Nature Vibe-March 2012

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

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Natural History Museum of

Jamaica Newsletter

March 2012 Issue XVII Pg. 1

World Meteorological Day is celebrated every year on the 23rd of March; this year’s theme is ‘Powering our future, with weather, climate and water’. Climate ob-servations and research are necessary to under-standing climate change and how it is currently af-fecting and will affect our food, water, health and livelihoods.

Climate change is the non-reversible average change in weather patterns over an extended period of time. It is a naturally occurring process on Earth which is related to the interaction of atmosphere, oceans and land as well as the amount of solar radiation reach-ing the Earth.

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has embarked on a project entitled The Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Project. The theme of this project is “Climate Change - We have to Change!”

The project will be implemented over a period of thirty months. The primary goal of the project is to assist key agencies in rehabilitating Jamaica’s natural ecosystems so as to improve coastal protection and build the national capacity to manage an mitigate the effects of cli-mate change. It is also aimed at raising awareness of climate change and its effects.

The project is already in effect and to date the Forestry Department has rehabilitated over 200 hectares of degraded forest lands has im-plemented local committees to assist in the management and protec-tion of forest reserves. Additionally 2600 hectares of forest lands have been identified as potential new forest reserves and will soon be de-clared as such. (Contd on Pg 6)

World Meteorological

Day 2012

It is however due in part to anthropogenic factors, the release of green-houses gases into the Earth’s atmosphere due to human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. This has caused an increase in global temperatures which has affected global weather patterns.

Official logo for World Meteorological Day 2012

Reforestation project carried out by the Forestry Department.


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The Zoology Department of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica in collaboration with the Windsor Research Centre (WRC), located just outside of Sherwood Content, embarked on a research project in early 2011. This aim of this project is to examine the principal insects that com-prise the diet of the bats found within the Windsor district of Trelawny. It also seeks to establish a list of insects found within the area and supplement the existing biodiversity information. The project is slated to last approximately one year ending in June 2012. The ma-jor role of the Zoological Department within the project has been to as-sist in the collection and identification of insect species. The zoology department agreed to:

Advise on survey designs and sampling protocols, including giving recommendations for trapping devices to capture terrestri-al and arboreal invertebrates;

Train a minimum of one WRC staff member in the correct handling and temporary storage of specimens;

Identify specimens as well as consult with outside experts on species identification when necessary;

Store specimens for a permanent archive of the insect biodiversi-ty found in Windsor District, Trelawney.

The Windsor Research Centre has committed to: Purchasing all required field equipment, including temporary

storage materials, necessary for the surveys; The deployment of insect-collecting traps on a monthly basis, for

12 months;

The Windsor Research

Project

Entomologist, Dionne Newell and zoologist, Elizabeth Morrison closely examines specimens for identification.


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The Windsor Research

Project

The collection and temporarily storage of species trapped; Photograph, with a digital camera, all specimens that are collect-

ed; Transport to NHMJ-IOJ all specimens collected, within 30 days of

their date-of-collection.

To date over 200 specimens of insects including a number of endemic moths have been collected using light traps, active sweep netting, pit-fall traps, malaise traps and other trapping methods which are placed in the flying paths of the bats and within the general area. The zoology team then regularly visits the location and monitors the traps. The types of insects collected so far includes: noctuids, night wasps, fire-flies, click beetles and moths.

The NHMJ staff has also conducted training on insect pinning and identification and provided a preliminary checklist of specimens col-lected in the area. Identified specimens have been accessioned into the national collections and the project hopes to produce a comprehensive checklist with accompanying photographs, to be available in electronic format and archived with the Clearing House Mechanism-Institute of Jamaica.

Zoologist, Elizabeth Morrison collects specimens from light trap. One of several methods used in insect collecting.

