Chapter 5.5 - Rapid Assessment Methods Developed for the Mangrove Forests of the Great Morass, St. Thomas, Eastern Jamaica

Abstract

The 1660ha Great Morass in St. Thomas in eastern Jamaica was surveyed between October 2006 and March 2007 using a rapid ecological assessment (REA) to determine the extent, status, uses, and threats toward possible declaration as a “wetland of international importance” under the Ramsar convention. The aerial extent was determined from Jamaica Survey Department maps (1991–92) and Google Earth (2005–07), with ground truthing and land surveying using WAAS-GPS systems. Four stands were discerned with varying levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Floristic and physicochemical data gathered from 28 belt transects (10m by 2m) distributed across the four stands suggested low regeneration in this stable wetland with mature trees reaching 18m tall. Classical mangrove zonation was not evident as Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa dominated, but Conocarpus erectus and Avicennia germinans were observed as well as Typha domingensis, Phragmites australis, and Cyperus giganteus in waterways. A total of 80 faunal and 67 floral species were identified with two butterflies, nine birds, and three plants being endemic. The REA was effective, allowing the extraction of enough evidence to confirm the protection requirement status of the area as a wetland of international importance under Ramsar.