Understanding and continual study of the natural heritage

Green monkeys: how to manage their population

Singe vert | Green monkey

Action IP5 : Management actions for invasive alien species

Action PA6 : Implement management actions on invasive alien species or their impacts

Between January and November 2023, the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation initiated the first actions to control the population of green monkeys in Sint Maarten, a pressing ecological issue. By installing 14 traps, 108 of these primates were captured and, following a strict protocol, euthanized by qualified veterinarians. This operation responds to the observation of the uncontrolled increase in the population of these animals, which disrupts the daily life of the inhabitants, threatens crops, and the endemic biodiversity of the island. It is part of the decision of the government of Sint Maarten to mitigate the presence of these animals, with the goal of euthanizing 450 individuals by 2025. The actions were concentrated on private lands, with the full agreement of the concerned owners. The possibility of evolving the regulations concerning this invasive species had been discussed in the prefecture on the French side of the island, following a similar approach. A second meeting was held on August 28, 2023, at the prefecture again, to more broadly address the problem of invasive alien species. The meeting aimed to consolidate a harmonized strategy at the scale of the island. The discussions brought together veterinary officials, state services – health services, DEAL, prefecture – Igor Rembotte, head of the project of the Delegation for the Living Environment at the Collectivity; Verde, manager of the ecosite, as well as Eusebio Richardson, agent of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation, operator of the regulation in the Dutch part. This consultation led to field visits to Guana Bay and Cole Bay, aimed at assessing the logistical and health challenges. The ambition? To perfect operations, secure the interveners and the community, while considering studies to measure the impact of these regulations on the economy, ecosystem, and public health of Saint Martin. The project is still undergoing financial evaluation. The goal is to refine the technical specifications, determine the total cost of intervention, from capture to the disposal of the carcasses, in order to identify the optimal solution and seek the necessary funding. Nevertheless, the project has elicited mixed reactions and alternatives are still under consideration.

Managing The Green Monkey Population

Singe Vert - Green Monkey

Action PA6

Implement managements actions on stray species, invasive exotic species or their impacts

How many individuals are in the population of green monkeys in Saint Martin? The first report dates back at least 20 years and they have continued to multiply, especially close to urban zones on the Dutch side of the island, near residents of Guana Bay, Pointe Blanche, and Cole Bay. Hurricane Irma increased their dissemination, and they can now be seen throughout the French side from the Lowlands to Anse Marcel. This apparent recrudescence naturally has had an impact on local residents, crops, and our unique island biodiversity. So much so that there is a possibility of updating the regulations concerning this invasive species, as discussed on January 18, 2023 during a meeting at the Prefecture with the DEAL, the Réserve Naturelle, the Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten, the Regional Health Agency, and the Collectivité. The goal would be to improve regulations to manage the population of these primates. The island of Saint Kitts, invaded by green monkeys, has seen its agricultural economy severely impacted for several years, and has long invested in various actions on different levels, yet has not succeeded in resolving the issue due to a lack of rapid action.

In early 2023, the government of Sint Maarten made the decision to euthanize 450 of these animals before 2025, and tasked the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation with the job. A dedicated staff member was assigned to build cages, place them in specified locations, add bait, and finally transport the animal to the veterinarian to be euthanized.

The Réserve Naturelle has discussed the problem with an advisory committee since 2015, at which time the green monkeys were not as present in Saint Martin, but a decision must be made now. Invasive species are the main cause of the disappearance of global biodiversity. In this light, the management’s role is to prevent the introduction of these species and to control those already present within the reserve. The DEAL has been asked to contribute to finding sustainable management solutions for the green monkeys in Saint Martin, in order to coordinate with Sint Maarten. These solutions should help define an adapted approach and estimate the human and financial resources necessary for this struggle, which will be financed by the government.

Green monkeys live in groups of 10 to 80 individuals on a space of approximately two square kilometers. A single adult weighs about 8 kilos with a height of 50 centimeters, and can live up to 13 years. Gestation lasts five and a half months and the female only carries one baby at a time. An opportunistic omnivore, this animal is originally from sub-Saharan Africa, and consumes fruits, vegetables, leaves, insects, lizards, and eggs, based on what it finds in its immediate area. Green

Action CS35 – Develop and value collaboration with experts, scientists, and research groups (priority 1)

Anolis de Saint-Martin © Karl Questel

Inventory of herpetofauna

Late September was the occasion for the consulting firm, ARDOPS Environnement, to complete an inventory of herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) in Saint Martin. The goal was to consolidate the list of species present on the island, to localize the different species and define their status—indigenous or introduced—but also to identify the issues involved in the fight to regulation invasive species: Iguana iguana, red-footed tortoise, certain lizards—such as the anoli—as well as all of the frogs found in Saint Martin, and the snakes, including the grass snake of the Anguilla Bank, the European worm snake, and the corn snake. The introduction of non-native species represents one of the main causes of the destruction of the biodiversity, and in a more assertive way in insular territories.

