National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity in Jamaica 2016-2021 December 2016 COPYRIGHT PAGE National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity in Jamaica 2016-2021 Prepared by Environmental Solutions Limited for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) 10 & 11 Caledonia Avenue Kingston 5 Jamaica W. I. Telephone: (876) 754–7540 Fax: (876) 754–7596 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nepa.gov.jm All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or part for education or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder. Acknowledgement of the source must be made and the National Environment & Planning Agency would appreciate receiving a copy of any such publication. Copyright © 2016 by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Edited by Leonie Barnaby January 2017 Revised by the National Environment and Planning Agency August 2017 Cover Photos (clockwise) are: Jamaican Boa (Epicrates subflavus); Broughtonia negrilensis; a section of the Black River Morass, St. Elizabeth; a Jamaican market scene; Branching Tube Sponge in Jamaican waters; a view of the Blue and John Crow Mountains; Euphorbia punicea; Jamaican Tody (Todus todus) Table of Contents Foreword .................................................................................................................................................................. vi Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................ vii List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................................................... viii Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................. xi PART I – INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Lessons learned from the 2003 NBSAP .................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Development of Jamaica’s Second NBSAP ............................................................................................ 3 1.3 Background .............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.3.1 Jamaica - Land of Wood and Water ................................................................................................ 4 1.3.2 People and Culture .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.3 History of Jamaica .......................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Jamaica's Physical Features ................................................................................................................... 5 1.4.1 Topography ...................................................................................................................................... 5 1.4.2 Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.3 Climate ............................................................................................................................................. 6 PART II – SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF JAMAICA’S BIODIVERSITY ................................................................. 7 2 Situational Analysis of Jamaica’s Biodiversity ................................................................................................. 8 2.1 The Value of Biodiversity to Jamaica ...................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Species Diversity ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Terrestrial Biodiversity ............................................................................................................................. 9 2.4 Forests ................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.5 Watersheds ............................................................................................................................................ 13 2.6 Freshwater Biodiversity ......................................................................................................................... 14 2.7 Coastal and Marine Biodiversity ............................................................................................................ 15 National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity in Jamaica 2016-2021 i 2.7.1 Marine resources ........................................................................................................................... 15 2.7.2 Seagrass/Marine Plants ................................................................................................................. 16 2.7.3 Coral Reefs .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.7.4 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................................ 18 2.8 Agro-Biodiversity .................................................................................................................................... 19 PART III CONSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK RELATED TO BIODIVERSITY ........ 20 3 Constitutional, Legal and Policy Framework related to Biodiversity .............................................................. 21 3.1 The Constitution of Jamaica .................................................................................................................. 21 3.2 Overview of Legislation Governing Biodiversity .................................................................................... 21 3.2.1 Provisions of the Main Laws and Regulations related to Biodiversity ........................................... 22 3.2.2 Other Legislation Relating to Biodiversity ...................................................................................... 24 3.3 National Policies, Plans and Strategies ................................................................................................. 25 3.3.1 Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan, 2009 ............................................................ 25 3.3.2 The main policies and plans relating to biodiversity ...................................................................... 26 3.3.3 Future Initiatives ............................................................................................................................ 30 3.4 International Agreements ...................................................................................................................... 31 3.4.1 Jamaica and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) .......................................................... 31 3.4.2 Other Biodiversity-related treaties .................................................................................................... 31 PART IV – PRESSURES, GAPS AND CHALLENGES ........................................................................................ 33 4 Pressures, Gaps and Challenges Affecting the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Jamaica’s Biodiversity 34 A. PRESSURES ..................................................................................................................................... 34 4.1 Pressures on Biodiversity ...................................................................................................................... 34 4.2 Socio-economic Factors ........................................................................................................................ 34 4.2.1 Population Pressure ...................................................................................................................... 34 4.2.2 Poverty ........................................................................................................................................... 35 4.2.3 Habitat Degradation ....................................................................................................................... 35 4.2.4 Overexploitation ............................................................................................................................. 36 4.2.5 Invasive Alien Species ................................................................................................................... 37 National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity in Jamaica 2016-2021 ii 4.2.6 Pollution ......................................................................................................................................... 37 B. GAPS AND CHALLENGES ................................................................................................................... 38 4.3 Climate Change ....................................................................................................................................