Fact Sheet #9
Jamaica’s
Biodiversity
JAMAICA’S PROTECTED AREAS… towards
safeguarding Jamaica's globally significant
biodiversity
MAY 2014
Jamaica’s policy framework for the national system of protected areas defines a protected area as “an area of
land or water that is managed for the protection and maintenance of its ecological systems, biodiversity and/or
specific natural, cultural or aesthetic resources.”
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms
from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems. This includes diversity within
species, between species and of ecosystems
(Convention on Biological Diversity).
Jamaica’s ecosystems include forests, wetlands,
beaches and coral reefs, among other ecosystems.
Species diversity takes into account all species living in
terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats – birds,
reptiles, mammals, fish, insects, crustaceans, plants,
micro-organisms etc. – and depends on the
maintenance of healthy ecosystems.
Jamaica’s biodiversity includes the highest number of
endemic species of birds and plants of any Caribbean
island. Jamaica is rated 5th among the world’s islands
in terms of endemic plant species by the IUCN
(International Union for Conservation of Nature). The
Cockpit Country Forest Reserve and the Blue and John
Crow Mountains National Park are home to a number
of endemic plants and animals.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a community of
plants and animals interacting
with each other and with their
non-living environment.
Endemic
Endemic means found nowhere
else in the world.
Streamertail
Hummingbird – an
Endemic Species
The streamertail hummingbird –
or Doctor Bird, Jamaica’s
national bird – is one of Jamaica’s
endemic species.
Examples of Jamaica’s Species Diversity
Plant / Animal
Number of Species
in Jamaica
Number of
Endemic Species
Orchids
230
60
Ferns
579
67
Cacti
20
10
Palms
10
7
Land Snails
514
505
9
9
Butterflies
133
20
Amphibians
22
22
Reptiles
43
33
Shore and Sea Birds
39
1
Land Birds
67
30
Grapsid Crabs
Source: Fourth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Why is Biodiversity Important?
Jamaica’s social and economic well-being is dependent on the country’s
biodiversity. Ecosystems provide many essential services such as the
provision of clean water and air, prevention of soil erosion, provision of
medicinal plants, nutrient cycling, provision of food and shelter, and
the meeting of spiritual, cultural, aesthetic and recreational needs.
Large portions of the country’s economy are heavily dependent on
biodiversity, for example, tourism, horticulture, agriculture and
fisheries.
Threats to Biodiversity
 Habitat loss and fragmentation, e.g. by clearing land for
agriculture, housing, industry and mining
 Introduction of invasive alien species
 Over-exploitation of plant and animal resources and their
habitats – e.g. removing trees, damaging coral reefs, overfishing
 Pollution of soil, water and the air
 Global climate change
JAMAICA’S BIODIVERSITY
3
Threatened Species
A number of Jamaica’s species are threatened due to the many factors that apply pressure on their population,
distribution and habitats. For example, animals are hunted and collected for income, food and trade. Various
capturing techniques are used to opportunistically, illegally, or accidentally capture sea turtles, manatees,
crocodiles and birds to supplement food or income (for example, through the pet trade). Plants, especially
orchids, are harvested from the forest for sale.
Some Laws and Regulations that Protect Jamaica’s Biodiversity
While Jamaica has many laws that aim to protect the environment, some specific laws and regulations govern
the country’s biological diversity.
Natural Resources Marine Park and National Park
Regulations (under the Natural Resources
Conservation Authority Act) – govern the
maintenance and protection of the country’s marine
parks and national parks.
Montego Bay Marine Park
Wild Life Protection Act – prohibits the killing or
capture of protected species and regulates the
hunting of specified animals, including birds, sea
turtles and manatees.
Forest Act and Regulations – provide for the
protection and management of designated forest
reserves
Cockpit Country Forest Reserve
JAMAICA’S BIODIVERSITY
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Galleon Beach Special Fishery
Conservation Area
Fishing Industry Act and Regulations – govern the
management of Jamaica’s fisheries resources,
designate Special Fishery Conservation Areas and
regulate fishing methods. For example, they prohibit
catching of lobster, conch, sharks, sea urchins (“sea
eggs”) and sea cucumbers in their close seasons and
prohibit catching “berried” lobsters (i.e. with eggs).
Jamaican Manatee
Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and
Regulation of Trade) Act – provides for the protection
and regulation of the trade in endangered species.
Morant and Pedro Cays Act – protects the sea birds
and sea turtles (and their eggs) on these cays and
prohibits fishing without a licence within the territorial
waters of the cays
Under the Fishing Industry Act, Natural Resources (National Park) Regulations and the Wild Life Protection
Act, river poisoning and dynamite fishing are offences.
Strengthening the Operational and Financial Sustainability of the National Protected Area System Project
For additional information contact: National Environment and Planning Agency
10 & 11 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica
E-mail - pubed@nepa.gov.jm
All photographs courtesy of the National Environment and Planning Agency