Bahamas

The Natural History of the Bahamas offers the most comprehensive coverage of the terrestrial and coastal flora and fauna on the islands of the Bahamas archipelago, as well as of the region's natural history and ecology. Readers will gain an appreciation for the importance of conserving the diverse lifeforms on these special Caribbean islands. A detailed introduction to the history, geology, and climate of the islands.

With only about one-sixth of the original coral cover left, most Caribbean coral reefs may disappear in the next 20 years, primarily due to the loss of grazers in the region, according to this latest report, Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012. This is the most detailed and comprehensive study of its kind published to date – the result of the work of 90 experts over the course of three years.

The endangered Andros iguana, Cyclura cychlura cychlura, is the largest native terrestrial vertebrate, and the only iguana (of 3 species) in the Bahamas that is not confined presently to small cays. The Andros iguana is unique to Andros Island and despite the recent formation of a national park on North Andros Island in 2002, the population is declining.