Abstract
Bimini Islands (Bahamas, 25°44′ N 79°16′ W) are characterized by a unique tropical marine environment which provides critical nursery habitats and food resources for many important species of ecological and economical value. Two areas are particularly important in the function and dynamics of the local marine environment: North Sound and South Bimini. Since 1998 the northern part of the island has been subject to an intense urbanization process that involves the construction of an extensive touristic complex. Over the years this activity has radically modified a substantial portion of the land, and part of the underwater environment as well, threatening the fragile balance of the North Sound nursery ground. Effects on marine habitats and on local species have been reported, and although some measures to limit the damage have already been taken, the local ecosystem could ultimately suffer from continuation of the construction work on the area. In 2010, we performed surveys of both main nursery grounds to assess the current ecological status and the main differences between the two areas, investigating macrobenthic epifauna abundance, seagrass density and abiotic parameters. The results of this study indicate that the ecosystem still appears in reasonably healthy condition, although showing some concerning trends. These data provide baseline conditions to assess further changes, and possibly to support the development of plans for the conservation of the North Sound and South Bimini coastal ecosystems.
Highlights
Bimini comprises two small subtropical islands (North and South Bimini) located in the North West corner of the archipelago of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Mean salinity was similar in the two areas it was much more variable at North Sound with a variance to mean ratio (VMR) (0.281) four times as large as that at South Bimini (0.068)
The North Sound and South Bimini are subtidal/intertidal habitats formed by sandy flats overlaying a Pleistocene pavement, dominated mainly by seagrass meadows interlaced with macroalgae
Summary
Bimini comprises two small subtropical islands (North and South Bimini) located in the North West corner of the archipelago of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Bimini’s shallow water ecosystems are inhabited by Negaprion brevirostris (commonly known as lemon shark), considered by the World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) as a ‘near-threatened’ species (Jennings et al 2008; Murchie et al 2010); Pristis pectinata, the smalltooth sawfish listed as an endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 2007 (Feldheim et al 2010), and Albula vulpes (Morrisey and Gruber 1993; Newman et al 2007) the target of Bimini’s world renown bonefish sport fishing industry These species, and many more, depend on the presence and well-being of mangroves and seagrass meadows for their survival, in the early stages of their life. The condition of mangrove forests and seagrass meadows along the coastline is of utmost importance for the preservation of Bimini’s marine ecosystem as well as supporting the biodiversity of neighbouring islands
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