0.045), and increasing seabed water temperatures (ρ = 0.288, p =
0.016). Distance from the edge of the Exuma Sound and depth were significant
predictors for the presence or absence of Squalus cubensis, Mustelus canis insularis. In
addition, satellite tagging data for the largest species encountered, Hexanchus griseus,
indicated this species makes regimented diel vertical migrations between 400 and 1100
meters deep. Our results demonstrate that deepwater longline surveys in
oceanographic areas such as the Exuma Sound are efficient and cost effective methods
for the sustained investigation of deep water elasmobranchs that is vital for the effective
management of this vulnerable group of species.
A Bahamian network of marine protected areas: Basic concepts and progress on
key scientific questions from research in The Bahamas over the last decade.
Daniel R. Brumbaugh1, Alastair R. Harborne2 & Peter J. Mumby2
1Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, Central
Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024, U.S.A., 2Marine Spatial Ecology Lab,
School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia Campus, Brisbane,
Qld. 4072, Australia.
First in 1999 and then again in 2008 as part of the Caribbean Challenge, the
Government of The Bahamas affirmed the goal of protecting 20% of its marine and
coastal habitats. As The Bahamas works towards the Challenge’s 2020 targets, this
presentation will discuss different types of marine protected areas (MPAs) in The
Bahamas, review important criteria and types of data for enhancing the Bahamian
network of MPAs, and highlight ecological concepts about how MPAs function. We will
introduce concepts of community “representation” and population “connectivity,” often
used in the design of robust protected areas systems, and illustrate analyses that show
how these scale and apply to Bahamian coral-reef communities. In addition, we will
highlight other data products, including maps of hurricane intensity, wave exposure, and
coral bleaching vulnerability, that can be used to supplement and complement
community and connectivity patterns in national MPA planning. Last, switching from the
national to the local level and using the Exumas Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP) as a
case study, we discuss some of the ecological effects of MPAs to illustrate the
importance of MPAs for maintaining and restoring critical Caribbean reef ecosystem
processes such as herbivory and coral recruitment.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Restoring degraded Acropora Reefs throughout The Bahamas.
Felicity M. Burrows
The Nature Conservancy, Northern Caribbean Program. 2011. 6# Colonial Hill Plaza,
Thompson Boulevard, Nassau, The Bahamas
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) along with the Kerzner Marine Foundation and The
Department of Marine Resources have been working in partnership on a pilot project
that focuses on restoring degraded Acropora reefs throughout the Bahamas. This
involves establishing and maintaining in-water Staghorn (Acroporacervicornis) and
Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) coral nurseries in the territorial waters of The
Commonwealth of The Bahamas. To establish these nurseries, the following tasks are
to be performed: 1) Collection of opportunistic, wild coral fragments (boat or storm
damaged) of A.cervicornis and A. palmata that would not likely survive in the locations
or circumstances in which they are found (i.e. soft substrate or rubble); 2) transportation
and storage of collected fragments in staging and quarantine areas near collection or
nursery sites (a process called “caching”); 3) tissue sampling (1cm2) from each
collected fragmented colony and export for genetic analysis; 4) fragmentation of
collected corals into suitable size for nursery propagation; 5) maintenance of the coral
nurseries at sites in the waters off of New Providence and other Bahamian islands once
suitable sites have been selected; and 6) outplanting sufficiently large colonies from the
nursery to coral reef sites that are only located by the nearby area. Once the nurseries
have been established, the project’s short term goals include making these coral
fragments available for the caching of damaged coral after ship groundings and major
storm events. During ship groundings impacted corals in the area may also be exposed
to heat damage and antifouling chemicals. This will offer immediate returns on
protection of nearshore resources through reduction in environmental impacts and
recovery time after such events. The long-term goal however is to increase acroporid
larval production and genetic diversity by increasing the likelihood of successful crossfertilization between genetically distinct colonies within each island’s individual
ecosystems located on outplanted restoration sites. This will help acroporid corals
increase larval supply rates within the country and the region. Another goal of this
project is to determine the most resilient acroporid coral genomes and optimum
environmental factors which foster the best coral reef recovery. The coral genotypic
information collected as part of this project will provide information on: 1) the degree to
which genetics plays a role in influencing survivorship, growth, tolerance of bleaching,
and tolerance of other disturbances, and 2) the genetic connectivity of these corals
across The Bahamas, Florida and the Virgin Islands of the United States (USVI).Both of
these goals will result in significant ecological gains toward the recovery of coral reefs
and contribute to long term gains in fisheries and tourism sectors.
Beaked whales and navy sonar in The Bahamas
Diane E Claridge1,2, Charlotte A Dunn1,2, Leigh S Hickmott1,2 & John W Durban3
1Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, P.O. Box AB-20714, Marsh
Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, 2Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute,
University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, Scotland, UK, 3Protected
Resources Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 3333 N. Torrey Pines Ct.,
La Jolla, California 92037, USA
Atypical strandings of beaked whales from the genera Mesoplodon and Ziphius have
correlated with naval sonar, highlighting the need for a better understanding of their
population and behavioural ecology in order to develop effective mitigation. Research
conducted on and around navy ranges in the Great Bahama Canyon is filling key data
gaps on abundance, density, behavioural responses to sonar and the potential
biological significance of sonar exposure on local populations. Primary study areas
include coastal waters off southwest Abaco Island and the US Navy’s Atlantic
Underwater Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) in Tongue of the Ocean, where
training involves regular sonar use. Sightings from line-transect surveys revealed high
abundance of both Mesoplodon and Ziphius in the Great Bahama Canyon, with
estimates of 1,426 whales or 51 whales/1000 km2 (CV 0.40), and 1,380 whales or 50
whales/1000 km2 (CV 0.49), respectively. A mark-recapture model fit to photoidentification data from Abaco and AUTEC revealed that annual probabilities of
emigration, re-immigration, and survival were similar at the two sites. However, there
was a high probability (p=0.88) that average annual abundance was lower at the navy
range. Comparison of the age class distributions suggests fewer immature animals at
AUTEC, despite a higher proportion of adult females. Lower recruitment may be related
to population level effects of sonar use at AUTEC or bio-oceanographic differences
between the two sites.
Flamingos in the Bahamas: Past, present and future
Nancy J. Clum
Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460, USA
This paper reviews changes in the historic distribution of flamingos within the Bahamas,
productivity of the Great Inagua population since 1949, results of aerial surveys since
2004, and examines the history of hurricanes in the Bahamas since 1949 and their
relationship to patterns of flamingo productivity. Flamingos were documented to nest on
at least nine islands within the Bahamas, but by 1890 only two colonies remained. By
1949, Great Inagua was the last remaining breeding colony in the country. During a 52
year period, flamingos bred 83% of years and were at least partially successful in 88%
of attempts. All failed breeding attempts were weather-related and 90% were related to
drought conditions. Low productivity in breeding years was primarily associated with
high rainfall during incubation and nesting. Although productivity was variable, there
was no difference in the number of nest mound or the number of chicks over time.
However, the number of breeding attempts was lower during the past 30 years
compared with the preceding 30 year period. Survey data suggests that the population
of flamingos within the Bahamas contracts and is concentrated in Inagua during
breeding years and expands to other islands and other parts of the Caribbean during
non-breeding years. Preliminary analysis of hurricane data suggests that nesting
success is related to the number of storms passing within 500km of the colony and to
the directional track of the hurricane (east or west).
Engaging young Bahamians in sea turtle research and conservation
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Stephen M.H. Connett
Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611, USA
Family Island Research and Education has volunteered for the Bahamas National Trust
since 2006. Our mission is to represent the BNT in the family islands giving
presentations in the primary and secondary schools to promote the National Trust and
marine conservation. We generally use sea turtles as models to talk to the students
about ocean ecology and conservation, but we have also given presentations on sharks
and conch to help preserve those species. Stephen Connett has been working with sea
turtles for over thirty years beginning with Archie Carr and continuing with Karen
Bjorndal and Alan Bolten. Turtle research is an effective means of introducing students
to oceanographic studies, so we carry students on day trips, and we take BESS
scholars on one to three week research cruises. Since turtles are air breathing reptiles,
they can be kept out of water for short periods, and the students can inspect and handle
them. The students may forget us but they don’t forget the turtles. The marine
ecosystems in the Bahamas have come under tremendous pressure from land
development, commercial and recreational fisheries, waste and runoff, and so on. One
of the challenges to reducing this pressure and managing marine resources is raising
public awareness. By working with the students we know we are investing in the future,
but we also find that the students become advocates in their communities and help
educate their parents and citizens in their communities.
Ensuring the Nassau grouper’s future in The Bahamas: What over two decades of
research can tell us about the sustainable future of this important species
Craig Dahlgren
Perry Institute for Marine Science, P.O. Box 30812, Tucson, Arizona 85751-0812, USA
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) were once one of the most important fishery
species in The Caribbean, but are now considered an endangered species throughout
their range. The Bahamas is one of the few places where viable fisheries for Nassau
grouper still exist, with Nassau grouper being one of the most valuable fishery species
of The Bahamas. But even here stocks are showing signs of decline. Increasing efforts
to protect the species over the past decade have included the implementation of a
closed season and expansion of The Bahamas marine protected area network, to
complement existing size restrictions. Recently there has been increasing pressure from
fishermen to ease some of the restrictions on the fishery. Here we examine the scientific
facts to inform management decisions. Critical aspects of Nassau grouper ecology are
examined and changes in status of Nassau grouper stocks are examined over the past
decades. The Bahamas present management strategies and their implementation are
evaluated in light of these aspects of Nassau grouper ecology and recommendations
are made to ensure the sustainable future of this important species.
Carbon sequestration of mangrove flats in Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Pedram P. Daneshgar
Monmouth University, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program, 400
Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764, USA
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
A promising approach to mitigating rising atmospheric carbon dioxide is to conserve and
restore natural ecosystems that sequester large amounts of carbon. Mangrove flats may
potentially sequester large quantities of carbon both in the plant biomass and in the
sediment. Our primary objective is to determine the carbon sequestration of mangrove
flats in Eleuthera. The aim is quantify how much carbon is currently stored in the flats,
determine at what rates flats accumulate carbon, and identify the factors that explain
these rates. Four mangrove flats were selected for study around Cape Eleuthera.
At each site, two transects with three plots per transect were established. Within each
plot, carbon quantities will be determined from above and below ground biomass.
Aboveground biomass will be determined through allometrics based upon growth
parameters of individuals. Belowground biomass will be determined from root cores.
Extracted soil cores will be analyzed to determine percent organic carbon in the
sediment. Depth of sediment will be measured quarterly to quantify yearly sediment
accumulation. Mangrove growth rates will be determined by measuring the lengthening
of internodes over the course of several years. Environmental variables including
salinity and tidal flow will be measured at each site and correlated to mangrove growth
and sediment accumulation. With the factors known that contribute to the greatest
amount of carbon accumulation in mangrove flats, then appropriate sites can be
selected for future restoration. Our results will definitely demonstrate whether or not
mangrove ecosystems serve as strong carbon sinks.
Divers, data, and documenting the successfulness of a marine park
Melanie DeVore1, Sandra Voegeli2 & Deborah Freile3
1Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College, CB 01,
Milledgeville, GA 2106, U.S.A, 2UC Berkeley Hastings Natural History Reservation,
Carmel Valley, CA 93924 USA,; Georgia College and State University (GCSU)
Maymester Study Abroad, Ecology and Community Ecology, Bahamas & San Salvador
Living Jewels (SSLJ); San Salvador, Bahamas 3Department of Geoscience & Geology,
New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ 07305, U.S.A.
There are a number of grassroots movements among divers targeted at protecting
marine environments. For example, Project Aware Foundation has recently established
initiatives for divers to play an active role in shark protection and marine trash cleanup.
The benefit of such projects is that they are financed by the diving tourism community
and do not use governmental resources to fund management of marine resources vital
to the economy. In essence, the tourist is in part, paying the cost needed for maintaining
the resource they use. Aside from large worldwide communities, such as Project Aware,
it is possible to have regional dive operators harness the environmental consciousness
of their guests. In this presentation we would like to discuss a model for establishing a
system for collecting data on conch on San Salvador Island in conjunction with Seafari
at Club Med. The potential for gaining invaluable data regarding the status of conch
populations before and after the establishment of a marine park exists. Partnerships
between the dive industry and the BNT would build a strong alliance for maintaining the
marine resources which are the lifeblood of Bahamian tourism.
Ecology and conservation of the Bimini Boa (Epicrates striatus fosteri)
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Ricardo A. Escobar III1, William K. Hayes1, Grant Johnson2 & Katie Grudecki2
1Loma Linda University, California, 92350, USA, 2Bimini Sands Hotel, Bimini, The
Bahamas
Published ecological studies of the endemic Bimini Boa (Epicrates striatus fosteri)
remain absent from the scientific literature, despite a suspected decline within its
historic range. In light of the escalating rarity of the species, the somewhat fragile nature
of remaining habitat on Bimini, and the irreplaceable role that Bimini Boas occupy in the
culture and ecosystems of the islands, we have begun a series of studies to acquire
ecological information with the hope of aiding sound management decisions in the
future. Preliminary analyses of mark-recapture data (61 snakes; South Bimini) collected
from 2005 to 2010 suggests approximately 60% survivorship and a population
numbering only in the hundreds on South Bimini. In addition, we used radiotelemetry
(spring 2010-present) to study the movement ecology and habitat preferences of eight
adult boas (6 females, 2 males). Snakes frequently remained at one site for extended
periods of time (up to 1 month), only occasionally making short daily movements to new
sites, and often returning to previously used sites. Boas exhibited a preference for rock
piles on the edges of Blackland Coppice forests, which were <or “and”> often
associated with disturbed anthropogenic habitat. Thus far, it remains unclear why boa
numbers are dwindling, but we suspect that deliberate road killings, predation by
invasive mammals (cats, dogs, rats, and raccoons), and loss of habitat are major
contributors. As a “charismatic species” that readily captures the fascination of the
public, the boa can serve as an effective “flagship species” to enhance environmental
and conservation awareness among Bahamians. Additional ecological, population
genetics, and phylogeographic studies are underway, and conservation education
programs are also being planned. One particular educational component will be to
construct a small captive breeding facility that will be open for public visitation. This
facility will facilitate our efforts to increase awareness about the boa’s plight and help us
augment the natural population.
Investigating manatee habitat use in The Berry Islands
Kendria L. Ferguson1, Diane E. Claridge1, Charlotte A. Dunn1, Indira N. Brown3, Adam
R. Morgan4 & James P Reid2
1Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, P.O. Box AB-20714, Marsh
Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, 2U.S. Geological Survey/SESC-Sirenia Project, 2201 NW
40th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605, 3Department of Marine Resources, Ministry of
Agriculture & Marine Resources, P.O.Box N-3028, Nassau, Bahamas, 4Dolphin CayAtlantis Paradise Island, P.O. Box N-4777, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Over the past two decades, the number of reported sightings of West Indian manatees
(Trichechus manatus) in The Bahamas has increased. Starting in 2000, a small resident
population of West Indian manatees have become established near Great Harbour Cay
(GHC), Berry Islands. This is the first known breeding population of manatees to be
documented in The Bahamas, which provides an opportunity to investigate how
manatees utilize habitats available here. In April 2012, after spending over six months in
captivity, two known manatees from Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, were fitted with telemetry
tags and released in GHC. Here we report on over 200 days of radio-tracking an adult
female and her dependent female calf, providing data on their movement patterns, site-
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
fidelity, and preferred use areas. Post-release field tracking using VHF signals resulted
in fourteen visual observations over a 39-day period, six of which included one or more
of the four other manatees resident at GHC. Visual observations coupled with telemetry
data highlighted four areas used for resting, traveling and feeding, and therefore may be
critical for manatees survival at GHC. As the number of manatees in Florida continues
to increase, we can expect more manatees to appear in Bahamian waters, so there is a
need to understand their behavioural ecology in the region. Our data suggest that The
Berry Islands have suitable habitat and resources for sustaining manatees. These
findings will help guide conservation measures for this population, and for other areas
where manatees may become established in The Bahamas.