Action PR2 Develop and value collaboration with experts, scientists, and research groups (priority 1)

Rondeletia anguilensis photographiée aux Terres Basses A species of plants in the Rubiaceae family photographed in the Lowlands

Interesting discoveries in the Lowlands

On December 2, 2022, in the presence of expert Puerto Rican biologist Franklin Axelrod, Julien Chalifour went to the Lowlands to explore an undeveloped tract of land. Identified by the naturalist association, Bivouac, during their Insularis 1 expedition, this site has been of interest for the plants found there, as well as for its herpetofauna. This visit revealed a wide diversity of plants endemic to the Anguilla Bank, or strictly to Saint Martin, all of which are protected. The relief and geological formations unique to our island lead one to believe that they are at the root of this biodiversity, a fact confirmed by geology expert Denis Vaslet, during a visit to Saint Martin. In addition to noting Melocactus intortus (Turk’s head cactus) and orchids, the two scientists also observed a Merisier de Boldingh or Myrcia boldinghii, a very rare endemic shrub, known via specimens used to create its description and not seen again since its discovery in 1908. The scientists also found a species they thought was strictly endemic to Anguilla: Rondeletia anguilensis, a species of plants in the Rubiaceae family. The scientific department from the management association of Réserve naturelle (AGRNSM) sent a technical note to the attention of the DEAL (Direction of Environment) and urbanism services of the Collectivité on the challenges facing the conservation of these species and this piece of land. The geological diagnostic did not simply confirm the exceptional nature of the rocks and the soil on this land, but also its unique character in Saint Martin. These types of rocks are not found anyplace else on the island— rocks rich in limestone— as well as a scarcity of soil, which lends itself to the development of the orchids observed here.

Action CS35 – Promote programs for the acquisition of knowledge about the RNN (priority 1)

Postponement of the PACO mission

In early December 2022, the Réserve Naturelle hosted two scientists who specialize in coral. They are members of the PACO mission (Coral Adaptive Potential) to support coral reefs in the French West Indies and Mayotte. Their objective was to take samples from three species of coral, two of which are protected, in order to study their genetic diversity as well as the diversity of their growing conditions, with the goal of identifying the specific predispositions of resistant individual coral. The Réserve lent its logistical support—boat, divers— to this initiative. However, lack of administrative authorization for the two protected species, and bad conditions at sea, meant that the samples were unable to be taken. Postponement!

Our natural heritage and the «Forward» project

On July 30, 2019, Julien Chalifour participated in a technical atelier organized by the CCISM (inter-professional consular chamber) in Saint Martin, as part of the European «Forward» program. The goal of this project, launched in February 2019 with a budget of 1.3 M€, is to identify the leaders in research and innovation for the nine overseas regions of the European Union, and to facilitate their work and their exchanges. In Saint Martin, the idea is to create synergies between various economic needs on the island in order to stimulate local initiatives in such areas as digital systems, services, and heritage. The Réserve contributes to this project by sharing its knowledge and expertise in the domain of protecting the living natural heritage of the island.

A Student Dedicated To BioHab2

Colette Buisson

Colette Buisson, an intern at the Réserve Naturelle from April 15 through August 30, is working on the deployment and study of the colonization of artificial marine habitats as part of the BioHab2 project. A student at the Institut Intechmer of Cherbourg (CNAM), she has spent the past three years studying as a technical engineer for the marine environment. To complete her project for the Réserve, she has retrieved all of the data relating to BioHab2, which is installed onsite at Tintamare, and she will participate in the placement of a second artificial habitat near Anse Marcel, within the perimeter of the Réserve Naturelle. A certified diver, she also participates in other scientific outings for the reserve —observing coral, plant beds, birds— and will submit her report at the end of her internship, and defend it at Intechmer in September. Her experience in Saint Martin allows her to acquire solid professional experience in various areas in the management of vegetal and animal populations.

