Architecture and the Environment

Assignment #3: Field Trip Reports

1. Visit to Port Royal Wetlands Ramsar Site with Dayne Buddo.

Thursday 05 February 2009)

2. Visit to Black River Ramsar Site (Salt Spring tributary) with Mr. Charles

Swaby

Saturday 28 February 2009).

Caribbean School of Architecture

University of Technology

237 Old Hope Road

Kingston 6

Everton Smith

April 30, 2009.

Field trip report on the study of the Palisadoes Port Royal Wetlands ( Ramsar Site)

Date: Thursday 05 February 2009

Time: 9:00 am to 12: 00 pm

Site of study and investigation: Palisadoes Port Royal Jamaica.

General Purpose of field trips

Provide students with first hand experiences that cannot be achieved inside the

class room, which are an integral part of the general education of students.

Expands students learning beyond the classroom into the wider community which

we live and work.

The aim of the field trip

Provide opportunities for learning through observation and first hand experience

about topics studied in class as it relates to the architects role in preserving the

natural environment.

To investigate and study the ecological environment of the Palisadoes Port Royal

wetland habitat.

To learn about the major organisms present (both flora and fauna) and their

adaptation to the environment.

To investigate the role of the built environment on the natural environment of the

wetlands and the threat of development.

Introduction

“Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial,

permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt,

including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six

metres."1

A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or

seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely by shallow pools of

water. These include swamps, marshes, and bogs, among others. The water found in

wetlands can be saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water. Wetlands are considered the

most biologically diverse of all ecosystems. They have been categorized both as biomes

(a complex biotic community characterized by distinctive plant and animal species and

maintained under the climatic conditions of the region)2 and ecosystems (an ecological

community together with its environment, functioning as a unit)3. They are generally

distinguished from other watersystems based on their water content and the types of flora

and fauna that thrive within them. Made up of hydric soil (of, pertaining to, or adapted to

a wet or moist environment)4 wetlands are the home of hydrophites (a plant that grows in

water or very moist ground; an aquatic plant)5. Wetlands are also described as an ecotone

that is they provide a transition between dryland and waterbodies as most exists at the

interface between truly terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic systems making them

inherently different from each other, yet highly dependent on each other6.

Palisadoes Port Royal Wetlands

Palisadoes Port Royal is located on Jamaica’s southeastern coast situated to the south of

Kingston Harbour, the seventh largest natural harbour in the world. Originally an island,

Port Royal was joined to the rest of Jamaica through the process of long shore drift. The

Palisadoes Port Royal Wetlands is approximately 7,523 hectares and includes a diverse

ecosystem of cays, shoals, dunes, mangrove lagoons, mangrove islands, coral reefs, sea

grass beds and surrounding shallow waters. “The Palisadoes Port Royal wetlands are very

valuable culturally and historically as the site is occupied by forts and part of the sunken

city of Port Royal, considered a unique underwater archeological and ecological

treasure.”7

Discussion

The ecological environment of the Palisadoes Port Royal wetland

Our guide Mr. Dayne Buddo was quite helpful in our investigation and observation of the

environment. We started at the marine labs in Port Royal where ongoing research is being

done to preserve this delicate habitat and the species that live in it. The wetlands were

teeming with aquatic life. There is a profound symbiotic relationship between the various

species present at the site. There are four types of mangroves found in Jamaica the red

mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), black mangroves (Aricennia germinans), white

mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa) and button mangroves (Conocarpus erectus). All

Four are found at the Port Royal wetlands. The site has a wide range of wetland settings,

each with different characteristics and special values. The most marine oriented

mangrove is the red mangrove due to their high salt tolerance and their tall arching roots

called prop roots. These roots specifically adapted to supply air to the underlying roots

and provide support and stability to the plant. The roots trap mud and silt that flows with

the tide, thus gradually increasing the soil around them. Mangroves provide a wide range

of ecological, economic and scientific benefits; They acts as buffers against natural

disasters, refuge for wildlife, nurseries for marine life such as fishes and sharks which

spends part of their life cycle in wetlands during breeding and spawning. They also

provide a habitat for crabs, mussels, sea squirts, sea sponges and fan worms, which are all

filter feeders; they filter the water thus improving water quality. Because of their

submerged root system, mangroves retard water movement and trap suspended materials

and the remains of organisms. This then raises the soil level which in turn builds the

shoreline seaward. This process we noted provides a rich protected substrata habitat for a

large variety of organisms that serves as food for marine fauna.