Investigating personality in juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris).
J.S. Finger1,4, T.L. Guttridge1-3, A.D. Wilson5, N. Dochtermann6, S.H. Gruber1,3 & J.
Krause4,5
1Bimini Biological Field Station, South Bimini, Bahamas, 2School of Earth and Ocean
Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XQ, UK, 3Division of Marine Biology and
Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami,
Miami, FL, USA, 4 Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, 5Leibniz-Institute of
Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes,
Berlin 12587, Germany, 6 Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State
University, U.S.A.
Animal personality has gained a lot of interest in the last decade and it is now clear that
most animals (from vertebrates to invertebrates) have personality. Personality in
animals represents behavioral consistency, meaning for instance that a bold individual
will stay bold in every situation relative to a shy individual. The recent boom in
personality studies comes from the far reaching implications from both an evolutionary
as well as an ecological point of view. It is therefore important to investigate the
presence of personality in elasmobranch fishes. This project is based on behavioral
observations in different contexts such as sociability and novel environments in the
juvenile lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris). An experimental pen was designed to
assess six sharks for these latter tests per day in two nurseries. During the year 2012,
121 lemon sharks were tested and among these sharks 80 were retested. Results
revealed that juvenile lemon sharks posses a social and explorative personality that
stayed consistent over a 6 month period. Furthermore, in one of the nurseries a strong
correlation between exploration and sociability was found being the first demonstration
of behavioral syndromes in elasmobranches and also illuminating an interesting
difference between the two tested populations. In the following year, the large sample
size that will be accumulated by this method will allow us to investigate the genetic
component of personality and the relationship between personality type, growth rate
and survival along with testing personality in their natural environment.
The making of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, Eleuthera
Ethan H. Freid & Mark Daniels
Bahamas National Trust, The Retreat, Village Road, Nassau, The Bahamas
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
In the spring of 2006, Shelby White of the Levy Foundation approached the Bahamas
National Trust with the idea of constructing a botanical garden/nature preserve on
Eleuthera in honor of her late husband Leon Levy. The mission was to create a location
to showcase Bahamian native plants, to conserve information about bush medicine, and
to support early childhood education. In 2008, 25 acres were purchased outside of
Governors Harbour and the following winter groundbreaking began. Twenty-three acres
were intact pristine Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation- Forest (DBEF-F). The other
two acres were heavily disturbed, covered with invasive Jasminum flumense and
Casuarina equisetifolia, and included an old dumpsite from the 1960’s. All of the trash
and invasives were removed and native species brought in to restore the area to DBEFF. On March 24, 2011 the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve opened its doors to the
public. The Preserve features 1.25 miles of walking trails, mangrove boardwalk, water
feature, welcome center, education pavilion, medicinal plant beds, and a 20-foot tower
at its highest elevation that overlooks Eleuthera. Programs are now being developed for
primary and secondary school education and natural history research.
Overlooking the obvious: Conservation of the ecosystem engineers
Deborah Freile1 & Melanie DeVore2,
1Department of Geoscience & Geology, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ
07305, USA., 2Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College,
CB 01, Milledgeville, GA 2106, USA.
Calcareous algae are abundant in the near shore environments of the Bahamas. These
organisms are important ecosystem engineers and are responsible for a significant
amount of calcium carbonate sediment. To date, we know very little regarding the role
these algae play in the global carbon cycle or how their rates of calcium carbonate
production are impacted by ocean acidity. The Bahamas archipelago is an ideal setting
for studies of calcium carbonate production by calcareous algae (Freile et al., 2011) and
these studies would be useful in adding important data to global models of carbon
cycling. These algae, and in particular, Halimeda have been extensively screened for
antimicrobial action (e.g. Selim, 2012) and could also represent a potential
pharmaceutical resources (Freile-Pelegrin et al., 2008, Mooc-Puc, 2008) as well as
serve as antioxidents (Zubia et al., 2007). Finally, there is growing evidence that the
epibiotic biofilms on Halimeda (http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/pubmed-central/thesecond-skin-ecological-role-of-epibiotic-biofilms-on-marine-M0w9aSgq0z) play
significant roles in the abiotic and biotic interactions of this organism with the
environment. These include the potential of Halimeda harboring pathogens as part of its
epibiotic flora. Of particular interest to coral reef health in the Carribbean is the
documentation that Halimeda opuntia promotes mortality of some massive corals,
including Montastrea (Marquez and Diaz, 2005). Conservation efforts often focus on the
rare organisms and those used extensively by humans. However, conservation and
monitoring of the common, obvious elements of ecosystems can provide important
indications of the health and operation of near shore marine communities.
The discovery of important shorebird overwintering sites in The Bahamas
Walker Golder1, Matt Jeffery2 & Predensa Moore3
1National Audubon Society, North Carolina State Office, 7741 Market Street, Unit D
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Wilmington, NC 28411, USA, 2International Alliances Program, National Audubon
Society, 1200 18th Street, Suite 500, Washington D.C. 20036, USA & Bahamas National
Trust, P.O. Box N-4105, Nassau, The Bahamas
Many shorebird species that occur in The Bahamas breed in the middle and northern
latitudes of North America, some as far north as the Arctic Circle. They travel southward
in the summer and early fall, stopping over during migration or overwintering in The
Bahamas, and return during late spring. The majority of their annual cycle is spent at
overwintering sites. These long distance migrations are energetically expensive and
shorebirds often arrive at stopover or wintering sites with depleted fat reserves. They
need of high quality food and foraging habitat to survive the winter and replenish fat
reserves that will fuel spring migration. Identifying the sites that support shorebirds
during migration and winter is important to implementing successful conservation
strategies. Overall, overwintering sites for high-priority shorebird species in The
Bahamas, species such as piping plovers and red knots, is poorly understood. In 2011
and 2012, we conducted thorough shorebird surveys in the Joulter Cays and Berry
Islands. These surveys resulted in the identification of previously unknown and
significant wintering areas for piping plovers, red knots, and other shorebirds.
Golf course fertilizer runoff causes nutrient enrichment leading to harmful algae
blooms on a Bahamian coral reef
Thomas J. Goreau1 James Cervino2 & Troy Albury3
1Global Coral Reef Alliance, Cambridge MA 0239, USA, 2Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA, 3Guana Cay Reef, Guana Cay, Abaco, The
Bahamas
Golf courses overlooking the sea are popular tourist attractions. There are no studies on
effects of golf course fertilizer runoff on coral reefs, although many environmental
impact assessments deny deterioration would occur. We studied changes in coastal
algae, algae nutrient contents, and health of adjacent coral reefs, before and after
construction of Bakers Bay Golf Course on Guana Cay, Abaco. After construction new
algae blooms appeared along shores nearest to golf course greens, smothering corals
in adjacent reefs, along with sharply increased coral diseases. Bakers Bay claimed
there was no link between algae blooms and fertilizer use, that blooms were natural,
caused by hurricanes, or due to septic tank leakage from remote areas. We measured
coastal algae nitrogen and phosphorus contents around Guana Cay in dry and rainy
seasons. Guana Cay waters are phosphorus limited. The highest abundance of harmful
algae is in waters next to the golf course, and they contain higher nitrogen than algae
from any other part of the island. Algae nitrogen/phosphorus ratios were higher in the
rainy season and phosphorus contents lower. The nutrient source triggering algae
blooms appears to be nitrogen leaching from golf course fertilizer into the sea via
groundwater seepage. We believe similar results could be found in any golf course
overlooking tropical shores, however this study is the first to document such impacts.
Much stronger water quality standards, monitoring, and enforcement, better fertilizer
management, and planning controls on siting are needed to protect coral reef
environments from golf course fertilizer-caused eutrophication.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Suppressing invasive lionfish populations prevents declines in coral reef fish
Stephanie J. Green1, Annabelle Brooks2, Lad Akins3, Skylar Miller2,4, Jocelyn CurtisQuick2 & Isabelle M. Côté1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive,
Burnaby, BC Canada, 2Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, 750 S.W.
34th Street, Suite 111, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315, 3Reef Environmental Education
Foundation, 98300 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, USA 33037, 4Centre for
Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) University of the West
Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, BB 11000
Originating in the Indo-Pacific, predatory lionfish first appeared in Bahamian waters in
2004 and are now ubiquitous within our local marine environment. The invasion is
causing a range of negative impacts to ecosystems, including depletion of many native
fish species. To combat these effects, we develop and tested targets for the control of
lionfish with the goal of suppressing lionfish densities below levels that cause declines
in the native Atlantic fishes they consume on invaded coral reefs.
Our field experiment took place on 24 natural coral patch reefs in Rock Sound,
Eleuthera Island, which contains very important nursery habitat for coral reef fishes that
are both economically and ecologically valuable. Our study within this area reveals that
reducing invasive lionfish below densities at which they are predicted to over-consume
prey can protect native fish communities from predation impacts, since the recovery of
fish biomass achieved on these reefs was similar that achieved by complete invader
removal. This study suggests that for broadly distributed and highly abundant invaders,
such as lionfish, expending limited management resources to suppress invaders below
densities that cause environmental harm can be as ecologically effective and more costeffective than striving for complete removal of invaders.
Lionfish derbies as a tool for building capacity and affecting control
Stephanie J. Green1, Lad Akins*2, Keri Kenning2 & Elizabeth Underwood2,3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive,
Burnaby, BC Canada, 2 Reef Environmental Education Foundation, 98300 Overseas
Highway, Key Largo, FL, USA 33037, 3Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera Island,
Bahamas, 750 S.W. 34th Street, Suite 111, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315
Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have rapidly established dense
populations throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and US Atlantic coast, and are
now producing a marine invasion that is among the most destructive in history.
Managers across the region are now devising strategies to suppress lionfish
populations that make best use of limited resources. A strategy that is proving effective
at increasing local capacity to combat the invasion is the creation of lionfish derbies or
tournaments, but whether derby events are an effective means to control local lionfish
populations, and the area over which they may affect control, remain unknown. We
evaluated the magnitude and scale of lionfish population suppression achieved during
the Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Lionfish Derby on June 16, 2012, using a combination of
pre- and post-derby in-water assessments of lionfish density, measurements of derby
catch, and surveys of derby participant fishing effort and location. Derby participants
removed 770 lionfish during the single day event, resulting in a 69% reduction in the
lionfish population within the derby area, compared with pre-derby levels. Crucially,
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
population suppression was isolated to the area in which the derby occurred. Our work
is the first to estimate the viability of this approach to lionfish control, and indicates that
these single day events can be an effective strategy for suppressing the invasion at a
local scale. The results of this effort may be used to better inform resource managers
and lionfish control programs throughout the region.
Movements and habitat use of smalltooth sawfish in Florida and the Bahamas: an
investigation of population connectivity in a critically endangered species
R. Dean Grubbs1 & John K. Carlson2
1Florida State University Coastal and Marine Lab 2NOAA/National Marine Fisheries
Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center – Panama City Laboratory
Worldwide, there are five extant species of sawfishes and all are listed as Critically
Endangered in the IUCN Redlist of Threatened species. The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis
pectinata) is the only domestic marine fish listed under the United States’ Endangered
Species Act. The U.S. population of smalltooth sawfish declined dramatically due to
overfishing in net fisheries and recreational harvest for the rostra. Habitat loss from
urban development, agriculture, and freshwater diversion exacerbated population
decline and is likely the greatest hindrance to recovery. The range of smalltooth sawfish
in the United States contracted dramatically and is now primarily restricted to southwest
Florida (the only known nurseries) and the Florida Keys. A critical determinant of
recovery likelihood is the rate of mixing between U.S. and adjacent population
segments. Smalltooth sawfish occur throughout the Bahamas, but pupping has not
been documented and it is unknown if the Bahamas and U.S. population segments are
distinct. Sawfish have also declined in the Bahamas due to recreational harvest and
habitat degradation; however, adults are not rare in specific areas, especially the west
side of Andros. As a companion to our large-scale sawfish research project in
southwest Florida, we are studying movements and habitat use of sawfish in the
Bahamas. We conducted two expeditions to Andros to tag smalltooth sawfish using
archival satellite tags and collect tissue for population genetic analyses. We will present
preliminary results and discuss the potential role of the Bahamas in recovery of this
globally endangered species.
20 years of research on the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) in Bimini,
Bahamas
T.L. Guttridge1-3, K. Feldheim4, D.D. Chapman5, B. Franks6, S.T. Newman7, J.D.
Dibattista8, S.T. Kessel9 & S.H. Gruber1,2
1Bimini Biological Field Station, South Bimini, Bahamas, 2School of Earth and Ocean
Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XQ, UK., 3Division of Marine Biology and
Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami,
Miami, FL, USA, 4Field Museum, Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and
Evolution, Chicago, IL, USA, 5School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook
University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, 6Department of Biology, Rollins
College, Winter Park Florida 32789, USA, 7School of Marine Science and Technology,
Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK, 8King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology, KAUST Innovation Cluster, Unity Boulevard,
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Thuwal Saudi Arabia, 9Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, Windsor
University, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada.
Here we present research highlights from 20 years of extensive field and laboratory
experiments conducted on lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) in Bimini, Bahamas.
Our projects focussed on various aspects of shark biology including: mating systems,
life history traits, space and habitat use, dietary preferences, population dynamics and
effects of anthropogenic development. Such a broad range of biological research
questions have required a variety of molecular, behavioural and ecological tools and
analyses. Shark movement and habitat use were monitored through static and active
ultrasonic acoustic technology, diet preference assessed through non-lethal stomach
eversions (n = 642) and survival and growth rates through mark-recapture studies. We
have also taken genetic samples from >3500 individual lemon sharks and used
pedigree reconstruction and kinship analysis to determine heritability of and / or
selection on morphological traits. Our results showed reproductive females display
strong philopatry to Bimini, returning every other year to give birth. Litters were sired by
multiple males indicative of a polyandrous mating system. Due to the longevity of our
study, we also documented the first evidence of natal philopatry in any elasmobranch
with two females born in Bimini returning to give birth themselves. Lemon sharks born in
Bimini displayed a slow growth rate relative to other sites in their first 3 years (~5-7cm
per yr), high first year mortality (38 – 65 %), small home ranges and prey preferences
that changed through ontogeny. These findings have revolutionised our understanding
of shark biology and have important implications for fisheries management and
conservation. We conclude by emphasising the importance of establishing the
boundaries for Bimini’s marine protected area to ensure the future of the Bahamas
elasmobranch fauna.
