Background:
San Salvador, Conception Island, and Rum Cay are rich in marine biodiversity but remain understudied compared to other Bahamian islands. San Salvador features fringing coral reefs, mangrove nurseries, and steep drop-offs into deep waters. Conception Island, protected since 1964, surrounds an interior lagoon with extensive mangrove systems and coral reefs. Rum Cay remains the least studied but holds potential as a biodiversity hotspot. Understanding the ecological condition of these habitats is crucial for improving marine management and conservation.
Mission:
This expedition will assess the health of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves using standardized underwater surveys, photogrammetry, and aerial drone mapping. The goal is to provide up-to-date ecological data to guide science-based conservation planning and enhance protection of these critical ecosystems.
Research Impacts & Applications:
Data collected will directly support marine management efforts in The Bahamas, offering recommendations to inform conservation actions, potential protected area expansions, and biodiversity monitoring frameworks. Surveys will follow established protocols under the Marine Biophysical Monitoring Plan for The Bahamas National Protected Area System, helping ensure scientific consistency and long-term impact.