Threats due to development

The threats we observed due to developments are severe as the mangroves are harmed or

destroyed by illegal garbage or solid waste disposal sites, malfunctioning sewer plant

(including Harbour view sewage system), raw sewage entering the harbour, the removal

of mangrove vegetation, dredging of the harbour, natural disasters such as hurricanes,

solid waste pollution from mainland sources, industrial waste pollution from mainland

sources (we have our major refineries on the harbour front), Non regulated recreational

activities on the sand dunes and cays such as lime cay, illegal harvesting of fish

( nurslings), oysters and other marine faunas.

Several of these threatened habitats are home to many endangered species including: the

American crocodile, the green and hawksbill turtle, the West Indian manatee, the

bottlenose dolphin, and the Lined and Longsnout seahorse.

The Longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidii) and Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)

are noted to have habitat in these shallow waters, seagrass bed, lagoons, mangrove roots

and coral reefs. On the leeward side of the wetlands is rich in seagrass beds and

mangrove roots and on the windward side which used to be rich in seagrass beds and

coral reef have been susceptible to natural desasters such as huricanes and also to

pollution. Species are threatened mainly by eutrophication, coastal development, solid

waste, untreated sewage, mangrove removal, dynamiting and improper harvesting

practises for shrimp and oyster. Measures have been put in place to combat these threats

such as nurseries at the marine lab and the replanting of mangrove saplings.

Field trip report on the study of the Black River Lower Morass (Salt Spring tributary)

A Ramsar Site.

Date: Saturday 28 February 2009

Time: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Site of study and investigation: Black River Morass (Salt spring tributary)

Background: Black River Lower Morass (Salt Spring tributary).

The Black River Lower Morass is the largest freshwater herbaceous wetland ecosystem in

Jamaica and the Caribbean. It is approximately 17,769 hectares. It is a biologically

diverse and extremely complex natural wetland ecosystem that supports a large number

of plants, animals and natural communities. Its name refers to the darkness of the river

bed that has been lined with thick layers of decomposing vegetation.

Located to the southwest of Jamaica in the parish of St. Elizabeth, the Black River Lower

Morass lies to the south of the Lacovia Gorge, extending down to the sea. It is bounded to

the east by the Santa Cruz Mountains, to the west by the Black River and the Santa Cruz

main road. The Black River passes through the wetlands and enters the sea at the town of

Black River, the capital of the parish. The whole wetland system is fed by a network of

tributaries namely the Broad and Punches River to the east, and the Middle Quarters and

YS Rivers to the west. Two large ponds are located at the southern section of the

wetlands namely the Parotee Great Salt Pond which is saline and the Wally Wash Pond

which is a Fresh water body.

It begins as an underground stream in the Cockpit Country and emerges north of Siloah

on the southern border of the Cockpits. The river flows into the Upper Morass where the

waters merge with those of the Smith River and other smaller tributaries.

Discussion

The ecological environment of the Black River Morass.

This diverse and complex system of tributaries, ponds, marshes, lagoons and mudflats

supports a rich indegenous flora and fauna. On our excursion up the Black River we

noted that the river was the lifeline of the town. The main activities we noticed were

fishing, “shrimping” and farming (sugarcane and rice). The wetlands are home to a

number of marine species such as the American Crocodile which we had the opportunity

to see in their natural habitat. The wetlands support a rich and diverse ecosystem of flora

and fauna such as the Thatch Palm (which is used extensively by the local people in the

making of baskets and as a roofing material), the Giant Fern and water lilies, Osprey

(Fish Hawk), and the Cattle Egret. Like the Palisadoes Port Royal Wetlands the Black

River Morass is a breeding ground and nursery for number of commercially important

fish species such as the Snapper, Snook and several species of fresh and brackish water

shrimps sold by the local people, for some the only means of income.

