Jamaica
Jamaica is situated in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and West of Hispaniola. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean and has an area of 10,990 square kilometers (4,243 square miles) and a total coastline of 1,022 kilometers (634 miles). There are 336,000 ha of forest which provides habitat for biodiversity especially endemic plants and animals. It is estimated that there are at least 3,304 species of vascular plants in Jamaica of which 923 or 27% are endemic including 22 species of Bromeliads, 60 species of orchids, 67 species of ferns, 10 species of cacti, 7 species of palms and 1 species of grass. The species diversity among terrestrial vertebrates is varied with 67 species of land birds, 39 species of shore and seabirds and 22 species of amphibians. It is also estimated that among invertebrates there are 133 butterflies, 48 fireflies, 26 jumping spiders, 59 ants and 514 land snails. Jamaica has a rich diversity of marine animals including 572 species of fish, 8 species of black corals, 64 species of stony corals, 43 species of soft corals, 32 species of sharks and rays, 6 species of sea turtles, 455 species of crustaceans, 825 species of molluscs and many marine mammals including whales, dolphins and manatees. Marine plant species in Jamaica are dominated by 3 species of seagrasses and 386 different macro-algal species including calcareous algae. Jamaica’s freshwater species are not as diverse as the terrestrial or marine species animal species include 4 endemic freshwater fish, 2 families of shrimp and the endemic freshwater turtle. Freshwater plant species are understudied as a group but are known to include 2 freshwater plants. There is also 1 freshwater mammal. Jamaica has over 1,000 caves as a result of its limestone structure. These caves are home to a number of species such as endemic bats, crabs, crayfish and a species of Onychophorian. The Island of Jamaica is ranked 5th among Islands in the world in terms of plant endemism.
Contact Person(s):
Mrs. Shelia Harvey
Chief Plant Quarantine Inspector
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Hope Garden, Kingston, Jamaica
Tel: 977 0637 / 977 6401 Fax: 977 6992
Email: syharvey@moa.gov.jm
Invasive Alien Species List:
Materials and Resources:
See: Jamaica’s Draft NISS
See: Jamaica’s Project Profile – MTIASIC
Battle Lionfish: Read more
Scotiabank Launches Lionfish Project: Scotiabank Lionfish Project
Aliens of Xamayca: See Newsletter
Outline of MTIASIC Lionfish Project: Lionfish Pilot Project
Don’t Pack a Pest Initiative: Don’t Pack a Pest
Lionfish Numbers Trending Down: Western Mirror-Montego Bay, Jamaica
Work being done in Jamaica:
Lionfish Numbers Trending Down
Dayne Buddo, Marine Biologist from the UWI Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory and Field Station, last week disclosed findings that signify a downward trend in the lion fish population along the north coast. “This trend has been observed over the last 12-15 months, especially in areas where removal activity is regular,” said Dr. Buddo. He further [...]
Read moreDon’t Pack a Pest
Unsuspecting travellers bring in plants, animals, animal products, food and other agricultural items that can contain harmful pests and diseases. “Don’t Pack a Pest” is the result of partnership between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to improve inter-governmental cooperation in [...]
Read moreBattle lionfish heats up
AS the battle against the lionfish, that stealthy marine predator invading Jamaican waters, intensifies, more than 2,000 fisherfolk have already been trained in the management of the fish, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has said. Novelette Douglas, speaking on behalf of NEPA’s chief executive officer, Peter Knight, made the announcement at a function [...]
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