The Essential List of Wildlife and Animals in St. Maarten

St. Maarten/ St. Martin is home to a wide array of beautiful wildlife and animals. The climate of St. Maarten/ St. Martin and the natural protected areas are ideal for the conservation of many of these species. The island of Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin is characterized by its dry climate, amazing beaches, and beautiful natural landscapes.

The island of Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin also features many amazing and colorful animals such as crabs, flamingos, stingrays, hummingbirds, lobsters, pigeons, spiders, doves, snakes, pelicans, and so much more. Although the majority of St. Maarten/ St. Martin animals are not dangerous, it is best to keep your distance from them to help aid the preservation of their species. The essential list of wildlife and animals in St. Maarten is listed and explained below.

  1. Mammals
  2. Insects
  3. Marine vertebrates
  4. Marine invertebrates
  5. Crustaceans
  6. Birds
  7. Amphibians
  8. Reptiles
  9. Mollusks
  10. Spiders
  11. Other Arthropods
  12. Flora and Vegetation

1. Mammals

Mammals are vertebrate animals with a neocortex, fur or hair, and three middle ear bones. Mammals are also characterized by their mammary glands, which supply milk to their young. Tourists can find different types of mammals when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the mammals that tourists may find when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are horses, donkeys, cows, oxen, sheep, pigs, cats, dogs, raccoons, and African green vervet monkeys.

People who live on the island of St. Maarten/ St. Martin may have one of these mammals as a pet such as dogs, cats, monkeys, pigs, and others. Mammals are located in many of the different kinds of habitats in St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of these habitats include plains, forests, mountains, tropical rainforests, and more. Visitors can find mammals when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin on farms and can even spot them while hiking in the more rugged and natural parts of the island.

One of the best areas where tourists can watch mammals when staying on French St. Martin is Loterie Farm. In the Dutch part of St. Maarten, it is also common to find mammals in Parrot Ville Bird Sanctuary and Seaside Nature Park. The wild mammals of St. Maarten/ St. Martin do not represent a danger, however, it is recommended to keep a prudent distance from them as a safety precaution.

2. Insects

Insects have chitinous exoskeletons, three-part bodies, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and one pair of antennae. There are six legs on the body of an insect, each attached to the thorax, the middle section. Insects are the only arthropods with wings that are always attached to their thorax.

Tourists can find different types of insects when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the insects that tourists may find when visiting St. Maarten/St. Martin are mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, and grasshoppers. Insects are usually found in natural areas such as forests and gardens on the island. Visitors to St. Maarten may find some insects when visiting farms, gardens, forests, and beaches on the island.

A specific location where tourists can find insects when staying on French St. Martin is Loterie Farm. In the Dutch part of St. Maarten it is also possible to find some insects at Seaside Nature Park and Parrot Ville Bird Sanctuary. The insects of St. Maarten/ St. Martin do not represent a danger, however, it is recommended to use repellent when hiking because of the mosquitoes.

3. Marine Vertebrates

Marine vertebrate creatures have a vertebral column that provides a central support structure. As well as giving shape, support, and protection to the body, the internal skeleton serves as an anchor for fins or limbs. There are two main groups of marine vertebrate creatures: marine fish and marine tetrapods.

Tourists may see different types of marine vertebrates when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the marine vertebrates that tourists may see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are dolphins, whales, stingrays, barracuda, sea turtles, colorful fish, and more. It is possible to easily see some of these beautiful marine vertebrates when staying in St. Maarten/ St. Martin in places such as Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, Lucas Bay, Anse Marcel, and more. Visitors may see some of these beautiful marine vertebrates when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin on a catamaran trip or while enjoying a snorkeling trip.

Anse Marcel is a specific area where tourists may see marine vertebrates when staying on French St. Martin. It is possible to see some marine vertebrates at Simpson Bay which is in the Dutch part of St. Maarten. The marine vertebrates of St. Maarten/ St. Martin do not represent a danger, but it is recommended for tourists or locals not to approach them.