The Red, Black and White Mangroves are found in the morass with the Red the largest

and most dominant, some as old as 300 years old. The mangrove root system supports

various species of birds, crabs, fish, shrimps and the American Crocodile.

Threats due to development

Some noticeable threats I observed were the operation of recreational (guided) tours in

the wetlands, up the Black River and the salt spring tributary), an activity which may

have a detrimental effect on local wildlife and the natural habitats such as nesting

grounds on the banks of the river is destroyed by boats. Also the delicate balance in the

food chain has been disrupted with the introduction of new species such as Tilapia,

catfish.

The morass is being drained and filled at Parotee in order to facilitate property

development for domestic and tourism purposes. This has had a profound effect on the

delicate balance of the natural habitat as the wetlands checks storm water runoff. The use

of non sensitive materials and method of construction e.g. concrete block and steel

instead of wooden posts, and buildings raised on stilts. This type of development has had

adverse effects on the natural connection of the ponds to the sea, which has been blocked

by garbage, solid waste and other deleterious materials. This in effect stops the tidal flow

and the area is subjected to flooding. Also the natural path the crocodiles take to the

beach for breeding and nesting is blocked (by road networks) hence depletion in the

crocodile species.

Conclusions

Wetlands are a vital part of the ecosystem of any country; it provides a unique habitat for

endemic plants and animals. Looking at the environment now with an informed eye, I did

not realize how fragile the natural environment was. A small shift in the system can

disrupt the equilibrium of a whole ecosystem as every organism depends on another

organism for survival, whether it is for shelter or for food, this symbiotic relationship is

necessary for a healthy living ecosystem, and wetlands has an important place in that

cycle.

I was not aware of the damage that has been done to the environment. It is true one can’t

exist in an environment without having an impact whether negative or a positive, but I’m

seeing more negative than positive. As architects we should have an awareness of the

consequences of our actions, and we should be more sensitive in our approach to the

natural environment with our built environment. As we develop sustainable methods of

living and interacting with the natural environment more systems should be in place to

increase public awareness about the importance of the wetlands and mangrove forests in

Palisadoes Port Royal, Black River Morass and any other wetland system here in Jamaica.

As architects we should be at the forefront promoting sustainable developments by

ensuring the protection of the environment. The idea that wetlands are “wastelands”

and they should be drained and developed is a farce that should be eradicated from the

minds of the Jamaican people. I think the government agencies should be more proactive

in

- Making people be aware of the impacts they have on the marine and

terrestrial environment.

- Responsibilities they have in promoting good environmental practices, and

the myriad of benefits of keeping the wetlands healthy. Wetlands have a

lot to offer to the communities they are a part of.

- Through education, agencies should be able to promote proper use of the

natural resources by introducing sustainable harvesting techniques to

mitigate against the unsustainable practices of commercial harvesters.

- Through proper policing, agencies should ensure that the above objectives

are met and enforced as this will ensure a better future for upcoming

generations.

Chief Seattle, a Native American, aptly made it clear in an address given to an American

Congressional committee in 1854 when he said “All things are connected, like the blood

that unites one family, all things are connected. Teach your children that the earth is our

mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth. Man did

not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he

does to himself.” 8

Bibliography

1. Ramsar Convention, Article 1

2 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biome

3. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ecosystems

4. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hydric%20

5. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hydrophytes

6. Mitsch, William J.; James G. Gosselink (2007-08-24). Wetlands (4th edition ed.). New York:

John Wiley & Sons.

7. http://rareplanet.org/en/campaign/port-royal-protected-area-kingston/details

8. Chandler, Wayne B. Ancient Future: The Teachings and the Prophetic Wisdom of the

Seven Hermetic Laws of Ancient Egypt. Atlanta Georgia: Black Classic Press, 1999.

Garbage and solid waste used to fill

wetlands at Black River Morass

American Crocodile

Wetlands being cleared by fire

300 year old Red Mangroves