BEST III - Working document
Remark: This document gathers information from the list of references previously validated for the island. It is a working document that will be implemented following your comments and corrections. It will be used as a guide during the consultation process that will involve local governments, institutions and organizations.
The objectives are to identify and map Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in order to define conservation outcomes. KBAs are defined at 3 ecological levels: (1) species, including: globally threatened species, restricted-range species, and species gathering in important number during their life cycle; (2) sites: habitats that are home to the species previously identified; habitats and ecosystems that play important ecological processes and contribute to the persistence of biodiversity ; (3) ecological corridors: inter-connected landscapes of sites.
Regarding the information and references cited hereafter, a list of "potential KBAs" is proposed in App.2. This is a work in progress that will be validated through the consultation of local actors.
Synthetic note - Aruba
IBAs, RAMSAR site and Parke Nacional Arikok in Aruba
Policy and Socioeconomic context
Ø Political Status
- Aruba lies off the north-west coast of Venezuela and is the westernmost of the 3 Dutch islands (c.80km from Curacao). Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire (also called the ABC islands) form the Leeward Islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is the nearest Dutch island to mainland Venezuela and is located 27km north from Paraguaná peninsula. The maximum depth between Aruba and the Venezuelan coast does not exceed 135 m, whereas BC islands are separated from South American mainland by a deep water trench (c. 1000m).
- Since October 10th 2010, Aruba (such as St Maarten and Curaçao) became an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This island is an European Oversea Country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Ø Demographic Trends and Socio-economic context (Central Bureau of Statistics)
- Area: 193 km² (Mount Jamanota, 188m)
- EEZ: 25,287 km², EEZ of the ABC Islands: 68,873 km²
- Population (2014): 107,394 inhab., density: 556 inhab./km²
- GDP (US$/ inhab.): 25,300 (2011) - Aruba is one of the richest countries in the Caribbean.
- Main economic activities: oil refining and trans-shipment facilities; off-shore financial services; tourism, with associated services and construction industries.
Protected and/or managed areas (References: DCNA 2012a)
Ø List of protected areas
- Parke Nacional Arikok (created in 2000 over 3,400 ha) is managed by Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok. This land area covers about 18% of the island, includes Mount Jamanota (highest peak, 188m) and significant areas of cactus scrub. There is 15 privately owned plots of land within the Park.
- For now, there is no marine park officially created. The Aruba Marine Park Foundation has been created in 2010 to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and to strengthen the protection of the marine environment and wildlife through the creation of a marine park.
On-going projects - Projects under study
- Designation of a Marine Park in Aruba.
- Designation of a shark and marine mammal sanctuary in the Caribbean waters of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan 2013-2017, Project "Save our sharks", Debrot et al. 2011). Establishment of a Dutch Caribbean Shark National Plan Of Action (van Beek et al. 2014).
International recognition of natural habitats and wildlife
- 1 area listed as RAMSAR site (70 ha): Spaans Lagoen
- 4 Important Bird Areas (IBA) over 611 ha
Action, management plans & Programs
- Management Plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean (Meesters et al. 2010)
- Conservation Action Plan for the Aruba Island rattlesnake
- Bat research and Conservation Plan for ABC islands, Bat Conservation Program for Aruba
Biological importance of the ecosystems
Species outcomes
Ø List of Taxa assessed as globally threatened (IUCN Red List). List of species are indicated in Appendix 1.
Taxonomic Group / Critically endangered / Endangered / Vulnerable / TotalPlants / 2
Invertebrates
- Corals*
- Molluscs
- Crustaceans / 5
1
1
Fishes *
Sharks and Rays*
Reptiles / 1 / 1 (+1 esp occ.) / (1 esp occ.)
Mammals
- Bats
- Marine mammals / 1
(1 esp occ.)
