Comparing global and local maps of the Caribbean pine forests of Andros, home of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole

Abstract

to assess the status of nine terrestrial habitats on Andros. Our Random Forest classification model predicted habitat classes with high overall accuracy. Caribbean pine was the dominant land class making up roughly one-third of the total terrestrial area. Whereas much of the pine forest area was found as small patches, most were close to other patches of pine suggesting isolation of forest patches is low. We compared our known intact forest areas to recent forest loss identified by the Hansen et al. Global Forest Change product and assessed areas of habitat disturbance in high-resolution imagery. Our results suggest that this global map overpredicted forest loss on Andros. The small degree of true forest loss on Andros was driven mostly by anthropogenic activity. A cross-tabulation of the Hansen forest loss with fire data showed that understory fires were frequently associated with falsely classified deforestation. Given the threats of climate change to this open forest type-intensifying fire regimes, strengthening hurricanes, and sea level rise-monitoring changes in open forest extent is a critical task across the Caribbean region and the world.

Distribution and habitat requirements of the Bahama Warbler Setophaga flavescens on Grand Bahama in 2018

“…A survey of the warbler on Abaco should aim to assess numbers, confirm habitat preferences similar to those on Grand Bahama in 2018, and review the dangers of anthropogenic factors such as disturbance, rubbish, roads, and fire that might need addressing by management. Analysis of satellite imagery (see methods used on Andros by Antalffy et al 2021) and ground surveys are needed as a matter of great urgency in order to identify the management options for restoring and preserving forests in pine-dominated islands across the Bahamas as economic, recreational, and natural heritage resources and as part of the overall resilience of the islands to the future effects of hurricanes like Dorian.…”

Coastal dry tropical forests in Florida and the Caribbean in peril: A review

“…Coastal dry tropical forests (CDTFs) within 5 km from the coast or less than 5 m in elevation in two islands in the Bahamas, (a) Abaco and (b) Andros. Dry tropical forest (in the Bahamas, also known as "coppice") map was adopted from Antalffy et al (2021) and the GEF Bahamas biodiversity management plan (2019). Most of the dry tropical forests in these islands are CDTFs.…”

“…Dry tropical forest (in the Bahamas, also known as “coppice”) map was adopted from Antalffy et al. (2021) and the GEF Bahamas biodiversity management plan (2019). Most of the dry tropical forests in these islands are CDTFs.…”