Aberdeen University students could aid the salvation of threatened plant and animal species on a tropical island group in the Caribbean.
The team of four students from the university’s School of Biological Sciences will set off for the East Bay National Park, on the Turks and Caicos Islands, on Monday July 7.
The popular tourist location is facing significant demand for commercial development, and new research on rare and endangered species of animals and plants during the seven-week trip should help in justifying the protection of the land.
The team – consisting of Tim Stephen, Ailsa Sharp, Jack Walton and David Kinnear – have the backing of the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), a branch of the British overseas territory’s government, who are fighting for the land’s conservation.
Mr Stephen said: “Coming from a wide range of disciplines within the School of Biological Sciences, we are well placed to carry out a much-needed in-depth study of the area.
“We already know that the park is home to many plant species which are of interest to us.
“There is also evidence of three significant reptiles in the area – the critically endangered Silver Key Anole and Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana, and the Curly-Tailed Lizard and the critically endangered .”
“Hopefully, what this expedition will allow us to do is to create an accurate and comprehensive database of the many living species that exist on the island and therefore highlight how important it is that the area continues to be protected and not developed upon.”