Total
* species list to confirm (App.1). Occ., occasional species
Ø List of species geographically restricted (References: Barendsen et al. 2008, DCNA 2012b, Debrot et al. 2006, Hulsman et al. 2008, Luksenburg 2013, Miller et al. 2003, Nassar and Simal 2014, van Buurt 2006)
Taxonomic group / Number of endemic speciesPlants / - 3 plant species endemic of Aruba (Melocactus stramineus, Agave arubensis, A. rutteniae)
- 5 plant species endemic to ABC islands (Agave vivipara, Aristida arubensis, Cynanchum boldinghii, Paspalum curassavicus, Melocactus macracanthos)
- at least 7 plant species endemic of ABC islands and the northern Venezuela and Colombia region
Invertebrates
- Molluscs
- Arachnids
- Insects
- Crustaceans
- Echinoderms / - 18 species endemic of Aruba (including 17 marine molluscs)
- 10 species endemic of the ABC islands, including the Vulnerable Hieroglyphic Cone (Conus hieroglyphus)
- 22 species endemic of ABC islands, northern Venezuela and Columbia region
- 2 pseudoscorpions endemic of Aruba (Pseudochthonius arubense, Pachyolpium arubense) and 2 arachnids endemic of ABC islands (Selenops curaçaoe, Rhopalurus hasethi)
- 4 species of beetles endemic of Aruba (Epitragus hummelincki, Heterachtes arubae, Urgleptes hummelincki, Meinertellus xerophilus)
- 9 species endemic of ABC islands and 3 endemic of ABC islands, northern Venezuela
- 4 species endemic of Aruba (including the VU isopod Arubolana imula) and 1 species endemic of AC islands
- 1 marine crinoid species endemic of ABC, northern Venezuela and Columbia region (Nemaster grandis)
Freshwater fishes / - 2 freshwater Molly fishes endemic of ABC, northern Venezuela and Columbia region (Cyprinodon dearborni, Poecilia vandepolli)
Reptiles / - 3 species endemic of Aruba: Aruban Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus arubensis), Aruba Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus julieni), Aruba Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor)
- 1 species endemic of AC islands: Anole lizard (Anolis lineatus)
Mammals / - 1 bat species restricted to ABC islands-northern Venezuela and Colombia region: Curaçaoan Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae)
- 1 mouse species restricted to ABC islands-northern Venezuela and Colombia region: Hummelinck's Vesper Mouse (Calomys hummelincki)
Total / - 34 species endemic of Aruba
- 28 species endemic to ABC islands
- 37 species restricted to ABC islands-northern Venezuela and Colombia region
Ø Species aggregations / List of species occurring at key stages of their life-cycles
- Seabird species (particularly terns) congregate in high numbers over San Nicolas Bay (IBA).
Habitat outcomes
Ø Terrestrial areas
- The National Park is home to several endangered and/or restricted-range species, including: the endemic Aruban Rattlesnake, endangered plant species (Melocactus stramineus, which is also island endemic, Roughbark Lignum-vitae Guaiacum sanctum), the endemic plant species Agave arubensis, A. rutteniae, Capparis linearis; and several endemic bird subspecies.
- Ponds and wetlands:
- The RAMSAR site of Spaans Lagoen is bordered by mangroves, it is an important site for waterbirds but is not recognized as an IBA.
- The restricted-range euryhaline Molly fish Poecilia vandepolli is observed in 3 ponds (Lake Noord, Tanki Sabana and a pond within the Bubali wetland (IBA) (Hulsman et al. 2008).
- Bubali wetlands (IBA) are artificial wetlands created to contain water from waste water treatment facility (Del Nevo 2008).
Ø Habitats for reptiles (van Buurt 2006, Reinert surveys)
- The current distribution of the endemic Aruban Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor) is estimated at 76 km² and is mainly associated to dense vegetation. About half of this range is found within Parke Arikok. Persons who find rattlesnake near their home can call park rangers who will release the snakes within the boundaries of the park (van Buurt 2006).
- San Nicolas islets (IBA) are home to the endemic Aruban Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus arubensis) (Del Nevo 2008).
- In which sites is observed the endemic Anole lizard (Anolis lineatus) and Aruba Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus julieni) ?
Ø Coastal areas: sea turtle nesting areas (References: Barmes et al. 1993, Dow et al. 2007, Turtugaruba Foundation nesting activity surveys)
- 4 sea turtles nest on Aruba beaches: Hawksbill, Green turtles, and more occasionally the Loggerhead and Leatherback.
- The Hawksbill and the Green turtles are the main species that nest and forage on the island. Main nesting sites are located on the northern and southern part of the island for the Green turtle (California Dunes, Rincon, Dog Cemetery and Baby beach) and in on beach on the eastern side for the Hawksbill (Boca Ketoe?).
Ø Marine areas
- The Aruba Marine Park Foundation aims to protect island's marine environment through the creation of a Marine Park in the south-western part of the island.
- Coral reefs occur all around the island and seagrass habitats are mainly present along the northern and south-western coasts. Inter-connectivity between these 2 ecosystems is mostly observed along the northern coast (Structuurnota Natuur en Landscape 1996).