4. Marine Invertebrates

There are different types of marine invertebrates in St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Marine invertebrates do not have a backbone, however, some develop an exoskeleton or carapace. As a matter of fact, marine invertebrates represent the majority of marine biodiversity and present different size ranges from tiny microscopic organisms to large organisms several meters in length. Some examples of marine invertebrates are bluebottles, crustaceans, corals, sea urchins, shells, starfish, sponges, worms, nudibranchs, and sea cucumbers.

Tourists can see different types of marine invertebrates when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the marine invertebrates that tourists may see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are starfish, crustaceans, shells, and sponges, among others. It is possible to see some of these beautiful marine invertebrates when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin in places such as Lucas Bay, Cole Bay, Anse Marcel, Simpson Bay, and more. Visitors probably see some of these beautiful marine invertebrates when taking a catamaran or snorkeling tour on St. Maarten/ St. Martin.

Grand Case and Anse Marcel are some specific areas where tourists may see marine invertebrates when staying on French St. Martin. It is also possible to see some marine invertebrates at Pelican Key or Kim Sha Beach, which are located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Despite the fact that the marine invertebrates of St. Maarten/ St. Martin do not represent a danger, they should not be approached for their protection.

5. Crustaceans

There are different types of crustaceans such as amphipods, decapods, isopods, branchiopods, barnacles, fish lice, krill, copepods, seed shrimp, remipedes, and mantis shrimp. Crustaceans are omnivores. The diet of a crustacean consists of microscopic organisms, plankton, snails, algae, plants, and even eggs of other marine creatures. Tourists can see different types of crustaceans when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the crustaceans that tourists may see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are shrimp, mantis shrimp, crabs, land crabs, and lobsters.

It is possible to see some crustaceans when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin in places such as Pinel Island. Visitors can take a catamaran or snorkeling tour from St. Maarten/ St. Martin to Pinel Island or Tintamarre and probably see some interesting crustaceans. Although the different crustaceans of St. Maarten/ St. Martin do not represent a danger, tourists may keep a distance from them.

6. Birds

There are so many different characteristics that distinguish birds from other animals, these features include feathers, toothless beaked jaws, hard-shelled eggs, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight, yet strong skeleton. Tourists can see different types of birds when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the birds that tourists may see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are ducks, guinea fowl, flamingos, pigeons, doves, hummingbirds, pelicans, eagles, kingfishers, woodpeckers, falcons, and so much more. As a matter of fact, the national bird of St. Maarten/ St. Martin is the pelican and the St. Maarten flag includes it.

It is possible for tourists to easily see some of these beautiful birds when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. There are some specific locations where tourists can see birds when staying on French St. Martin such as Loterie Farm, Pinel Island, Pic Paradis, and Anse Marcel. In the Dutch part of St. Maarten, it is also possible to see some colorful birds at Parrot Ville Bird Park, the Cruise Port at Philipsburg, Great Bay Beach, and Seaside Nature Park.

7. Amphibians

An amphibian is a small vertebrate that needs water, or a freshwater environment, to survive. All amphibians can breathe and absorb water through their thin skin. Tourists may see different types of amphibians when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the amphibians that tourists may see when staying on St. Maarten/ St. Martin are frogs,  salamanders, toads, turtles, newts, and snakes. In fact, the loggerhead turtle and the green turtle are endangered, and the hawksbill turtle is critically endangered on St. Maarten/ St. Martin.

It is possible to see some amphibians in St. Maarten/ St. Martin near freshwater ecosystems. There are some specific areas where tourists can see amphibians when staying on French St. Martin are Anse Marcel, Loterie Farm, Pinel Island, and Grand Case. In the Dutch part of St. Maarten it is also possible to see some colorful amphibians at Seaside Nature Park, Mullet Bay Pond, Simpson Bay Lagoon, and Pond Island.

