Bio-diversity

The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park / Forest Reserve has for two decades been acknowledged as an area of high biodiversity in Jamaica and it s protection and conservation of species (flora and fauna) within it is well documented. The area contains the headwaters of several rivers of north and eastern part of the island and has the largest tract of closed broadleaf forest remaining on the island of Jamaica. These facts along with several others highlight the BJCMNP / FR as socially, ecologically and biologically important to Jamaica. Encroachment has risen steadily and has crept almost to the very summit of the Blue Mountains, with some 100 Ha of land not under forest cover. Most of this land is steeper than 25 and should be under forest cover as recommended by the National Forest Management and Conservation Plan. Addressing the problem of species / ecosystem conservation and land degradation has been captured under the JCDT s Management Plan (2005 2010) for the BJCMNP and implemented through projects funded by the Luis Kennedy Foundation, Rufford s Small Grants and Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Grant, reforestation and rehabilitation efforts have occurred in and around the Park. The main goal of the project is the continued sustainable management of the BJCMNP through ecosystem and species conservation techniques. Additionally to increase forest cover (total of 18 Ha) within the Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park. The expected outcomes of the project are as follows: The conservation of globally significant species (terrestrial and aquatic) Sustainable management and protection of BJCMNP through enforcement Reforestation (and rehabilitation) of 18 Ha of degraded land within the National Park Reduced soil erosion for those areas where deforestation and rehabilitation work would occur An increase in soil stability in the National Park and around communities within the 1 km Buffer Zone of the National Park Boundary A decrease in water runoff and soil removal in formerly degraded and deforested areas, thereby reducing the potential impact of these factors to lowland flooding and land slippage especially in the event of increased rainfall.

Jamaica