Field Surveys and Training Illuminate Over 300 Species, Advancing Conservation Goals amid Climate Challenges
Gathering scientific data to support sustainable management of Sint Maarten’s diverse habitats was accomplished this year through the completion of field surveys and training for the terrestrial baseline biodiversity assessment, which was part of the Coastal Resilience and Needs Assessments (CORENA) project. Over 12 days, ecologists Mark Yokoyama of St. Martin and Kevel Lindsay of Antigua conducted biodiversity assessments across key sites on Sint Maarten and Saint Martin. The team documented and photographed a variety of plant and animals species, including plants, insects, mammals, birds, and amphibians. Their work extended from sunrise to dusk, with additional nighttime surveys. In total, they observed more than 300 species!
Yokoyama noted the island’s surprising biodiversity, stating, “Sint Maarten offers a diversity of species, many
unknown to the general public, from small insects to larger birds like Ospreys. Even areas impacted by development hosted pockets of wildlife, including native species such as the yellow sage and St. Martin anole lizard.” The team noted conservation issues such as declining bat colonies and the limited range of endemic plant species.
The CORENA project, funded by the European Union through the RESEMBID grant program, was initiated by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) in partnership with the Nature Foundation. The project aims to enhance the protection of critical biodiversity areas on Sint Maarten, particularly in light of increasing climate risks. EPIC was selected to lead the terrestrial biodiversity assessment in December 2023.
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