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Andros Island, the largest and westernmost of the Bahamian islands is a place of vast uninhabited expanses and a wealth of biodiversity. It is also home to the Andros barrier reef - the second largest coral barrier reef in the Western hemisphere.
Located just off the tip of Florida, at 100 miles long and 45 miles wide is an interwoven mix of creeks, mangrove flats, tidal creeks and pine forests. Freshwater on Andros is filtered through an expanse of porous limestone. Blueholes, both saltwater and freshwater, reveal vast networks and complex webs of tunnels connecting land and sea.
Hardwood forests abutting expanses of freshwater marshes and globally imperiled pine rockland are prime habitat for migratory songbirds such as the Kirtland's warbler, one of North America's rarest birds. Giant land crabs, the Bahamian woodstar hummingbird, the West Indian whistling-duck and the Northern Bahamian rock iguana, listed as threatened with extinction, can all be found on the island.
Acres of palm savanna contain mahogany, Bahamian pine, palmetto, maidenhair ferns and several endemic orchids. The island's blue mahoe an endemic hibiscus, produces beautiful yellow and red blossoms.
Fish thrive in Andros' waters including bonefish, blue tangs, barracudas and sergeant majors, which share the reefs with several shark species, sea turtles, manta rays, lobsters, queen conch, and various sponge species.
Protecting Andros’ Diversity
In April 2002, the Bahamian government created the Central Andros National Park. Encompassing more than 300,000 acres, the sanctuary protects major terrestrial and marine habitats. The combination of a relatively small population of 9,000 citizens and local support for conserving natural resources means protection efforts can be advanced.
The island's reef system is one of the longest and best preserved in the world. However, it is threatened by unsustainable fishing practices and damage caused by boats and irresponsible divers. Other threats include water pollution and offshore channeling and dredging.
Using Science and Strengthening Parks
In 2006, the Conservancy led a team of scientists, researchers and students on a scientific expedition to explore the west side of Andros Island. They discovered a haven for baby sharks, turtles and a wealth of other natural life.
The Conservancy is working with local partner organizations, the Andros Conservancy and Trust (ANCAT) and the Bahamas National Trust, to develop management plans and activities for a new national park. The goal is to continue to work with island residents to support their wishes for an island-wide network of parks. Our ongoing support will ensure that The Bahamas enjoys a growing and flourishing environmental movement.
Andros: The Bahamas’ Most Important Source of Fresh Waters
Since 1976, Nassau has shipped nearly five million gallons of freshwater daily from the North Andros Well Field. On Andros, the development of integrated land and sea plans is especially imperative because Andros is the largest source (70 percent) of groundwater in The Bahamas and is critical to the maintenance of potable water quality on the main island of New Providence (capital—Nassau) which barges water across from Andros on an almost daily basis.
Within The Bahamas, the most important aquifers occur within 30 cm of the top soil. Of all aquifers in The Bahamas, those on Andros represent the largest source of freshwater. It also supports some of the most pristine forest (pine and coppice) and wetland habitat in the northern Bahamas.
The main challenge to the water supplies, include pollution of the aquifer (from agriculture, sewage, unsanctioned domestic use, and puncture as a result of development), encroachment, habitat destruction, dredging, and over extraction.
“Andros is the island where water resources are the most vulnerable to man’s activities,” says Dr. Richard Cant, Consultant, Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation, “like rock mining and similar activities, and the effects of climate change, like rising sea levels, and storm surges. For this reason it is critical that Andros develops a dynamic and evolving land use plan for today’s needs, and the future.”
The incidents of pollution are not heavy or chronic as yet, but there is a high potential for such chronic effects from wastewater disposal, oil pollution, and development as well as from sedimentation that results during construction and dredging. The important groundwater resources of Andros are therefore under threat and need protection through zoning, land use management and effective policy development and implementation.
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Aerial view of Andros Island © Jonathan Kerr/TNC; Bonefishing guides on Andros © Jonathan Kerr/TNC.
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