Early life history of bonefish in Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Christopher R. Haak1,2 & Andy J. Danylchuk1,2
1Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst,
Amherst, MA, USA
2School of Marine Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
Bonefish (Albula vulpes) are important components of shallow-water ecosystems
throughout the Bahamas archipelago, where they support a profitable catch-and-release
fishery. Despite their considerable value, efforts to manage and conserve bonefish
stocks have been hindered by a lack of information on their early life history. While adult
bonefish are generally considered inhabitants of tidal flats and mangrove creek
systems, the coastal areas occupied by juvenile bonefish before recruitment to the
fishery remain largely unknown. The results of a two-year study assessing the
abundance of juvenile bonefish across a range of coastal habitats in Eleuthera suggest
that juvenile A. vulpes inhabit shallow waters along the shorelines of highly sheltered
coastal embayments. Juvenile bonefish were consistently collected in the company of
greater numbers of like-sized mojarras (Eucinostomus spp.), displaying similar dorsal
and lateral coloration not apparent in adult conspecifics, possibly indicative of protective
mimicry. Furthermore, while both species share a common feeding mechanism, stirring
up bottom sediments to prey upon benthic invertebrates, gut contents of bonefish and
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
mojarras collected together exhibited little overlap, potentially signaling a noncompetitive foraging association or positive partnership.
The use of Earthwatch volunteers and island school students to understand the
role of patch reefs and mangrove creeks as nursery habitats in Eleuthera
Alastair R. Harborne1, Annabelle Brooks2, Andrew B. Gill3, Danielle Owen2, Katherine A.
Sloman4 & Rod W. Wilson5
1School of Biological Sciences, Goddard Building, University of Queensland, Brisbane,
Qld 4072, Australia, 2Cape Eleuthera Institute, PO Box 29, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The
Bahamas, 3University of Cranfield, Natural Resources Department Building 37,
Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK45 4DT, UK, 4School of Science, University of West
Scotland, Paisley Campus, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK, 5Biosciences, College of Life and
Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS,
UK
Coral reef fishes provide ecosystem services, such as provision of seafood, that are
vital to local communities, and also key biological services. For example, parrotfishes
are critical for maintaining reef resilience through grazing on macroalgae that are
detrimental to corals. A key factor maintaining populations of many fish species is the
sequential use of mangroves and patch reef nursery areas by juveniles. However,
nurseries are being impacted by fishing, climate change, and coastal development. To
conserve these habitats, and therefore fishes, we need a better ecological
understanding of nurseries and the effects of threats to them. The project described
here, based at the Cape Eleuethera Institute, trains and uses volunteers recruited by
the Earthwatch Institute and Island School students to study multiple mangrove creeks
and patch reefs in Eleuthera. The aim is to provide novel insights into which areas are
the most critical nurseries for protection. Furthermore, the study will span a spectrum of
healthy and disturbed patch reefs and mangroves, establishing the effects of: (1)
reduced habitat quality on patch reefs (e.g. following coral bleaching events driven by
climate change); (2) increased fish predation because of fishing of top predators which
increases feeding by 'middle-ranking' mesopredators; and (3) human disturbance of
mangroves. The project will improve coastal managers’ abilities to (1) prioritise nursery
areas for inclusion in conservation initiatives and (2) understand how direct and sublethal effects change the population dynamics of parrotfish and fishery species, and
hence the ecosystem services provided by tropical seascapes.
James Bond and the mysteries of bird taxonomy: newly recognized bird species
in the Bahamas and conservation implications
William K. Hayes
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
92350, USA
Unbeknownst to many, the namesake for James Bond–the spy character invented by
novelist Ian Fleming–was a prominent ornithologist (and a one-woman man) of the mid20th century who specialized in West Indies birds. His prolific studies of the region's
avifauna established the taxonomic status of many bird species recognized to this day.
Thus, for many decades only three endemic bird species (found nowhere else) were
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
recognized in the Bahamas. However, recent studies examining morphological,
plumage, vocal, and molecular variation have identified previously unrecognized
diversity. Newly recognized species which were formerly considered geographical
variants or subspecies include the Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi, formerly lumped
with three other species as the Greater Antillean Oriole) and the Bahama Warbler
(Setophaga flavescens, split from the Yellow-throated Warbler, S. dominica). Evidence
also suggests that the two Bahamas subspecies of the Cuban Parrot (Abaco Parrot,
Amazona leucocephala abacoensis, and Inagua Parrot, A. l. inaguaensis) are distinct
species, and that the Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla insularis) could be split from the
Brown-headed Nuthatch. Several additional species consist of differentiated populations
that might also warrant elevation to full species, including several Bahamas subspecies
of the West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris). In each of these cases,
elevation of the taxon to full species also elevates its conservation status, especially
since the new and candidate species are island endemics with small, highly vulnerable
populations. Thus, our emerging view of avian biodiversity in the Bahamas invites
reassessment of conservation priorities for the nation.
Biodiversity of amphibians, reptiles, and birds in the Bahamas: hotspots,
prioritization, and protection
William K. Hayes & Ricardo A. Escobar III
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
92350, USA
As a part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot, the Bahamas host substantial species
richness and endemism. However, like archipelagos elsewhere, and largely because of
anthropogenic impacts, many of these species and the habitats they require are
threatened. Biodiversity hotspots have become prominent in conservation biology, but
their delineation, prioritization, and protection can be elusive. In an effort to address
these issues in the Bahamas, we identified biodiversity hotspots for terrestrial
amphibians and reptiles (collectively) and for birds based on three indices (species
richness, endemism, and threat) and two taxonomic levels (species and subspecies).
Diversity lists were constructed from the literature for each of 19 islands or island
groups. Within each of the six categories (three indices x two taxonomic levels), the two
most diverse islands (10%) were deemed hotspots. Our analyses often revealed poor
congruence in identifying hotspots among the three indices and sometimes between the
two taxonomic levels. Habitat protection in the form of National Parks exists for some
identified hotspots, but is lacking for many endangered and endemic species. Our
approach provides an objective basis for hotspot prioritization and for decisions
regarding management and protection of biodiversity. It also underscores two urgent
needs: 1) to address species limits using modern systematics methods and concepts,
and 2) to assess the current population status of many taxa. These needs are especially
important for the 37-plus species and 87-plus subspecies of native terrestrial
amphibians and reptiles whose taxonomic and population status remain largely
unknown.
Behavioral ecology and conservation of the rock iguana Cyclura rileyi
William K. Hayes, Ricardo A. Escobar III, & Ronald L. Carter
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
92350, USA
Three subspecies of the rock iguana Cyclura rileyi are currently recognized, including
the San Salvador Iguana (C. r. rileyi), the Acklins Bight Iguana (C. r. nuchalis), and the
Sandy = White Cay Iguana (C. r. cristata of the southern Exumas). Population and
threat assessments indicate that all three taxa remain vulnerable to extinction. Threats
identified include habitat degradation (from catastrophic storms and an introduced
cactus-eating moth), feral mammals (particularly rats, but also a raccoon), disease,
population fragmentation, ecotourism and smuggling, and habitat inundation by rising
sea levels. Dietary diversity of these near-exclusive vegetarians appears to be highly
constrained on some cays. Home range size seems similar for males and females but
varies somewhat between populations. Females attain sexual maturity at approximately
20 cm SVL and 300 g. Mating occurs from late-May to mid-June. Both males and
females seek multiple copulations, suggesting a polygamous mating system. Egg-laying
in burrows occurs mainly during July, with clutch size corresponding to female body size
and nest defense by females varying with nesting density. Hatching occurs lateSeptember to mid-October. Adults occasionally cannibalize young. Habitat restoration
efforts (invasive mammal and Casuarina eradication, nest substrate replenishment) on
several cays has yielded mixed results. Two translocation projects to establish
repatriated populations of C. r. rileyi on San Salvador failed, in one case most likely
because of rats (Rattus rattus). A captive headstarting facility established in 2012 at the
Gerace Research Centre of San Salvador will supplement natural populations, enhance
environmental education, and promote habitat protection.
Mapping forest height, foliage height profiles, and disturbance type and age with
satellite imagery to characterize Kirtland’s Warbler habitat on southern Eleuthera,
The Bahamas.
Eileen H. Helmer1, T.S. Ruzycki2, J.M. Wunderle, Jr.1, C. Kwit3, D.N. Ewert4, S.M.
Voggesser2 & T.J. Brandeis5
1International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, San Juan, Puerto
Rico, USA, 2Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, CO, USA, 3Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
TN, USA, 4The Nature Conservancy, Lansing, MI, USA, 5Southern Research Station,
USDA Forest Service, Knoxville, TN, USA
We mapped canopy height and foliage height profiles of coppice habitats with a time
series of Landsat and Advanced Land Imager (ALI) imagery on south Eleuthera,
substituting time for vertical canopy space. Forest disturbance type and age were
simultaneously mapped to characterize the winter habitat for an endangered NearcticNeotropical migrant bird, the Kirtland's Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii). We also
documented relationships between forest vertical structure, disturbance type, and
counts of forage species important to the warbler. The ALI imagery and the Landsat
time series showed a strong relationship of forest height with disturbance type and time
since disturbance. Forest disturbance rates changed in south Eleuthera from 1984 to
2005. Disturbance rates tended to be largest for agriculture associated with bulldozing
before the year 2000, averaging 107 ha/year over four intervals before the year 2000.
Forest disturbance for agriculture with bulldozing increased to an average of 207
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
ha/year over three intervals since 2000. However, fire became the largest source of
forest disturbance after 2000, increasing 9-fold from an average of 65 ha/year before
then to an average of 579 ha/year after. Four hurricanes brushed or hit Eleuthera from
1999 to 2004, suggesting that the increase in area disturbed by fire may result from
increased fuel loadings caused by hurricane disturbance, though the concurrent
increase in forest clearing for agriculture is probably also important. Forest clearing for
goat grazing increased slightly after around 2001. The disturbances documented here
indicate that the Kirtland’s Warblers are found in early successional habitats on
Eleuthera.
Natural diet of Northern Bahamian rock iguanas (Cyclura cychlura) in the Exuma
Islands of The Bahamas
Kirsten Hines
260 Crandon Blvd, Ste 32-190, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura) are endemic to The Bahamas and
are found on islands throughout the Exumas. They are the largest native, terrestrial
vertebrate in the area and are considered to be primarily herbivorous. There has been
limited detailing of their native diet other than in contrast to situations where iguanas are
fed by people (Hines 2011, Herpetological Conservation and Biology 6(2):250-259). The
purpose of the present study is to fully document their natural diet. This paper presents
preliminary data on the diet of the largest iguana populations located on 13 islands in
the Exumas. Diet was determined by analysis of scat, supplemented by additional
observations. Sampling was conducted over multiple years and in different seasons to
reflect the full complement of food items being consumed. The Rock Iguanas’ diet is
primarily but not entirely herbivorous, predominantly composed of seeds and leaves of
over 25 species of native plants.
Lionfish invasion: Fact vs. fantasy
Mark A. Hixon
Department of Biology, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, Hawai’I, USA
The invasion of tropical Western Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs by Pacific red
lionfish (Pterois volitans) is particularly intense in the Bahamas, where the highest
abundances in the world have been recorded. There is much misinformation circulating
about lionfish and their ecological effects. For example, lionfish are not toxic (poisonous
via ciguatoxin or other toxins) in the Bahamas, and the venom in their spines is
denatured by cooking, so lionfish are safe to eat (and are quite delicious) if one can
avoid being poked. Lionfish do not attack swimmers or divers. However, lionfish are
voracious predators of native reef fishes, capable of reducing the abundance of small
fish (both small species and the babies of large species) by over 90%, as well as
reducing the number of native fish species on invaded reefs. Thus, lionfish are not
ecological equivalents of overfished grouper, and indeed, there is evidence that lionfish
outcompete ecologically similar native grouper. Fish parasites do not infect invasive
lionfish substantially, and native sharks and grouper do not eat healthy lionfish to any
level that can control lionfish abundance. However, large moray eels do occasionally
attack lionfish, and large abundances of Nassau grouper on a reef can interfere with the
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
hunting behavior of lionfish. Therefore, the best approach for reducing the effects of the
invasion are (1) direct removals by humans and (2) marine reserves that foster high
abundances of groupers and other large predators. In any case, the lionfish is here to
stay – complete eradication is impossible.
Utilization of Bahamian shark sanctuary by the oceanic whitetip shark – Refuge
from what lies beyond
Lucy Howey-Jordan¹, Edd Brooks², Annabelle Brooks², Debra Abercrombie³, Sean
Williams4, Emily Gospodarczyk¹, Lance Jordan¹ & Demian Chapman5
¹Microwave Telemetry, Inc., ²Shark Research and Conservation Program, Cape
Eleuthera Institute, The Bahamas, ³Abercrombie and Fish, 4Stuart Cove’s Tiger Beach
Seafaris, 5Stony Brook University
Once considered among the most abundant pelagic predators, the oceanic whitetip
shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) has drastically declined in the last 25 years due to
overexploitation. This species is especially impacted in the western Atlantic Ocean,
where it is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN). After banning longline fishing in the mid-1990s, The
Commonwealth of The Bahamas recently prohibited commercial shark fishing in its
630,000 km² Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Given that this area may provide a
fishing refuge for this species, the goals of our study were to: 1) quantify the time sharks
spend within this EEZ, 2) determine long-term movements of individuals as they moved
away from aggregation sites in The Bahamas, and 3) characterize the vertical and
thermal habitat use of this understudied pelagic species. We deployed pop-up satellite
archival tags on 11 adult female sharks at an aggregation site near Cat Island, The
Bahamas in May 2011 as a pilot effort to achieve these goals. Another female shark
was opportunistically tagged 420 km south of Cape Hatteras, USA. Eleven tags
reported, collecting a total of 1,563 days of tracking data. Four tags were physically
recovered, adding greater resolution to an already robust dataset – 1,146,959 depth
and temperature records combined. Mean depth utilized by tracked sharks was 43.9 m
(± 10.34 SD) and the mean temperature encountered was 26.1 °C (± 0.55 SD). The
deepest dive observed was 1081.9 m and the coolest temperature was 7.75 °C.
Preliminary reconstructed tracks revealed that tagged individuals spent substantial
amounts of time (approximately 58 % of days tracked) within the Bahamian EEZ. It
therefore appears likely that the Bahamas longline ban and newly implemented shark
sanctuary could provide a significant refuge from fishing pressure the oceanic whitetip
shark is exposed to outside of this area.
The endangered Allen Cays Iguana: What three decades of research in the
Exumas have revealed
John B. Iverson
Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA;
The Allen Cays Iguana, Cyclura cychlura inornata, is endemic to the Allen Cays in the
Exuma Islands of the Bahamas and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Nearly extirpated in the early 1900s. it occurs today naturally on only three small islands
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
in the Allen Cays (total area 14 ha; total population ca. 1000). Another 250 individuals
also now exist on additional small islands due to human translocations. Assisted by
students, alumni, and faculty of Earlham College, I have been studying these iguanas
since 1980, and we have now accumulated over 6800 captures during 30 research trips
totaling over 40 weeks on the islands. Standard mark-release-recapture methods have
provided data on growth (1-2 mm body length per year), reproduction (maturity after 12
years; usually 3-7 eggs laid from mid June to mid July), behavior (arboreality, nest
defense), demography (ca. 90% annual survivorship), changes in sex ratio (from two
males per female to equality), and longevity (at least 40 years), and together these data
have allowed us to produce the only life table available for any Bahamian lizard. I will
summarize these long-term findings, and detail our efforts to address the latest assault
on this iguana - the introduction of house mice to Allen Cay.