8. Reptiles

The main characteristics of reptiles are their dry, scaly skin and cold blood. Most reptiles lay eggs, although some, such as snakes, give birth to live young. One of the longest-living species on the planet is the reptile. There are different types of reptiles such as flowerpot blind snakes, crocodilians, iguanas, geckos, lizards, Anguilla bank America, squamates, rhynchocephalian, and more. There are so many different types of reptiles on St. Maarten/ St. Martin.

Some of the reptiles that tourists may find when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are the house gecko, island least lizards, gecko, turnip-tailed gecko, green iguana, common iguana, and more. It is possible to see some interesting reptiles while visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Tourists can see reptiles in some specific areas when staying on French St. Martin such as The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin, Pinel Island, Anse Marcel, and Loterie Farm. In the Dutch part of St. Maarten it is also possible to see some reptiles at Seaside Nature Park.

9. Mollusks

Mollusks are known to have a hard outer shell protecting their soft bodies. There are so many types of mollusks such as oysters, octopus, snails, chitons, squid, and clams. It is possible to find mollusks in various habitats, from trees to freshwater streams to tidal pools to the bottom of the ocean. Due to the lack of neural architecture, mollusks cannot experience pain because their nervous systems are incapable of feeling it.

Tourists can see different types of mollusks when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the mollusks that tourists may see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are clams, snails, mussels, squid, and octopuses. It is possible to easily see some of these impressive and beautiful mollusks in places such as Grand Case, Cole Bay, Mullet Beach, Lucas Bay, and more. Visitors probably see some mollusks when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin on a snorkeling tour.

One specific area where tourists may see mollusks when staying on French St. Martin is Pelican Key. It is also possible to see some marine vertebrates on the Dutch side of St. Maarten in Simpson Bay. It is recommended to avoid approaching certain mollusks in St. Maarten/ St. Martin as they may possess venomous apparatuses.

10. Spiders

Spiders are arthropods with four pairs of legs, spinnerets that extrude silk, and chelicerae with fangs that are usually able to inject venom. There are many different types of spiders that can be seen in St. Maarten such as the silver Argiope, spiny-backed orb weaver, gray wall jumper, brown widow, tarantulas, and more.

Some of the common spiders that tourists may see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are jumping spiders, ground spiders, house spiders, and tarantulas. Tourists may see spiders when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin in areas such as The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin, Loterie Farm, and Seaside Nature Park.

There are some specific areas where tourists may see spiders when staying on French St. Martin such as Loterie Farm and Anse Marcel. It is also possible to see spiders at Seaside Nature Park located in the Dutch part of St. Maarten. It is not common to see poisonous spiders in Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin, but it is recommended to keep a distance from any spider to be careful.

11. Other Arthropods

An arthropod is an invertebrate with joint legs. Although arthropods include lobsters, crabs, insects, spiders, and crustaceans, there are also centipedes and millipedes. Tourists can see these different types of arthropods when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Some of the arthropods that tourists probably see when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin are centipedes, spiders, millipedes, and crustaceans.

The millipede is an invertebrate that is cylindrical or slightly flattened. As a matter of fact, they’re more closely related to lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish than to insects. The word “millipede” means “a thousand feet”. Although millipedes have many feet, none of them quite have a thousand. Despite the fact that millipedes are not poisonous, some species have glands that produce irritating fluids that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

There are some specific areas where tourists can see arthropods when staying on French St. Martin such as The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin, Loterie Farm, and Pinel Island. It is also possible to see some arthropods at Seaside Nature Park and Parrot Ville Bird Park which are both located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Some arthropods can be venomous and can cause allergic reactions, for this reason, visitors must take precautions such as wearing shoes and long sleeves when going on hikes in the more rugged and natural areas in St. Martin / St. Maarten.

12. Flora and Vegetation

St. Maarten/ St. Martin features some rocky coastlines, beaches, cliffs, and mangroves. The flora and fauna in Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin are very beautiful and diverse. Tourists can enjoy so many different types of flora and vegetation when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin. The most common plants in St. Maarten/ St. Martin are sea grapes, gum trees, and “Glochidion ferdinandi” otherwise known as “cheese trees”.

