Wolmer’s Boys’ School

Department of Geography
5pool 1 April 16,2013
Topic: Human Environment Systems Subtopic: Environmental
Degradation
Deforestation in Jamaica
Causes of Deforestation- In the past, most of Jamaica was covered by rainforests. Today
there are only fragments of forest in Jamaica’s remote and mountainous interior. Over 75
% of original rainforest has been lost. The causes of deforestation have been as follows:
 Bauxite mining and the construction of access roads.
 Commercial agriculture, particularly coffee plantations.
 Tourist developments around the coast.
 Logging
 Charcoal burning.
Impacts of Deforestation - Deforestation has had several impacts:
 Exposed soil is now much more vulnerable to soil erosion and landslides following
heavy rain. In 1988,torrential rain associated with Hurricane Gilbert caused
widespread flooding and loss of life, much of which was blamed on deforestation.
 Sedimentation is a major causes of damage to coral reefs. This is caused by loose soil
being swept out to sea following heavy rainfall.
 Rainforests help to retain water during dry periods. Deforestation has led to water
shortages and some rivers have dried up.
 Species diversity has decreased as forests have been cut down.
 Traditional lifestyles and knowledge about local plants and their medicinal uses is
being lost.
Responses to Deforestation in Jamaica.
1. Forest Reserves
The Department of forestry was established in 1937 which led to the development of
forest reserves in the Blue Mountain region, THE John Crow Mountain region as well as
the Cockpit Country.
2. Forestry Sustainability programme
Government has initiated several projects top enhance the forestry sustainable
program. In 1992,the project called “trees for tomorrow”(TFT) was started to improve the
management and conservation of trees. Activities include (a) Education awareness (b)
Demarcation of boundaries of forest reserves. (c ) Training & equipping employees with
forestry management skills.
3. Forest Management
Local forest management plans were also initiated to promote the sustainable
management of forests. For Example; Buff Bay watershed area which involves the setting
up of a community nursery in these areas to grow young trees for reforesting watershed
areas.
4. Forest Plantation
The setting up of forest plantation in Jamaica which involves the growing of
Mahogany trees. These trees are allowed to reach maturity and when harvested Are used
for construction and furniture making. After which young species of commercially viable
trees are replanted to create a new plantation.
5. Sylviculture/silviculture
The introduction of the fast growing exotic species of Caribbean Pine and Teak are
also used to replace trees that were previously removed.(Caribbean Pine is suitable for
recreation cover, wildlife habitat, erosion control and water management) while Teak is
an important lumber species, it’s a valuable cabinet wood with resistance to pest and
rotting
Responses to Deforestation in Guyana
1. Reafforestation
The Guyanese government has set up a number of projects using money from aid
agencies such as Worldwide Fund for Nature and the World Conservation Union. These
have involved replanting local species of trees that have been cut down. One example is
in the Barima region where local communities are growing Euterpe oleracea,a type of
manicole palm to be replanted in local forests.

2. Iwokrama Project
The Iwokrama project is a conservation and research project in central Guyana set up in
1996 to promote the sustainable use of tropical rainforests. It has become a living natural
lab for sustainable tropical forest management and research into global warming.
3. Eco-tourism
There are also opportunities for ecotourism in the forest, which enable tourists to learn
about the forest ecosystem. Aerial walkways have been constructed to take visitors high
into the canopy where the bulk of the plants and animals live.
4. Forest Stewardship
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is leading the way in promoting sustainable
management of tropical rainforests. It awards a certificate to companies that have
demonstrated environmentally friendly practices, such as low -impact logging and
resfforestation programmes. Consumers of timber are increasingly only buying wood that
has FSC stamp.
5. Satellite Monitoring
In 2008.the Guyana Forestry Commission announced that it would be using satellite
technology to monitor its tropical rainforests and check foe signs of illegal logging. Using
satellite images, it will be possible to digitally tag timber and track it movements. The
project is part funded by the Japanese-based International Tropical Timber Organization.
6. Legislation
Enacting laws to prevent illegal deforestation such as illegal logging and burning of
forests.