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World Wetlands Day

2012

The World Wetlands Day theme for February 2, 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism. On this internationally recognized day, government agencies, private organizations and groups of citizens at all levels of the commu-nity organize activities and undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of the importance and benefits of wetlands. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty which focuses on the protection and sustainable use of wetlands. The Mason River Protected Area (MRPA) in Clarendon, which is managed by the Natural History Museum of Jamaica, was designated the 4th Ramsar Site or Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in December 2011. This designation holds much significance as it the only inland wetland and bird sanctuary so recognized within the Caribbean. Given its designation, the site will now be known as the Mason River Protect-ed Area, Bird Sanctuary and Ramsar Site (MRPA-RS). The MRPA consists of 82 hectares of land on which exists Jamaica only inland peat bog as well as it possesses many unique plants and ani-mals. There is an abundance of unique flora that can be found in the MRPA such as Venus flytrap, Sundew, Pitcher plant, Prickly pole which is endemic and several orchids. There are over 30 species of birds, many of which are endemic, many insects and a few amphibians and reptiles that inhabit the MRPA. Types of fauna that can be commonly found within the MRPA are Jamaican zebra butterfly, Vervain hum-mingbird, which is endemic, the White crowned pigeon, the green lizard and the mongoose.

Top left: Jamaican Zebra Butterfky Top right: Sundew Plant Bottom left: Vervain hummingbird Bottom right: Prickly pole


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In commemoration of World Wetlands’ Day 2012, the NHMJ held a host of activities at the MRPA on January 30th and February 3rd. Over 150 students attended this event from schools within the vicinity of Mason River as well as from outside of the Mason River area such as Chandler’s Pen Primary and Junior High, St. Michael’s Primary School and St Theresa Preparatory School. The activities included tours of the MRPA, presentations on wetlands, a display of wetland flora and fauna, interactive storytelling, scavenger hunts, painting and drawing and activity sheets on wetlands. It was a very successful event and the urban schools were very grateful for such an oppor-tunity to visit a wetland.

World Wetlands Day

2012


Botanist, Keron Campbell taking the students on a tour of the Mason River Protected Area on World Wetlands Day 2012

Students engaged in a learning activity at the MRPA.

Students acting out characters in an interactive story entitled “A Wetland Story”

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The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has already implemented a training programme in seagrass replanting methodolo-gy and has so far trained fifteen technical officers from NEPA and oth-er selected agencies. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (MET) has started implementing the portion of the project that supports provi-sion of information so as to make Jamaicans more disaster resilient and to strengthen our response efforts. Jamaica has been making considerable strides in meeting its goal of reducing its carbon footprint and converting to green energy. Many public and private sector organizations have been investing in alter-native energy solutions in working towards meeting the Goals of the Jamaica Energy Policy which is to have alternative energy comprising approximately 20% of Jamaica’s total energy usage by 2030. The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Wigton Wind Farms is cur-rently performing at top capacity supplying approximately 11% of Ja-maica’s energy needs. The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has ventured into wind and hydroelectric power and has several hydroelectric plants throughout the island. Many businesses and homes have been investing in solar power as an alternate source of energy, such as so-lar water heaters, solar AC units and solar outdoor lighting. The growing energy needs of the world and the continuously increas-ing energy costs are of great concern to Governments, producers and consumers. Jamaica has unlimited clean and renewable energy re-sources which has the capacity to supply all our energy needs such as high intensity sunshine all year round, many powerful rivers and many mountainous and coastal regions which produce strong winds. The onus is thus on the Government, the private sector and also on us citizens to invest in renewable energy research and technology

World Meteorological

Day 2012 (contd from pg1)

Wigton Wind Farm, Manchester Rio Cobre River Dam

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Biodiversity March 2012 Issue XVII Pg. 6



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Highlights

Biodiversity Awareness Programme This project was conceptualized and implemented by the Natural His-tory Museum of Jamaica. The programme includes regular teaching sessions, field trips and other activities with the students of the Envi-ronmental club at Chandler’s Pen Primary School in Clarendon. So far 3 sessions have been conducted with the students including a field trip to the Mason River Field Station in Clarendon. The programme is aimed at teaching students and member of the community about Jamaican biodiversity.

An Afternoon with a Scientist This term of An Afternoon with a Scientist was quite an exciting one. The presenters were biotechnologists from the Scientific Research Council (SRC), a team of pilots from JDF Airwing and at the Round Up Session we had Dr. Byron Wilson, herpetologist. The sessions were ex-tremely informative and the students enjoyed them immensely.

