Welcome!
Less than 200 miles from the coast of southern Florida, the islands of the Bahamas attract over 500 million tourists annually for their tropical climate, history of colonialism and piracy, and beautiful beaches of white carbonate sand. With more than 700 islands and cays, totaling about 6,000 square miles of land, much of the country's wildlife lives at the boundary between land and sea. The relatively undisturbed coastal environments of most islands in the Bahamas provide excellent opportunities for scientists to study island biogeography, climate change, and the evolutionary history of these biological communities. By better understanding the nature of these coastal biomes, we can be better informed on the importance of conserving coastal wildlife when proposing new public policy that could have environmental implications. This online exhibit will cover different types of coastal biomes found in the Bahamas and other tropical archipelagos. Additionally, information on the geological history of the Bahamas and current biodiversity follow. Finally, check out how researchers at SDSMT are adding to this important body of knowledge by collecting and studying lucinid bivalves curated here at the Museum of Geology!
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References:
Shaklee, R.V. 1994. In Columbus's Footsteps: Geography of San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Bahamian Field Station.
Shaklee, R.V. 1994. In Columbus's Footsteps: Geography of San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Bahamian Field Station.