Among the rare and protected species on St. Maarten/ St. Martin are the English head cacti, some endemic orchids, and guaiac trees, which have benefited from preservation and reintroduction efforts. There are also a wide variety of plants that have been introduced to the St. Maarten/ St. Martin island such as banana trees, coconut trees, mango trees, tamarind trees, flamboyants, and bougainvilleas.

St. Maarten features a wide variety of different habitats which determine the flora and fauna of the island. The main habitats can be divided into marine and inland areas. The marine areas are the lagoons, salt ponds, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, and sandy shores. Tourists staying on St. Maarten/ St. Martin can see mangroves on the Dutch side of the island, on the south shore of Simpson Bay lagoon, and around some salt ponds such as Little Bay pond on French St. Martin.

What is the national plant of St. Maarten?

The national plant of St. Maarten is called the Yellow sage flower and is also known as Orange-yellow Sage. The Yellow sage flower is a wonderful tiny yellow flower with four petals from the Lantana Camara family. The Yellow sage plant can grow up to two meters tall. It is possible for visitors to see the Yellow sage flower when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin in local gardens or wild nature areas such as The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin and Seaside Nature Park.

What vegetables grow in St. Maarten?

Some of the vegetables that grow in St. Maarten are green onions, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, and cassava. The vegetables that grow in St. Maarten are listed below.

  1. Kale
  2. Garlic
  3. Ginger
  4. Callaloo
  5. Cassava
  6. Bell peppers
  7. Green onions

What fruits grow in St. Maarten?

Some of the delicious fruits that grow in St. Maarten are mangos, coconut, sea grapes, guavaberry, and soursop. The fruits that grow in St. Maarten are listed below.

  1. Banana
  2. Guava
  3. Mango
  4. Coco plums
  5. Coconut
  6. Soursop
  7. Sea grapes
  8. Sugar apples
  9. Guavaberry
  10. Quenepas (Ginips)

Is St. Maarten tax-free?

Yes, St. Maarten is tax-free. Compared to other places in the world, such as North America and some European countries, prices on the island of St. Maarten are usually 20% lower due to the tax-free status of the island. St. Maarten/ St. Martin is a great island for shopping and visiting due to its duty-free status.

Are there any zoos in Sint Maarten?

No, there are no zoos in Sint Maarten. In the past there have been zoos located in St. Maarten, however, due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017, the zoos on the island were closed. At the zoos in St. Maarten, it was possible to see monkeys, peacocks, turtles, and different kinds of birds such as toucans and parrots, iguanas, and others. It was even possible to pet and feed some of the animals in the zoos that were in Sint Maarten in the past.

Although there are no official zoos located in St. Maarten anymore, there are places on the island where tourists and locals alike can see and even interact with animals such as Seaside Nature Park, Parrotville Bird Sanctuary, Loterie Farm, and more.

It should be noted that even though there are no official zoos at this moment on the island of St. Maarten/ St. Martin, there are places where tourists can interact with animals such as Loterie Farm, Parrot Ville Bird Sanctuary, Seaside Nature Park, and The National Nature Reserve of St. Martin.

Are there dangerous animals in St. Maarten?

No, there are no dangerous animals in St. Maarten. In St. Maarten/ St. Martin, there are just a few common spiders like the ones one would typically find when visiting any other island in the Caribbean. The use of mosquito repellent is recommended in some locations and during rainy seasons.

What are the nature and wildlife areas in St. Martin?

Some of the nature and wildlife areas in St. Martin are the Parrot Ville Bird Sanctuary, Seaside Nature Park, Loterie Farm, and more. The most popular nature and wildlife areas in St. Martin/ St. Maarten are listed and described below.