Disturbance and its effect on avian populations on New Providence Island,
Bahamas
Scott Johnson
Bahamas Nation Trust, Nassau, Bahamas & Puerto Rican Conservation Foundation,
San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.
Natural disturbances, such as hurricanes, and human disturbances, such as bulldozing
forest habitats, can have different effects on wildlife and ecosystems. In my study, I
hypothesized that human disturbance has had greater effects on the bird populations of
New Providence Island, Bahamas than have hurricanes. I used Christmas Bird Count
data for New Providence from 1995-2010 to determine if there were significant changes
in bird populations during these years, and I used information from land development
agencies and data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
to investigate changes in land development and storm frequency. My results revealed
that of the 180 species investigated, 26 species have had significant population change
during the 15 years of study. Of these 26 species, the population sizes of 13 species
increased (eight residents and five migrants), 10 species decreased (eight residents
and two migrants) and three species were extirpated (two residents and one unknown).
My analysis also found that there was no significant effect of storms on bird population
sizes, suggesting that human activity was the main reason for their change in population
numbers. My data also revealed that most of the birds that showed an increase in
population size (61.5%) were resident, non-migratory birds adapted to urban areas
whereas most of the birds that decreased in population size (80%) were resident birds
that preferred natural and early successional habitats. This indicates that human
disturbance and urbanization on New Providence may be selecting for species more
adapted to human dominated areas.
Introduction to the Kirtland's Warbler research and training project
Scott Johnson1, 4, Dave N. Ewert2, Joseph M. Wunderle3, Jennifer D. White3, 4,
Dave Currie3, 4 & Genie Fleming3, 4.
1Bahamas Nation Trust, Nassau, Bahamas, 2The Nature Conservancy, Lansing, MI,
USA, 3International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, San Juan,
Puerto Rico, USA, 4Puerto Rican Conservation Foundation, San Juan, Puerto Rico,
USA
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
As one of North America's most endangered songbirds, the Kirtland's Warbler (KW,
Setophaga kirtlandii) has been the focus of an intensive recovery effort on its breeding
grounds located primarily in Michigan, but with smaller colonies in Wisconsin and
Ontario. So far, breeding ground conservation efforts have been success as evidenced
by an increase of approximately 330 warblers in the 1970s to 4,200 warblers in 2012.
Despite intensive study and conservation efforts on the KW’s breeding grounds,
however, little was known about the species on its wintering grounds, where it is
confined to the Bahamas archipelago. It was recognized that events on the winter
grounds could compromise breeding ground conservation efforts and thus there was a
need to determine the KW’s winter habitat and conservation requirements, while also
building the capacity of Bahamians to undertake conservation actions for the warbler.
Therefore, the Kirtland's Warbler Research and Training Project was initiated in 2002
with the objective of building the capacity of nationals to undertake conservation
activities in the Bahamas through the training of Bahamian students in field research,
while also studying the KW's winter requirements. The field research occurs primarily on
Eleuthera. Results suggest that the KW winters mostly on anthropogenically-disturbed
early successional sites with an abundance of fruit and arthropods. In addition to
determining the warbler’s habitat requirements the project is determining how the
habitat is produced and how it might be managed for conservation of the species in The
Bahamas.
Conservation value of exhibiting Giant Manta Rays (Manta birostris) at Atlantis,
Paradise Island, Bahamas
Todd Kemp, Dave Wert, Michelle Liu & Keisha Russell
Atlantis Paradise Island, One Casino Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence, The
Bahamas
Giant Manta Rays (Manta birostris) are the largest of the rays and are found throughout
the tropical waters of the world. Although they are widely distributed, there is still little
known about these animals. Since 2000, Atlantis, Paradise Island has acquired and
displayed 11 Giant Manta Rays. This has enabled our facility the unique opportunity to
collect biological data, observe and study how mantas behave, feed and interact with
each other. In 2005, Atlantis created a satellite tagging program to gain a better
understanding of the migratory patterns of mantas in the wild. Popup Archival Tags
(PAT) were placed on 4 animals released from the facility, which revealed migratory
patterns, depth and temperature ranges. These results will help us learn more about
this uncommon animal and should contribute to decisions for successful conservation
and management practices for this species.
Effects of local geology on the fire regime and vegetation structure of Andros
Island, Bahamas
Eric Kjellmark, Kelsey Dunn, Kiefer Fortunato, Jordan Hutar, Rachel Lichter, Ashley
Schiffmacher, Katherine Thousand & Elizabeth Webb
Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL 33801, USA
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
In the northern Bahamas the most widespread vegetation type is fire-maintained
pinewoods dominated by Bahamian pine (Pinus caribbaea var. bahamensis) with an
understory of tropical hardwoods. Many of the hardwoods can become canopy trees,
but they are kept in a low, shrub state as they are top-killed by fires. We studied the
pinewoods on the eastern side of Andros Island, Bahamas. The fire frequency here is
high and many areas burn annually. Embedded within the pine forest are stands of
mature tropical hardwood trees that have persisted for over 40 years despite the high
fire frequency. We developed three possible explanations for the persistence of these
stands. First, the hardwood trees have reached a size that makes them resistant to
fires. Second, the leaf litter from the hardwood trees does not carry fire well. Third,
natural fire breaks, such as sinkholes, are acting to prevent fires from overrunning the
stands. We collected vegetation data and mapped and measured sinkholes, if present,
in 6 tropical hardwood stands along with nearby pinewoods. We used our maps to
estimate the effects of fire breaks on fire behavior. Our results show that even large
hardwood trees were top-killed by fires that penetrated the edges of the hardwood
stands. While less combustible fuel may play a role, fire breaks in the form of numerous
karst sinkholes appear to be the primary factor protecting the embedded hardwood
stands from fire.
Physiological impacts of tourism and food supplementation on endangered
insular iguanas
Charles R. Knapp1, Kirsten N. Hines2, Trevor Zachariah3, C. LeAnn White4, John B.
Iverson5, Sandra D. Buckner6, L. Michael Romero7 & Christine R. Lattin7
1Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium,
Chicago, IL 60605, USA; 2260 Crandon Blvd, Ste 32 #190, Key Biscayne, FL 33149,
USA; 3University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chicago Zoological and
Aquatic Animal Residency Program, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; 4USGS National Wildlife
Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA; 5Department of Biology, Earlham College,
Richmond, IN 47374, USA; 6P.O. Box N-8893, Villa Capulet, Montague Foreshore,
Nassau, The Bahamas; 7Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155,
USA
Physiological responses caused by wildlife-tourism interactions can be pronounced in
free-ranging species. Tourism companies in The Bahamas are increasingly marketing
rock iguana (genus Cyclura) feeding as part of their activity packages. This type of
tourism is likely to expand, and therefore the effects of these human-wildlife interactions
should be monitored, understood, and managed effectively. Using multiple populations
of Bahamian rock iguanas (C. cychlura figginsi and C. c. inornata), we investigated sexspecific responses to both human-visitation pressure, and associated food provisioning
with semi-natural and unnatural food items. Our response variables included body
condition, physiological stress, and multiple hematological and biochemical parameters.
For both sexes, body condition and physiological stress (baseline corticosterone levels)
did not differ between visited and non-visited sites, suggesting that rock iguanas on
islands visited by tourists are not chronically stressed. We did record hematological and
biochemical differences between visited and non-visited sites in response to being food
provisioned. For both sexes, rock iguanas from visited sites had higher packed cell
volume, higher uric acid and lower potassium. In addition, females from visited sites had
higher glucose and iron. Males from visited sites displayed higher calcium, cholesterol,
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
cobalt, copper, and selenium, but lower molybdenum. We conclude that differences
between visited and non-visited sites are likely due to unnatural food items offered by
tourists and the consequential foraging modifications of rock iguanas from visited sites.
These effects may potentially have consequences under adverse environmental
conditions, over time in this long-lived species.
A timeless resource: the value of museum bird collections
Andrew W. Kratter & David W. Steadman
Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
In this day of ever increasing technologies for advancing scientific exploration and
discovery, the practice of adding bird specimens to natural history museums may seem
to be a quaint tradition left over from the Victorian Era. Today’s natural history
museums, however, are key resources that are the foundation for studying natural
history and biodiversity. Modern preparation techniques, expanded data collection
methods, and extensive data networks have revolutionized how museum science is
conducted, and have substantially increased the value of each specimen for both
research and education. This is especially true in well-curated and globally accessible
collections, like the Florida Museum of Natural History, where the specimens include not
only traditional skins, but also tissue samples for molecular analyses, and skeletal
specimens used in paleontological research. Regional collections of specimens, such
as the bird collection at the Bahamas National Trust, also play important roles in
education. We very much appreciate the efforts of the BNT and private citizens in
salvaging birds that will enhance our understanding of Bahamian birdlife.
Plant use by Megachile alleni Mitchell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) on San
Salvador, Bahamas
Carol L. Landry1 & Nancy B. Elliott2
1Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University,
Mansfield OH 44906, USA, 2Department of Biology, Siena College, Loudonville, NY
12211, USA
Megachile alleni is a common bee in The Bahamas, and the females are frequent
visitors to flowering plants. Their visits may have one or more of three objectives. As is
the case with most bees, adult females use floral nectar for nourishment. They also
collect pollen to provision nest cells for the developing larvae. The ventral surface of the
abdomen contains a mat of stiff hairs (scopae), which pick up pollen to be stored in nest
cells when rubbed over the flower’s anthers. As the common name of the genus implies,
female leaf-cutter bees also cut pieces from leaves of selected plant species and use
the pieces to build nest cells; one egg is laid in each nest cell, which contains all the
resources needed for the developing larva. We have observed Megachile alleni females
visiting 21 plant species from 13 families on San Salvador, collected bees for
identification of the pollen they carry on the scopae, and dissected their nest cells to
determine the structure and composition. At least three plant species are sources of
leaves used for nest construction. The behavior of individuals making floral visits
provides evidence of the purpose of each visit. When bees rub their abdomens across
anthers that are exerted from the floral cup, they are collecting pollen used to provision
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
the nests. In contrast, when bees probe flowers face-first, inserting their mouthparts,
they are collecting nectar that may be used in nest provisioning, but is probably
primarily for nourishment of the adult bee.
Economically and ecologically sustainable harvest of the blue land crab
(Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille) in The Bahamas: a conservation genetics
perspective
Tami L. LaPilusa & Jeffrey S. Heilveil
Biology Department, The State University of New York, College at Oneonta, Oneonta,
NY 13820, USA
Understanding the genetic diversity of artisanal fishery species is becoming exceedingly
important as habitat fragmentation and harvesting pressure increase. These species,
including the blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille), provide not only food, but
also a substantial supplement to the annual economy of The Bahamas. Andros Island is
believed to have the largest metapopulation of land crabs in The Bahamas, providing
generations of Androsians with income derived from the bountiful harvest during the
spawning migrations. Locals have reported having to travel further from their
settlements to collect adequate numbers of crabs to send to market, due to increased
harvesting pressure. The large, near-commercial, harvesting of this artisanal fishery
species puts both the local economy and the sustainability of the metapopulation at risk.
We assessed the genetic diversity of the blue land crab population on Andros Island to
identify discrete populations of C. guanhumi and to quantify the extent of its genetic
diversity across the island. These data may aid in the development of a conservation
plan to assist in managing the continued harvest of the blue land crab at a level that will
maintain quality of life while leaving a sustainable population of crabs to harvest into the
future.
Bonefish ecology and conservation in The Islands of the Bahamas
Justin Lewis, Chris Haak, Luke Griffin & Jim Williams
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, Cape Eleuthera
Institute, University of Massachusetts, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.
The common bonefish (Albula vulpes) is one of the most sought after sport fish in the
world. Bonefish attract anglers from all over the world to the flats ecosystem of The
Bahamas in their quest for these elusive fish. Bonefish are an important resource to The
Bahamian economy. These fish are important to Bahamians both as a symbol and a
food source. There is very little known about bonefish and most of the scientific
research that has been done has focused on the mature and the larval life stages, with
little to nothing being known about the juvenile stage of the bonefish’s life history. The
research that I took part in this past summer at the Cape Eleuthera Institute was to
identify the habitat(s) that juvenile bonefish utilize post settlement. Our research
depended on the collection and utilization of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
related to the flats ecosystems. The involvement of local fishermen and bonefishing
guides in The Bahamas is very important when it comes to understanding flats
environments and conservation planning. The identification of bonefish habitat(s) is very
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
important for determining conservation methods for bonefish as well as for a variety of
other flora and fauna that inhabit the flats ecosystem.
Seabirds of the Cay Sal Bank, The Bahamas: Report from an expedition in May
2012
William A. Mackin & Lisa F. Eggert
13913 Sterling Ridge Ln, Durham, NC 27707, USA, 2G27 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson
University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
From May 25-June 1, 2012, we led an expedition to the Cay Sal Bank to document
seabirds and other wildlife. Throughout the daylight hours, our team surveyed seabirds
within 300 m of the vessel. We visited the six largest islands on the Bank: Anguilla,
Cotton, Elbow, North and South Double-headed Shot, and Cay Sal Cays. We found
small seabird populations (tens to hundreds of breeding pairs) at Anguilla and Cotton
Cays in the southeast of the Bank. There were populations of approximately 100 pairs
each of Royal Terns (Sterna maxima), Sandwich Terns (Sterna sandvichensis), and
Roseate Terns (Sterna dougalli) on Cotton Cay. We found a very large Brown Racer
(Alsophis vudii picticeps) at Anguilla Cay, representing a new species for the Cay Sal
Bank. At Elbow Cay, the populations of terns and shearwaters required the use of
estimation techniques. Using circular plots, we estimated the populations of Sooty Terns
(Sterna fuscata; 7,100 – 15,000 pairs), Bridled Terns (Sterna anaethetus; 80-360 pairs),
Brown Noddies (Anous stolidus; 680-3,500 pairs), and Audubon’s Shearwaters
(Puffinus lherminieri; 3,500-6,400 pairs). At the Double-headed Shot Cays, tens to
hundreds of pairs of Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla), Royal Terns, Sooty Terns, Bridled
Terns, and Brown Noddies were detected. The population of shearwaters at Elbow cay
is the largest in the Caribbean, with more than half the known population.
BAhamas: a Coral reef Hope spot (BACH)
Carlotta Mazzoldi, Maria B. Rasotto
Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
Coral reef ecosystems are in serious decline from multiple threats, putting in jeopardy
the services that these ecosystems provide to people. In 2000, the Bahamian
government initiated the process of developing a network of marine protected areas
(MPAs) with the goal of setting aside about 20% of their coastal marine environment.
