The Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) was established in 1979 to protect key ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests off the coast of the Dutch Caribbean island, Bonaire. But impacts from climate change threaten the health and productivity of Bonaire’s tropical habitats. To buffer against future impacts and strengthen ecosystem resilience, managers need the ability to identify priority areas for dynamic management interventions and re-zoning, as well as improved methods for monitoring, planning and analytical tools that can give timely warnings of climate events. In this project, researchers from Florida State University and Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA), the management body of the BNMP, will:
STINAPA is the management authority for BNMP and is responsible for implementing relevant environmental policy to safeguard natural resources. While it has the capability to adjust the monitoring and management of BNMP, guidance is needed on how to develop tools and capacity that effectively detect and respond to climate threats. This project will provide a comprehensive framework to streamline pathways for monitoring, data analysis, and visualization of climate change impact detection and facilitate rapid management responses.