  1. Loterie Farm is a private peaceful nature reserve that offers different activities for families such as obstacle courses, ziplining courses, and even hiking trails.
  2. Parrot Ville Bird Sanctuary allows visitors to see so many different types of tropical bird species, take a tour of a museum to learn about these different bird species, feed some of them, and explore the interesting medicinal garden.
  3. Seaside Nature Park is 30 acres of unspoiled forest. Seaside Nature Park allows visitors to enjoy so many activities such as horseback riding, visiting the petting zoo, hiking, lounging on the nearby beaches, and more.
  4. Dive Adventures is an amazing spot on Simpson Bay to practice scuba diving and see some beautiful coral and marine creatures such as colorful fish, turtles, stingrays, and more.
  5. David’s Hole is an unspoiled natural swimming pool that offers breathtaking views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea. David’s Hole can be reached by taking a short walk between Terres-Basses and Red Bay, turning left along the cliff side at the end of the road leading to Petites Cayes Bay.
  6. The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin is a nature reserve located in the northeastern part of the island. The objectives of the National Nature Reserve of Saint-Martin are to preserve the five main ecosystems of the island. The five main ecosystems of St. Maartin/ St. Martin are the coral reefs, seagrass beds, ponds, mangroves, and coastal dry forests. Visitors can discover and enjoy the fauna and flora of St. Martin/ St. Maarten by visiting The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin while respecting common sense instructions such as respecting animals, respecting nature, and respecting people.

What are the nature and wildlife tours in St. Martin?

The nature and wildlife tours in St. Martin go from snorkeling tours and catamaran rides to swimming with turtles and more. The best St. Maarten/ St. Martin tours offer awesome packages with food, drinks, and a lot of fun. The nature and wildlife tours in St. Martin are listed below.

  1. Captain Bob Speed Boat offers a snorkeling tour to see marine life.
  2. Boomerang Boat Charters offers a 3 Island adventure with a stop at Tintamarre to swim with turtles.
  3. Eagle Tours N.V. offers an eco-tour on a catamaran around St. Martin/ St. Maarten.
  4. Aqua Mania Adventures offers tourists staying on St. Martin/ St. Maarten an incredible day trip to the eco-paradise of Saba.
  5. Seagrape Tours offers a fantastic bird-watching tour for visitors.

Where can iguanas be seen in St. Maarten?

It is possible for tourists to see iguanas when visiting St. Maarten/ St. Martin at Oyster Pond, Dawn Beach, on the road from Oyster Pond towards French Quarter, and on Pinel Island.

What kind of monkeys are on St. Martin?

There are Vervet monkeys located on the island of St. Martin. The monkeys on St. Martin and where they can be seen are described below.

  1. Vervet monkeys. It is possible for tourists to see vervet monkeys on Pointe Blanche, Indigo Bay, Pelican Cay, Pic Paradise, Guana Bay, Dawn Beach, St. Peters, and Almond Grove on Cole Bay.

Can you swim with the stingrays in Sint Maarten?

Yes, visitors can swim with stingrays in Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin. Some of the places where visitors can swim with stingrays when visiting Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin include Simpson Bay, Cupecoy Beach, and Tintamarre Island.

What are the Sint Maarten nature reserves on land?

The nature reserves on Sint Maarten on land are the National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin on Anse Marcel, Baie de l’Embouchure, Anse Marcel, Grandes Cayes, and Grand Case.

The Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin nature reserves on land work hard in order to preserve and maintain the flora and fauna of St. Maarten/ St. Martin. There are 7,413 acres (3,000 hectares) of land in the Saint Martin National Nature Reserve, which include Tintamarre, Green Cay, Petite Clef, and Pinel Islands. Some of the nature reserves located on the Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin island are listed below.

  1. The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin
  2. Pinel Island
  3. Caye Verte
  4. Tintamarre
  5. Baie de l’Embouchure
  6. Grand Case
  7. Anse Marcel
  8. Grandes Cayes
  9. Ranch du Galion

What are the Saint Martin nature reserves at sea?