LIFE BIODIV’OM: Two Big Goals For The Overseas Environment

Mérou de Nassau dans un habitat artificiel Nassau grouper in an artificial habitat

À Rochefort, au siège de la Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux (LPO), du 19 au 23 novembre 2018, Julien Chalifour a participé au séminaire de lancement du LIFE BIODIV’OM, un projet européen visant à protéger cinq espèces mondialement menacées et un habitat prioritaire sur cinq territoires d’Outre-mer. Les cinq espèces menacées sont l’échenilleur de La Réunion - plus connu sous le nom de Tuit-tuit - le crabier blanc à Mayotte, le mérou géant en Guyane et à Saint-Martin, le mérou de Nassau à Saint-Martin et le moqueur gorge blanche en Martinique. La LPO coordonne l’ensemble du projet avec plusieurs contributeurs associés, dont la Réserve naturelle de Saint-Martin, aux côtés du Parc naturel de la Martinique, de la Société d’études ornithologiques de La Réunion, du groupe d’études et de protection des oiseaux de Mayotte et enfin du groupe d’étude et de protection des oiseaux en Guyane. Les partenaires ont pu se mettre d’accord sur une méthodologie commune de travail et ont découvert les règles de gestion d’un programme LIFE, fixées par le financeur - la commission européenne - ainsi que le suivi des financements associés

Aude Berger Heads LIFE BIODIV’OM Project in Saint Martin

Aude Berger et Julien chalifour en formation Training for Aude Berger and Julien Chalifour

In January 2019, the Réserve Naturelle hired Aude Berger, who holds a diploma in ocean sciences and techniques and a professional degree in environmental protection from UAG, as head of the LIFE BIODIV’OM project. Her mission is a concerted effort for the conservation of the Nassau grouper and the giant grouper. This means fishermen and others who use the sea, including divers and boat owners, as well as local authorities, will be consulted and have an opportunity to participate in the creation of a conservation program. A socio-economic study was launched and exploratory fishing and diving expeditions will describe the recruitment of young groupers on small coastal seabeds. In addition, an awareness program for students is planned along with the sharing of experiences with the scientific community, thanks to their network. The LIFE project is made possible principally with Europeans funds (60%), as well as national investment, and is the first project of its kind in Saint Martin On January 9-11, Aude met with Delphine Morin, the coordination of the LIFE project for the LPO, who has worked on the field in Saint Martin. Then on January 21-23, she and Julien Chalifour, scientific director of the Réserve, were trained by Florent Bignon and Awatef Abbiah in the use of TESSA, a tool made available by the European Commission to measure the various factors that impact the natural milieu and the consequences on the role that milieu plays on the island.

Observation Map At Babit Point

De gauche à droite / From left to right : Régis Armengaud, représentant de la DEAL ; Christophe Joe, garde de la RN ; Nicolas Maslach, directeur de la RN ; Ashley Daniel, garde de la RN et Anne-Marie Bouillé, chargée de mission du Conservatoire du littoral à Saint-Martin

De gauche à droite : Régis Armengaud, représentant de la DEAL ; Christophe Joe, garde de la RN ; Nicolas Maslach, directeur de la RN ; Ashley Daniel, garde de la RN et Anne-Marie Bouillé, chargée de mission du Conservatoire du littoral

Inaugurated in March 2018 at the Babit Point site by Anne-Marie Bouillé, head of the Conservatoire du Littoral in Saint Martin, an observation map allows the public to identify the magnificent landscapes overlooking the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the surrounding hillsides on the other. The map is embedded in a table made of lava, which should resist the weather over time. This is part of the ecological and landscaping restoration project at Babit Point, led by the Conservatoire du Littoral and the Réserve Naturelle in collaboration with local residents. In June 2013, members of the Oyster Pond homeowners’ association donated a 4.7-hectare plot of land to the Conservatoire du Littoral. This acquisition was added to the purchase of a 1.8-hectare plot, bought by the Conservatoire in April 2013 from local sellers. The project started in 2014 with the demolition of a house in ruins and continued with the installation of a wooden enclosure in 2015. The next step will be the creation of a reception area for the public, as well as a botanic nature walk. The overall project was funded at 80% by the French government and 20% self-funded by the Conservatoire du Littoral, for a total of 112,231 euros.

Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin

3 rue Barbuda, Hope Estate- 97 150 Saint-Martin
Tél: 05 90 29 09 72 Fax: 05 90 29 09 74

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Reserve.Naturelle.StMartin

Direction: direction@rnsm.org
Pôle police de la nature et logistique 06 90 57 95 55 reservenat.franck@yahoo.fr
Pôle scientifique 06 90 34 77 10 science@rnsm.org

Partenaires techniques et financiers de la Réserve naturelle

Partenaires techniques et financiers de la Réserve naturelle : Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin, Direction de l’environnement, de l’aménagement et du logement (DEAL), Collectivité de Saint-Martin, CAR-SPAW, Agence des aires marines protégées, IFRECOR, TE ME UM

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