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A new 2018-2027 management plan for the Nature Reserve

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The 32nd quarterly journal of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve was released last July and can be viewed and downloaded from the Reserve website. 

We learn in particular that the first management plan of the Reserve having expired, a new management plan 2018-2027 has been completed. The main objective remains the maintenance of biodiversity and the preservation of the various marine, lake and terrestrial ecosystems classified as natural reserves.

“The management plan, a regulatory obligation for all nature reserves, is the managers' roadmap. It constitutes an essential document for the organization, monitoring and evaluation of the management of the Reserve ”, it is stated in the preamble.

Amandine Vaslet, doctor of biology, was in charge of this mission. Before implementing the second management plan, the first had to be evaluated. This assessment turned out to be “very positive” according to the Reserve since 61% of the 104 actions recommended were entirely carried out and 22 actions over 75%.

The reintroduction of the Lesser Antilles iguana (Iguana delicatissima), due to the explosion of the populations of common iguanas (Iguana Iguana), whose species is no longer protected but still not huntable, is one of the four actions which could not be performed.

Designed using the new methodology of the French Agency for Biodiversity and Natural Reserves of France, this 2018-2027 management plan is made up of three parts: diagnosis and inventory of the Natural Reserve, management of the Reserve, sheets for each of the 125 actions.

If the previous management plan brought together seven long-term objectives, the new one has nine. Promote the conservation of coral reefs and associated species, populations of sea turtles, nursery sites for sharks and rays. Maintain or improve reception conditions for populations of marine mammals and populations of nesting seabirds. Maintain or improve the ecological status of ponds. Promote the conservation of xerophilic vegetation (plants suitable for dry environments). And finally, ensuring the conditions for the reintroduction of the Lesser Antilles iguana.

(Photo credits: national nature reserve of Saint-Martin)

(More details on www.soualigapost.com)

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