Recent studies demonstrated that marine communities of Bahamas MPAs are healthy,
being able to contrast the invasion of invasive ambush predators. This project aims to
increase the public awareness on the need to preserve coral reefs, indicating how the
insightful policy of Bahamas government in establish a network of MPAs is actually
making of the Bahamas reefs a worldwide model, an hope spot for marine biodiversity.
By recording the presence, abundance and behavior of two fish species, one of which
affected by alien species invasion in unprotected areas, we intend to set an easy tool to
advertise the healthy status of Bahamas marine environments. Non-professional
scientists, such as university students, diving centers, tourists will be involved in snorkel
surveys. In 2013 the information will be collected in the most successful Bahamas MPA,
the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, by a marine biologist of the University of Padova
with the support of two university students, from Italy and Bahamas. In the following
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
years, in accordance with the Bahamas institution in charge of marine conservation and
tourism development, additional surveys could be conducted in both protected and
unprotected areas, involving local diving centers, schools, and tourists. The results will
be presented in popular conferences, popular articles, tourism brochure, schools, as
well as the advertising media of television, radio, and internet.
Botanical conservation and research in TCI: Challenges and opportunities
B Naqqi Manco*, Junel Blaise, Kathleen M Wood & Eric F. Salamanca
Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs, Turks & Caicos Islands Government
Since 2010 the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) Department of Environment & Maritime
Affairs (DEMA) has been intensely involved in botanical conservation and research
work with several internationally recognised institutions. Botanical conservation in TCI is
challenging due to fast-paced development and low perceived value of native plant
ecosystems, and due to TCI’s status as a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, which
severely limits the archipelago’s access and eligibility to conservation funding. Key
projects towards this work include: Rescue & Collection of Endangered & Endemic
Plants Project, to successfully protected and propagated over 80 TCI, Lucayan
Archipelago, and Caribbean endemic and CITES and IUCN endangered species;
Caicos Pine Recovery Project, to save the National Tree of TCI Pinus caribaea var.
bahamensis from extinction due to invasive alien insect pests; TCI Seed Collection
Project, to bank seeds of all TCI plant species which bear orthodox seeds; Terrestrial
Habitat Mapping Project, to classify and map TCI’s terrestrial plant communities; and
Eradication of invasive plant species
DEMA has embarked on a number of firsts for TCI, including the introduction of
controlled burning in pine rocklands, propagation of endemic plant species never before
grown in cultivation, and rediscovery of an endemic plant lost to science for 37 years.
DEMA has also continued innovative work on the propagation of our National tree,
micropropagation of native orchids, and mapping of populations of endemic plants.
Work continues on the conservation and research of TCI’s native vegetation and plant
ecosystems for long-term understanding and protection.
Rescue and collection of endemic and endangered plants project: Turks & Caicos
Islands
B Naqqi Manco, Junel Blaise, Eric F. Salamanca & Kathleen Wood
Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs, Turks & Caicos Islands Government
The Turks & Caicos Islands Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA) was
awarded two funding contributions by the United Kingdom government’s Joint Nature
Conservation Committee for the Rescue & Collection of Endemic & Endangered Plants
Project in 2011. The project funding supports efforts to remove globally threatened
plants (endemic to TCI, the Bahama Archipelago, or the Caribbean Basin; or
endangered by IUCN or CITES classification) from development land, and research in
propagation techniques in DEMA’s Native Plant Biodiversity Conservation Nurseries.
The project’s original aims for 10 then 20 species have been far surpassed, with over
105 endemic or endangered species now grown in the nurseries and propagation
protocols written for 84 of these species. Work is supported by training and in-kind
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
assistance from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the TCI Environmental Club.
Rescued plants have been planted in community gardens by DEMA, schools, and
NGOs. Work continues with the aim to get all nine of TCI’s endemic plants into
cultivation in the nurseries.
Botanical research and conservation work in the Turks & Caicos Islands
B Naqqi Manco, Eric F Salamanca, Kathleen Wood & Junel Blaise
Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs, Turks & Caicos Islands Government
As a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, TCI is politically fragmented from the Bahama
Archipelago. Botanical research and conservation has been largely driven by local
botanists and ecologists and supported by a number of international NGOs and other
institutions. The Caicos Pine Recovery Project, a species survival project for the
National Tree of TCI Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis; the Rescue & Collection of
Endemic & Endangered Plants Project; and the Seed Collection Project are funded and
supported by UK Government Programmes and UK NGOs, with partnerships from other
institutions. Terrestrial vegetative habitat mapping has also been completed with
support from the UK Government. The establishment of Native Plant Nurseries and
Gardens has been a continuing effort, as has mangrove habitat restoration through
planting events. Red-listing of TCIs plants is another ongoing initiative with Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew. Work continues on botanical research and conservation as an
increasingly high priority within TCI Government departments.
Andros: Living off the Land and Sea
Directed by Matthew McCoy
Loggerhead Productions, General Delivery, Hope Town, Abaco. The Bahamas
Living Off the Land & Sea explores the natural resources of largest island in The
Bahamas. It is a land of great contrasts and beauty. Andros is known as the major
source of fresh water for The Bahamas capital of Nassau and is famous for its
bonefishing. But it is also home to land crabs, tarpon, turtles, iguanas, birds and the
third largest barrier reef in the world, giving it the potential to become an international
eco tourism mecca. However, its future is yet to be written. Meet the people who live
there and learn about the issues they face.
Managing habitat for Kirtland’s Warbler conservation in The Bahamas
Zeko McKenzie1,2, Genie Fleming2,3, Eileen H. Helmer3, Claire C. Larkin4, Charles Kwit4,
Montara T. K. Roberts5, Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr.3 & David N. Ewert6.
1College of the Bahamas, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, 2Puerto Rican
Conservation Foundation, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, 3International Institute of
Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, 4Department of
Biology, Miami University of Ohio, OH, USA, 5University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN,
USA, 6The Nature Conservancy, Lansing, MI, USA.
Habitat disturbance by bulldozing and goat grazing were found to produce Kirtland’s
Warbler (KW; Setophaga kirtlandii) winter habitats on Eleuthera, The Bahamas by
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
favoring some of the early successional plants that produce fruits used by the warbler
(e.g., black torch, Erithalis fruticosa; wild sage, Lantana involucrata). Our experimental
work focuses on encouraging KW fruit plants on sites requiring re-occurring disturbance
such as fuel breaks and utility or highway rights of way. Though primarily required to
control brush and prevent tree growth, the need for re-occurring disturbances could be
tailored for the warbler’s benefit by both public and private sectors, especially if costs
are minimal and/or part of ongoing management. Thus our conservation strategy
focuses on identifying cost-effective ways in which re-occurring human habitat
disturbances can be harnessed for the benefit of the warbler, which do not compromise
the primary purpose of the original management objective.
The Perry Institute for Marine Science: A retrospective look at 40 years of marine
research on Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas
Roger McManus1, Craig Dahlgren1 & John Marr1,2
1Perry Institute for Marine Science, P.O. Box 30812, Tucson, Arizona 85751, USA,
Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527, USA
The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) was founded in 1970 by John H. Perry,
Jr. PIMS has operated the internationally recognized marine laboratory at Lee Stocking
Island for over 40 years. Over that time, PIMS Scientists and visitors from around the
world have conducted ground-breaking research in marine science, covering a diversity
of fields from marine technology, aquaculture, fisheries biology, reef ecology, marine
protected areas, and climate change. For much of its existence, Lee Stocking Island
was the Caribbean region’s leading research lab, supporting more research dives and
scientific publications than any other research station. PIMS also supported local and
international students, providing support for Bahamians to participate in internships and
receive PhD and MS degrees in marine science. In 2012, PIMS closed its field station
on Lee Stocking Island, bringing an end to an era of research in The Bahamas. In 2013,
PIMS is locating to a new home and is on the brink of beginning a new era of marine
research in The Bahamas, with a vision in working with governmental agencies and
conservation organizations to achieve a new vision for The Bahamas that includes the
establishment of a national marine laboratory and a more robust marine research and
stewardship program for The Bahamas to best manage its coastal and marine
resources and to build on its rightful place as an international leader in research and
stewardship of marine resources.
Biodiversity and biogeography of the Lepidoptera in the Bahamas: Past, present
and future
J. Y. Miller 1, D. L. Matthews1, M. J. Simon1 & G. Goss 2
1McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, University of Florida, P. O. Box
112710, Gainesville, FL 32611-2710, USA, 2 Biology Department, Palm Beach Atlantic
University, P. O. Box 24708, West Pam Beach, FL 33416
Lepidoptera play a significant role in studies of biodiversity since they are excellent
bioindicators of particular habitats, are associated with specialized larval hostplants, and
are also involved in pollination. Nearly 83 butterfly species (102 taxa) have been
recorded in the Bahamas of the more than 238 species represented in the West Indies.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
The current distribution patterns are reflected in the geological history of the Caribbean
basin, but due to these insular habitats and other unpredictable environmental factors,
species abundance and turnover is altered each year. Such fluctuations may also be
indicative of climate change and adaptation. Although our surveys have focused on
butterflies in the past, we have begun to review and study the entire lepidopteran fauna
in recent years. Our knowledge of the moths, especially the Microlepidoptera, is
woefully incomplete. Hampson (1901, 1904) originally recorded 297 moths from
Bonhote’s and Chamberlain’s collections in Nassau and on Andros, but based on our
knowledge for all Lepidoptera recorded in Florida and Cuba, we estimate that
biodiversity of Lepidoptera throughout the Bahamas should include about 2,000-2,500
taxa. Our ultimate objective will be to complete biodiversity surveys for the islands,
identify endemic invasive species, provide additional information for education,
conservation management, and ecotourism, and complete a comparative biogeographic
analysis of the Lepidoptera distributed among Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba.
Bahamas Marine EcoCentre: Education, research and art fostering environmental
stewardship
Erich Mueller, Barbara Thompson & R. Pamela Reid
Bahamas Marine EcoCentre, PO Box SS-6206, Nassau Bahamas
Bahamas Marine EcoCentre (BME), is a non-profit organization promoting awareness
and respect for unique Bahamian landscapes and seascapes through creative activities
fostering environmental stewardship. Operated in collaboration with University of Miami,
BME programs focus on education, research and scientifically-based art. Educational
activities supported by BME include field courses and science camps for university and
high school students. Initially, the Young Bahamian Marine Scientist program was
developed, which later evolved to an independent organization, Young Marine
Explorers. BME also provides student scholarships and has funded three Bahamian
internships at the Kennedy Space Centre. BME’s research activities are focused at the
Darby Island Research Station, Exuma. The Station facilitates diverse research projects
including geomicrobiological studies of microbial populations, metabolic processes and
mineral products forming microbialites; exploration of deep reefs using novel deep
diving techniques; investigations of uranium isotopes in marine calcareous algae as
possible paleo-redox proxies; studies of Pleistocene sea level variability; and the
biochemistry of marine microeukaryotes. BME fills a special niche in the world of art,
promoting scientifically-based art that inspires and educates the public about Bahamian
ecosystems. Our book “Islands of the Sun”, published in collaboration with BNT and
TNC, is a fusion of science and art that tours the reader through the habitats of the
Exuma Cays. In continuing efforts to promote artistic endeavors focused on native flora
and fauna, BME is developing an artist-in -residence program. Education, research and
art opportunities afforded by BME are a resource for local and international students,
scientists and the general public.
Natural selection: A comparison of tourism models between The Bahamas and
Galapagos
Sarah Mui
Young Marine Explorers, CB 13179 Nassau, The Bahamas
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Abstract: Despite economic uncertainties global tourism continues to increase, reaching
close to one billion international travelers in 2012 according to the United Nations World
Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Often overlooked for its impact on the world economy,
tourism is a critical market for both The Bahamas and Galapagos. Tourism in The
Bahamas accounts for 60% of the GDP as well as about half of the jobs in the
workforce. For the Galapagos, with the park entrance fee included, tourism accounts for
88% of the total revenue generated on the islands (Epler 2007). With such a vital part of
the economy in tourism it is critical to have proper management plans that provide
sustainable development and mitigate the effects of tourism. The Bahamas and
Galapagos provide a unique comparison of how islands with limited resources manage
their tourism economies. This poster aims to evaluate the tourism models in The
Bahamas and Galapagos with an emphasis on sustainability. Great emphasis is placed
on the unspoiled nature; a poorly managed tourism industry could therefore have
devastating impacts environmentally and economically. Practices must be green and
sustainable in order to ensure longevity.
Bonefish (Albula vulpes) movement patterns and energetics – knowledge gained
from acoustic telemetry studies in Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Karen J. Murchie1,2,3, Steven J. Cooke2,34, Andy J. Danylchuk2,35, Sascha E.
Danylchuk2, Tony L. Goldberg2,6, Cory D. Suski2,7 & David P. Philipp2,7,8
1School of Chemistry, Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biology, College
of The Bahamas, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, 2Flats Ecology and
Conservation Program, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The Bahamas c/o Cape
Eleuthera Institute, 498 SW 34th St, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 33315, USA, 3Fish Ecology
and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University,
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada, 4Institute of Environmental
Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6,
Canada, 5Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA, 6Pathobiological
Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1656 Linden Drive,
Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA, 7Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin
Ave., Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA, 8Illinois Natural History Survey, Institute for Natural
Resource Sustainability, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
Knowledge of the spatial distribution of animals is fundamental to the basic
understanding of ecological functioning within an ecosystem because the movement of
organisms promotes energy flow and connectivity between habitats. Bonefish (Albula
spp.) are a group of fish that not only demonstrate the interconnectedness of habitats
within tropical tidal flats and tidal creeks, but also the connectivity of the flats with other
marine ecosystems. Bonefish also carry the distinction of being a highly prized sportfish.
Despite these important ecological and economic roles, there are large gaps in the
knowledge of bonefish biology. Using an acoustic telemetry array with >50 autonomous
receivers we examined the seasonal movement patterns and distribution of bonefish
(Albula vulpes) in tidal creeks and nearshore areas within Eleuthera, The Bahamas. We
also used transmitters equipped with accelerometers and depth sensors to estimate the
field activity and energetics of free-swimming bonefish. Telemetry data were linked to
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
environmental variables such as tides and water temperature and the results
complemented laboratory physiology and metabolic studies. Management strategies,
including the development of marine protected areas, will benefit greatly from
fundamental information on the spatial ecology and natural history of bonefish.
Long-term climate change and biotic response from two blue holes in The
Bahamas
Lisa Park Boush1, Amy Myrbo2, Mary Jane Berman3, Perry Gnivecki4, Andrew
Michelson5 & Kristina Brady2
1The National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230, USA,
2LacCore / Limnological Research Center, Department of Earth Sciences, University of
Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr SE, 672 Civil Engineering Building Minneapolis MN 55455,
USA, 3Center for American and World Cultures, 105 MacMillan Hall, Miami University,
Oxford, OH 45056, USA, 4Department of Anthropology, Miami University, Oxford, OH
45056, USA, 5The Department of Geosciences, The University of Akron, Akron, OH
44325, USA, andy.michelson@gmail.com
Understanding the dynamics of biotic-climate interactions over millennial timescales is
important for characterizing long-term sustainability for at-risk ecosystems. Sediment
cores were extracted from two lakes (Watling’s Blue Hole and Blue Hole Five) on San
Salvador Island, as part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.
