Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Outside of the national park system, inappropriate development, pollution and overexploit-
ation threaten wildlife and marine resources. Although the Bahamas was the first Caribbean
nation to outlaw long-line fishing as a threat to the marine ecology, the islands' stocks of
Nassau grouper, spiny lobster and turtle all face the consequences of over-fishing.
Commercial poaching, mostly by Cuban-Americans from Florida in the west and by
Dominicans in the east, has also been a significant problem. From the late 1970s the problem
stirred several island communities to establish their own nongovernmental reserves.
Coral reefs have also experienced damage by anchors, careless divers and snorkelers as
well as by Bahamian fishermen. The biggest culprit, however, is Mother Nature: hurricanes
cause as much devastation as a minor war.
The destruction of mangrove swamps, a natural hurricane barrier and fertile spawning
ground for many fish species, has been a hot topic of late, as environmentalists battle against
development in the North Bimini wetlands.
The government - which knows which side its bread is buttered - has taken an increasing
interest in sustainability, joining an international council on sustainable tourism and promot-
ing alternative energy sources like wind power. It remains to be seen, however, whether this
will have much impact on the ground.
Ecosystems of The Bahamas
Top Eco-Resorts
» Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros
» Higgins Landing, Exuma
» Tiamo, Andros
» Club Peace & Plenty, Exuma
Whiteland Coppice Shrubby, thin, salt-sprayed forest near the ocean, full of cacti and wind-
bent trees; common trees include Cabbage palm, gumbo-limbo, poisonwood and sea grape.
Blackland Coppice A dense, primeval forest in the islands' interior. Full of mahogany, red
cedar and pigeon plum, with a shady canopy and orchids and bromeliads growing in the un-
derstory. Much of the old-growth blackland coppice has long since been logged, but you can
still find ancient trees on Little Inagua.
Rocky Coppice A transitional zone between mangrove swamps and pineyard forest, set atop
limestone outcroppings and often flooded at high tide.
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