Indigenous communities used the Caribbean Sea as an aquatic highway
With some 7,000 islands and cays and a 7,000-year history of human habitation, the Caribbean Sea is practically synonymous with maritime travel. The very word “canoe” is derived from the term “kana:wa,” used by the Indigenous Arawakans of the Caribbean to describe their dugout vessels. Without clear road signs to indicate where native islanders were […]
Polynesian Island yields ‘treasure trove’ of fungal biodiversity
The islands of the South Pacific are a hot spot for biodiversity, but their jagged peaks, hot and humid conditions, and remote locations have limited scientists’ ability to document the many fantastic forms of life in the region. In a new study published this week in the Journal of Biogeography, researchers from the University of […]
Holistic assessment of plastic pollution in the Caribbean
The Caribbean is renowned globally for its stunning beaches and crystal clear ocean. However, its islands and the surrounding sea are being contaminated by plastics and other humanmade fibres, posing a potential future threat to its diverse marine life and the tourism industry on which its economy depends. That is according to a new study, […]