Can coastal ecosystem recovery outpace the impacts of coastal development? 🌊 Our blue carbon workshop in #Curaçao explored this question. A week packed with in-water research, on-site discussions with experts from Curaçao and Bonaire, and quality time to reflect on future work with colleagues Céline, Mischa, and Mandy. We:
• Learned all about the 20-year journey, tips and tricks of “Mangrove Man” Ryan de Jongh to restore Curaçao’s mangroves and explored the extensive restoration plots established by his foundation. Discussed differences and synergies with restoration in Bonaire with Sabine Engel of Mangrove Maniacs Bonaire
• Set up sediment benchmarks with Celine to measure long-term erosion and subsidence in replanted mangrove plots of different ages.
• Piloted in-field greenhouse gas (CO₂, CH₄) monitoring of mangroves with Zina and Mandy.
• Explored seagrass ecosystems across bays of varying coastal development, including a stunning seagrass bay at Oostpunt, teeming with benthos, turtle grazing patches, and lobsters.
• Joined Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) in their regular in-water sea turtle monitoring.
• Applied depth loggers to track green turtle diving profiles.
• Visited the upcoming community-based turtle care facility with Ard Vreugdenhil and the amazing STCC team.
• Discussed the BES Sea Turtle Conservation Action Plan with Casper van de Geer (WNF/STCB/Exeter).
• Witnessed the widespread coral bleaching that began a few weeks ago during a handful of dives with Mischa and Celine, observing better recovery potential at sites far from coastal development.
• Received updates on recent coastal developments in Curaçao at Carmabi from Erik Houtepen and Mark Vermeij
• Supported WUR student Herne with a rewilding experiment involving sea urchins in coral reef plots.
• Discussed field research with WUR students Naty, Cathy, and Alessia on measuring epibenthos respiration, biodiversity, and bioturbation in mangroves of different stages.
• Discovered how a partnership with Deloitte is scaling up mangrove efforts.
• Hiked Christoffelberg for breathtaking views of the boca’s and snorkeled the pristine mangroves at Santa Cruz.
Supercharged (and still catching up emails) after this immersive experience and looking forward to the next steps
#BlueCarbon #Conservation #Mangroves #Seagrass #SeaTurtles #Fieldwork #Collaboration #NESSC Celine van Bijsterveldt Mischa Streekstra Mandy Velthuis