Selected articles by Gail Karlsson about nature and environmental issues in Fish Bay and St. John

Doing a Darwin Project in Fish Bay St. John Times
“Charles Darwin’s original studies of the Galapagos Islands, and his observations of slight differences in bird species on those islands, famously led him to formulate the theory of evolution…. I started thinking about the possibility of doing a Darwin project in and around Fish Bay to create a profile of what is already known about its ecosystems, and to work with experts to start filling in gaps.”

Fish Bay Trees Pig Turds, Gri-Gris and Water Mampoo St. John Times  “For years I drove around in St. John and didn’t pay much attention to the trees unless they had fruit on them, or the ‘bush’ got so thick it encroached on the road. But now I have finally gotten acquainted with some of the more noticeable local trees.”

Scorpions Shedding the Old Exoskeleton St. John Times
“There is a hatch that opens up around the head area and the scorpion pushes and crawls its way out. Sometimes a leg might not make it through the process and the scorpion has to grow a new one, but otherwise the shape of the old exoskeleton exactly matches that of the body.”

Fish Bay Shark Talk St. John Times
“Besides the nurse sharks, black tips and reef sharks I have seen in Fish Bay, I have heard of several bull shark sightings from people diving or snorkeling out in the deeper areas of the bay.”

Turtle Monitoring St John Times
“August and September are peak months for turtle nesting in the Virgin Islands, and I volunteered to participate in the National Park’s sea turtle beach patrol. We were primarily looking for evidence of hawksbill turtle nests, since they are the only ones that still regularly nest on St. John.”

Boiling Frogs and Muddy Coral St John Times
“My husband and son went diving to explore the reef on the west side of Fish Bay, an area where a local scientist had asked about the current condition of elkhorn coral heads. They came back and reported that the coral seemed to be covered with a layer of mud. Even in water as deep as 25 feet, well out into the bay away from the shoreline, the water was murky with suspended particles.”

Erosion Study to Identify Critical Areas of Concern St. John Times  “Even small amounts of rainfall can move tons of sediment downhill into the water, smothering coral reefs and destroying fish habitats. By identifying the areas and types of land-change activities that generate the worst erosion effects, this study can help planners and developers avoid damaging situations, or remedy existing hazards.”

Scorpions Shedding Old Exoskeletons St. John Times
“There is a hatch that opens up around the head area and the scorpion pushes and crawls its way out. Sometimes a leg might not make it through the process and the scorpion has to grow a new one, but otherwise the shape of the old exoskeleton exactly matches that of the body.”

Respecting Life as a Whole St. John Times
“We are learning more and more about the components of life, even down to the patterns of our own DNA. Yet we will continue to lose much of the richness of our diverse world if we do not take a broader view of our responsibilities. Parts of nature can’t be saved unless there is an overall respect for the whole of life.”