The Abaco Science Alliance 2006

ASAC 2008 is scheduled for January 3-6, 2008

A conference to share scientific knowledge of Abaco and the Bahamian Environment

The Abaco Science Alliance 2006 was sponsored by Friends of the Environment on January 5-8, 2006 in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas.

Started in 2004, the conference is scheduled to occur every two (2) years. It is a goal of this conference to provide a forum for the networking of researchers and the sharing of scientific information in and around Abaco. We hope to encourage more research in the area for educational purposes and to stimulate the use of these findings in local environmental management decisions.

The second annual Abaco Science Alliance Conference was a success on a number of fronts: high attendance, new research and educational presentations, as well as a scientific networking forum for Bahamians and visitors alike.

One of the most exciting facets of the conference was the attendance of over one hundred local Abaco students. Thanks to the financial support of the Royal Bank of Canada, FRIENDS was able to invite local students and teachers to attend the conference at no cost. Several local schools took advantage of Royal Bank’s generous offer.

The event opened with a Cocktail Reception at the new Curly Tails Restaurant, located at the Conch Inn. Minister of Health and Environmental Service, Dr. Marcus Bethel, gave the Keynote Address.

The bulk of the conference was held at New Visions Ministries which was made possible with the support of Pastor Derek Benjamin.

Kitty Donnan, a former Board Member of FRIENDS served as the moderator for the conference and did an excellent job keeping the event running on time.

Friday’s conference highlights included a visit from the US Ambassador, the Honorable John Rood, who supported the work of the conference and spoke to the importance of environmental awareness in assuring the future success of the Bahamas.

Over 200 people were in attendance, the crowd a mix of local Bahamians, scientists, students and visitors.

Karen Bjorndal, who spoke about the results of 30 years of research on sea turtles in the Southern Bahamas

Scientists who presented on Friday......

Diane Claridge, local scientist and FRIENDS Board Member, discussed her research on beaked whale stranding that have coincided with naval and seismic operations.

Lynn Gape reviewed the recent Recreational Users Survey of the Abaco National Park, and explored the implications of the park being designated as Important Bird Area.

Gina Mori updated the crowd on the Abaco Parrot and the continuing research on the ground nesting birds

Craig Layman explained the importance of restoring block tidal creeks, from an ecological and economical perspective, and explored possible site opportunities in Abaco.

Brian Langerhans gave perhaps the most popular talk of the day. The title was, “Size Does Matter” and it explored the evolution of the size of the reproductive equipment of mosquito fish.

John Bowleg discussed an important issue, groundwater – the only source of freshwater in the Bahamas, other than rain.

The larger the equipment the slower the fish’s swim speed, and the more likely-hood of being eaten, but the more attractive to mating females, which makes for a tough tradeoff

John Mylroie explained two unexpected geological formations in Abaco, the caves at Hole in the Wall and the symmetrical hills on Great Abaco.

Theodore Fleming sharing with the crowd the population structure and the mating system of the buffy flower bat, a resident of Grand Bahamas.

Richard Franz, Terry Lott, Brian Kakuk and Gary Morgan expounded on Abaco’s most recent and exciting find: Sawmill Sink.

The blue hole that has preserved crocodile and tortoise bones has attracted a number of high level researchers that are all using the findings to discover clues to Abaco’s past.

Joseph Wunderle closed out Friday afternoon with a subject popular with birders in the crowd, Kirtland’s Warblers.

On Saturday, the crowd was smaller, which made for a more intimate setting, although a number of students did show up for the second day of talks. The attending scientists asked a number of questions of each other. There was palpable excitement as everyone became aware of the overlap in the fields of research and the potential for future collaborations. As one attendee explained, “usually at conferences scientists only meet with other scientists in their field. At ASAC, we all have the Bahamas in common, and there is so much potential to learn from each other and work together in the future.”

Some of the scientists offered invitations to the attending Bahamian students to work with them in the field as they pursued their research.

Featured scientists on Saturday

Ken Orvis, who spoke about the important role Abaco plays in studying the history of climate change in the Caribbean.

Sally Horn discussed what her group has learned about the history of the Abacos from lake sediment samples and tree rings.

The fact that Abaco was settled later than other places in the Caribbean makes samples here less likely to be affects by human interaction.

Allison Stork explained her research on pollen samples taken at West Pond on Great Abaco that sheds light on the historical plant composition of Abaco.

Michael Vincent discussed the history of the study of the flora of the Bahamas and unveiled plans for a new flora of the Bahamas publication.

James Hickey gave an overview of the fern of the Bahamas, featuring the “Bahamian crack fern” of which Abaco has the largest population in the world.

Joseph O’Brien explained the direct and indirect effects of fire on the ecology of the Bahamian pineyards

Melanie Link-Perez spoke about the difference between two fern species in the Bahamas and a new hybrid fern they have been studying.

Saturday afternoon featured two field trips for attendees: one to Little Harbour and the other to Sawmill Sink. Both trips were led by scientists who attended the conference.

Saturday evening, the farewell celebration was hosted by Snappa’s Bar & Restaurant and featured sushi and dancing.

On Sunday a field trip was led to Hope in the Wall and a variety of topics, from caves to botany to history were covered. The field trips were made possible by a number of volunteer drivers and the donation of the Forest Height’s school bus.

Conference organizer, Anita Knowles, led a wonderful committee comprised of Nancy Albury, John Harold Bethel and Lindsey Delaplaine, which planned a successful, educational and inspirational conference.

ASAC 2008 is scheduled for January 3-6, 2008.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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