Students used the cores to reconstruct the region’s past environment over thousands of
years, and investigate the impacts of climate and human impacts on the biota within the
lakes. Cores were collected from three sites (deep to shallow) in each lake. Lithological
core description, loss on ignition (LOI), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) show that sediments from Watling’s Blue Hole and Blue Hole Five
varied with respect to each other. LOI data confirmed that the majority of the sediment
of both blue holes was carbonate, with varying amounts of terrestrial and aquatic
organic material and very low, occasional siliciclastic pulses, probably a record of distal
dust inputs. Diagenetic pyrite is present in both lakes. XRF data indicates differences in
elemental analysis of cores from the blue holes. The sediments from both blue holes
contained abundant ostracodes and mollusks. Ostracode assemblages changed over
time in response to salinity, with climate changes broadly synchronous between the two
blue holes. Initial core descriptions showed that the concentration of mollusks in Blue
Hole Five cores was significantly greater than that of Watling's Blue Hole cores. Further
analysis of mollusks found in Blue Hole Five found four species: abundant Cerithidea
costata and Anomalocardia auberiana, with lesser, but significant abundances of
Acteocina sp. and Polymesoda maritima. The distribution and diversity of mollusks
within these lakes through time likely are related to sea level fluctuations. Further
studies are needed to assess the taphonomic controls in these lakes to determine the
relative impacts of natural versus anthropogenic change.
Reconstructing Lucayan lifeways - A paleodemography of the pre-Columbian
Bahamas
Michael P. Pateman
Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation. P.O. Box EE-15082, Nassau, The
Bahamas
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Archaeological studies in The Bahamas have focused mainly on the cultural adaptations
of the prehistoric peoples, the Lucayans (600 – 1500 AD) to their environment. Few
studies have taken place concerning the biological development and adaptations to The
Bahamian environment. The Lucayans appear to have buried their dead in the
limestone cave systems of the archipelago. These caves exist in two forms, wet
(including blue holes and caves with a direct connection to the water table) and dry
caves. This study compares the demography, health and diet of individuals buried within
wet caves to dry caves. Pathology is present in the following categories; trauma,
nutritional defects, dental disease and occupational markers. These conditions are
described in detail and interpreted in the archaeological context of the prehistoric
Bahamas. Additionally, bone collegen, bone apatite and tooth enamel were prepared
and studied using stable isotopic mass spectrometry to specifically investigate the diet.
The isotopic results will be analyzed and interpreted into their archaeological context of
the prehistoric Bahamas. Temporal patterning will also be used to access shifts over
time.
Supporting collaboration, inspiring conservation
Olivia M. Patterson1, Kristin Williams1, David Knowles2, Brian Kakuk3, Nancy Albury4,
Paul Pinder5 & Craig Layman6
1Friends of the Environment. P.O. Box AB-20755, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas,
2Bahamas National Trust. P.O. Box N-4105, The Retreat, Village Road, Nassau,
Bahamas, 3Bahamas Caves Research Foundation. Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas,
4National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation.
P.O. Box AB-20755, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, 5Abaco Fly Fishing Guides
Association. Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, 6Florida International University. Marine
Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University,
3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, Florida, USA
In an effort to preserve some of the most important species and ecosystems of The
Bahamas, we are striving to gain protection status for three critical areas of Abaco. This
effort is part of the Caribbean Challenge (an effort to protect 20% of all marine and
coastal habitats by 2020), and is a partnership among the Bahamian Government,
community members, local and national NGOs, and scientists. Development of the
proposals would not have been possible without the important collaborations among
partners. The three areas currently under consideration are: (1) East Abaco Creeks (as
a National Park), (2) South Abaco Blue Holes (as a National Park) and (3) Cross
Harbour (as a Conservation Zone under the Forestry Act). Each of these areas has
unique characteristics, and deserves protection status for particular reasons. The East
Abaco creeks system is one of the most important nursery sites (e.g., for conch and
Nassau Grouper) in the region. The South Abaco area contains numerous important
blue holes, features that are revealing detailed insight into Bahamian ecological and
geological history. Cross Harbour may be host to the largest bonefish spawning
aggregation in the region. All of the proposals aim to provide structure for management,
while still allowing cultural and recreational use of the areas.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
The reproductive ecology of bonefish (Albula vulpes) and its implications for
conservation strategies in The Bahamas
David P. Philipp1,2,3, Karen J. Murchie1,4,5, Steven J. Cooke,1,5,6, Andy J. Danylchuk1,2,7,
Sascha E. Danylchuk1, Tony L. Goldberg1,8, Cory D. Suski1,2,9, Chris Haak1,2,7 & Aaron
Shultz1,9
1Flats Ecology and Conservation Program, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The
Bahamas c/o Cape Eleuthera Institute, 498 SW 34th St, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA,
33315, 2Fisheries Conservation Foundation, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, Illinois,
USA, 61820, 3Illinois Natural History Survey, Institute for Natural Resource
Sustainability, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, Illinois, USA, 61820, 4School of
Chemistry, Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biology, College of The
Bahamas, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, 5Fish Ecology and Conservation
Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By
Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 5B6, 6Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton
University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 5B6, 7Department of
Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 160 Holdsworth
Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA, 01003-9285, 8Pathobiological Sciences, School of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1656 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin,
USA, 53706, 9Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, Illinois,
USA, 61801
Research at the Cape Eleuthera Institute using acoustic telemetry revealed a complex
set of behaviors that bonefish (Albula vulpes) use for reproduction in Eleuthera,
Bahamas. Triggered by the lunar cycle, large numbers of adult bonefish migrated up to
15 miles in a single day to a near-shore pre-spawning aggregation site near the drop-off
to deep water. At night, at the peak of the high tide these fish moved to deep water
(>1000ft) to spawn, using the ebbing tide to carry their fertilized eggs into the deep
water of the Exuma Sound. This spawning activity lasted for several nights and was
repeated twice a month. We proposed that this reproductive behavior was typical for
bonefish across The Bahamas. To test this hypothesis, V. Haley demonstrated that in
Andros, adult bonefish migrated 45 miles or more from the west side of the island
through the bights to the east side to spawn on the edge of the Tongue of the Ocean. In
Abaco, A. Adams, Z. Jud, and C. Layman demonstrated that adult bonefish migrated up
to 70 miles to spawn in deep water to the south. To develop effective conservation
strategies for this species, however, we need to know how many spawning locations
there are and which of them are the most effective at producing the next generations of
adult bonefish. A conceptual model for bonefish recruitment will be presented to
illustrate how source-sink dynamics and ocean currents may play a major role in
determining recruitment dynamics, and hence, conservation strategies.
Behavior, ecology, and conservation of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole
(Icterus northropi)
Melissa R. Price, Valerie A. Lee, & William K. Hayes
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
92350 USA
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Recent elevation of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) to
species status prompted us to evaluate its population status, habitat dependence,
breeding ecology, population genetics, and vocalization behaviors. From surveys, we
estimated that 90-162, 24-44, and 27-48 individuals remain on North Andros, Mangrove
Cay, and South Andros, respectively. Orioles mostly used anthropogenic habitat
(residential and agricultural land) during the breeding season, though home ranges
included nearby pine forest and coppice (dry broadleaf forest). Most nests observed
were constructed in nonnative Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera). Trees selected for
nesting were significantly taller, less likely to have shrubs underneath, farther from
cover, and had more palm trees nearby than randomly available palm trees in the area.
Three of eight nests with known contents were parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds
(Molothrus bonariensis), a brood parasite that became established in the 1990s without
subsequent population increases. Lethal yellowing disease recently devastated Coconut
Palms and reduced local breeding oriole density on North Andros, but palms on
Mangrove Cay and South Andros remained healthy. Molecular analyses indicated minor
differences in genetic variation among the three populations. Vocalization analyses
suggested that the Bahama Oriole more closely resembles tropical oriole species
(monochromatic, both sexes sing, frequent male-female duetting) than temperate
species (dichromatic, males primarily sing). The juxtaposition of anthropogenic habitat
to suitable native habitats may be essential in meeting the oriole's life history needs.
Conservation of coppice habitat, at high risk for agricultural and residential
development, is crucial for survival of this critically endangered synanthropic species.
Bahamian “Love Teas”: Story of an etic fail
Logan Randolph
Polk State College, 999 Avenue H NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA
Cultural anthropologists often use the terms etic view and emic view, though there is
quite a deal of debate about how to exactly define and apply these terms. For this
discussion, the emic view is the worldview of someone from within a culture and an etic
view is the worldview of someone from outside the culture. As a non-Bahamian, my own
cultural past obviously shapes my view of Bahamian culture, even though I try to
suppress those influences and strive to see things from a more emic view. Of course
these viewpoints influence the understanding of traditional medicinal systems (“bush
medicine”) as they impact studying any aspect of natural resource use. A frequent
component of bush medicine that has intrigued researches is “love tea” which is
generally described as an aphrodisiac tea. Numerous recipes for love tea abound in the
Bahamas, though the same core elements are usually found in most recipes. During the
summer of 1996 I was teaching a field course entitled “Ethnobiology of the Bahamas”
on Andros Island, Bahamas. Students in the course were divided into teams, with each
team studying some aspect of Androsian ethnobiology, by interviewing householders in
several Androsian settlements. One team investigated Cassava cultivation, another
team investigated land crab harvesting. The third team investigated the difference
between the “bush tea” consumed in the morning and the aphrodisiac “love tea,” with
some surprising results.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Using ecological and evolutionary data to understand the effects of climate
change on bats in The Bahamas
David L. Reed1, Angelo Soto-Centeno1, Kelly Speer1 & Nancy Albury2
1Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA 32611
2Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation, The National Museum of The
Bahamas, P.O. Box AB20755, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
Climate change has dramatically altered island size and the distance between islands in
The Bahamas over the last two million years. This has effectively isolated and
reconnected some species of plants and animals over and over again. Bats, for
example, have had periods of isolation and reconnection as land masses dramatically
changed. These periods of isolation and reconnection can cause the permanent
extinction of species as well as localized extinctions (extirpations from certain islands).
Our research uses various methods to reconstruct the effect of climate change on bats
in the Caribbean and especially in The Bahamas. We use ecological data to generate
estimates of precisely where certain bat species occur (a process known as ecological
niche modeling) and we project those models into the past to ask where did bat species
occur say 22,000 years ago when land masses in the Bahamas were largest? We then
check to see if these models are performing well by checking to see if fossil bats found
in The Bahamas seem to match the model's predictions. Further, we use DNA
sequences from the bats to reconstruct their past to determine which islands share bat
populations and which islands are effectively isolated from one another. I will briefly
report our findings which demonstrate that past climate change has certainly had an
effect on the movement of bats between islands, and that climate change will likely play
a role in the future health of bat populations in The Bahamas.
Long term changes on Andros Island coral reefs
Patricia Richards1, Kramer, Philip Kramer2, Judith Lang3, and Ken Marks3.
1Perigee Environmental, 2The Nature Conservancy, 3Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef
Assessment (AGRRA) Program
The Andros Coral Reef System extends for over 217 km and is unique in the western
Atlantic for its large size, low adjacent human population, and vast surrounding shallow
banks that restrict oceanic circulation and limit the fetch of storm waves. Recent
declines in coral reefs in the wider Caribbean are well documented, particularly in areas
where local stressors such as overfishing, coastal development and pollutants are
significant. Less understood are the condition and subsequent recovery of coral reefs in
more remote areas where direct human influences may be lower, but where regional
impacts caused by bleaching, diseases and hurricanes have been proportionally more
significant. Beginning in 1997, the condition of the coral reefs along central Andros
Island have been surveyed biannually using AGRRA-based methods forming one of the
most comprehensive and long-term coral monitoring data sets in the Bahamas.
Significant declines in coral were observed during the 1998 major bleaching and to a
lesser extent during moderate to minor bleaching episodes in 2005 and 2007,
respectively. Recovery from these disturbances has been limited to shallow patch reefs
and reef crests and is significantly lower in high relief fore reef habitats. Total fish
biomass has generally increased over the years; however, the outbreak of lionfish
documented in 2007, and their continued prevalence, may impact Andros fish
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
populations in the future. This talk will: (1) review the large-scale changes on Andros
Island’s coral reefs over the past 10 years; (2) quantify changes in key fish communities
such as herbivores, commercially significant fishes, and invasive lionfishes; and
(3)present an easy to understand reef health index useful for managers to track reef
condition overtime.
Resilience of endemic parrot populations on Great Abaco and Great Inagua,
Bahamas
1Frank F. Rivera-Milán, 2Caroline Stahala & 3Fernando Simal
1United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Maryland, USA, 2Florida State
University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA, 3STINAPA Bonaire, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean.
Geographic isolation puts endemic parrot populations at risk of extinction due to
environmental disturbances. We studied the resilience (i.e., resistance and recovery) of
endemic parrot populations on Great Abaco and Great Inagua, Bahamas, using count
data corrected for changes in detection probability to estimate density, abundance, and
rate of change in abundance before-after environmental disturbances. Great Abaco was
struck by moderate Category 3 hurricanes in 2004 and 2011; and extensive wildfires
were frequent during 20032012. Cat removal was conducted at parrot nest sites in
southern Abaco during 20092012. A strong Category 4 hurricane struck Great Inagua
in 2008; and severe droughts occurred in 2004 and 20082009. The Great Abaco parrot
population resisted environmental disturbances, and responded quickly to cat removal
with increases in breeding pair productivity, female survival, and population density in
2012. Food abundance was higher and less clumped on Great Abaco than on the much
drier Great Inagua. The hurricane and drought limited food supply on Great Inagua
during 20082009, causing a 63% decline in the parrot population. Recovery time was
estimated to be 24 years for parrots on Great Inagua, and therefore we expect
population density to rebound to pre-hurricane levels in 2013. Long-term research and
monitoring allowed us to better understand the response of isolated parrot populations
to environmental disturbances and targeted management actions seeking to increase
reproductive success and the survival of nesting females.
Ecosystem restoration on Allen Cay: Removing invasive mice
Cameron Saunders1, Aurora Alifano2, Tamica Rahming1, Richard Griffiths2 &
William A. Mackin3
1Bahamas National Trust P.O. Box N 4105 Nassau, The Bahamas, 2Island
Conservation, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz CA 95060 USA, 33913 Sterling Ridge Ln,
Durham, NC 27707 USA
Invasive species are one of the leading threats to native wildlife. Despite considerable
investment into the Bahamas National Park System, critical nesting and breeding areas
of endangered and endemic biota remain threatened by invasive species. In May 2012,
The Bahamas National Trust together with Island Conservation undertook an operation
to remove introduced House Mice (Mus musculus) from Allen Cay, Exuma Islands,
Bahamas. The removal of mice was a necessary step in the restoration of the native
environment of the cay, an important breeding and nesting site for Audubon’s
Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) and the endemic Allen Cay Rock Iguana (Cyclura
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
cychlura inornata). The removal of mice as a food source was expected to limit the
presence of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) on Allen Cay, and subsequently reduce shearwater
mortality attributed to owl predation. Iguanas were removed from the cay prior to the
eradication, and will be relocated after the operation has been confirmed successful and
breeding habitat has been enhanced. Monitoring of iguanas, shearwater census plots
and banded individuals will continue to assess the benefits of removing mice from Allen
Cay by measuring population changes and survivorship. Bahamas National Trust staff
gained hands on exposure to eradication techniques, a capacity that will assist the
organization to take on similar restoration projects in the future. Future implementation
of recommended biosecurity measures will reduce the threat of re-invasion by invasive
species and improve conservation impacts, both at Allen Cay and throughout the
Bahamas. This project was undertaken in close collaboration with Predensa Moore,
Scott Johnson, Arlington Johnson, David Cooper, John Iverson, Wes Jolley, and Kirsty
Swinnerton.
