Publications
Hurricane‐induced pollinator shifts in a tightly coadapted plant–hummingbird mutualism
A tightly coadapted plant-hummingbird mutualism in Dominica's Morne Trois Pitons National Park was disrupted by Hurricane Maria, leading to a shift from specialized pollination by the purple-throated carib (Eulampis jugularis) to a more generalized system involving other hummingbirds and the bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). The study found that while the purple-throated carib deposited the most pollen due to its morphological match with Heliconia flowers, other bird species also effectively pollinated Heliconia plants after the hurricane-induced population crash of the primary pollinator. This suggests that generalized pollinators can provide resilience in plant sexual reproduction following high-impact disturbances, challenging the notion that specialized mutualisms are evolutionary dead-ends. The research integrated bird visitation rates, pollen deposition data, and pollen transport analysis to quantify these shifts.
Site managers
In 2015, Jacqueline Andre assumed leadership as the head of the National Parks unit within Dominica's Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, overseeing the Morne Trois Pitons National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site. Her role highlights the critical importance of dedicated site management in preserving such globally significant natural areas. The article provides an overview of her responsibilities, which include implementing conservation strategies to safeguard the park's unique biodiversity and geological features. By focusing on effective governance and sustainable practices, Andre's leadership exemplifies best practices for World Heritage Site management, ensuring long-term protection and conservation efforts.
Hydrothermal eruptions at unstable crater lakes: Insights from the Boiling Lake, Dominica, Lesser Antilles
A study of the Boiling Lake in Dominica's Morne Trois Pitons National Park reveals that small hydrothermal eruptions and toxic gas emissions, previously thought non-eruptive, can occur during lake drainage events. The research demonstrates that the petrophysical state of crater wall materials—such as porosity, permeability, and alteration-related strength—controls the style and energy of these explosive events, as well as landslide risks. Using experimental simulations of decompression under slightly elevated pressure (mimicking post-drainage eruptions) and rapidly enhanced pressure (simulating landslide-induced overpressurization), scientists calculated ejection velocities to estimate potential debris impact areas. This work advances the understanding of hydrothermal eruption hazards at unstable crater lakes, offering critical insights for risk assessment in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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