Some of the Saint Martin nature serves at sea are the St. Maarten National Marine Park on Simpson Bay, the National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin on Anse Marcel, and the Whale Observatory on Oyster Pond.

The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin covers over 6.83 miles (11 km) of coastline and 7,413 acres (3,000 hectares) of land including the islands located on the east coast such as Tintamarre, Green Cay, Petite Clef, and Pinel Island.

Some of Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten nature reserves at sea are in different areas such as Lucas Bay which is a perfect spot to watch whales, Pinel Island which is great for observing wonderful kinds of fish and corals, and Guichard Pond has amazing ponds and mangroves. The Saint Martin nature reserves at sea are listed below.

  1. The St. Maarten National Marine Park
  2. The National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin
  3. Whale Observatory at Coralita Beach

What are some of the rules of the St. Martin Nature reserve?

Some of the rules of the St. Martin Nature reserve are provided to take care of the nature, animals, and people on the island of St. Maarten. Some of these rules are to avoid cutting down trees, not feeding animals, keeping dogs under control, not smoking on the property, and more. Some of the rules of the St. Martin Nature reserves are listed below.

  1. Respect nature: Visitors should be careful with bushes, trees, and other plants. Visitors can enjoy nature but they can not pick orchids or other protected plants or cut down trees. Leave flat rocks and stones untouched. Visitors should be respectful of agriculture, and avoid stepping onto cultivated fields.
  2. Respect animals: Visitors should keep their distance from nests and young birds. It is not advisable to visit bird and seal protection areas during times when access is prohibited. Visitors should avoid harming snakes, reptiles, or amphibians. Visitors should avoid feeding animals or approaching them. Please keep dogs under control at all times for the benefit of others and the St. Maarten/ St. Martin wildlife.
  3. Respect people: Do not disturb others with radios, musical instruments, or anything similar. There are a number of private buildings within the reserves, so visitors can not walk through gardens, buildings, or jetties.
  4. Avoid accidents: Bonfires are only allowed in the designated fire pits because of the risk of fire. Visitors must not smoke on the nature reserve. Bicycles are not allowed on the property. Motorized vehicles are allowed just in the designated parking areas.
  5. Enjoy the nature reserve: Visitors must pack out all the garbage, leave only footprints, and take only pictures.

Are there coral reefs in St. Maarten?

Yes, there are coral reefs in St. Maarten. The coral reefs in St. Maarten are located on Pinel Island, Cupecoy Beach, and Mullet Bay. Some other coral reefs on St. Maarten/ St. Martin Creole Rock, Dawn Beach, Baie Rouge, David’s Hole, and Orient Bay. St. Maarten is located on the beautiful and diverse Caribbean Sea, where there are a lot of animals such as the Caribbean dolphin, Blue tang, Parrot fish, Algae, Coral, and much more.

The marine part of the National Nature Reserve of Saint Martin covers more than 7,166 acres (2,900 hectares) and it is also covered with numerous coral formations that play a considerable role in St. Martin/ St. Maarten flora. The coral reefs in St. Maarten/ St. Martin have an amazing ecological value. The coral reefs in St. Maarten/ St. Martin are home to many species of invertebrates and mollusks such as sea urchins, lobsters, starfish, slipper lobsters, and conch, as well as many species of fish such as parrot, angel, chestnut, surgeonfish, tarpon, grouper, and barracuda.

How did Hurricane Irma affect the wildlife in Sint Maarten?

Hurricane Irma strongly affected the wildlife in Sint Maarten. Hurricane Irma was a category 5 hurricane with strong winds of 177 mph (285 km/h) that struck the island of St. Maarten/ St. Martin on September 6th, 2017. Forested areas were almost totally destroyed due to old trees that were uprooted.

This drastic change in the green areas of St. Maarten/ St. Martin had important consequences for the animals that inhabit them such as lizards, birds, monkeys, spiders, frogs, and other animals. There were other consequences due to Hurricane Irma such as droughts and sargassum beachings that have increased.