Netherlands Antilles, St Maarten

This publication is a result of Blue Solutions’ second Regional Forum on Solutions for Oceans, Coasts and Human Well-being in Latin America and the Wider Caribbean Region. This four-day workshop was held in Cancún, Mexico in April 2015. During this event more than 40 participants presented their positive examples and engaged with the larger audience in discussions around how these examples can be adapted to address pressing challenges faced in other regions or sectors in Latin America and the Wider Caribbean.

Our oceans and coasts are the origin of life on earth, an important food source, and crucial for the global ecological equilibrium,  yet despite their global significance, marine and coastal ecosystems face a wide array of threats. It was in the spirit of making enhanced concerted efforts at the global, regional, national and local levels that the Blue Solutions Initiative was created.

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 first in a series of guides to the natural environments of St. Eustatius (Statia), Saba and St. Maarten, this book describes the reptiles and amphibians of these islands. It also gives the reader an overview of the geological and geographical natural history of the islands, an introduction to the herpetofauna of the region and a survey of relevant conservation issues. The intent of the guides is to foster an appreciation of the islands' fragile natural resources and to enhance awareness of conservation issues that continue to be affected by development.

The first in a series of guides to the natural environments of St. Eustatius (Statia), Saba and St. Maarten, this book describes the reptiles and amphibians of these islands. It also gives the reader an overview of the geological and geographical natural history of the islands, an introduction to the herpetofauna of the region and a survey of relevant conservation issues. The intent of the guides is to foster an appreciation of the islands' fragile natural resources and to enhance awareness of conservation issues that continue to be affected by development.