Developing environmental stewardship in The Bahamas through song, story, and
art
Ruth Schowalter1 & Sandra Voegeli2
1Language Institute Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, 30332, USA, UC Berkeley
Hastings Natural History Reservation, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 USA; Georgia College
and State University (GCSU) Maymester Study Abroad, Ecology and Community
Ecology, Bahamas & San Salvador Living Jewels (SSLJ); San Salvador, Bahamas
Let’s inspire children to be caretakers of their environments by celebrating the living
jewels of the land, sky, and sea! Songs, stories, and art are three viable ways of inviting
children into lively discussions about their role in conservation, while also educating
them about Bahamian plants, animals, and environments. We will introduce and
demonstrate activities developed from a newly published Bahamian animalconservation story, The Misadventures of Maria the Hutia, which can be used in
elementary or secondary school classrooms or at home to teach Bahamian children
about these topics. Among the activities we propose using are a song, Living Jewels of
the Land, Sky, and Sea, which has a clear conservation message about many animals
native to the Bahamas. This song was later expanded into the book, The Misadventures
of Maria the Hutia, which focuses on the main character from the song, Maria, who is a
Bahamian hutia (Geocapromys ingrahmi). Artwork developed for the book engages
children in learning more about the life and habitats of marine and terrestrial
environments of the Bahamas, including a map of the Bahamas that shows Maria’s
journey. Some of the black-and-white illustrations of Bahamian animals from the book
were used for coloring activities at the 2012 Sea Camp on San Salvador, and we plan to
provide more of these illustrations in a supplementary coloring/activities book. A
combination of song, story, and art can thus help lead Bahamian children to be in awe
of their environment and build the foundation for their stewardship.
Cultivating the appreciation of Bahamian Biological diversity through Citizen
Science
Nikita Shiel-Rolle
Young Marine Explorers Rugby Drive Nassau The Bahamas P.O Box CB-13179
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
The biological diversity of The Bahamas is largely un-described and thus underappreciated. The value of biological diversity, its role in critical ecosystem services and
need to conserve and manage natural resources is not a national priority. Historically,
visiting foreign scientists have carried out scientific research within The Bahamas; as a
result information describing the ecology and biology of The Bahamas is not easily
accessible to most Bahamians, especially students. With the increasing population, and
need for a healthy environment to support tourism, fisheries and needs of Bahamian
citizens there are several steps that can be taken to improve the communication of
scientific knowledge amongst Bahamians. First, organizations like Young Marine
Explorers (YME) that engage Bahamians in citizen science encourages a deeper
understanding about local environmental issues and the importance of a healthy
environment that supports The Bahamian economy, human health and wellbeing.
Engaging non-professional scientist in research also promotes the feasibility of longterm research projects that provide temporal perspective, which under other
circumstances may not be possible. A second approach addresses the need to develop
a national Natural Community Classification system, which can be used to help track
large units of biodiversity through natural habitats. Utilizing CMECS as an example of
what could be applied throughout The Bahamas a test map of a local ecosystem
illustrates the effectiveness of such a classification system.
The blood-chemistry response of mangrove fishes to acute climate change
stressors across seasons.
Aaron Shultz1,2, Zach Zuckerman1,2, David Philipp3,2 & Cory Suski1,2
1Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois,
1102 S. Goodwin Ave., MC 047, Urbana, IL 61801, 2Flats Ecology and Conservation
Program, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The Bahamas, 3 Illinois Natural History
Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, 1816 S. Oak Street, MC-652,
Champaign, IL 61820
Anthropogenic disturbances since the industrial revolution, such as the burning of fossil
fuels and deforestation, have resulted in an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
atmosphere to a level that exceeds concentrations over the past 650,000 years,
resulting in changes to the global climate. In addition to causing warmer air and ocean
temperatures, climate change also alters the evaporation/precipitation cycle and
elevates CO2 concentrations, which, in turn, will increase ocean salinity and reduce
ocean pH. The ability of fish to respond to their abiotic environment relies on the
coordination of internal components (e.g., cells, organelles, and tissues) and processes
(e.g., intra and extracellular acid-base chemistry) to maintain homeostasis. A disruption
in one of these components or processes sets the physiological limits for the whole
organism. The objective of this experiment was to quantify the blood-based
physiological response of bonefish, checkered puffers, and yellowfin mojarra exposed to
an acute increase in salinity, acidity, temperature, and temperature plus acidity, and to
assess how these responses differ in summer versus winter. Abiotic conditions were
manipulated by gradually adjusting ambient seawater in the direction of change that
exceeds predictions by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Blood samples
were taken from each fish and analyzed for indicators of stress (cortisol, glucose),
anaerobic metabolism (lactate), and osmotic/ionic changes (Na +, K+, Cl-, Ca2+). Results
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
from this experiment will be key in predicting how performance (e.g., growth, survival,
reproduction) and ultimately fitness of these species will change under future climate
scenarios.
The Bahamas lionfish control project: Its origin and current status
Nicola S. Smith
Department of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources, East Bay
Street, P.O. Box N-3028, Nassau, Bahamas
The Bahamas Lionfish Control Project is part of a regional invasive species initiative
entitled, “Mitigating the Threats of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean”
(MTIASIC). The MTIASIC project includes five Caribbean nations and is funded by the
Global Environment Facility. Under the MTIASIC project, each participating country is
responsible for identifying a high priority invasive species and developing, where
applicable, early detection and rapid response, control, eradication or preventative
measures. In 2009 as part of the MTIASIC project, The Bahamas selected to develop
control measures for Pacific red lionfish, Pterois volitans, using a local and regional
research, training and management approach. The Bahamas Department of Marine
Resources is the national implementing agency for the project and works in
collaboration with several local and international organizations. The project is of four
years duration and focuses on five thematic areas: (1) a lionfish population control
experiment; (2) professional training; (3) promotion of lionfish research in priority areas;
(4) invasive species policy and legislation review and reform; and, (5) invasive species
outreach and educational initiatives. Here, I summarize the history of lionfish in the
western Atlantic and trace the series of events that led to the development of The
Bahamas Lionfish Control Project. I also give an overview of the project’s goals,
objectives and preliminary results with particular emphasis on the lionfish population
control experiment.
Bahamas catch reconstruction: Fisheries trends in a tourism-driven economy
(1950-2010)
Nicola S. Smith1 & Dirk Zeller2
1Department of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources, East
Bay St., P.O. Box N-3028, Nassau, Bahamas, 2Sea Around Us Project, Fisheries
Centre, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4,
Canada
Fish is a source of protein for Bahamian residents and tourists, and both groups expect
to catch and eat local fish. However, demand for local fish by a burgeoning tourism
industry in combination with similar demands from a growing resident population raises
an important question: Can domestic fisheries satisfy current fishing and seafood
consumption patterns of both sectors in the long-term? To answer this question, we
need to know among other things, total fisheries removals as well as patterns of
fisheries demand by tourists versus residents in the past and present. Using a globally
established catch reconstruction approach, we provide a more comprehensive
accounting of Bahamian fisheries catches from commercial and non-commercial sectors
from 1950-2010. This is in marked contrast to national data and those that are supplied
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which represent
only commercial catch. Additionally, we quantify demand for local fish by tourists. We
found that total reconstructed catch over 1950-2010 was 2.6 times larger than official
data presented by the FAO on behalf of The Bahamas. This discrepancy was due to
unreported catch from the sport and subsistence fisheries as well as the systematic
under-reporting of commercial catches. Furthermore, 75% of total reconstructed catch
from 1950-2010 was attributed to demand by tourism. This study provides a preliminary
baseline for historic fisheries catches and estimates tourism demand for local fish over
the past half century. Nevertheless, field investigations are needed to improve upon
these data and the trends they represent.
Mammal conservation in altered landscapes
Sandra Sneckenberger
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Florida Ecological Services Office. 1339 20th
Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32962, USA
Pythons, feral cats, tegus, and Gambian pouch rats have changed the way biologists
and scientists approach endangered species recovery in south Florida. The challenges
these invasive species present and current techniques employed to manage them will
be discussed. The influx of invasive, non-native species has also affected the native
mammals of the Bahamas. Connections and correlations will be made between the
current issues and strategies applied in south Florida and the Bahamas.
Occurrence and impacts of chronic and acute coastal hypoxia in The Bahamas:
macro algal indicators of eutrophication and benthic community impacts
Kathleen Sullivan Sealey1, Vanessa Nero McDonough1, 2 & Kathleen Semon Lunz1, 3
1 Coastal Ecology laboratory, Department of biology, University of Miami, P.O. Box
249118, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA, 2 Biscayne National Park, Homestead,
Florida, USA, 3 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Fish And Wildlife Commission, St.
Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA
A 10-year project to characterize, then assess, the health of coastal environments
across the Bahamian archipelago documented near shore water quality to map the
occurrence of acute (post-hurricane) and chronic hypoxic events. The Bahamas are
very vulnerable to coastal eutrophication, primarily from land use change on small
islands. Eutrophication is defined as “increase in the rate of supply of organic matter to
an ecosystem” (Nixon 1995). Eutrophication or nutrient pollution has been called the
number-one global threat to coastal marine biodiversity. This study mapped hypoxia
occurrences by identifying both “hot spots” for chronic eutrophication, and areas
impacted by acute eutrophication after major storms or hurricanes. Over 170 sites on 10
different islands were surveyed seasonally over one-year periods, and 27 sites
surveyed over multiple years to document the occurrence of coastal hypoxia, and the
impacts on benthic algal species assemblages. The results show widespread hypoxic
events throughout the archipelago, even on islands with low human populations and
development (e.g. Long Island) and documented shifts in benthic macro-algal species
assemblages after storms, and over years following land-use change. Eutrophication
thresholds for each system are unique: differing with geomorphology, climate, and
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
ecology. Benthic algal communities are also unique to coastal geomorphology and
ecology; but were observed to rapidly change with changes in nutrients and run-off.
Algal assemblages are key indicators for nutrient pollution. Results were used to
determine limits for nutrient loading in The Bahamas as well as identify candidate
locations for coastal restoration and management.
Aggregated nesting of Bahama Parrots (Amazona leucocephala bahamensis) in
South Abaco
Caroline Stahala
Florida State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 319 Stadium Dr.,
Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
Parrots are known to be one of the more social animals, made evident when seen in
large foraging flocks, nightly roosts and bonded pair. Therefore, the idea that parrots
exhibit social behavior during the nesting season is not surprising. However, why does
this behavior exist and does it need to be taken into account when management
decisions are being made? These questions were addressed by looking at the nesting
distribution of the Bahama parrot (Amazona leucocephala bahamensis) on Abaco
Island. The nesting by this parrot population is aggregated and limited to the southern
portion of the Island. Nearest Neighbors were measured to focal nests during the
breeding seasons of 2010 – 1012. Cavity density, vegetation measures, behavioral
data, nest success and DNA were collected for parrots at focal nests, neighboring nests
and random sites to determine potential reasons for this nest distribution. Parrots do not
appear to be selecting nesting areas that have a higher number of cavities, therefore
they are not distributing themselves in relation to available cavities. Although having a
close neighbor seemed to be an advantage during some years the trend was not
consistent. Nesting behavior should be considered when making management
decisions. Cavity density may not affect distribution it does affect suitability of area as a
nest site.
Results of South Abaco predator management on the Bahama Parrot (Amazona
leucocephala bahamensis)
Caroline Stahala
Florida State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 319 Stadium Dr.,
Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
The Bahama parrot’s use of underground limestone cavities as nesting sites on Abaco
Island makes this parrot population particularly vulnerable to predators. Our previous
studies have indicated that the Abaco parrot population could not remain viable under
the level of predation pressures introduced mammals presented. Using this information
as a guide, the Bahamas National Trust implemented a predator control program during
the 2010 parrot breeding season and successive years. Survival of breeding parrots
and parrot nest success were measured in years prior to management and in the three
parrot breeding seasons since management implementation. The yearly nesting season
results indicate that predator control measures are having a significant positive effect on
the parrot population based on increased adult survival, nest success and number of
chicks fledged. This positive effect on the parrot population is also evident in population
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
estimates measured before and after management implementation. Predator control
has been demonstrated as a successful management strategy to reduce the effects of
predators on breeding adult parrot survival and breeding productivity. All efforts should
be made to continue this program to protect the parrot population.
Conserving Caribbean Islands: Removing invasive animals to protect
biodiversity.
K.J. Swinnerton*1, N. Holmes1, B. Fabres2 , G. Gerber3, M. García4 & Kelly Newton5,
Shyama Pagad6
1Island Conservation, 100 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA, 2Island
Conservation, 650 East Bay Street, Suite # 2, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas,
3Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, 15600 San Pasqual Valley
Road Escondido, CA 92027, USA; 4Department of Natural and Environmental
Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Wildlife, P.O. Box 366147, San Juan Puerto Rico
00936, USA, 5Coastal and Conservation Action Laboratory, University of California at
Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA, 6IUCN Invasive Species
Specialist Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland New Zealand
Although islands make up less than 5% of the earth’s land area, 80% of known species
extinctions since the 1500s have taken place on islands; and 40% of IUCN Critically
Endangered species currently inhabit them. Invasive Alien Vertebrates have been a
primary cause of insular extinctions and are recognized as a key risk to today’s
threatened species. There have been over 1100 successful eradications of invasive
vertebrates from islands worldwide, including 51 in the Caribbean, representing
practical and effective conservation interventions to prevent extinctions and protect
biodiversity. Using data from the Database of Islands and Invasive Species Eradications
(DIISE http://eradicationsdb.fos.auckland.ac.nz/ ) and the Threatened Island
Biodiversity database (TIB http://tib.islandconservation.org ), we present case studies of
previous invasive vertebrate eradication, demonstrate priority Caribbean islands and
archipelagos based on presence of IUCN Threatened species, and highlight the
applicability of this conservation tool to Caribbean Rock Iguanas (Cyclura spp.).
Caribbean Rock Iguanas are amongst the most threatened taxa in the world, with 14 of
the 16 species and subspecies reported as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the
IUCN Red List. In the Insular Caribbean, 86 discrete small island subpopulations of 14
Cyclura species and subspecies breed in seven Caribbean Nations; 53% of these island
populations co-occur with feral cats, ungulates and rats. Combined with other
conservation tools such as translocation, invasive vertebrate removal programs offer an
effective opportunity to down-list several Cyclura species, and provide sustainable
iguana populations free from invasive species impacts.
