Bio-diversity

The project is a one year project which aims to work closely within a partnership of stakeholders. Critical areas identified by the project, will focus on habitat conservation and collaborative management for a number of endemic and protected species of fauna and flora within the Oracabessa sub-watershed and coastal zone. These interventions fall within the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity and are based on the capacity of the organization to successfully implement the project. Reduction of biodiversity within the Oracabessa Sub- Watershed and coastal areas, caused by the removal of trees for economic benefits such as lumber or fuel and inorganic agriculture practices have led to soil erosion, river siltation in the upper watershed area; flooding and water pollution in lower watershed area, beach erosion and coral reef damage in the coastal zone. This has posed a threat to the marine habitats (both fauna and flora) including many endangered species such as the leatherback and green turtles, the West Indian manatees, important sea grass beds and coral reefs. Coral reef destruction has also led to a reduction in the fishing industry and an array of important fish habitats. Several flora habitats including economic, nectar, pollen producing and medicinal plants and fauna habitats for birds, snakes and bats, have also suffered losses due to these poor environmental practices. Many of these flora and fauna species are endemic to Jamaica. Furthermore, exploitation of existing fish stocks and other marine organisms such as turtles and manatees in the coastal area has had severe negative impacts of coastal habitats and threatens the survival of the biodiversity in the Oracabessa area. Jamaica s current environmental legislation provides a basic framework for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, however the legislative framework does not comprehensively protect ecosystem diversity or species diversity. Therefore it is imperative that NGOs educate community members of the importance to protect and conserve Jamaica s biodiversity. 1. To protect the Oracabessa Sub- Watershed and groundwater sources through establishing a community plant nursery to produce 10,000 trees to be planted and maintained by stakeholders in four critical eroded areas 2. To protect and conserve local and global significant flora species by establishing an insitu and exitu conservation system for 50 species of medicinal plants within the Oracabessa sub watershed area 3. To monitor water quality at three specific sites monthly: the upper and lower Oracabessa Sub- Watershed and coastal zone. 4. To protect and conserve 94 species of (24)fauna and (70)flora through the implementation of a public awareness campaign that will provide accurate national and local policies regarding biodiversity 5. 15 hectares of locally significant biodiversity areas will be protected through the development of 2 bird sanctuaries and three protected turtle-nesting sites. 6. To use Innovative technology to create an interactive website and database of local plant and animal species and their global significance. 7. To increase forested areas protected by the project through conducting research and documentation of St. Mary s local medicinal plants and ethobotany information in St. Mary 8. To increase the rate of sustainability of the programme by empowering three watershed committees and building partnership through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders within the watershed areas.

Jamaica