Ø Important Bird Areas (IBAs) (References: Brown et al. 2009, Del Nevo 2008, 2009, Williams 2012)
- Of the 207 bird species recorded on the island, 70 species are residents and 164 migrants (Neotropical migrants, occasional migrants). Some of the bird species are of South American origin.
- 4 IBAs are identified (611 ha, including their marine extensions) and represent 3% of the island's land area. The IBAs are located outside the limits of the terrestrial park: 1 IBA is privately owned (on a golf course) and 3 IBAs are state owned.
- 11 bird species congregate in high numbers over San Nicolas Bay (IBA) that gather particularly high abundance of Terns (Sandwich Terns, Sooty Terns and significant populations of Brown and Black Noddies.
- The Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis), considered as a biome-restricted species, mainly occur in the 2 northern IBAs. There is no restricted-range species, but 2 endemic subspecies: the Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia arubensis and Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax arubensis.
- The restricted range Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona barbadensis) is now extinct on Aruba. The species is still observed on Bonaire and Curacao and a project of reintroduction was considered on Aruba (Williams 2012).
Ø Areas for mammals (References: Nassar and Simal 2014)
- The vulnerable Curaçaoan Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) is known to occur at 4 sites (c. 1075 specimens): Quadirikiri Cave and Miralamar Mine inside the Arikok National Park, and Tunnel of Love Cave (Baranca Sunu) and Wela Mine outside the park’s partial protection. The sites Tunnel of Love (island's main breeding site) followed by Miralamar Mine host the largest colony of the species.
- In which sites can we observe the regional endemic Hummelinck's Vesper Mouse (Calomys hummelincki)?
Ø Corridors
- ABC Islands are important resting areas for migratory birds and have a diverse bird community due to the seasonal occurrence of Neotropical migrants as well as the occurrence of South American species.
- A satellite-tracking program of 24 sea turtles breeding on Bonaire revealed wide migrations to coastal waters all over the Caribbean region: ABC islands, Venezuela's coasts, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Rep., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands (Stapleton et al. 2013).
- The tagging of this endangered bat species suggest that specimens move frequently among the 4 caves, which are a few miles apart. The Curaçaoan long-nosed bats on Aruba depend on a system of roosts rather than a single cave (Nassar and Simal 2014). These results strongly support the need for a system of protected caves on Aruba in the form of a Bat Reserve.
- Sighting frequency of humpback whales is lower in the Leeward islands (5% of all marine mammal observations) compared to the Windward islands (45%). Occurrence of the endangered Sperm Whale remains low (Debrot et al. 2011).
International Treaties and Conventions - Kingdom of the Netherlands
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
- the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region with the SPAW Protocol (concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife)
- the Bonn Convention (or the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
- Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC)
- Convention for Migratory Species (CMS 1985), Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks (MoU Sharks, 2011)
- International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MarPol)
Aruba Policy Plans and Policies (Reference: EU Environmental profile 2007)
- National Development Plan (2003-2017): main document for the environmental strategy and policy of Aruba.
- Multiyear plan for development cooperation NL-Aruba 2006-2009 (Fondo Desaroyo Aruba).This plan includes environmental awareness-raising activities
- Smart Island Strategy for Aruba (The Government of Aruba, Carbon War Room and the New America Foundation): initiative for the sustainable transition for the island (100% renewable energy, regenerative agriculture sector, improve public health...)
- Spatial Development Plan (year?)
- Directive Spatial Management Beaches (July 2014)
- Specific strategy for sustainable development
- Environmental Management Policy (2003)
- National Oil Pollution Contingency Plan (1993)
Plans in preparation:
- Nature and landscape policy
- Spatial Development Plan 2015
- National Sustainable Tourism Policy
- Waste reduction strategy
- Coastal Zone Management Plan to identify areas of importance and those requiring protection and conservation
Socio-economic context , government and civil society with a role in biodiversity
Ø Government, local institutions and organizations, private sector
- A number of different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been established to address different environmental concerns and focus upon marine environment, cetaceans, reptiles (sea turtles, snakes), and seabirds surveys.
Ø Major sources of funding (DCNA Annual report 2012)
Source of funding / Amount (US$) (year) / BeneficiariesAdmission Fees/Service / 337,068 (2011) / Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok
- DCNA-Trust fund for the Dutch Antilles: funds from Dutch Ministry of the Interior, Dutch Postcode Lottery / 129,500 (2011) / Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok
Aruba Government's subsidies / 1,434,334 (2011) / Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok
Other incomes / 29,363 (2011) / Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok
Grants?
Ø Economic sectors and population (Central Bureau of Statistics)