Students at Chandler’s Pen Primary engaged in learning at a session: “Biodiversity in the Schoolyard”

Top left: Biotechnologist shows students how to prepare plant cultures Top left: Pilot from JDF Airwing demonstrates aerodynamics to the students.

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Protecting Jamaican

Biodiversity

The United Nations adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on May 22, 1992 with the aim of increasing understanding and awareness of the diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms. Jamaica has been a party to the Convention since 1995 and has the goal “to improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity”.

This year, the Natural History Museum of Jamaica decided to highlight aspects of biodiversity conservation in Jamaica. These conservation ef-forts have already achieved much success and have made significant

progress towards achieving the goals of the CBD.

The Jamaica Iguana (Cyclura col-

lei) Headstart Programme at the

Hope Zoo

The Jamaican iguana is the island’s largest native land animal. Though once abundant, the iguana was considered extinct up until 1990 when a small population was found in Hellshire Hills. It is now consid-

ered critically endangered.

In 1991, a group of conservationists removed a clutch of eggs and a few hatchlings and housed them at The Department of Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies. The iguanas were then relocated to the Hope Zoo where they were housed until they were old enough to survive release into the wild in the Hellshire Hills. By April 2011, over 200 iguanas were released into the wild.

Initially, 8 nesting females were counted at the known nesting sites. In 2012, 40 nesting females were counted at the same site. It is hoped that this is an indication of the population increasing. Other nesting sites may yet be discovered. The total number of individuals in the population is not known as there are problems with assessing

the adult males and juveniles.

Reforestation in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park

Jamaica is said to have one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Caribbean, inclusive of our flora. Many of our forests contain endem-ic plants and it is therefore important that we protect them. Factors such as deforestation and other land clearing activities as well as the introduction of several invasive species into the islands have been

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Biodiversity March 2012 Issue XVII Pg. 8



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threats to our forests. A reforestation programme has been estab-

lished and it extends from sections of the Upper Yallahs Watershed in

the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. The Jamaica Conservation Development Trust dedicated approxi-mately 48.5 hectares of land to the planting of native, non-lumber species over a 5 year period. The Forestry Department also designat-ed another 38 hectares of land to reforestation efforts.

Approximately 13,250 seedlings were planted in 26.5 ha between

2007 and 2009. The survival rate of the native species was estimated

to be about 80% in the field. This has led to an increase in forest cov-

er, as well as an increase in forest biodiversity, thus helping to fulfill

the goal of the CBD for Jamaica.

The Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Jamaican Waters

The lionfish has become a threat to many species of native fish that occupy our coral reefs as they feed on the young and small adults of some fish species as well as small crustaceans and molluscs.

The goals of the Project are to conserve marine biodiversity in Jamaica

and to mitigate threats to the local fish diversity and economy from

the Lionfish in Jamaica. A portion of the project deals with the de-

velopment of a lionfish management plan and an examination of its

prey preferences as well as the development of a passive capture

mechanism. This project had led to a decline in the lionfish population in the monitored sites. The population has been reduced from 60 to 6 lion-fish per hectare and 107 to 13 lionfish per hectare at Dairy Bull and Skeggy Reef respectively (2 of the 3 sites monitored in Discovery Bay, St, Ann). This reduction could also be attributed to the training of fisher folk in the safe removal and handling techniques inclusive of spine removal for consumption.

Protecting Jamaican

Biodiversity

The Mitigating the Threats of Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean (MTIASIC) Project includes the Lionfish Pilot Project and is a collaborative effort of the Global Environ-ment Facility (GEF), United Nations Environment Pro-gramme (UNEP), CAB Interna-tional (CABI), National Envi-ronment and Planning Agency (NEPA and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

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INSTITUTE OF JAMAICA Natural History Museum of Jamaica

10-16 East Street Kingston.

Tel: (876)922-0620-6 Fax: (876)922-1147

Email: [email protected]

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Nature Vibe-March 2012