Late Holocene bird communities from The Bahamas and Hispaniola: Comparing
the chronology of orehistoric extinction in the West Indies
Oona M. Takano & David W. Steadman
Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611,
USA.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
We compare the rapidly growing fossil record of birds from Abaco, The Bahamas, with
that from Trouing Jean Paul (TJP), a high-elevation limestone sinkhole in the Massif de
la Selle, Haiti. Our comparisons will be restricted to non-passerine fossils from the Late
Holocene (the past several thousand years). The Haitian fossils represent the prey
remains of two extant owls, the widespread Tyto alba and the Hispaniolan endemic T.
glaucops, whereas the Bahamian fossils represent prey remains of T. alba as well as
natural trap activity. Among 23 species of birds from TJP (4800+ identified fossils), only
one is extinct (a woodcock, Scolopax new sp.). The TJP deposit does not include fossils
of the extinct vertebrates found in older Holocene sites on Hispaniola (tortoise, four
species of sloths, two monkeys, four rodents, a caracara, flightless rail, and giant barnowl). The TJP fossils instead portray a Late Holocene bird community that already had
experienced four or more millennia of Amerindian presence, but had not yet been
influenced by the activities of European or African peoples over the past 500 years.
Among the 19 Late Holocene species of birds from Abaco (200+ identified fossils), six
are extinct (a hawk, caracara, crane, rail, thick-knee, and owl). We attribute the much
higher proportion of extinct forms from Abaco (32%) than Haiti (4%) to the fact that
humans colonized Abaco only ca. 1000 years ago, and therefore many of the
Abaconian fossils were deposited during the last millennium or two before people
arrived.
The story of sharks
Brendan Talwar & Ian Rossiter
Cape Eleuthera Institute, The Island School, Rock Sound Eleuthera, The Bahamas
This film, through humor, simplicity, and scientific theory, describes our predicament
with a drastically declining shark population worldwide, and offers a new perspective on
how to view the most feared fish on our planet. Through stop motion, we tell the story of
our ocean’s greatest predators by focusing on the vital role they play in our economies,
ecosystems, and cultures. It is the story of our decision between an ocean with, or
without, them. It is the story of how we only have one logical choice left. It is the story of
sharks. History and Awards: Blue Ocean Film Festival Finalist, 2012, Festival Mondial
de l’Image Sous Marine Finalist, 2012, Festival Mondial de l’Image Sous Marine: French
Federation of Film and Video Special Jury Award, Friends of the Environment Film
Festival Finalist, 2013l; Link to trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i7DE7Q-yxA;
Link to video (can download it here): https://vimeo.com/56937671; Password:
Beneaththewaves
Queen conch populations in the context of seagrass community metrics
Alexander Tewfik
Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium,
Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Queen conch (Strombus gigas) are broadly distributed and significant primary
consumers in shallow coastal habitats of the tropical central western Atlantic region as
well as serving as prey to numerous higher-order predators. Queen conch have been
traditionally harvested throughout the region for centuries, including the Bahamian
archipelago, and now represent a major economic activity supplying the demands of
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
local people, tourism and export markets. As a critical and naturally abundant living
component of soft sediment ecosystems the continued exploitation of Queen conch has
the potential to contribute to negative changes in biodiversity, architectural complexity
and trophic connections leading to continued losses in fisheries production and
associated livelihoods. This study begins the documentation of populations of Queen
conch relative to metrics of seagrass habitat structure (i.e. biomass, cover, detritus) and
consumer functional groups (e.g. specialists, deposit feeders, predators) at a number of
sites across the archipelago. Low densities of adult Queen conch (< 25/ha) were
observed across all sites while juvenile densities ranged widely (0 – 375/ha) given the
possible location of some recruitment areas near tidal channels. Observations also
indicated positive correlations between abundance of Queen conch and seagrass
cover, seagrass biomass, predators and overall benthic consumer diversity. The
enumeration and understanding of such patterns is critical as were strive toward the
long-term sustainable conservation of invertebrate fisheries resources, supporting
habitats and local livelihoods.
The status of queen conch (Strombus gigas) populations off South Eleuthera, The
Bahamas
Claire Thomas1, Steve Auscavitch2, Erin Cash3 & Annabelle Brooks1
1Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, The Bahamas, 2Darling Marine Center, University
of Maine, 193 Clarks Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573, USA, 3Auburn University, 203
Swingle Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Queen conch (Strombus gigas) are economically and culturally important throughout the
Caribbean. A decline in queen conch abundance has been documented throughout
their range, particularly in populations surrounding several out-islands of The Bahamas,
where queen conch is the second largest fishery. The Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI)
conducted a comparative study between 2003 and 2011 in shallow-water sites off Cape
Eleuthera. The results show a trend toward decline, with an observed 80% decrease in
population density. In addition, population surveys were conducted between March-May
2012 and September-November 2012. Utilizing towed snorkel surveys, densities of
adult, sub-adult, and juvenile individuals were counted to determine the current
population size structure of queen conch in the waters off Cape Eleuthera. The results
of these surveys show a mean density of 10.6 adults ha-1, well below the minimum
threshold density of 50 adults ha-1 required for mating to occur, and a mean density of
13.5 juveniles ha-1. This assessment can assist in structuring a management plan for
the Bahamian conch fishery that will allow the populations to recover and remain a
viable source of income for Bahamian fishing communities. It can also provide insight as
to best placement of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) or a network of MPAs to protect
crucial habitat for queen conch, though further assessment of the stocks are needed to
make informed management decisions.
Benthic macroinvertebrate communities of mangroves and adjacent flats
John A. Tiedemann
Monmouth University, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program
400 Cedar Ave., W. Long Branch, NJ. 07764. USA
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Mangroves and associated flats environments support biodiversity and maintain
important ecological services such as nutrient export to adjacent marine ecosystems
and carbon sequestration. These areas also provide critical nursery and foraging habitat
for commercially and recreationally valuable fish and shellfish species. In The Bahamas,
mangroves and shallow flats ecosystems support one of the most productive bonefish
(Albula vulpes) fisheries in the world. As adults, bonefish forage intensely on the
macrobenthos of mangroves and adjacent flats. Unfortunately, these areas also tend to
be the focal point of coastal development which often entails clearing sites of
vegetation, altering shorelines, and dredging to accommodate marinas, harbors, and
residential or resort development. Given their ecological and economic importance, the
conservation and protection of mangroves and nearshore flats ecosystems is imperative
to the future of The Bahamas. Because mangroves are tightly linked with adjacent
ecosystems managing them in isolation is unsustainable. However, despite the
importance of the linkages between mangroves, flats, benthic invertebrates and fish
species, the composition and ecology of mangrove macrobenthic communities in The
Bahamas is not well described and poorly known. The purpose of this project is to begin
to quantify the distribution and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates in mangroves
and adjacent flats ecosystems in Eleuthera. Over time, these data will allow us to
develop a comprehensive inventory of important macrobenthos associated with
mangroves and flats in Cape Eleuthera, develop estimates of species diversity at the
selected survey sites, and begin to understand inter- and intra- site variability within the
benthic community.
Introduced taxa in the flora of the Bahamian Archipelago
Michael A. Vincent & R. James Hickey
Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 USA
In Corrells’ Flora of the Bahama Archipelago, 1371 taxa are recognized in 663 genera in
144 families (including pteridophytes). Using data from the flora, statistics were
generated about the percentage of the flora that is introduced. We use “introduced” in
this context to imply introduction post-1492. Of species listed in the Flora, approximately
280 species (about 20%) are likely introduced. Of these, some were introduced
accidentally, some intentionally as cultivated plants for food or ornament, and some by
“natural” means without human assistance. Several families (as circumscribed in the
Flora) are entirely introduced (Bombacaceae, Caricaceae, Cochlospermaceae,
Crassulaceae, Pedaliaceae, Plantaginaceae s.str., Pontederiaceae, Punicaceae, and
Tamaricaceae), whereas many others contain no introductions. The highest numbers of
introduced species within a family are found in the Fabaceae (35), Poaceae (32),
Asteraceae (17), Euphorbiaceae (13), and Solanaceae (9). Some introductions have
become pernicious invasives, such as Casuarina spp., Leucaena leucocephala,
Scaevola taccada, and Wedelia trilobata, while others remain casual introductions. The
status of selected introduced plant species in the flora will be discussed, and an
updated look at species introduced since the publication of the Flora will be presented.
Will a diver pay $20 for Conservation?
Sandra Voegeli1 & Melanie DeVore2
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
1UC
Berkeley Hastings Natural History Reservation, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 USA;
Georgia College and State University (GCSU) Maymester Study Abroad, Ecology and
Community Ecology, Bahamas & San Salvador Living Jewels (SSLJ); San Salvador,
Bahamas, 2Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College, CB
01, Milledgeville, GA 2106, USA
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism estimated that 5.7 million tourists elected to take
vacations in the Bahamas in 2012. One of the most appealing draws to the Bahamas is
“underwater travel”. This segment of the tourism industry dedicated not only to dive
operations, but also to accommodating thousands of snorkeling experiences for cruise
line customers visiting marine habitats with healthy reefs. Maintaining those healthy
reefs requires one of two things: 1) the use of "managed" marine areas for diving and
tourism experiences; and 2) practices by underwater travel companies that maintain
healthy reefs visited by numerous divers and snorkelers. Neither of these objectives can
be met without financial resources. Divers spend $1000 for airline tickets, $300 for a
regulator, $200 for a BC, $100 for a mask… will a diver pay $20 for conservation? In
this presentation we will discuss the current status of the dive tag program established
by the San Salvador Living Jewels Foundation with the guidance and support of the
BNT. Unlike some regions of the Caribbean, the Bahamas are in a prime position to
maintain a successful dive tag program because of the role the BNT plays in working
with communities and entities responsible for maintaining marine parks. The potential to
use the dive tag program as a springboard for developing other best practices for reef
management will also be discussed.
Importance of winter dry season rainfall and other abiotic factors in affecting
abundance of fruits consumed by the Kirtland’s Warbler and other bird species
on Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Jennifer D. White1, 2, 4, J.M. Wunderle, Jr.2 & D.N. Ewert.3
1Puerto Rico Conservation Foundation, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, 2International
Institute of Tropical Forestry USDA Forest Service, Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA, 3The
Nature Conservancy, Lansing, MI, USA, 4Current Address: Biology Dept., University of
Northern Iowa, IA, USA
Birds in Bahamian terrestrial habitats may be stressed by droughts, which for wintering
nearctic/neotropical migrants may be especially challenging when they occur in March
and April prior to vernal migration when energy demands are high. This appears to be
the case for the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler (KW, Setophaga kirtlandii), which tracks
dry season (winter) fruit and arthropod abundance. Given the likely importance of
rainfall on fruit abundance we examined its effects relative to other abiotic factors that
may contribute to variation in fruit abundance in winter (October-April). Winter fruit
production was studied in shrub species (snowberry, Chiococca alba; black torch,
Erithalis fruticosa; Bahamas sage, Lantana bahamensis; wild sage, L. involucrata) that
produced small fleshy fruits consumed by the KW and other bird species. Chiococca
alba and E. fruticosa showed seasonal patterns and interannual variation in fruit
production, but neither Lantana species showed seasonal patterns or marked variation
over three winters. Using an information theoretic approach we evaluated abiotic factors
that influenced fruit abundance. A temporal model had the most support for all fruit
abundance model sets and a winter rainfall model had the most support among the
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
reduced model sets. Thus winter rainfall had a positive effect on the KW’s fruit supply
and body condition, which is consistent with recent findings by Sarah Rockwell et al.
(2012) indicating that KWs arrive earlier and in better condition on their temperate zone
breeding grounds after wet winters in The Bahamas.
Environmental Ambassadors: Inspiring leaders that shape communities and
conserve the environment
Shaquille Wilson
Young Marine Explorers, Rugby Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas P.O Box CB-13179
There are serious environmental and educational problems that need to be addressed
in the Bahamas as the environment is not a national priority and the current national
GPA is a D. The solution to this problem is through the education and empowerment of
youth done through programs such as The Environmental Ambassadors program
created by Young Marine Explorers facilitated youth connections to the environment
and emphasized the need for similar programs that will inspire students to better
themselves and their community while conserving the environment. This pilot program
exposed nine local children from Central Andros to a year long leadership, character
and teamwork building program. Certifying students as P.A.D.I scuba divers and
engaging them in community outreach projects and scientific research these students
developed an appreciation for the environment and gained confidence through the
leadership activities.
Fluid boundaries: A social science perspective of marine protected area
conservation in The Bahamas
Sarah Wise
MARUM / GLOMAR, Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences
ARTEC, Research Center for Sustainability Studies University of Bremen, Germany
In response to growing global concerns over declining fisheries and vulnerability of
small island nations, The Bahamas Government has implemented a series of protected
areas throughout the archipelago. Based on research that was conducted from 2003 to
2010 in Abaco, Andros, The Biminis, Eleuthera, and New Providence, this work
examines the process of creating protected areas, as well as the social effects of
protected area conservation from the perspective of conservationists, Bahamian
residents, scientists, and resource users. People claim rights of access to resources
and space in many ways. In The Bahamas, ownership claims are managed though
multilayered tenure institutions including formal law and orally transmitted custom. This
research finds that personal and social attributes such as social and economic status
influence: 1) people’s perception of the environment and protected area conservation;
2) the impacts of protected areas on surrounding communities; and 3) how people
negotiate spatial and social boundaries including property claims, knowledge claims,
resource access rights, and “rightful” belonging. How people think about “rightful” claims
of ownership is not fixed, but reflects fluid social positioning. Ignoring the divergence in
how people make claims can lead to disparities in the effects of protection as well as a
lack of compliance with conservation efforts and a mismatch in resource management
strategies.
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Abstract presentations – Bahamas National Natural History Conference (March 5th – 8th, 2013)
Challenges for Kirtland’s Warblers overwintering in early-successional
habitats on Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr.1, David N. Ewert2, Jennifer D. White1,3, Dave Currie1,3,
& Patricia K. Lebow4
1International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, San Juan,
Puerto Rico, USA, 2The Nature Conservancy, Lansing, MI, USA, 3Puerto Rican
Conservation Foundation, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, 4Forest Products
Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Madison, WI, USA.
We predicted that differences in site fidelity, movements, and population density
would correspond with variation in food abundance in wintering Kirtland’s
Warblers (KW, Setophaga kirtlandii), on Eleuthera, Bahamas. In addition, site
fidelity and resource tracking were expected to vary by sex and age due to
competition and experience, contributing to differences in body condition. We
found that KW food resources (fruit and arthropods) typically declined during a
winter, but not always consistently due to yearly variation both within and
between study sites. As predicted, site fidelity within and between winters varied
between the sex (males > females) and age classes (adults > juveniles).
However, 53% of the variation in overwinter site fidelity was explained by age
class and ripe fruit abundance. Individuals that shifted study sites moved to sites
with higher ripe fruit abundance. This resource tracking resulted in late winter
warbler densities that were positively correlated with ripe fruit and ground
arthropod biomass. Both fruit abundance and late winter body condition were
positively affected by rainfall in the prior month. Late winter body condition
differed by sex and age corresponding with sex and age differences in site
fidelity. These sex and age differences in wintering KWs are indicative of
intraspecific competition, which in drought years may have consequences that
carry over to the breeding grounds. Thus early successional sites that retain
moisture and the KW’s preferred fruits in late winter are important for
conservation of the warbler’s winter habitat in the Bahamas.